The pleasant piano music came. The concert had already begun. Because they had been slow to leave, Ryan and the others had to use Honkai energy to hurry.
The straight-line distance of a few kilometers was covered in the blink of an eye, and flying in the air, they could see the entire scene at the lakeside.
A small wooden stage had been set up by the lake. It was personally made by Kalpas. Because of the short time, it looked a bit shabby, and the decorations were simple, just some flower screens that Elysia had moved over and some of Griseo's paintings.
Not to mention compared to Eden's global tour, it was many times smaller than what Ryan had seen in East Gong City. Even the camera crew was just Destopia helping with a few MANTIS.
There were not many audience members. Since the 'Wandering Humans' plan began, this fortress with complete living facilities was the primary target for evacuation. After all, when the family members were taken away, the warriors would have no worries.
There were a few hundred people sparsely sitting on the lawn in front of the stage. He could also see that all the former Fire Moth Council members were present. As the highest ruling body of the Fire Moth in theory, they had to be in the headquarters. Fortunately, with Aponia's persuasion, this group of once very cowardly important figures had become 'fearless.'
On the stage, Eden, in a purplish-red evening dress, was playing the piano with both hands. Beautiful melodies danced on her fingertips. Ryan listened and realized that this was 'Wedding in a Dream,' the song he had played for Eden back then.
"Eden is so beautiful, and she looks so focused." Sakura, in a rare display of emotion, sighed. Feeling that it wasn't enough, she added with emphasis: "She's even more serious than when she was a big star. It's as if she's completely immersed in her music."
"Maybe it's because there are too few opportunities, and she has also had two unique singing experiences." Ryan thought for a moment and finally found a reason.
One was in East Gong, and one was in South America. They faced destruction and flames head-on. In a way, this was the sublimation of art.
"This time, Eden can really enjoy herself."
"Mhm, I feel she's most beautiful when she's on stage."
"Yeah, Elysia's camera hand speed is so fast, she's already created afterimages."
"Kalpas is also very quiet. It's rare to see him so well-behaved."
"Is this Eden's magic?"
With a chatter of voices in his ears, Ryan stood on the slope with his hands in his pockets, looking out. In one glance, he saw that almost all the warriors who weren't on duty had come, including his master, 'Fu.'
This old stubborn man refused to be evacuated even if it killed him. After persuasion was ineffective, he might as well just knock him out.
While listening, Ryan thought about his plan to deceive his master and destroy his ancestors. As the last note disappeared, the lakeside was silent for a moment, and then deafening applause rang out.
Even at this time, Eden still had so many fans. She waved her hand gently on the stage and stood in the center of the spotlight, like a dazzling star.
Looking at the focused faces, Ryan suddenly smiled. Even if Eden was not good at fighting on the battlefield, her value had been developed to the limit by him, which also gave him, the composer, the same sense of satisfaction.
Eden pressed her hand to her chest and bowed deeply. She looked at the audience below, and then her gaze fell on Ryan, revealing an elegant smile.
"Then the second song is titled 'Diamond Stigmata'."
[When I fell in love with you]
[I never thought such a parting would come]
...
The sorrowful humming began. The fusion of her already beautiful voice and her abilities after the surgery formed a wonderful resonance that even Ryan, the 'original author,' could not describe in words. He was glad that he had dabbled in music before, which allowed this heavenly sound to be displayed in a way he was familiar with.
He tapped his fingers to the beat, listening to the song full of longing, and saw that many people were quietly shedding tears, not feeling any sense of abruptness.
This ability to move people was too terrifying. It could even melt steel. Hey, did Kalpas also turn his head away?
A sense of satisfaction filled Ryan's heart, but there was also a sense of anticipation. The real show had just begun.
[Don't leave me again, hold me tight]
[I hope you whisper to me: I am not alone.....]
Eden exhaled the last word, stopped the trembling ending, and slowly opened her eyes. She looked from Elysia in front of her to Ryan at the very edge.
Regardless of class, regardless of strength, everyone was speechless and choked with emotion. Their eyes were filled with sadness, and they had an urge to go back and hug their loved ones.
This is the meaning of my existence. This is my unique happiness.
She had a sense of pride. A songstress was born for her audience. She was very happy that even now, so many people were listening to her songs. She was also very grateful that Ryan had given her another dazzling stage.
"Parting is always unavoidable. For many years, I have also felt the same way." Eden held the microphone and walked under the watchful eyes of the audience. Her stage presence was excellent, revealing an indescribable elegance.
"But parting is just the prelude to a reunion. I have said goodbye to some people, but I have become confidants with even more. Just like this moment, a strong sense of happiness still surrounds me."
"So for the next song, I will sing for all my friends. The inspiration for this song comes from my best friend, Elysia, who helps people find their 'True Self'."
Eden suddenly raised her hand and gestured toward the slightly bewildered Elysia. The latter had no idea this was coming. When she realized that everyone's gazes were focused on her, her face felt a little hot.
"Eden, after this, it should be the classic songs on a loop."
"This is Ryan's and my gift in return. Are you embarrassed?"
There was a kind laughter from the crowd. Elysia, on the contrary, mustered up her courage and held her head up high.
"Okay, let me listen to what you guys have seen in me."
"Then please look forward to it." Eden took a deep breath. She looked at Ryan in the distance, who was smiling and nodding at her, and then adjusted her state to the best.
"A song for you, the 'True Self' song, 'TruE'."
It's here. It's finally here.
Ryan's eyes also widened. This was the fifth purpose that Sakura had not thought of. Ever since he started collaborating with Eden, he had been waiting for this moment.
Even though he had personally changed the timeline, the sorrow of a certain short film and the stories of some of the Flame-Chasers still lingered in his mind.
No one knew what the end would look like, but the resolve was unchangeable. This was the promise he had made to Elysia, and this was the promise he had made to the world.
So, it was time to completely cut off this sorrow, and this horn was blown by Eden, who was also a Flame-Chaser, which made it so fitting.
The background music started, and Eden opened her mouth, uttering the first heavy note with her perfect voice.
[Say my name when a tree susurrates.]
[Once and again telling a story lost in time.]
[the way it starts and the way it ends.]
[Never again making up stories in dismay]
[With several starts, but just one end]
...
Elysia's eyes slowly widened, like a pair of gems that were gradually glowing. Eden's gentle voice entered her ears, and an unprecedented sense of shock struck her heart.
It really is a song written for me. Every word fits my heart.
At first, she thought Eden was lying to her, but at this moment, she felt an emotional resonance that made her scalp tingle slightly. She subconsciously turned her head and looked over the enchanted audience members.
The man in the white suit was standing in the distance, nodding and smiling at her.
[Ah, how I long to embrace.]
[The future breaking out of shades from the past.]
[Still ablaze]
[Save your tears for the day so far away]
[To irrigate the wilderness that's still asleep]
[In the world waiting to be lit]
[To spread over the riverbeds so dry and dead]
[Let ships that ran aground re-launch their sails]
Eden's voice suddenly became high-pitched, adding a power of hope to the gentle description. Elysia no longer looked at Ryan. She closed her eyes and parted her red lips. Even though it was the first time she had heard it, she was able to sing along almost perfectly.
A strong sense of happiness surrounded her. Elysia held her hands to her chest, as if she were praying for something, but she also understood that this song started because of her, but it wouldn't end because of her.
[Ah, how I long to embrace]
[The future breaking out of shades from the past.]
[Still ablaze.]
[Seeds bear new life when flowers dare to fade]
This song was written for me, and also for Ryan, Sakura, and everyone in the Golden Courtyard, as well as the Fire Moth and all the warriors currently on the front lines and in the rear.
Tears and pain will never be forgotten. They will moisturize the dry and dead earth, allowing the brilliant flowers of hope to bloom everywhere.
Elysia took a deep breath. Even though she had never heard it before, she had reached a kind of synchronization with Eden on the stage.
[Petals linger about]
[awaiting one last dance.]
[Shaking off all the dust from the past--]
She held her hands to her chest, raised her head, and her gaze seemed to pass through the thick armor plates and see the clear blue sky. In an instant, her thoughts were cleared.
A kind of energy fluctuation completely different from that of a MANTIS rose from her body, resonating with the Herrscher alarm that had just sounded in the headquarters monitoring room, causing the staff to panic.
There were two Herrscher energy alarms, one in the outer sea and one underground. Everyone suspected that the system had malfunctioned because the surveillance probes transmitted two images.
At sea, the Herrscher of Binding traveled across the sea. Her domain, which had suddenly become several times more powerful, completely disrupted their formation. The fleet, which had been deployed based on the original data, didn't even have time to retreat, leaving behind only a deathly silence.
Underground, a pink light bloomed in front of the stage. A girl with a waterfall of pink hair wore a gorgeous long dress. The winged bells were like flower girls, pulling a strand of her long hair on the left and holding up her veil on the right.
She seemed not to have noticed Eden's amazed gaze, nor the astonishment of the people around her, nor Ryan's exclamation of 'so that's it.'
Elysia just held her head up and simultaneously opened her mouth with Eden on the stage, singing the last line in a beautiful voice:
[New stories have yet to start!]
This voice echoed underground, even causing the alarm to pause. Elysia enjoyed the lingering sound. Afterward, she and Eden made eye contact on the stage. There was no pain on her face, only a complete sense of relaxation.
"Elysia, the stage is temporarily yours now." Eden said with a soft laugh and made a 'please' gesture.
With Eden's blessing, under Ryan's direct gaze, and in the astonished eyes of hundreds of MANTIS, the magnificent girl lifted her long skirt, crossed her legs, and performed an elegant curtsy.
"The Herrscher of Human, has come to protect the things I love the most."