The song was filled with emotion, accompanied by top-tier technique and a voice gifted from the heavens.
This wasn't about whether it sounded good or not; it was clearly a form of emotional infiltration, enveloping everyone in the melody. The sorrow, the helplessness, the powerlessness.
As Ryan felt his eyes welling up, he heard the sobs of those around him. Eden had somehow managed, in a physical sense, to make people cry with her voice. Even though some of them had never experienced the Honkai or lost loved ones, human nature had made them unable to stop their tears, completely immersed in the emotion.
Such overwhelming emotion, even a block of iron would melt under it.
The sorrow surged, impossible to stop. Just as Ryan was feeling a bit flustered, an electric guitar riff pierced through, immediately raising the intensity of the melancholy melody. At the same time, the singer's voice changed.
Her tone became fierce and determined, filled with power, as though a helpless young girl had transformed into a strong warrior.
[Projected on the white that has not been stained by sadness]
[The shadow of summer, swaying orange and yellow petals]
[Even if the face is no longer young]
[cannot cross the ruins stained red with blood].
Ryan tensed his muscles, his mind changing with the vision. Yes, he saw countless ruins, but humanity's resistance had never stopped.
Batch after batch of people went to their deaths, and more followed in their wake. Despite the Honkai ravaging humanity, spanning thousands of years, from ancient civilization to the future, humanity had never given up. It was just like this song—grief and exhilaration coexisted, sacrifice and no regret side by side.
Ryan widened his eyes, leaned forward like a soldier preparing for battle, watching the girl on stage raise her hand, her voice reaching an unprecedented pitch.
[Melody of farewell!
[On a land where memories have burned away—]
[The sprouts of hope are breaking through the ground]
The beautiful piano, intense electric guitar, and sorrowful violin harmonized perfectly, mixing numerous emotions together.
Sorrow, resistance, despair, hope—the people who had died would never return, and perhaps even the traces of human civilization would be consumed by fire.
But even if the earth turned to ashes and life was extinguished, the tender sprouts of hope would eventually emerge.
And in the most tragic moment, Eden's voice, like the first beam of light at dawn, made a firm plea.
[Before the dawn that has greeted countless times comes again,]
["Please don't extinguish the light in your hands."]
["Wheel, spin!" ]
Hoo...
When all sounds fell silent, Ryan let out a long breath and sank back into his chair. At that moment, he was finally convinced of the profession of 'songstress'. It was amazing that one song could contain so much emotion.
Words became powerless at this moment. He looked at the silent girl on stage, as if Eden had delivered a shocking speech.
A speech that was both the saddest and the most passionate.
In the dead silence of the venue, he slowly raised his hand, not even looking at the people next to him, Elysia and Sakura, the first to break free from the huge amount of information.
Clap, clap.
The applause was crisp, and Eden, who had been quietly breathing, looked over. Her first glance landed on the handsome young man, and it gave her a strange feeling.
Pity and cruelty gathered in this man, reason and madness lingered in his eyes. Eden didn't need to look at the VIP list; she understood something in an instant.
A fighter, a hero.
Golden eyes met gray, and without a word, they exchanged a silent nod of respect.
Clap, clap...
The applause rumbled like thunder, so powerful it felt like a series of thunderclaps rolling through the city, echoing over the stadium, filling the venue.
Eden smiled quietly, elegantly lifting her skirt to bow, and the applause grew even louder.
"No wonder Eden is so amazing. She even made me cry," Elysia clapped excitedly, her eyes sparkling like stars.
She loved this atmosphere, loved this feeling, and she had never wavered from it. "From helpless sorrow to firm passion. She didn't use a single battle-related word, but it's like a unique battle song that's hard to understand, yet completely natural," Sakura nodded continuously, feeling that coming here was definitely the right choice.
The highest form of art is to evoke resonance, and she fully understood the meaning within the melody.
Ryan said nothing, continuing to clap enthusiastically. Even from the most rational perspective, he could only come to the conclusion of 'perfect.'
This emotion, this singing skill, was like a martial arts master blending form and essence to perfection. Even Eden herself wasn't ordinary.
The brief moment of eye contact had left a deep impression on him. If he had to make a comparison, it was probably similar to the first time he met Elysia.
Sure enough, none of the Thirteen Heroes were ordinary. To survive until the end, they must have something extraordinary.
He leaned back in his chair, quietly enjoying the rest of the performance, realizing that Eden's style was pure. She didn't rely on any flashy gimmicks, and there were no backup dancers.
It was just singing, but with constantly changing styles, never boring. It made Ryan roughly understand what Elysia meant by 'jack of all trades.'
The concert lasted from noon until evening, with only a small break in the middle. When the last notes faded, the girl drenched in sweat stood motionless on stage, as the entire venue, and even the city outside, fell into complete silence.
Ryan watched as the glistening sweat drops from Eden wine-red hair fell, her light blue dress clinging to her body, her soft breaths audible.
Another song, another song! This was the unspoken call in the hearts of countless people. But seeing the sweat continue to fall, no one dared to speak, not wanting to disturb her.
And at that moment, with the applause ringing out, tens of thousands of people stood up.
To Eden, this felt like a wave rising, from front to back, near to far. She closed her eyes gently, savoring the cheers, the sensation of being alive was so vivid.
Amid all the attention, she bowed slightly, lifting her skirt, and then the applause grew even more intense.
The curtain fell.
Ryan was also one of those standing and clapping. Today had truly been an eye-opener. No, it was an ear feast, much more interesting than lying in a hospital bed.
He glanced at Elysia next to him, her hands flushed from clapping, and Sakura was smiling with a hint of satisfaction. Without a doubt, the assassin girl had been won over today.
"This was worth it. I'm downloading the album when I get back," Ryan said.
"What? Ryan, you've never listened to Eden's songs?" Elysia gasped, staring at him like he was an alien.
Normally, Ryan would've said he wasn't interested, but now, he couldn't deny it.
"I've been too busy. I've heard some of her songs when passing by music stores. By the way, Sakura, have you ever listened to her?" Ryan asked, looking at the assassin girl.
Sakura shook her head in confusion. Elysia then glanced left and right, her face scrunched up like she didn't know how to protest. Ryan found it strange.
"Sakura, you always wear those expensive headphones, right?"
"Uh, actually, my taste in music is a bit different," Sakura diverted her gaze, clearly not a matter of taste. Just then, her phone rang, giving her a reason to avoid Ryan stare.
There must be something going on. Could it be some wild music or something like "Little Rabbit, Pull the Carrot"? As they were leaving, Ryan was thinking this when Elysia suddenly patted him on the shoulder and leaned completely against his back, almost like she was being coy. Ryan, maintaining his composure, coldly asked.
"What's going on?"
"I want to get Eden's autograph. Are you interested in a sneak attack with super-cute Ellie?" Elysia looked at him, her eyes filled with pleading.
"Not interested," Ryan replied decisively. Elysia was socially anxious, but he wasn't, and he was busy lately.
As soon as he said that, Elysia sneaked closer, her eyes moist, looking pitiful.
"Ryan, are you really going to reject a girl's invitation like this?" Her beauty and her tearful expression were enough to make anyone feel pity. Ryan hesitated for a moment but immediately saw through her.
"Take the eye drops out from behind your back. Also, you could go find Sakura for this. She's the professional."
"Oh right, I totally forgot," Elysia winked, returning to her usual playful self, and without waiting for Ryan to tease her, she swiftly darted over to Sakura.
"Sakura~~~"
Without hesitation, she ran off, leaving Ryan grinding his teeth. It wasn't long before Elysia returned, looking even more pitiful.
"Don't tell me, Sakura turned you down too?"
"Sakura has more important things to do, so I couldn't disturb her."
More important things? Ryan shot her a questioning look, wondering what this assassin, who was always peeling apples, could possibly be busy with.
"It's like this. The children from North Britain have returned, and I want to see them," Sakura said, putting her phone back in her bag and offering a small, apologetic smile.
So it was them.
Ryan remembered the shelter situation. After returning, he had made a request to Calis, even as an extra reward for his missions. Calis had agreed immediately and arranged for the medical department to care for them.
"Go ahead. I know Dr. Cadis. Send my regards," Ryan said.
Sakura hesitated for a moment, then nodded happily. She knew Ryan's face was valuable, as he was one of the members of the research committee.
"Sakura is really kind and gentle. It's easy to like her," Ryan remarked.
"Yeah, these feelings shouldn't exist in an assassin, but that's exactly why you can trust her to watch your back."
The two of them watched as Sakura disappeared into the crowd, with empty spaces slowly increasing. Just as Ryan was about to comment, he suddenly felt something wasn't right. He stepped forward.
Clap.
His hand was tightly gripped, and feeling the delicate warmth in his palm, he turned his head stiffly.
Elysia was leaning toward him, looking up at him with a gaze so pleading it was impossible to refuse. Even a heart of stone would melt under that look.
Ryan felt his head spin, and he knew there was something wrong, but he couldn't help but nod in response to those eyes.
"Fine, I'll go with you."