Chapter 288: The Final Performance
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 288: The Final Performance
"Training?"
As expected of a Soaring Phoenix protagonist, that level of dedication...
But as Muen looked at Liya standing prettily before him, a strange sense of absurdity washed over him.
"At a time like this, she’s actually leaving you behind to immerse herself in training? That seems a bit much."
Although the plot had shifted due to his interference—the original novel didn't feature this specific challenge arc—this was clearly the perfect moment for Ariel, the Soaring Phoenix lead, to show off and start delivering face-slaps. Think about it: the poor, helpless childhood friend and the vicious villains were all lined up and ready. All she had to do was step onto the stage, play the part of the hero saving the damsel, and systematically shut down every detractor who stuck their face out...
And yet, she was training?
If this were written in a webnovel, the readers would be tearing the author apart in the comments.
"Don't you dare say bad things about Ariel!"
Liya puffed out her cheeks cutely, then lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Ariel is working so hard all for my sake!"
"...Alright, forget I said anything."
Since Liya didn't mind, Muen certainly had no right to complain.
He shrugged and looked at the girl before him. Thinking about how that destined Soaring Phoenix protagonist still detested him—his favorability rating likely still deep in the negatives—he couldn't help but sigh.
"You and Ariel really do have a wonderful relationship."
"Of course!"
Liya lifted her head, revealing a neck as white and graceful as a swan's. "We are the best of childhood friends!" she said with a hint of pride.
"Is that so?"
Muen couldn't help but smile.
Though the "Veteran Driver" Ariel would eventually make her move, the pure friendship currently shining in Liya’s eyes—the kind that truly only exists between young girls—was genuinely beautiful to behold.
Still, with a foundation like that, the "wall" of their relationship was likely as solid as a fortress of bronze and iron. Even the Foolish Old Man moving mountains wouldn't be able to make a dent in it.
"Do you want to continue playing?"
Pushing aside his stray thoughts, Muen asked with a smile.
"I..." Liya hesitated. "I want to rest for a bit first."
"Then sit here."
Muen patted the space beside him and slid over, generously offering half of the long bench.
"Okay."
Liya didn't refuse. She smoothed her skirt over the elegant curve of her hips and sat down quietly at the other end of the bench.
But even though she was at the "other end," a bench along a small path wasn't exactly spacious. There was only about a person's width of space between them.
Muen could still catch the faint, pleasant scent clinging to her—a fragrance as clean and soft as a newborn.
The warm winter sun filtered through the branches, weaving a golden net that draped over them both.
Without realizing it, the girl who had once been incredibly wary of him no longer minded sharing a seat.
In fact...
"Haven't been sleeping well lately?"
Muen noticed the slight fatigue at the corners of Liya's eyes. "The list has already been finalized, so why are you still pushing yourself so hard?"
"It's... it's not hard," Liya whispered. "I've just been a little nervous lately."
"I see..."
It was likely because they were leaving for the Holy City soon.
Even with Ariel’s help, the upcoming Pay Homage to the Sage Ceremony would still be one of the most significant events of Liya's life. It was only natural for her to be nervous.
It felt a bit like the pre-exam jitters back in his old world. No, for Liya, that ceremony was far more important—and far more difficult—than any entrance exam.
"And... besides..."
"Yes?"
"The people who keep trying to challenge me... they're a bit annoying."
In the soft glow of the sunlight, Muen saw Liya puff her cheeks out again, showing her minor displeasure.
It was a very childish gesture—or rather, an expression—that Liya only showed when she accidentally let her inner thoughts slip. Muen had only seen it a few times, but it didn't feel immature; it was just incredibly endearing.
She looked like a squirrel mid-meal. It made him want to reach out and poke her cheek.
...No, he had to control his impulsive hand. If he actually poked her now, after finally getting her to lower her guard, she’d probably build a massive wall between them instantly and look at him like he was a total creep.
Suppressing the "primordial urge" in his hand, Muen smiled and suggested, "Then you should take this chance to get some good rest. With me here, no one will come to bother you."
"..."
Liya suddenly turned her head and stared straight at Muen. Her large, lovely eyes blinked, and a faint ripple seemed to spread through the depths of her gaze.
"You wouldn't... try to do anything to me while I'm asleep, would you?"
"What do you think?"
"Hmph."
Liya turned away again, but she didn't refuse.
She gently slipped off her white deerskin boots, exposing her small, fair feet to the air. As the cold wind nipped at them, her ten toes—round and white like tiny steamed buns—curled instinctively before she quickly tucked them under her long skirt.
She hugged her knees, buried her face against her legs, and curled up on the bench. her hair fell naturally, veiling her profile. Seeing her huddled into a ball like that, Muen couldn't help but think of a ginger cat napping by a fireplace.
Returning to the earlier thought: Liya was now comfortable enough to drop her guard completely and take a nap right next to him.
After all, they had spent a whole month together.
Muen smiled and looked away, leaning back against the bench and closing his eyes.
He didn't sleep, nor did he sink his consciousness into the Black Book to train. He had promised to watch over her, and it would be incredibly rude to zone out now.
He was simply resting his eyes.
Since coming to this world, this was one of the rare moments where he... wasted time.
But listening to the sound of the snow melting nearby and the girl's breathing gradually becoming rhythmic and steady, Muen felt it wasn't a waste at all.
Having a beauty by one's side was, after all, the greatest comfort for the soul.
Slowly, his heart found peace.
*
He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the faint glow of sunset now dusted the thinning patches of snow.
Muen heard the soft rustle of fabric beside him.
Liya lifted her head from her knees. Her pretty face looked a bit dazed and bleary-eyed, a few strands of hair stuck to the corner of her mouth, and her gaze was still a bit vacant.
"Awake?" Muen asked with a smile. "How was the nap?"
"I..."
Liya’s face flushed instantly. She scrambled to shove her feet back into her deerskin boots, stood up, and hurriedly smoothed the wrinkles in her clothes and tidied her hair. Only after ensuring she didn't look embarrassing did she breathe a sigh of relief.
"I didn't... do anything strange just now, did I?"
"Strange? You mean the things you said in your sleep?"
"Sleep... sleep-talking?" Liya grew tense immediately. "What... what did I say?"
"You said..."
Muen put on a serious face and, imitating Liya's tone, said solemnly, "Muen-classmate... you're so handsome... especially that blonde hair... I simply can't get enough of you..."
"Wh-what?!"
Liya’s blush spread all the way to her neck.
How could she have said something so shameful in her sleep? But that was impossible! Even if Muen was a little bit handsome, she would never...
Then, Liya finally caught the glint of mischief in Muen's eyes.
She realized he was just teasing her.
"You're... you're so mean!"
With tears of frustration pricking her eyes, Liya glared at him. She looked around for something to throw, but finding nothing handy, she ended up grabbing her violin.
"How... how could you say that?"
"Wait, wait! Liya-classmate, stop! Put it down!"
Seeing that she actually looked ready to swing it, Muen immediately tried to soothe her with a look of mock terror.
"I was wrong! My mistake! Put the violin down, put it down!"
"..."
"You still have to play for me! You can't perform without an instrument!"
"Hmph..."
At the mention of the performance, Liya slowly lowered the violin. She still gave Muen a fierce glare, muttering, "You really are a bad person."
"..."
Muen’s lip twitched as he let out a sigh of relief. Clearly, one couldn't just play jokes on the future Saintess whenever they felt like it.
She was far too easy to provoke.
Even if it was cute.
"I'm going to start playing now."
Liya took a deep breath and raised the violin. The turbulent emotions in her chest gradually settled.
But as she looked at Muen, with whom she had spent this brief month, her feelings remained complicated.
This guy always managed to make her lose her composure, leading her to do things that were diametrically opposed to the path of a "Saintess" she sought to follow.
Sometimes she wondered: if this continued, would even the Goddess grow to dislike this shameless version of herself?
Fortunately, it was all coming to an end.
They were departing for the Holy City tomorrow. Though they would travel together for a short while, once they reached the city, their paths would diverge completely.
He was the son of a Duke of the Leopold Empire.
She was a Saintess Candidate of the Church of Human Life.
They were like two parallel lines that would likely never cross again.
"We leave for the Holy City tomorrow, so this is the last time I will play for you, Mr. Employer," Liya reminded him softly.
"I know."
Muen immediately shifted into audience mode, sitting straighter than ever before. He smiled. "Please begin, my dear musician. I shall listen as intently as always."
"Alright."
Liya smiled back and drew the bow across the strings.
The melodious music rose.
Since it was the final performance, Liya held nothing back. She poured her most sincere emotions and her most refined techniques into the notes blooming from her fingertips.
Combined with the refreshing nap she’d just had, Liya’s mental state had reached its peak for the month.
This time, she consciously suppressed the Holy Light that usually leaked out instinctively.
Yet, simply by listening to the pure music, the world before Muen’s eyes seemed to brighten like never before.
It was like a sea, shimmering with light.
In this forest where only the two of them remained.
The notes mingled with the winter sun, the white snow, and the gentle breeze, making Muen feel as if his soul were being sublimated, guided toward a place of infinite light.
And then, alongside the sound of breathing and heartbeats, the music began to count down the seconds to the "final" curtain call.