Chapter 308: The Demon King of Music
Gordon had already seated himself before the golden piano. His slender index finger smoothly swept across the keys. The piano immediately produced a series of pleasing sounds.
Gordon couldn't help but smile.
A man who truly loves music, Tesoro-san. Ordinary people couldn't use gold to create such a piano.
He turned to look at Tesoro, who was adjusting his collar.
Tesoro also turned back. He smiled. "Maria, no problem, right?"
"Of course."
King Gordon nodded with a smile.
Maria—this was an extremely famous love song in the world, equivalent to Binks' Sake in the pirate world. Anyone with even slight appreciation for music couldn't possibly not know this song.
As the former king of Elegia Kingdom and one of this country's top musicians, Gordon naturally had no reason not to know how to perform this piece.
Tesoro cleared his throat. Gordon's hands already rested on the keys.
The music was about to rise melodiously.
But at precisely this moment, Brett's expression suddenly changed sharply. He turned his head toward the stage's rear—where the theater's backstage was located.
Almost the same instant.
Woom!!
Strange music suddenly arose, instantly echoing through the sky in a mere moment.
As the music sounded, ominous purple mist drifted up into midair from behind the stage.
"This—this is!!"
Gordon froze for an instant. The next moment, the smile on his face had completely vanished. In its place was only incredible panic and confusion.
He shot to his feet with a whoosh, raising his head to look above the backstage, at the purple mist condensing in midair.
"Hey hey hey, what is this!"
Tesoro couldn't care about being annoyed at having his performance interrupted. His eyes widened.
The purple mist was converging. An ominous massive creature gradually took form.
"Brett, is this the unexpected situation you mentioned might happen?"
Tesoro couldn't help grinding his teeth. It really did happen!
Was it another prophecy from Brett's fortune-teller girlfriend?
Should be this, right?
Brett thought so. Then the next instant, electrical light wrapped around his body. In just a moment he'd already crossed the stage and leaped into the backstage.
Fortunately nothing serious had happened here. Everyone had only been frightened, their faces somewhat pale.
Except—
"Brett, come look quickly!"
Queen Otohime gazed up at Uta floating in midair, eyes tightly closed, wrapped in mist. Seeing Brett arrive, she shouted in utter panic.
"She just sang a bit, then suddenly—"
Time rewind to about one minute earlier.
After Apoo picked up the sheet music that appeared from nowhere, all the band members gathered around.
"Tot Musica?"
Queen Otohime read the score's name, then blinked her large eyes, saying confusedly, "Music I've never heard of before. But—"
She looked at the score. "It seems really impressive?"
"Oh! Is this that sheet music?"
Uta's eyes widened. "I saw it once in the palace, but afterward I could never find it again!"
Her emotions became somewhat low.
That was the night this country was destroyed. The night she was abandoned.
"It's appeared before me again."
Uta organized her emotions and smiled as she took the sheet music from Apoo's hands. "Last time I seemed to fall asleep from exhaustion before finishing. Let me try again this time."
"Great!"
Queen Otohime said happily with a smile. "Let's practice first, then perform on stage!"
"Yeah!"
Uta nodded heavily. Then she looked at the score and prepared herself slightly.
The next moment, she opened her mouth.
"With a wandering heart, dark clouds began covering the sky—"
In that instant, her eyes suddenly changed. But her body continued singing.
"Rain and my bitter tears began to fall..."
BOOM!!
At precisely that moment, a terrifying aura brewed forth from her body.
Ominous purple mist instantly began spreading in all directions.
Time returned to the present.
"I understand."
Brett nodded. "You all go outside first. It's very dangerous here now. Leave the rest to me."
"Alright."
Queen Otohime had no hesitation whatsoever.
She was a very gentle woman, but not foolish.
She knew—if they insisted on staying now, they'd only drag Brett down.
As Otohime and the others hurriedly departed toward the island's edge, the monster in midair had already gradually taken form.
It wore a top hat, had fluffy yellow hair, its body composed of various instruments, its arms like piano keys.
Tesoro grabbed Gordon and jumped to Brett's side. He looked up at the monster in midair and exclaimed in shock, "So what the hell is this thing!"
"Tot Musica!"
Gordon practically spoke through gritted teeth. "The Demon King that's been sealed in this country all along!"
"Demon King?"
Tesoro's mouth twitched. "This world really is quite marvelous. Something like this actually exists?"
Brett rarely shared the same sentiment as Tesoro at this moment.
Shouldn't this world be dominated by Devil Fruits, physical skills, and technology?
Where did this Demon King come from?
"After being sealed, it's just a piece of sheet music!"
Gordon continued. "Normally it has no power. But if a Sing-Sing Fruit user sings this song, the Demon King will be released!"
"Sing-Sing Fruit user? Wait—"
Tesoro froze. "You don't mean—?"
"That's right."
Gordon nodded painfully. "It's Uta."
Tesoro's mouth twitched.
He really knew nothing about this disciple. She was actually an devil fruit user, and now it seemed quite an incredible one at that.
"I was too careless. I didn't expect it to appear again!"
"You said 'again'?"
Brett gazed up at the Demon King beginning to roar with head raised, its voice shaking the heavens. "Which means it appeared before, right?"
"So," Tesoro also caught on. "Five years ago, this thing destroyed this country?"
Gordon nodded. He said shamefully, "Red-Haired Shanks—that man with a heart as broad as the sea—had me tell a lie so Uta wouldn't feel guilty."
"I see."
Tesoro nodded. He couldn't help glancing sideways at Brett.
This bastard had probably already guessed, hadn't he.
"So what should we do now, Brett? This thing doesn't look easy to deal with!"
Uta's body had already been completely swallowed by the monster. The monster now lowered its head as well. Crimson eyes observed them. A wicked smile appeared on its clown-like face.
"Of course—as heroes, we slay the Demon King!"
Electrical light wrapped around Brett's body as he shot upward.
Shyarly said facing this guy would put him in a hard fight.
Whether that was true or not—he'd find out by trying.
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