Devil’s Music

Kevin, guided by Alisher Usmanov, was awe-struck as he entered through the main gate.

"Isn't this place bigger than the White House?"

The garden that caught his eye was a vast plain dotted with golden, winter-stricken grass and solitary, serene trees, alongside a huge mansion to the left with a horse breeding stable. The three horses visible within the stable—one white and two black—seemed to frolic contentedly around the spacious grounds, each displaying thick muscles and robust tendons, the signs of excellent care. Shizuka too looked around the house with wide eyes, but Geon and Byungjun, accustomed to the Red Castle, were less impressed and followed Alisher Usmanov through the garden.

Alisher Usmanov matched pace with Geon and casually approached him.

"You’re staying at Gregory’s house, aren’t you?"

Geon nodded but with a puzzled look asked,

"Yes, but... do you know Gregory?"

Alisher Usmanov, though corpulent, wasn’t severely obese but rather comfortably plump. He laughed, hoisting up his trousers.

"Ha, it’s been about 40 years. That's how long I’ve known him."

"Heh, not initially friends, but that’s how it is now. Come on, let’s go inside."

As they approached the mansion's entrance, they were led to the reception room by maids and butlers. Along the way, passing a hallway adorned with paintings, Byungjun leaned over to Geon and whispered.

"There’s a Van Gogh here, looks authentic."

Geon turned to look at the painting, noting the light it emitted, and nodded.

"It’s genuine."

Byungjun's eyes widened as he examined more paintings.

"If that Van Gogh is genuine, how much is this painting worth? So he’s a millionaire to just have it hanging casually in the corridor leading to the reception room?"

Geon stopped to look at another painting featuring an unusual depiction of a gray and white bull. Squinting and crossing his arms, he observed it closely as the rest of the group also stopped to see what Geon was looking at. Byungjun stood beside him and inspected the painting.

"It’s quite a unique painting, looks almost like a hand-drawn map. Wonder which famous artist painted this one? Must be worth a fortune?"

Alisher Usmanov, noticing the group had stopped, turned back with a smile and stood beside Geon.

"Kay mentioned you're Korean, right? This painting is by a Korean."

Byungjun turned to him with a surprised look as Alisher Usmanov smiled and said,

"It’s 'Bull' by Lee Jung-seob. It was very difficult to acquire since it’s not available through regular channels, ha ha."

Hearing the name of a Korean painter made Byungjun look at the painting in awe before turning to Geon, who grimaced and crossed his arms, scrutinizing the painting. Geon then muttered, causing Byungjun to ask,

"Geon, what is it?"

Geon looked seriously at Alisher Usmanov and said,

"It’s not authentic, Mr. Usmanov."

"What?"

Alisher Usmanov appeared slightly shocked as Byungjun quickly stepped in front of Geon, sweating profusely and nudging Geon with his hip,

"Ahaha, what would this kid know about it? Ha ha, sorry, my apologies for the rudeness."

Byungjun, pushing Geon aside with his hip, suggested checking the authenticity,

"If you paid a lot for it, it might be that the seller played a trick on you."

Alisher Usmanov’s expression hardened. As he turned his gaze back to Lee Jung-seob’s painting, he snapped his fingers, prompting an old butler to hurry over. Without even making eye contact with the butler, Alisher Usmanov slightly turned his head and ordered,

"Check it."

The butler bowed and hurried off as Byungjun, unable to stand the awkward silence, clapped his hands and pulled Geon along,

"Ha ha, sorry for the interruption. Don’t mind us and please proceed."

As Byungjun led Geon toward the reception room, Kevin and Shizuka, noticing Alisher Usmanov standing alone in the hallway, quickly followed into the reception room. Left alone in the corridor, Alisher Usmanov glared ominously at Lee Jung-seob’s painting before his expression softened and he walked into the reception room. With no host to invite them to sit, the group lingered around the sofas until Alisher Usmanov spread his arms with a smile,

"Why are you standing? Please, sit down. Have some refreshments."

As the group took their

seats, tea and cookies were promptly served. Geon sipped the steaming tea and his eyes widened, prompting Alisher Usmanov to smile at him,

"It tastes familiar, doesn’t it? It’s the same tea you’ve had at the Red Castle, from Gregory."

"Ah! Indeed, I don’t know much about tea, but I remember having it occasionally in Gregory’s room."

"Heh, that friend of yours is quite neglectful of guests, isn’t he? He should serve it every day."

Kevin, listening to their conversation, leaned toward Shizuka, who sat upright next to him, maintaining tension, and whispered,

"Who exactly is Gregory? And what is the Red Castle?"

Shizuka, unaware of where Geon lived or who Gregory was, shook her head slightly and gestured with her eyes that she didn’t know. Alisher Usmanov, perceiving their cluelessness but generally informed of the situation, pretended not to notice and continued the conversation,

"You’ll be staying on the third floor. It’s all prepared, and you will be guided there shortly."

Byungjun, sitting on the edge of the sofa, replied,

"Ah, thank you. We could have stayed at a hotel, but your hospitality is truly appreciated."

"Ha ha, of course. You’re my guests."

Geon placed his cup on the table and asked,

"Has the front office been briefed about the conditions we provided in advance?"

Alisher Usmanov nodded as if it were obvious,

"Of course. The use of 'Fury' is at the front’s discretion, but the new track...what was it called?"

"We always cheer for you."

"Ah, right. Sorry. You requested that it be played when the team is losing, and also in the locker room during halftime. Up to here, everything’s been coordinated with the front...but the last condition was a bit vague. You mentioned the sound of the cheering squad singing along should be transmitted to the locker room—could you clarify that?"

Geon, resting his elbows on his knees and interlocking his hands, explained,

"Support isn’t just about music or sound. It’s about the sincerity of the fans who sing and cheer; we hope that their spirit and energy can be felt in the locker room. That is, the voices and sincerity of the spectators singing along should reach the players there."

Alisher Usmanov, understanding, nodded,

"I see. I’ll ensure that's arranged with the front office. Now, you must be tired from your long flight, so rest in your rooms until dinner."

Alisher Usmanov snapped his fingers again, and maids rushed out to escort Kevin, Byungjun, and Shizuka each to a room on the third floor. As the reception room cleared, leaving only Alisher Usmanov and Geon, Alisher stood and suggested,

"Kay, let’s talk a bit more, shall we? Do you like walks?"

"Yes, I do."

"The garden paths around the house are lovely. Let’s take a stroll."

The two walked through the endlessly sprawling garden. Despite the slight chill, the countryside air was refreshing, and Geon smiled pleasantly. Alisher Usmanov then spoke,

"Arsenal has been at the top of the league for nearly a century. But that's the limit; in recent years, our team hasn't surpassed fourth place due to Chelsea, Manchester United, and the newly emerging powerhouse, Man City, fueled by oil money. Of course, there’s the traditional rival, Tottenham Hotspur, but in terms of ranking, we’ve always been fourth or below."

Geon listened quietly as Alisher continued,

"It’s embarrassing every year for the supporters, given their passionate support throughout the season."

Touching a frail branch of a small ornamental tree, Alisher Usmanov added,

"There was resistance from the club about this matter. 'What can music do in a sports match?' they said, and even the coach, Arsène Wenger, criticized me. But my belief is different. In sports, while physicality, technique, and tactics are important, the mental aspect is equally crucial."

Geon agreed, nodding,

"A strong will can surpass physical limits."

"Exactly! Arsenal is facing FC Barcelona in the Champions League's round of 16. Experts predicted their victory at 8:2, and bettors thought we would lose 3:0. We need a miracle now. I’m betting on your music for that."

Geon nodded slightly and looked thoughtfully at Alisher Usmanov.

"But why choose me?"

Alisher Usmanov patted Geon’s shoulder with a hearty smile,

"Because of Kiska, that child's transformation. I've been watching."

At the mention of Kiska, Geon’s eyes widened.

"Kiska?"

"Heh, yes. I heard from Gregory. Kiska mentioned that you resolved a lifelong issue for that friend, so I believe you can solve my problem too."

"Really?"

"Ha ha, just kidding. Actually, I spoke to Gregory yesterday. He said Kiska gives him a kiss every morning and evening, thanks to you. I know it’s unusual for Kiska to just follow orders, so while I was pondering this, I accidentally listened to your 'Fury' Liverpool Sound City version."

Looking earnestly at Geon, Alisher Usmanov concluded,

"After hearing that music, I felt a refreshing relief, as if my inner anger was being healthily expressed. That’s when I realized, the music you create has an unprecedented power."

>

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