Devil’s Music

Chapter 243: Begin Again

It was well past 2 a.m. when Gun returned to the hotel. After drinking four glasses of beer and feeling just tipsy enough for a good night's sleep, he entered his hotel room, took a shower, and fell asleep. He spent about six hours in dreamland before being rudely awakened by the noisy ringing of the room's bell in the morning. Rubbing his eyes in annoyance, Gun got up, shook his head a few times, and headed to the door, shaking his head in disbelief at the continuous ringing.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Sharon!"

Upon hearing Sharon's voice, Gun opened the door to find her holding a crumpled newspaper with a look of shock on her face.

"Uh? Professor, what's going on?"

Sharon quickly glanced around the hotel corridor before pushing Gun aside and closing the door behind her. She unfolded the newspaper she was holding and asked him.

"Did you go out last night? Look at this."

Still half asleep, Gun looked at the newspaper Sharon opened to find a black-and-white photo of himself smiling and holding a beer glass, prominently featured on the front page.

<K! Secretly Enters the Island!>

Gun's eyes widened upon reading the main article's headline. Holding the newspaper, he scratched the back of his head while reading the article, as Sharon sighed, crossed her arms, and sat on the sofa.

"Phew, people who were there posted photos on social media, and it blew up. Dublin's city center is in chaos right now. Everyone who saw the newspaper rushed to Grafton Street hoping they might meet K. Thanks to that, our sightseeing plans are ruined."

Gun lowered the newspaper, looking apologetic.

"Ahaha... I'm sorry, Professor."

Sharon sighed again, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Sigh, I'm okay since it's my third time in Ireland, but Professor Price will be disappointed."

Gun stood awkwardly, then suddenly perked up as if remembering something.

"Oh, right! Professor, you know Slane Castle?"

"Yes, I do."

"A friend I met yesterday said his aunt manages it. If we mention his name, she'll give us a personal tour. How about we go there instead?"

"That sounds great. Let's keep this incident from Professor Price and just go quietly."

"Ahaha.. Yes, sorry about this, Professor, for causing trouble."

"No, it's quite an achievement to have a student so popular. Let's have breakfast with Professor Price in his room, room service. Come over after you shower."

"Yes, Professor."

After Sharon left, Gun finished reading the newspaper and scratched his messy hair before heading to the shower. After showering, they discussed visiting Slane Castle over breakfast with Professor Price, who happily agreed to the visit, thankful for the chance to see a place he'd always wanted to visit. Gun then picked up his guitar, and wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a scarf to cover his face, he headed down to the lobby, where Sharon was already waiting on a sofa. Noticing her guitar case next to her, Gun asked.

"Oh, Professor, you brought your guitar?"

"Yes, it's a quiet place with a nice lawn in front of the castle. I thought it might inspire some music. You probably brought yours for the same reason, right?"

"Haha, yes, that's right."

The three of them took a taxi north of Dublin for about 50 kilometers, smiling as they passed a charming little village. Deciding to explore the village first, they slowly made their way to Slane Castle. At the entrance, Gun paid the entrance fee for three adults, 36 euros, and asked the staff.

"Is there a Ciara here? We had an appointment."

The staff nodded vigorously.

"Oh, you're looking for the manager? She's expecting you. I'll call her on the intercom; please head to the entrance."

"Thank you, have a good day!"

Relieved that the arrangement was honored, Gun and his companions headed to the castle entrance. Approaching, a woman in her late sixties with neatly dressed red hair hurried over.

"My! You really came! I half-doubted Bemad was joking. Welcome! I'm Ciara, managing Slane Castle. Professor Leontin Price, Professor Sharon, and K."

Leontin Price smiled warmly, extending his hand.

"Thank you for welcoming us, Ciara."

After shaking hands with Ciara, who also greeted Sharon, she stood in front of Gun, hiding his face.

"My goodness, are you really K?"

Gun looked around before taking off his sunglasses and smiling, prompting Ciara to cover her mouth with her hand, her voice filled with surprise yet lowered.

"Oh, it really is you! I'm such a fan!"

"Haha, thank you, Ciara."

"Bemad finally did something right, ho ho. Oh! Look at me rambling. Please, come inside. It's just opened,

so there aren't many visitors yet. Now's the perfect time for a leisurely tour."

Ciara opened the door, inviting them in.

"Slane Castle's history is rather short. It bridges the medieval and modern eras. The village of Slane you saw on the way here was founded in the 18th century, and the castle dates from the same period. It was home to the Conyngham family, and even George IV of England stayed here. It's now a private property, encompassing about 2 million square meters of the castle and gardens in the Boyne Valley."

Sharon, admiring the castle's beautiful interior, pointed to the high ceiling sculptures.

"What are those sculptures?"

"Oh, they're carved from wood. Not the whole castle, just parts of it have these carvings."

"The red walls, white window frames, and white carved ceiling decorations are truly artistic. The owner must have a great sense of art."

"Ho ho, it's more about the castle being famous, so renowned architects volunteered for restoration or remodeling. It's been reborn through several renovations."

Proud, Ciara stood in front of a massive white door.

"Normally, this place is only viewed from the outside by the public, but thanks to Bemad's request, I'll let you inside. This is our pride, the Ballroom, known for its music."

Opening the door, Gun gasped at the view.

"Wow!! This is where U2 recorded their entire album?"

Ciara, watching Gun explore, smiled contentedly.

"Not just U2. Queen in 1986, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and Oasis have been here too. It's known as a sanctuary of rock."

Gun, listening to her, observed the circular room with red walls and white window frames, the high ceiling adorned with the white wood carvings seen from outside. A luxurious chandelier hung in the center, adding to the room's grandeur. Ciara explained further.

"The room's circular structure and high ceiling create good sound waves. This room allows for better recording quality than a studio. It was originally George IV's dining room."

Sharon nodded enthusiastically next to Leontin Price.

"It's amazing, isn't it, Professor?"

Leontin Price smiled elegantly.

"It would be wonderful to sing here."

Checking her watch, Ciara smiled.

"You can sing for a bit if you'd like. We have an amp ready."

Sharon, surprised, asked.

"Really?"

"Yes, there's still time before visitors arrive. It's within my authority to allow that. Shall I prepare it for you?"

Sharon looked at Leontin Price, who was delighted, clasping her hands.

"Thank you so much, Ciara. Please do."

Gun, too, was excited, quickly opening his guitar case to take out the jack. Ciara whistled upon seeing the guitar.

"Whew! That's the White Falcon I've only seen in videos. It suits you well, K."

As Gun connected the jack to the amp and sat down, he laughed.

"Haha, thank you, Ciara. I can't believe I get to play here. Isn't that right, Professor Sharon?"

Sharon, connecting her classic guitar's jack, smiled back and sat down.

"Yes, it's like a dream, ho ho. Professor Price, please take a seat."

Sharon pushed a chair towards Leontin Price, who sat with his hands on his knees.

"What will you play?"

After thinking for a moment, Sharon looked at Gun and smiled brightly.

"How about we play Asturias together, after a long time?"

Leontin Price clapped, laughing.

"Ah, the piece K reinterpreted?"

"Yes, Professor. I've always wanted to play it with K."

"Well, then I'll enjoy being an audience for once. I'm happy, ho ho."

Gun and Sharon exchanged smiles before beginning to play. The beautiful Asturias, depicting nature's beauty, started with Sharon's perfect classical guitar, followed by Gun's electric guitar, blending well with the beautiful surroundings of Slane Castle. Ciara, listening to the performance, closed her eyes with a happy smile.

Startled by a beautiful voice joining in, Gun opened his eyes to see Sharon also wide-eyed, looking to the side. Quietly singing along to Asturias was Leontin Price.

Even if it's an inevitable

narrow bridge, one must choose

whether to move forward,

turn back,

or simply stop in place.

The outcomes of countless past decisions

are the ground beneath my feet,

the time I walk through.

No matter which path I take,

I'll always wonder about the road not taken.

Memories fade into the distance,

as time flows like an arrow.

Memories grow distant,

and the past, filled with regrets,

leaves only a sorrowful longing.

I thought phrases like

"I could have,"

"I should have,"

"I must have,"

didn't suit me,

yet here I am, staring at the ground,

aimlessly scuffing my feet

on the cracked and parched earth.

Listening to the lyrics, as if expressing her heart, Gun's eyes fluttered. The retired, aging woman seemed unable to let go of music until her last breath. After the lengthy performance, savoring the guitar's final note, Gun, holding his guitar, approached Leontin Price, who looked puzzled by his sudden approach. A serious voice reached her ears.

"How about starting anew? The second act of Leontin Price's life."

Tremors flickered in her eyes as she looked up at Gun.

>

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