Joel Harris sighed, “When you rely on physical labor, after forty, your body ages quickly and it becomes very hard to find work. If you have no savings, no good sons or daughters, within a few years you’ll be taken away by poverty and illness. People like this, Uncle Harris has seen many—very few live past forty-five. You should take advantage of your youth and learn a trade. Although the apprenticeship contract is ten years, if you do well, you can go to a small town later and definitely live a good life.”

As they spoke, the two of them walked along a road and passed through a city gate guarded by sentries. Instantly, Logan Bennett’s eyes lit up: wide roads, tidy streets, bustling shops on both sides, and people coming and going in clothes and long dresses of all colors and styles. Occasionally, there were even nobles in luxurious clothing adorned with jewelry. Even the air seemed to ripple with waves of beautiful music. Compared to the Ardenne District, it was like another world.

“Thank you, Uncle Harris.” Logan Bennett could feel Joel Harris’s genuine concern.

Joel Harris paused, then grinned mischievously. “Besides, if your master when you’re learning a trade only has one daughter, maybe you can go straight from apprentice to boss. Our Little Evans is quite a good-looking one.”

Teased by Joel Harris like this, Logan Bennett could only smile awkwardly.

As they chatted, Joel Harris suddenly stopped, walked to a street corner, placed a prepared hat on the ground, and sat down beside it, ready to play the harp.

Uncle Harris is a street performer? Logan Bennett was no stranger to this kind of thing.

Joel Harris pointed to a distant, faintly visible, luxurious and magnificent building, reminiscent of Baroque architecture from Logan Bennett’s previous life, and said with a smile, “From here you can see the Choral Hall directly. For me, playing here feels just like performing in the Choral Hall.”

Before Logan Bennett could reply, Joel Harris seemed to be lost in thought, pointing at the Choral Hall and rambling on: “Over four hundred years ago, the Church led the Holy Hailz Empire westward, occupying Alto, the last core of the ancient Sylvanas Magic Empire, and drove the dark creatures and monsters to the vicinity and depths of the Dark Mountains. Since then, Alto has always been one of the most famous cities on the continent.”

“And over three hundred years ago, His Holiness Pope Charles I, then still a cardinal, organized the Church’s hymns and songbooks in Alto, establishing the standards for sacred music and singing. When he became Pope, he officially promoted the Charles Choral Method and choirs to every church, and Alto gained the title of City of Choral Music.”

“Because it’s close to the Dark Mountains, elves, dwarves, kobolds and others often change their faith and become members of the duchy. The convergence of different music styles has made Alto the music capital of the continent. The emergence of polyphonic music, the formalization of symphonies, the invention of instruments like the Gisou violin—all happened here. Great musicians have left their names in history.”

“For every bard, every musician, every composer, performing their own music in Alto’s Choral Hall is the highest honor.”

“Although Uncle Harris can’t enter the Choral Hall, being able to play nearby already makes me very happy.”

……

After bidding farewell to Joel Harris, Logan Bennett asked for directions as he explored Alto, experiencing the city’s atmosphere. On the streets and at corners, there were many bards performing or singing for money. From shops and homes, singing and music would drift out from time to time. The whole city seemed to be enveloped in music.

Returning to the Ardenne District through another inner city gate, Logan Bennett immediately spotted the tavern with the painted copper crown.

Outside the tavern, young girls and women would occasionally come by, peeking inside furtively, then leaving in disappointment.

Chapter 9: A Difficult Beginning

Logan Bennett watched the strange scene in front of the tavern with amusement and, puzzled, walked toward the entrance. Morning was the quietest time for the tavern.

At the door, a slender young woman was peeking inside. Her pale golden hair swayed gently as she turned her head. When she sighed and turned around, she was startled: “Logan Bennett?”

Another person who knows me, but I don’t know them? Logan Bennett was already used to this situation and smiled, “At the tavern so early?”

The girl’s wheat-colored skin flushed red at once. “I just heard that a new bard came to the Copper Crown Tavern, and I was curious. I thought I’d come take a look before helping my mother with chores. Well, I don’t have much time, I’ll be going now.”

Watching the girl hurry away, Logan Bennett let out a soft “oh.” It seemed that the bard’s looks or singing must be quite exceptional.

But this had nothing to do with Logan Bennett himself, so he gently pushed open the half-closed tavern door and walked in.

Dim lighting, a strong smell of alcohol, wooden floorboards creaking underfoot, and tables and chairs scattered in disarray—this was Logan Bennett’s first impression of the Copper Crown Tavern. Coming in from the fresh, bright morning outside felt like stepping into another world.

Logan Bennett took a moment to adjust before he could see where the bar was.