Having personally experienced the terror of the Dark Sonata, she deeply understood it was not something humans should easily meddle with.
Each Sonata had three movements, and back then, her friend had died a terrible death after playing just one movement.
The image of that charred corpse was still deeply etched in her mind.
Yet, Law not only understood the abilities and effects of the Dark Sonata but also intended to use it to help restore her body.
This was absolutely something Melody could never have imagined before.
Honestly, she had long stopped holding any hope for her body's restoration.
Law didn't have Melody's excellent hearing, but he didn't need to hear to know Melody's heartbeat was certainly very unsteady right now.
Although he claimed he could restore Melody's body and appearance, Law couldn't guarantee 100% success. It was just a high probability of success.
With one hand resting on the black harp transformed from Kuro, he patiently waited for Melody's reply.
After a long while, Melody slowly looked up, gazing at Law with a complex expression. Hesitantly, she said, "But... the cost is lifespan..."
"That's not something you should consider. Just tell me if you're ready or not," Law said calmly, as if he didn't care at all about how much lifespan he might lose.
Exchanging lifespan for desires was the ability of the Harp solo.
Law hadn't used it many times, so he wasn't clear on the proportion between cost and effect. Therefore, he couldn't judge roughly how much lifespan he'd need to pay to restore Melody's body and appearance.
But one thing was certain: the cost of this performance absolutely could not deplete his entire lifespan.
Given that, there was nothing to worry about. When he went to the Dark Continent a second time, he could search for the longevity food, Nitro Rice, to replenish the lost lifespan.
'What a terrible heartbeat.'
Melody closed her eyes, sighing deeply in her heart.
She could hear her own chaotic heartbeat, while Law's was steady and strong, without the slightest waver.
Perhaps she really shouldn't consider unnecessary issues. Just as Law said, she just needed to be prepared.
"I'm ready," Melody opened her eyes, doing her best to stabilize her emotions.
"Then I'll begin."
Law nodded, his fingers gently touching the strings.
Melody looked at the harp, her expression suddenly turning serious.
Restoring her body and appearance was one thing, but personally hearing the Harp solo was another.
Then, Melody saw Law's finger pluck a string. A sound like a low murmur from a secluded valley emanated from the harp.
"What a clear melody..."
Melody's pupils contracted, completely unprepared for the Harp solo to start so gently. However, this unusual feeling lasted less than ten seconds before taking a sharp turn.
The previously clear, ethereal, and gentle melody instantly transformed into the twilight sky with vultures circling, the howling wind and sand sweeping up white bones strewn across the ground.
A sense of aversion welling up from deep within her heart was immediately reflected in Melody's body. She subconsciously covered her ears with both hands. But soon, she realized covering her ears couldn't block out the harp's sound.
Quickly, a pained expression appeared on Melody's face.
Just as she was about to endure it no longer, the performance suddenly ended.
As the notes ceased, Melody's slightly trembling body began to calm down.
Law had Kuro retract back into his hand, then looked at Melody, who was still covering her ears with her eyes tightly closed.
At this moment, Melody's appearance had undergone a dramatic transformation. Black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her eyebrows were slender like silkworms, her eyelashes were long, trembling slightly with her eyes closed.
Looking at Melody now, a flicker of something crossed Law's eyes.
Compared to her previous ugly, rat-like appearance, this was literally heaven and earth.
Melody hadn't yet noticed her own changes. Slowly opening her eyes, she first noticed the odd look in Law's eyes.
As if realizing something, she looked down at her hands and froze.
The structural changes in her limbs made her previous clothes incredibly tight. What used to be long sleeves now became three-quarter sleeves, exposing a large section of her arms.
It was precisely because of this that Melody could see her arms were no longer pitch black.
'It really was restored...'
Emotion slowly surfaced on Melody's face.
She desperately wanted to go to the restroom and look in the mirror to see her complete self.
Thinking this, she suddenly stood up.
Rip!
Her abrupt, forceful movement from excitement caused the already tight clothes to tear unexpectedly.
Melody's body stiffened. She let out a low gasp, hurriedly crouched down, and used her hands to protect her private areas.
The crouching motion made the sound of tearing clothes more intense and frequent, causing Melody even more panic.
Within seconds, Melody was left with only a few tattered pieces of cloth hanging on her, with glimpses of her skin showing.
Law's eyes caught a few glimpses of pale skin. He quickly turned around, took out a set of his own clothes from the Kuro's space, and tossed them backwards without looking.
"Hurry and put these on."
Melody caught the clothes and hurriedly put on the men's clothes Law had thrown over. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief, saying softly, "I-I'm sorry for the trouble."
She could hear her own heartbeat racing as if it wanted to burst out of her chest.
"It's fine. Are you dressed?"
"Yes."
Law turned around to look at Melody. Even dressed in men's clothes, her gentle, graceful temperament wasn't concealed.
Perhaps due to her musical studies, Melody now exuded a classical beauty, especially with her cascading black hair. It made Law unconsciously think of Stargie.
"As per our agreement, this sheet music is mine now," Law took out the Flute solo from the Kuro's space and held it in his hand.
Melody silently nodded. If it were an ordinary person, they might ask Law to sign a contract or set a restriction to ensure he would keep his promise to destroy the sheet music. But Melody wasn't ordinary… she had already used her ears to verify the truth of Law's words earlier.
"Thank you."
She looked at Law, expressing her heartfelt gratitude.
Law tossed the sheet music back into the Kuro's space. "It was nothing."
Melody certainly didn't think it was 'nothing'. She stored the gratitude deep in her heart.
Much later, Melody went to the restroom.
She stood in front of the sink, biting her lip as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. It seemed nothing had changed.
After a moment, she took out the photo she had always carried with her and simply looked at it, then silently cried.
She thought of many, many things.
Her friend's death, and her own most painful period.
Even though her appearance had returned, her friend could never come back.
…
Two days later, the airship arrived at an airport in a coastal city.
Law and Melody disembarked. Passersby around them cast strange glances at Melody, wondering why such a pretty girl was dressed in men's clothes.
The two walked out of the airport together, stopped on the street, looked at each other, then bid farewell.
Law went to the harbor and boarded a ship bound for Whale Island.