Chapter 310 ·The Uninvited Guest

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Uninvited Guest

Outside the opera house, the crowds packed in so tightly that not even water could pass through, but Ackley entered effortlessly, for a single, simple reason.

He was accompanied by a squad of guards, each with a noble badge pinned to their chest—the insignia of a Fifth Rank noble from the Otto Kingdom. The lead bodyguard was even a Third Rank noble.

Thus, the audience members wisely chose to make way for them.

When they entered, every seat in the opera house was already occupied, so Aurela's personal bodyguard, "Tirus," walked to the front row and addressed a few seated young nobles.

"Take the money and vacate your seats!"

The order was delivered with utter arrogance, and the nobles in the front row, shocked that someone would dare speak to them like this, became agitated on the spot.

"You—"

But when they turned around and saw the Third Rank noble badge on Tirus's chest, their confidence instantly faded. After all, they were just lowly Sixth Rank nobles themselves. Well aware of the rules of upper society, they left without another word.

"Your Highness, please have a seat."

Aurela sat in the front row, instantly stirring speculation among the crowd about this young man's identity.

Ackley witnessed the entire scene, immediately realizing this youth's unusual background, and hurried over with a flattering smile.

"Greetings, milord, I am—"

Before he could finish, tirus blocked him. But Aurela gestured that it wasn't necessary, instead beckoning Ackley closer with a curl of his finger.

"Are you the person in charge here?"

"Yes, sir! May I ask if you have any instructions?"

"Not really instructions. I heard you have some famous divas here."

"That's right, sir. Tonight you've come at the perfect time. Miss Candice rarely performs on stage."

"Candice... a very nice name. I'm looking forward to it."

Aurela spoke with an air of pride, his gaze falling on a keepsake hanging from Ackley's neck.

"What's this?"

"Oh, just some small trinkets. If you like it, please feel free to take it, sir."

"Hah, do I look like someone who takes things for free, tirus?"

At his call, tirus tossed a few gold coins to Ackley. Ackley started to refuse, but was silenced by a glare from Tirus.

Accepting the money, ackley thanked them profusely and withdrew. Looking at the pendant showing the five young girls—especially Candice—a strange feeling arose in Aurela's heart.

Meanwhile, ackley made his way backstage, grumbling...

"Tsk, just because they have money, they act like they're all that."

As he entered, molly happened to head out to check on things.

"I heard some commotion outside. Did something happen?"

"Nah, it's sorted out."

"Is that so?"

Molly glanced out the window and saw Aurela, but merely thought him impressive, without considering any deeper implications.

"If everything's settled, are the preparations for the performance done?"

"Master Molly, your words wound us! Have you ever doubted our capabilities?"

"In that case, let's start the show. Thank you for your hard work."

With that, molly returned to her dressing room and was immediately dazzled by the sight before her.

Candice had changed into a red evening gown, the very image of elegance, which took Molly's breath away.

"You look pretty impressive."

Serea spun before the mirror a few times. Seeing Molly enter, tethys and the others hurried over.

"The performance is about to start, molly, you should get changed too."

As Serea finished her words, she automatically left the room, and Molly was dragged inside to change.

Everyone made their final preparations. Since the front row seats were blocked by the stage, Serea never saw Aurela.

Before long, everyone had changed outfits, and the host announced the performance's beginning.

Though Candice was tonight's main star, it wasn't a solo concert—she only had a few songs, taking just over ten minutes. So before her part...

The host called for quiet, the lights dimmed, and the crowd went wild.

"Molly! Tethys!"

Molly, tethys, and the others took to the stage one by one. The combination of instrumentals and mermaid vocals left the audience highly satisfied.

After half an hour of warmup acts, the opera house atmosphere hit a peak. A glance at the program revealed the final act would be...

"Candice! Candice! Candice!"

At the audience's enthusiastic chant, ackley signaled to the host: it was time for the true star's entrance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I can hear your chants, but they are not loud enough! Louder!"

Encouraged by the host, the hall erupted again.

"Candice! Candice! Candice!"

Hearing the passionate, almost perfectly synchronized shouting, Aurela smiled from the crowd.

"Interesting."

"Well then, let's welcome our final performer, miss Candice!"

A roar erupted as the spotlight faded, plunging the opera house into darkness.

The darkness lasted for over ten seconds. It gradually calmed the crowd's excitement until at last, as utter silence settled, the accompanying music began: "Euterpe"!

"Ohhh!"

After a brief cheer, tethys, nora, molly, and Dogsius appeared one by one on stage under the spotlight. With the music, the final beam revealed Candice. As she sang, her low and mournful voice rang out.

Rinto saku hana yo~

Soko kara nani ga mieru~

Hito wa naze yurushiau koto~

At the first sound of her singing, the entire audience fell silent. No one dared disturb this rare, serene beauty, and as Candice began, Aurela's expression turned to one of amazement.

"Perfect!"

After the song ended, candice sang "Undead Overture."

Unlike the previous mournful melody, this one was grand and epic, leaving everyone in awe.

In under ten minutes, candice wove together two contrasting songs, stunning the entire audience with her vocal mastery. Even the music seemed to pierce the soul, proving Miss Candice was indeed a true diva.

Yet the crowd was insatiable, shouting for an encore. As expected, the accompaniment for another song began.

Serea quietly regretted ever giving them the instrumental for that particular song, since now it was being used to torment her. Luckily, she was prepared.

Named "Sakura Sakura I Want To See You," it was the sequel to "Sakura."

The original told the story of a father mourning his lost daughter, filled with sorrow and longing; the new song replied from the daughter's perspective, in response to the father.

Under this premise, a song that was originally gentle and cheerful now naturally exuded a feeling of irrepressible sadness.

As the short piano introduction finished and the singing began, this time it wasn't just Candice. As it was a duet, tethys stood with her as well.

Both: Sakura sakura aitai yo~

Both: Iyada kimi ni imasugu aitai yo~

Serea: Daijoubu mou nakanai de~

Tethys: Watashi wa kaze anata wo tsutsunde iru yo~

The two performed in perfect harmony, and their soft singing put the audience at ease. Yet for some reason, everyone sensed something hidden beneath the surface.

"What beautiful music! As expected of Miss Candice."

"Yes, but why do I feel so... odd?"

Nearby, an adventurer's heart ached as a pure, innocent figure flashed through his mind. Sadness appeared in his eyes.

Anyone who came here to be an adventurer or mercenary carried their share of painful memories. War and plague had stolen things from them, and most drank and partied to forget. Yet now, the feeling of having lost something precious was awakened once again.

On stage, candice and Tethys immersed themselves in their performance, becoming for the audience the embodiment of something precious lost, conveying comfort and messages in those roles.

That was the power of diva magic. Compared to mere words, a song could be far more moving—just like now. Even though the music was gentle and lively, the sadness hidden within was also captured by the audience.

They immersed themselves in the song, as if listening to blessings and advice from the ones who mattered most.

When the song ended, the adventurer couldn't help but sigh.

"Miss Candice... truly a kind and understanding diva."

He clenched his pocket watch tightly, the small photo inside depicting a laughing, innocent girl.

The music ended. Many in the crowd cheered; many felt a deep sadness.

It seemed that the sadness hidden within the cheerful music had affected everyone: at the very last note, a hush descended over the opera house.

Silence... wordless silence.

Then, candice and her companions exchanged a smile.

Bass, jazz drums, electric guitar, synthesizer—they donned their masks, and music filled with rhythm exploded on stage!

"This is!!!"

The audience stared in shock.

"Life Will Change"!

As the introduction started, the sadness vanished like a wave. Even if they had lost things in the past, now—Life Will Change!

It's not a game～

I'm not a robot and I'm challenging you～

With the music, everyone danced and sang, the pulsing melody hitting the audience like waves one after another.

Although the previous songs had all been tinged with sorrow, it was different now. The crowd could finally shout to their hearts' content!

"Ohhh!"

The harmony of song and cheering from the crowd became one. This was the allure of a true concert. But amidst all the excitement, a few people looked utterly stunned.

For example—Tirus...

As he listened, he felt a mysterious power well up in his body, one that made him stronger!

"Your Highness, it's diva magic!!!"

At those words, Aurela was both surprised and delighted.

He had originally thought these were just pretty singers with decent voices—nothing special. But! If she could use diva magic, then things would be entirely different. A diva capable of that was rare enough to make her a national strategic "weapon."

So—

"Heh... more and more interesting. If I can't make someone like her work for me, that would be a real waste."

Muttering to himself, he whispered something quietly to Tirus.

Of course, Aurela and his group weren't the only ones to notice the diva magic. Others started plotting for themselves, too.

Serea remained oblivious to all this. She'd just wanted to do her best with the last song, so she impulsively triggered the "Life Will Change" diva skill—and netted herself 1,432 Faith Crystals.

With so much materials, "satisfying" didn't even begin to describe it!

If only she could do this a few more times—

Cough, cough, better not.

The show ended. As the music faded, candice and the others prepared to leave the stage. But—

"Miss Candice, wait! Please don't go!"

The call rang out, and as the crowd realized Candice was about to slip away, many stood and surged forward in hopes of stopping her. Opera house staff hurried to intervene, but—

"Miss Candice, can I have your autograph?"

"Miss Candice, I am your fan, please, an autograph!"

The crowd was so passionate that the staff could barely hold them back. Serea tried to make a quick exit, but—

"With this, tonight's performance is officially over! Thank you for your support! But since you are all so enthusiastic, please line up to receive autographs!"

Tethys called out, and Serea panicked.

"Hey, hey, this wasn't supposed to be part of the plan!"

But the words had already been spoken, and the crowd eagerly shouted,

"Quick, get in line, get in line!"

"Hey, don't push! Give me some space!"

Thus, thanks to Tethys, the out-of-control audience lined up in several crooked lines.

"Miss Candice, please!"

An adventurer wearing a badge of faith handed over pen and paper, looking so earnest—

"Alright... alright, I'll do it."

Serea reluctantly agreed. With sincere thanks, she returned the signed paper, then—

"Miss Candice, this one's mine!"

"If you can, please do mine too!"

The crowd pressed in, but unlike earlier, everyone waited in an orderly line for autographs. The same long lines soon formed in front of Tethys and the others.

"With lines this long, looks like there's no chance of finishing quickly tonight..."

Serea sighed, while a young man dressed in finery stepped up to the side of the lineup. It was Aurela. Studying Serea/Candice up close, his smile grew even more satisfied.

As he approached, Serea instinctively reached for an autograph paper, but on seeing his face, she froze.

Her first thought: she must be seeing things. But by comparing his features to her memories, she quickly realized the truth—the young man before her was her very own "cheap" older brother, the Crown Prince of Otto Kingdom—Aurela!

Recalling the intel that Silver had gathered earlier, Serea was sure Aurela's presence meant he was here to investigate her.

Damn it, just her luck—to run into him in a place like this!

(To be continued...)

RelatedRelatedRelated