Following the accompaniment, Paimon's adorable voice rang out:
"A tiny little chicken, slowly walks over~"
"Traveler, rest your weary feet, Sweet Flower brew, slurp~"
Her voice carried Paimon's unique inflection, perfectly in tune. At the end of the verse, she added a playful "slurp," drawing soft chuckles from the audience below.
Furina listened intently from below, discerning extraordinary talent in just those two lines.
The Skill perfectly captured Paimon's gluttonous nature while also conveying carefree childlike joy and the cozy atmosphere of cherished memories, bringing a knowing smile to everyone's faces.
"The chicken's texture is so divine, shove it in my mouth with all my might!"
"Ah-yah-mah, I'll give you a piece too, let's share this joy together~"
Standing behind Paimon, Lumine's shoulders shook with laughter. Wasn't that how the song went? she wondered. The little one's secretly changed so much!
Undaunted, Lumine reached around Paimon and gently embraced the small guitar.
"A tiny little Mora, slowly walks over~"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance, their eyes crinkling into matching smiles.
Paimon: "While the Traveler's sneaking peeks, Paimon hides away~ Ehehehe~"
Their heads swayed gently from side to side, creating an incredibly heartwarming scene.
Lumine: "Childe's generosity never wavers, still stuffing us with private funds!"
Paimon: "Look, look! Up on the golden mountain, Paimon's climbing so high~"
As the song reached its midpoint, its melody became even more enchanting. Lumine and Paimon swayed their heads gently, and the crowd below the stage followed suit, their faces radiant with warm smiles.
Only Neuvillette, Arlecchino, and Clorinde remained still, yet their eyes betrayed deep emotion.
This melody stirred the tenderest corners of their hearts.
Even those who had witnessed the shifting of seas and the turning of ages couldn't help but be moved by the familiar tune...
Lumine: "Little cloud drifting slowly, floating gently by~ Please rest your weary feet now, linger for a while..."
Lumine & Paimon: "Mountain flowers blooming bright, that's why I climbed so high~"
Lumine: "Turns out you came to see the mountain flowers bloom, just like me..."
Paimon: "Silly little child wandering by, begging the ladies, 'Teach me how to use this bow, I still can't get it right!'"
Lumine & Paimon: "Heavenly Principles have gone awry, turning Brother into a block~ But it's okay, you're still by my side, Paimon's the cutest of all!"
The song's lingering notes, sweet as spun sugar, drifted slowly through the warm air.
Paimon's fingers gently brushed the final string of the guitar, producing a soft, resonant note of fulfillment.
Lumine and Paimon remained in their final pose, heads leaning affectionately together, their faces beaming with synchronized, radiant smiles, as if they had captured all the party's lights in their very beings.
The silence lasted only a second.
"Bravo! Absolutely—spectacular—!"
Furina practically leaped to her feet, raising both hands above her head in thunderous applause.
"Such brilliance! Such perfect harmony! To distill the mundane into poetic lyrics, paired with that soul-stirring ancient melody! Focalors, do you see? This is the most precious 'art' of the mortal realm!"
Focalors, whom Furina was holding by the arm, rose with a gentle smile, elegantly clapping as her soft gaze settled on the pair onstage.
"Yes, I see it. Not grand narratives, but joyful footnotes to ordinary life, yet possessing the power to smooth the wrinkles of time."
Her words always cut to the core with precision.
As if on cue, this ignited the pent-up enthusiasm of the entire audience.
Thunderous applause erupted, mingled with cheers and whistles.
Wriothesley laughed the loudest, clapping while shaking his head. "'Childe's ambition never wavers, private funds he generously squanders'... Hahaha! I must have Sigewinne record that line. Next time that 'ally' comes for tea, I'll be sure to greet him with it!"
Sitting beside him, Sigewinne nodded earnestly. Though she wasn't sure how to "note down" the phrase, she resolved to write it in the nurse's station memo book as soon as they returned.
"Exclusive! Absolutely exclusive!"
Charlotte's Kamera nearly steamed as she feverishly documented everyone's reactions:
"[ The Traveler and Mysterious Companion Serenade the Crowd, Unveiling the Harbinger's Secret Stash! ]... No, no, that headline might be too sensational. [ Serenitea Pot's Warm Night Chats: A Song of Friendship Across the Star Sea! ] Perfect!"
She was completely immersed in crafting the perfect headline.
Lynette's lips curled slightly upward as she whispered to Lyney, "Brother, your magic seems to have been outdone."
Lyney clutched his chest theatrically, feigning heartbreak, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, my dear sister, such a performance brimming with 'sincerity' is precisely the kind of 'miracle' that defies imitation."
Even the usually stoic trio showed clear signs of being moved.
Neuvillette gave a slight nod, his rhythmic applause conveying his approval. He remarked, "The melody... indeed possesses the magic to pierce the barriers of Time. And the lyrics, though seemingly jesting, genuinely depict the bonds forged on their journey."
This was the highest possible praise.
Clorinde maintained her perfect posture, her applause vigorous and sincere. Her brief evaluation: "Magnificent."
Arlecchino's gaze was deep and contemplative, shifting between the child-like, heartwarming lyrics and Lumine and Paimon on stage. She finally let out an almost imperceptible sigh, her applause slow yet carrying a heavy weight of emotion.
The song had inadvertently stirred long-dormant memories of "home" and "companions" buried beneath layers of ice.
On stage, Paimon was overwhelmed by the thunderous applause. Her small face flushed crimson, a mixture of pride and shyness. She suddenly hid behind Lumine, peeking out with only half an eye to steal glances at the enthusiastic crowd, her lips stretching into a grin that nearly reached her ears.
Lumine, on the other hand, remained poised. She smiled as she set down her little guitar, then turned to scoop the hiding Paimon into her arms. Together, they bowed deeply to the audience, eliciting another round of even more enthusiastic applause and laughter.
"Hehehe... Everyone seems to really love it, Traveler!" Paimon whispered in Lumine's ear, kicking her little legs excitedly.
"Because you sang so well, Paimon." Lumine chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Even though you completely butchered the lyrics."
"Th-that's called artistic license!"
The joyous atmosphere lingered for quite some time before gradually subsiding.
Furina, as one of the nominal hosts of the party, stepped back onto the stage, her voice still tinged with residual excitement:
"What a perfect grand finale! Thank you, Traveler and Paimon, for gracing us with such... hmm, 'unique' and deeply moving melodies! I declare tonight's party a resounding success!"
The crowd erupted into applause.
"Before you depart, please don't forget the personalized cupcakes Fidelle has prepared for each of you, featuring your own portraits!" Focalors added with a smile, gesturing toward the dessert table laden with exquisite, irresistible treats.
Guests flocked to collect their bespoke gifts, murmuring their admiration.
Wriothesley stared at his cupcake, which bore his usual stern expression but had been playfully adorned with a tiny flower on its cheek by the pastry chef. He couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Charlotte, meanwhile, had already begun photographing her cupcake from multiple angles, preparing it as an accompanying image for her news report. Throughout the evening, she had been snapping photos relentlessly, never having enjoyed her work so much!
As the party drew to a close, a warm, slightly wistful atmosphere settled over the hall. Guests cradled their cupcakes, exchanging farewells as they departed.