Chapter 40. The Diva and the Diva Fanatic
—7X Minutes After the War Council Ended, The Lectern in front of the 'Water Maiden's Robe Inn'—
Liliana was singing on the stage, but her voice was not as loud as it was initially, and the movements of her hands on the instrument were not as flawless.
—So strange! Why?
Liliana, noticing her stiff movements, felt confused. For her, singing full-blast for half an hour or an hour should be a very easy and normal thing, but now, only into the second song, she already felt exhausted.
—Is it because I'm singing through the 'Metia'?
Liliana looked at the microphone in front of her, pondering, but soon denied it, because every morning she would sing joyful songs for the Water Gate City into the exact same model of 'Metia' at City Hall.
—Is it because of the environment?
Liliana looked at the battlefield in the distant sky. In the time it took to sing one song, the battlefield had gotten closer by a few degrees. The streetlights at the end of the road no longer looked perfectly straight.
Liliana knew well what kind of negative impact harsh environments could bring, but could mere high temperatures have such an exaggerated effect?
Liliana was not a flower in a greenhouse. She could even continue singing with only a little water after suffering a high fever for three consecutive days.
—Speaking of which, when was the last time I sang while hungry or with a high fever? When was the last time I sang for several hours straight for money?
Liliana suddenly realized that the last time she sang in a desperate situation was so long ago, because...
—Could it be that Mr. Kiritaka protected me too well, and my physical functions degenerated!
Liliana thought of the strange man who was pursuing her.
"Your beauty fascinates me. Please stay by my side!"
It wasn't that no one approached her with evil intentions after hearing Liliana's singing, but he was the first person to approach her with evil intentions because of her appearance.
Liliana did not have an inferiority complex about her looks, but she knew that her appearance, strictly speaking, did not fit the mainstream aesthetics of Lugunica. After all, the mainstream aesthetic in Lugunica leaned toward tall, pale-skinned women, while she was a short girl with brown skin.
—So disgusting.
The man's gaze was too obvious. Even Liliana, who wasn't very good at observing others, easily noticed his eyes constantly moving between her face, chest, and feet. Frankly, the feeling was more than just unpleasant; if Liliana had to describe her feeling at the time, it was "danger."
If she had met him a few years ago, she might have followed him for a rich life, but Liliana, who now had a clear goal and could support herself, no longer needed to rely on others.
So, as always, she refused the man's confession by focusing on her goal.
"Liliana! My charming songstress! I hope you can forever capture me with your singing."
Liliana looked at the man before her. Although she wasn't very good at speculating on others' thoughts, Kiritaka's unconcealed gaze scrutinizing her body still made her realize that her song was being underestimated.
So, Liliana decided to give the man before her a huge surprise.
"I want to monopolize everything about you. However, your singing should never be monopolized. Can I ask you to share the songstress's voice with everyone, and give Liliana to me?"
Even though he was captivated by her singing, he hadn't given up on the idea of possessing her.
He became the first companion on Liliana's journey.
Liliana's feeling, if she had to describe it, must have been immense disappointment. After all, the first companion on her journey was not the hero she always fantasized about, but a perverted rich second generation who was interested in her body.
However, even though she knew his intentions, Liliana still agreed to his joining.
On one hand, Liliana did not have the power to drive the man away.
On the other hand, Liliana, who was familiar with the various love stories celebrated and passed down in this world, considered herself a master of romance (in her own opinion).
Liliana knew well the kinds of men and women deeply in love in these stories, and she knew what kind of words would move them, what kind of attitude would charm them, and how mutual love could be achieved.
Therefore, at this moment, Liliana had a vague premonition as she looked at Kiritaka, who arrived on his ground dragon.
Liliana sang while looking at Kiritaka. His clothes were a bit messy, and his hair, which he usually meticulously groomed, was disheveled with sweat. It was only through long-term
companionship that she could understand how busy Mr. Kiritaka had just been, and how much he valued this performance of hers.
When the song finished, Liliana bowed to her only audience to show her thanks, and then prepared to sing the next song. Just then,
"Wait! Liliana! You don't need to worry! You don't need to be anxious!! You don't need to be afraid!!!"
Kiritaka noticed it—he noticed that something was wrong with Liliana.
Although the second song was still beautiful, it was far from the soul-stirring level of the first one.
The moment he saw Liliana observing him, Kiritaka understood that Liliana had not fully entered the zone, because when Liliana sang with all her power, she couldn't see her surroundings.
—So that's it!
Liliana finally realized the reason, then showed a wry smile. Even knowing the problem, it wasn't so easy to solve.
Liliana finally understood why the second song felt so awkward: because she didn't get a response during the brief moment of conscious thought after the first song finished.
I have to use a song to fight an Authority that even the Great Spirit Beatrice's magic can't contend with! I have to instantly soothe tens of thousands of people across the entire city who are nearly crushed by anxiety and sorrow, all through a song!
—What a joke. Liliana's most successful concert was for less than a thousand people. The difficulty is increased dozens of times, and I'm still using the 'Metia' to transmit my music? Can the emotions in my song even get through?
—How is everyone doing? Is my song working?
Liliana naturally believed in the power of song, but the pressure from the lives of 100,000 people in the Water Gate City shook that confidence. Liliana had been living here for more than half a year.
Thinking that her song bore the lives of all those people she knew, how could she not worry! Not be anxious! Not be afraid!
But until just now, Liliana had seen only empty streets! Until now,
"My beloved 'Diva'! Your singing will surely save everyone in the Water Gate City!" Kiritaka said with an incomparably confident smile.
"So you just have to sing your heart out!"
Kiritaka believed in the power of her song even more than Liliana did.
"Ugh Eek!"
The overly direct words made Liliana let out a strange sound.
At the same time, it made her feel relieved, because these words were spoken by Kiritaka, who loved the Water Gate City the most, with a tone of absolute certainty. Kiritaka had turned himself into the 'Diva' of this city.
Although she couldn't yet hold her head high and say she deserved the title,
"I'm lucky to be your Diva!"
Liliana's face broke into a passionate and cheerful smile, and she played her instrument once again.
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