Yuto's eyes narrowed as he looked at the light screen that suddenly appeared before him, an indescribable emotion flickering within them.
"So this is where you were waiting for me, no wonder..."
Yuto murmured softly.
"Hmm? Lord Yuto? Did you... say something?"
Mr. Claude, who had been focused on Yuto, naturally noticed his self-talk and asked.
For Mr. Claude, he was actually quite afraid of Yuto refusing him.
Setting aside marketing gimmicks, Yuto was, in a sense, the person who understood Boethius the most in this era.
Having the person who best understood the character perform in a musical closely related to that character would create the best stage effect.
Thinking of this, Mr. Claude's gaze towards Yuto became fervent, as if he was eagerly awaiting his answer.
After a brief thought, Yuto gently shook his head.
"I regret to say, Mr. Claude, that the nature and weight of my work make it very difficult for me to spare the time to fully participate in such a performance."
Upon hearing this, the light in Mr. Claude's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by profound disappointment.
He should have realized it earlier; how could Auxiliary Officer Chang Ming, with such a busy schedule, choose to perform? It was truly a bit—
Before Mr. Claude could continue his thoughts, Yuto delivered the latter part of his statement.
"However..."
"If this song were to be sung from the perspective of Boethius, who attained the position of Great Tuner... that would not be a problem."
Mr. Claude looked up in astonishment, gazing incredulously at the smiling Yuto, and asked with a trembling voice:
"Are you... are you serious? Can you really participate in the musical performance?!"
"Of course, after all, this is a step towards bringing Fontaine Opera to Teyvat, and I also promised that I would provide all assistance within reasonable bounds and within my capabilities."
"However... please don't use my name, okay?"
Yuto said with a smile.
"Of course! Of course! What I, Claude, despise most are those who market themselves by relying on the names of performers; I am entirely different from them!"
Mr. Claude said as he stood up, bowing deeply to Yuto, and sincerely stated:
"Thank you for being willing to help me, Lord Yuto!"
"It's merely a small favor. The specific time will be set for the evening performance three days from now, how does that sound?"
"Good, I'll follow all your arrangements!"
After some pleasantries, Yuto finally saw off Mr. Claude, who had almost prostrated himself in a kowtow of three bows and nine prostrations.
Yuto looked at the mountain of documents piled before him, then at the vanished figure of Mr. Claude, and sighed softly.
The performance was for three nights later, not now; at this very moment, he still needed to attend to these official duties—
—after all, this was his primary job.
"But then again, this way... could Furina's Story Quest actually be related to me?"
Yuto tilted his head, thinking to himself.
...
As time slowly passed, the moment of the performance quietly arrived.
Yuto arrived at the Opera House backstage half an hour before the performance began, starting to prepare for his brief two minutes.
From the rectangular black gift box, he took out the Law Enforcement Agency, which had been redesigned and processed by Chiori.
From the overall color scheme... this outfit was indeed the blue-purple he needed, but it wasn't just those colors.
Chiori had also used gold and sea-blue lines to outline some rather fluid lines and musical notes on the garment, seemingly symbolizing Yuto's fondness for Fontaine Opera.
In addition, Chiori had prepared a cloak for Yuto, similar in style to those worn by Shadow Hunters, capable of completely enveloping the upper body.
If considered solely, this cloak might not have been very effective, but when paired with the outfit...
Yuto, who originally exuded a gentle aura, suddenly transformed into a commanding figure with an inherent sense of oppression.
Looking at himself in the mirror, Yuto nodded slightly.
He was quite satisfied with this outfit, both for today's performance and his usual demeanor; he was truly very pleased.
"Boethius, ah..."
Yuto lowered his head slightly, a different glimmer in his eyes, his lips moving as he softly spoke:
"'Cherish the path before oneself,' ah..."
"Then let us steadfastly continue down the path of 'protecting the God of Water.'"
...
Fully dressed, Yuto stood quietly behind the curtain, awaiting his two minutes.
As the stage lights gradually dimmed, and the actors who had been performing in the center of the stage retreated to the sides, as if awaiting something.
"I'll leave it to you now, Lord Yuto!"
Mr. Claude's voice came from behind Yuto, filled not with anxiety, but with anticipation.
Hearing Mr. Claude's entrustment, Yuto nodded gently, then lifted a corner of the curtain and walked out.
Perhaps because the lighting was dim, Yuto was not recognized by many people the moment he stepped onto the stage.
Furina slightly raised her head, looking at the figure on the stage, momentarily stunned.
Perhaps because the stage lights were slightly dim, or perhaps because four centuries of acquaintance had made her incredibly familiar with him—
"Could it be..."
Furina slightly lowered her head, a unique glint flashing in her beautiful heterochromatic eyes, then looked at the figure on stage with some anticipation.
Meanwhile, Yuto looked at the numerous audience members, a confident smile appearing on his face.
As the music slowly began, Yuto gently closed his eyes and began his performance.
(Suggested accompaniment: French Fontaine Opera "Glory Bows to Me")
(To avoid AI plagiarism detection, I deleted many lyrics and replaced them with expressions of meaning)
He slightly raised his head, as if recalling Boethius's once-humiliated childhood, and softly sang:
[People often tell me to be content with the status quo]
[Privileges and favors are not for you]
[The bed you were born in forbids you from aiming too high]
[People often mock me for being too presumptuous and bold]
[No matter how hard I try, I am still judged by appearances]
[Cringe and bow, do not hope; besides bending your back, you are useless]
[Speak softly, do not rise; live a muddled life]
[Either born a king, or utterly worthless]
Just a few lines of lyrics vividly depicted Boethius's early life.
In Yuto's voice, filled with emotion and a hint of vicissitude, people seemed to see the Boethius who had just been portrayed.
He was the lowest among his tribe.
Everyone could bully him, everyone could treat him as less than human.
Yet, all this changed when the iron hooves of the Immortal Legion crushed his homeland and brought him back to the resplendent capital...
Through his own efforts, he finally gained the right to study at the academy, and it was then that he encountered his faith.
—The grand Melody of war and conquest.
And after understanding this Melody, he developed even greater fervor for the Supreme Remus; he completely became his convert.
To conquer Fontaine, to enlighten those Man Yi... this was the will of the Supreme.
To make all of Fontaine a magnificent, dazzling immortal palace was the ideal of the Supreme!
And he, Boethius, would dedicate his all to this!
[Conquer the world or have nothing]
[Small favors, small gains, insignificant]
[Others often despise me as dirt beneath their feet]
[Bury the foolish me in your eyes, forever behind you]
[I want glory to bow to me!]
And he, Boethius... would also offer his name, his lineage, and his entire being for this ideal.
Because... he wanted glory to bow to him!
As the music reached its climax, Yuto ended his singing.
Just two minutes perfectly articulated Boethius's thoughts at that time.
Yuto perfectly elucidated the transformation process from a Man Yi to a Great Tuner.
A fervent convert, everything he did... was to realize the ideal of the Supreme.
Amidst thunderous applause, the curtain before Yuto slowly fell, signifying the end of those two minutes.
The key reason why Yuto could fully express Boethius's past and emotions was not having witnessed Boethius in his struggles,
but rather their common ground—an unwavering faith in God.
-------------------------------
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