Chapter 6. Overture to Chaos
Subaru had once heard that most people with exceptional talents, those who are called geniuses, are also eccentrics, and this statement was perfectly validated by Liliana.
As a singer, she possessed the ability to be called the "Songstress," but her issues in other areas were quite severe. At the very least, Beatrice's face, which was originally full of expectation, had already turned into the expression of a child who couldn't go to the amusement park as promised because of the stormy weather.
"The girl's singing indeed possesses immense power, I suppose. Betty's eye… no, ear, sight was not mistaken after all, I suppose."
As if noticing Subaru's gaze, Beatrice called out a little flustered. Subaru, tactfully, did not tease her further and instead looked at Liliana.
"Liliana, you, too, have come to be known as the 'Songstress' in just this past year."
"Hehe, your compliment is my honor. But, don't just talk about me, Mister. What about you~?"
Liliana poked Subaru's side with her elbow, clearly indicating something, but Subaru's reflexive flinching scared her, and she yelped.
"What was that for? You startled me! But I'll forgive you if you tell me what you've been doing recently…"
"Eh?"
Liliana's expression was like seeing a hero from a dream, and she clasped her hands while listing Subaru's achievements. Since most of them were actually done by Reinhild, Subaru was mortified and suffered from deep embarrassment.
"Hmph hmph~ It seems she is an understanding girl, I suppose. That's right, Betty's partner, Subaru, will surpass all the heroes of history and become the most glorious and dazzling first-magnitude star in the future, I suppose. If you understand, you should show more respect and flattery!!"
Beatrice beside him puffed up her chest and said smugly.
"Understood!"
"Seriously. Liliana, you're too compliant with Beatrico… what a perfect bowing posture!"
"Hehehe, this is my Liliana's bowing technique honed during my nomadic travels~. I hope it makes bandits feel compelled to spare me!"
"You should put your skill points into troubadour abilities."
"Subaru, do you remember the promise we made when we parted?"
The atmosphere around Liliana suddenly changed. Her voice carried a sacred and solemn tone that made Subaru feel as if his heart had been grasped.
"I am a troubadour. A wanderer who travels all over, singing constantly. For me, who cannot stay in one place for too long, there is a task that must be accomplished. And that is to sing the newest legends of the world."
Liliana spoke of her purpose for traveling: to engrave the proof of her existence upon the world and to create songs that can be sung forever. And among those was Subaru's story.
"I really haven't done anything lately."
Looking at Liliana, over whose head a black cloud seemed to appear, Subaru felt a little guilty. Subaru gripped Reinhild's hand and took a deep breath.
"But I still have things I want to accomplish, things I must reclaim. The singing of my deeds can only be done after I have achieved everything. When that happens, I'll tell you as much content as you want. Believe me, it won't be inferior to the story of the Sword Demon's Love Song you sang this morning."
Upon hearing Subaru's answer, Liliana lowered her head and remained silent.
—Did I hurt her feelings after all?
—Was there no better way to phrase that?
"…"
The reflecting Subaru suddenly heard,
"Hmm?"
"The promise is mine—!!"
Liliana suddenly looked up and raised her arms to the sky, startling Subaru with her energy. Liliana then approached Subaru, her face flushed and her breathing rapid.
"You, just, just, just said it, right? That one day, you would tell me as many legends as I wanted… If that's the case, then it's a huge victory for me! Let's shout hurray three times! Uwahahaha~!"
Liliana, her face crimson, tossed the instrument in her hands high into the air. After catching it, she threw it up again.
"You have a terrible attitude towards your instrument, hey!? Is that worthy of a 'Songstress'!?"
"O-o-of course it is! Isn't that obvious? Without this, I can't do my job. My most important, most beloved treasure! Look, I'm kissing it! Munchu~! Munchu~!"
Liliana returned from the rare beast state to a human state after fifteen minutes. To be accurate, she didn't recover on her own; external circumstances forced her reason back into her brain.
A pillar of fire shot straight up into the clouds. Even hundreds of meters away, a terrifying heatwave could be felt. This horrifying sight attracted everyone's attention. Then, in the next moment, the pillar of fire turned into a tower of ice, and then the ice tower was shattered by an unseen hand.
"This is…? Inspiration! Please listen—Rage…"
"We don't have time for this now, Rein-chan!"
Subaru fell silent. For the first time in a long time, he saw a serious expression on Reinhild's face. As if noticing Subaru's gaze, Reinhild turned back.
"Subaru, can I ask you to organize the people of the Water Gate City for evacuation?"
The booming sound was incessant. Countless ripples appeared in the nearby canal, and architectural debris was occasionally falling from the sky.
"…"
Subaru opened his mouth, then looked into Reinhild's eyes, and finally slowly released Reinhild's hand.
"Leave it to me, Rein-chan. You too… don't push yourself!"
"Mhm, thank you."
Reinhild said, embracing Subaru and giving him a light kiss, then looked at Beatrice nearby.
"Beatrice-sama, I entrust Subaru to you."
"Leave it to Betty, I suppose. You hurry up and finish this, too."
Reinhild nodded and instantly vanished from the spot.
.
.
.
Phew~~~
Subaru withdrew his gaze and let out a long breath. He nodded to Beatrice, who was holding his hand. He looked around, recalling Reinhild's request, and then his eyes lit up.
"Liliana! Do you know where Kiritaka is?"
"Actually, I'm being taken care of by Mister Kiritaka while I'm in this city. I will lead the way for you."
"That's a huge help."
"This is first-hand material! Honestly, I'm incredibly excited! I truly wish I could sing a song right now. Don't worry, it's not far from here. He had just instructed me about an important transaction, which is why I was outside, but now is not the time to talk about business. Speaking of which, what are you planning to do, Subaru? Please, you must tell me."
Liliana ran while speaking incessantly.
"I won't be able to organize the evacuation of so many people by myself, so I'm going to use the broadcast he created and the [White Dragon's Scale] to guide everyone to evacuate, and to call for support."
"The broadcast, you mean the Metia? As expected of Subaru-sama, to be able to think in such a crisis! I understand! No need to worry! This is where personal connections come into play! To weigh obligation and sentiment against each other and then break the balance—that is the style of I, Liliana Masquerade!"
"What are you planning to do?"
"Mister Kiritaka is a person who dotes on me a lot. If I go and tell him, the evacuation will certainly progress somehow, even if it's scattered and barely managed. We've arrived! This is Mister Kiritaka's Muse Trading Company!"
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