Chapter 256: Holy Music
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 256: Holy Music
Under the bright stage lights, the "beautiful" violinist seemed bathed in a captivating glow.
Setting aside the mosaic-like fog obscuring her face, her modest black evening gown accentuated her perfect curves to the fullest. Even a slimming color like black couldn't hide the towering peaks of her chest in the slightest.
When she slowly raised the violin, it didn't look like it was tucked between her collarbone and jaw, but rather resting directly atop those lofty heights.
It feels like she could actually balance a cup of milk tea on her chest—at least two!
Wait, this sense of sheer scale feels a bit familiar...
Muen stroked his chin, subconsciously lost in thought.
But he quickly shook the idea out of his head.
Identifying someone by their chest was a bit too ridiculous no matter how you looked at it. He wasn't some eroge protagonist with a specialized "talent" for that sort of thing.
Besides, the performance was about to begin.
The "beautiful" violinist seemed a bit nervous. One could see her taking several deep breaths, making the scenery of her chest even more spectacular.
But the moment she drew her bow across the strings, everything went still.
It was as if an invisible domain had expanded, plunging the world into absolute silence.
The guests, who had been fuming with rage just moments ago, suddenly calmed down. Involuntarily, their gazes fixed upon the performer.
Then, the music began.
The melody flowed like water, instantly submerging everyone present.
Muen’s eyes suddenly brightened. He felt as if he were no longer in this cramped, dim restaurant, but standing upon a vast ocean.
Waves rolled and crashed in a rhythmic chorus.
The blue sea and the blue sky formed a picture of incomparable purity.
Then, at the horizon where the sea met the sky, a light dawned.
It wasn't sunlight. It wasn't starlight.
It was as if the most sacred thing in existence, capable of purifying all the filth of the soul, had appeared... Holy Light.
Muen felt himself being purified.
Tits?
Hmph, those are nothing more than corrupting influences hindering my progress.
I don't even need—
Wait!
Muen suddenly snapped back to his senses with a start.
What’s going on? Am I about to achieve enlightenment just by listening to some music?
Muen instinctively turned to look at the others.
He realized it wasn't just him. The other guests were listening intently to the enchanting melody, their previous irritability and anger long gone. Their expressions were incredibly serene and peaceful, their eyes shimmering as if they were witnessing the guidance of a Goddess.
Even Sean, who had just been reminded of the pain of losing his wife, had a dazed look in his eyes and a smile on his face, seemingly intoxicated by the most cherished vision of happiness deep within his heart.
What the hell?
Is this music really that infectious?
No.
Muen turned back to look at the "beautiful" violinist playing gracefully on stage.
As the son of a Duke, Muen naturally possessed a certain level of musical accomplishment. He could clearly tell that this "beauty" was indeed highly skilled, worthy of the title "musician."
However, the music she played shouldn't have been able to reach the level of purifying the soul and making people see visions of beauty.
For music to resonate so deeply, the performer must pour an equal amount of emotion into it. But she hadn't even shown her face, so she naturally hadn't invested much emotion.
She was playing mechanically, yet the sound was still so heart-stirring.
There’s something mixed into the music.
Muen’s eyes narrowed.
But even as he focused his gaze, he couldn't detect any mana fluctuations or any special aura coming from the "beautiful" violinist.
It was just that as her performance deepened, the feeling that her entire body was radiating light became stronger.
It was as if, with every casual movement, flawless Holy Light spilled out, automatically purifying all the filth in the world.
Wait...
Holy Light?
Muen’s eyes suddenly widened as if he had grasped something.
...
The song ended.
The restaurant fell into a deathly silence.
But when the "beautiful" violinist clutched her instrument and gave a slightly nervous bow, the atmosphere in the room instantly exploded.
A wave of thunderous applause erupted, mingled with cheers and the sound of weeping, nearly blowing the roof off the restaurant.
Even Sean, sitting beside Muen, was wiping tears from the corners of his eyes while clapping vigorously.
"What wonderful music! I felt as if I saw my late wife come back to life, smiling at me."
"..."
Muen didn't respond. His eyes flickered with thought for a moment before he beckoned over a waiter who was running around frantically trying to maintain order.
"Could you ask that beautiful violinist to come over for a moment?"
"This..."
The waiter wiped his sweat, unable to even maintain his professionally trained smile. He looked miserable as he said, "Sir, I understand your enthusiasm—everyone feels the same—but according to our house rules, guests are not allowed to disturb the performers, otherwise..."
Clack.
Muen slapped a stack of bills onto the tray in the waiter's hand. "This is a tip."
The waiter’s eyes went straight, and he swallowed hard.
"This... this isn't right..."
Clack.
"The restaurant's rules..."
Clack.
"I've seen plenty of rich people, you can't just—"
Clack, clack, clack, clack...
"I—I'll go right now! I guarantee I'll bring her to you!"
The waiter, his hands trembling as he held the mountain of cash on his tray, scurried away.
Soon, Muen saw him sneakily approach the side of the stage and say something to the beautiful violinist.
He couldn't hear their words or see their exact movements.
He could only vaguely tell that the violinist was very resistant at first.
That was until the waiter stuffed something into her arms, then something else, and then something else—several times in a row.
Although it didn't seem to be as many times as Muen had thrown money, she eventually agreed.
She began walking toward them.
She looked apprehensive, but driven by something, her steps remained relatively steady.
However, the moment her feet left the bright pool of light on the stage and crossed the boundary between light and shadow, her figure suddenly froze.
Generally speaking, if you are standing in bright light without using special means, it is difficult to see things in the darkness clearly.
So, it was only when she stepped into the shadows that she finally saw Muen’s face.
That face which, no matter what, she had never expected to see here.
Then, her delicate body began to tremble slightly.
She shook and shook.
Like a mouse seeing a cat, the towering peaks of her chest became even more spectacular as she trembled.
She looked as if she might turn and bolt at any second, but perhaps driven by something—or perhaps because she thought of something—she took a deep breath and cautiously stood before Muen.
Though her face was obscured, Muen somehow sensed a pathetic, pitiful aura coming from her.
"Is something wrong?"
Muen raised an eyebrow, looking over the trembling "beautiful" violinist once more. He asked curiously, "Is there something scary on my face?"
"N-No."
She spoke, her voice as melodious as a lark.
She seemed to freeze for a moment, and then her voice suddenly became unfamiliar and hoarse: "I was just... a bit surprised."
"Surprised?"
Muen looked at her with a half-smile, crossing his legs and swirling his wine glass. He said casually, "Now that’s interesting. 'Surprised'... does that mean I have the honor of being known by a great musician such as yourself?"