Handing the sheet music to Eden, Elias believed this was the best choice.
After all, these days he was constantly fighting the Honkai. Whether in the Previous Era or the Current Era, the music he had brought from his past life had never had a chance to be shared with this world.
Since that was the case, why not let Eden sing them for him?
The Flame-Chaser marked with the title of [Gold] was the only singer Elias acknowledged. He looked forward to hearing these timeless classics of his past life sung by her heavenly voice.
"Elias, I don't even know what to say to you."
Eden hugged the sheet music tightly. If she were to lose even a single page, she felt she would never again have the face to see Elias.
(Ah, what a heartbreaking person. Clearly, he has talent equal to—or even surpassing—mine. Yet he chose the path of battle for the sake of saving others.)
The more she thought about it, the more sorrowful and reluctant she felt.
She lifted her wine glass and downed it in one go. Yet even fine wine couldn't wash away the grief in her heart.
"Elias, I still feel this is wrong. Your hands should be playing the world's most beautiful music. They should be holding instruments—not weapons."
"Eden, if peace reigned, then perhaps that would be true. But right now, too many need me to save them. I have to fight. Don't worry—blood on my hands can always be washed away."
(But there will always be something that can't be washed away.)
Eden bit her lip.
The boy before her was so noble, so brave, so tragic—more moving than any opera she had ever seen. At that moment, she even felt an overwhelming urge to hold him tightly.
"Then let this be my repayment for the sheet music, Elias. Please, make any wish of yours to me. As long as it is within my power, I will never refuse you."
"Uh… is it really okay to be that absolute?"
"It's fine. This is just my insignificant repayment. If possible, please be as selfish as you want. Whether it's my wealth or anything else—I'll give it."
Eden's emotions completely overtook her reason.
She spoke words that would drive the world mad—especially every man alive.
But suddenly, Elias stepped forward and embraced her.
"Ah…"
"Calm down, Eden. You've had a bit to drink."
"I haven't. I'm just… very sad."
Eden felt her heart racing. In her entire life, she had never been so close to a man. The warmth of this embrace overwhelmed her.
Around them, guests and waiters all stared in shock, unable to keep their composure. But who could blame them? On the street, at least ninety-nine out of a hundred people were Eden's fans. Of course these waiters and patrons were as well.
Now, seeing their idol held in Elias' arms, some could no longer restrain themselves from stepping forward to intervene.
But Eden frowned.
She understood what they saw—an insolent boy taking advantage of her. But they knew nothing of the precious treasure Elias had just entrusted her with.
She could not allow these people to insult him. So, right in front of everyone, Eden decisively returned the embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around Elias with no hesitation.
Her serious gaze swept the surroundings, declaring to all that this was her own will.
And instantly, hearts shattered everywhere.
Waiter: "Eden actually hugged him back—no!!!"
Patron A: "Let go of that boy—let me take his place!"
Patron B: "Eden's in love? NO—!"
Patron C: "I must be dreaming. This is an illusion, it has to be!"
Patron D: "Kill me! Hurry! This world is unbearable, hahaha!"
The restaurant descended into chaos and uproar.
Eden had only wanted to prove that Elias hadn't done anything improper. But in the end, she made things worse. Guests and staff alike looked on the boy with envious, pained, jealous eyes.
Some crazed fans were already grabbing wine bottles. Others, less rational, picked up baguettes. Many began pressing toward the pair, and it was uncertain what they might do next.
Eden felt a little nervous and afraid, yet instead of letting go, she only hugged Elias tighter. This made the onlookers break down even further, and some were already about to act recklessly.
"You. Leave."
The voice, filled with authority, froze them in place.
Everyone shivered. The same boy who had just moved them with his music, who had just made them envy him to death for being embraced by Eden—
Now appeared as an impossibly beautiful monster!
White dragon wings unfurled behind him. A pair of flawless, jade-like horns grew out, and his radiant golden eyes shone with such majesty that no ordinary mortal dared to approach.
Elias had activated his draconic form to scare them off. But the next second, he turned anxiously toward Eden, worried he might have frightened her as well.
Yet when their eyes met, Eden showed no fear like the others. Instead, her eyes glimmered brightly.
"Elias, you're beautiful."
"Uh…?"
"More magnificent than any art I've ever seen."
Curiously, she reached out to touch his horns—something only Elysia had ever been allowed to do. Her delicate hands caressed every inch with gentle reverence.
"You're really not afraid at all, huh."
"Mm? Why should I be?"
Eden tilted her head slightly. After all, she had once shared a soul-deep resonance with him through music. No one in the world knew his pure, kind nature better than she did.
So no matter what he looked like on the outside—
Eden would never feel fear.
Besides, his draconic form was anything but ugly. To her artistic eyes, it was the fusion of the sacred and the violent. As a great artist, she could only describe Elias with one word: perfection.
"Alright then, forget the rest. Just now you said I could make any wish, right? Then from now on, I want you, Eden, to sing one song just for me every day. How about it?"
"Of course not. That's impossible."
"Eh?"
The unexpected rejection stunned Elias. He scratched his head awkwardly, wondering if he had asked too much.
But the next second, Eden smiled radiantly. Still holding onto his dragon tail, she even added generously:
"One song a day isn't nearly enough. If it's for you, I'll sing anytime, anywhere."
"Really?"
"Of course. I swear it on all my wealth."
Eden swore casually on her trillions without a hint of hesitation. And in the meantime, she had explored nearly all of Elias' draconic form, finally finding the part she liked most—
His pair of Benares wings.
Eden couldn't help imagining what it would be like to soar through the skies with them. If Elias were willing to carry her, she would happily set the ticket price at one hundred million per ride.
But then she hesitated. Wasn't that a bit too expensive? At one hundred million a ride, wouldn't she only get a few tens of thousands of rides at most?
(Forget it. When the money runs out, I'll just earn more~)
Watching Elias wag his dragon tail happily at her promise, Eden bloomed with her own dazzling smile, her heart lifting with joy.
She tossed her unlimited black card onto the table and said to the trembling waiter:
"Bring us your best wine, thank you."
Whenever Eden was happy, she wanted to drink.
"M-Miss Eden, forgive my boldness, but… what exactly is your relationship with this gentleman?"
The waiter nervously glanced at Elias, then took a deep breath and asked Eden with all the courage he could muster.
"Oh oh oh! A brave warrior!"
"This waiter's amazing! I'll cover his tip!"
"Please don't say lovers! Please don't!"
"I can't bear to listen. Someone tell me the answer afterward."
The restaurant guests all praised his bravery, then stared at Eden with bated breath.
"Uh… our relationship…"
Eden's cheeks flushed red. At last, she realized the way she had just acted with Elias carried far too much intimacy—certainly not the kind of closeness shared by two people who had only met today.
Eden recalled Elias' earlier words—that those who tried to understand him all ended up falling for him.
Her heart skipped a beat.
(Could it be… I've truly fallen for Elias at first sight?)
The blush on her cheeks deepened. Flustered, she quickly turned her back to the crowd and said:
"Friends, we're just friends."
(Dare to say that while looking at us, why don't you.) ×N
The waiters and guests nearly wept. What should they do? Perhaps they should just choose to believe her. After all, Eden was a superstar—without an official announcement, it didn't count! Yes, no official announcement meant it didn't count!
The fans began convincing themselves with desperate self-deception…
Eden, meanwhile, felt a twinge of guilt. Though some had nearly acted rashly, it was ultimately because they loved her too much. And it was true—she hadn't considered her status as an era-defining idol when she had chosen to embrace Elias openly.
With that thought, Eden gestured something the professionals would instantly recognize.
"Tonight's bill will be covered by Miss Eden. Everyone, let us thank her."
"Mm, and please, bring us more wine."
Eden spoke calmly. Though it was a luxury restaurant, her wealth could easily feed everyone present until they burst. Let this be her small apology.
And so the two began drinking. Elias chuckled helplessly at the sight of all the expensive bottles, realizing he had almost forgotten Eden's fondness for alcohol.
Though he himself could not get drunk, keeping a beauty company was no hardship.
Watching Eden's flawless, peerless face flush with wine, her gaze turning hazy and unfocused, Elias thought she had become dangerously alluring.
"Ah~ you really are too defenseless."
"I'm not drunk. I can still… still sing another song~ Elias, let me see your wings again."
"Alright, alright—next time for sure. It's late. Let me take you home. By the way, Eden, where do you live?"
"My home? I can't remember, too many… which one do you mean?"
The tipsy Eden tilted her head in confusion. She had villas all over the world—how could she possibly remember them all? Elias, you really are making things difficult. And at the same time, she seemed to have reached her limit.
Duang!
Eden collapsed face-first onto the table.
Elias pressed a hand to his forehead with a sigh. Then he moved to her side, lifted her onto his shoulder, and shot a warning glare at the so-called "gentlemen" who had been itching to step in.
After leaving the restaurant, he hesitated over where to go. Since he didn't know Eden's residence, there were only two options: Fire Moth's base, or a hotel.
(Ah, taking her home is impossible. Ely will definitely get angry.)
Elias had at least that much emotional awareness. He also knew his pink elf's true "nature."
Glancing down at the utterly defenseless songstress in his arms, he thought: if he brought her back, who knew what Elysia might do to her in that state?
Those two had been playing wilder and wilder lately.
Elias even felt Ely had been corrupting him. By now, he already knew that sometimes there might be a snake tied up beneath his bed.
But for his lovely troublemaker, Elias always pretended not to notice…
(Mobius: "Tch!")
"Cough cough! Let's see, where's the nearest hotel? No, wait… I can't just leave her there alone. What if the staff had bad intentions?"
With that, Elias silently asked his pink elf for leave. Tonight, he wouldn't be coming home. Besides, he had already "fed" Elysia well before going out.
...
In a corner of Varenna City—
Not far from a certain hotel, a man crouched with a camera in hand.
From his attire, it was clear he was a proper journalist. He even wore a press badge on his chest, proving he wasn't some shady paparazzo.
"Ah~ headlines, headlines. Where am I supposed to find such a story? Damn editor-in-chief, may your whole family—"
The man wore a bitter expression as he smoked.
In today's society, there were only two types of news guaranteed to make headlines: celebrity gossip and scandals, or stories about the White Monster.
But both were difficult to obtain. The former required abandoning a journalist's dignity, becoming a shameless paparazzo who would stop at nothing for juicy scoops, truth be damned.
The latter demanded a readiness to gamble with one's life!
Rumor had it that no one who saw the White Monster ever met a good end. They either died or contracted the terminal Honkai disease. He was still young, single, and had no intention of dying early.
Yet, if he couldn't find an eye-catching story this month, he wouldn't even make rent. With a deep sigh, the man opened his phone and played Eden's music.
Listening to her heavenly voice, he felt soothed, healed.
"Ah~ in this cold, heartless world, only Miss Eden's songs can bring me warmth. Praise Miss Eden, forever and always~"
He rubbed his chilled hands together and glanced at his camera's battery, preparing to continue searching the nighttime city for secrets worth pursuing.
"Eden, stop moving! Be good! Be good!"
"Elias… I'm so thirsty… is there more wine? Right… I want… to sing for you."
"Sing when you're sober. And stop using my hair as a scarf! I should've cut it shorter—but Ely said she liked it long… ah, forget it, forget it!"
"La~! Laaaaa~! Aaaaahhh~!"
"Don't sing high notes in the middle of the night! It's gorgeous, but you'll disturb the neighbors!"
The reporter froze as he saw a white-haired boy carrying a wine-red-haired woman walk past.
The boy, known as Elias, was holding in his arms a woman who looked exactly like Eden.
It was obvious she was drunk. She clung around his neck, her long legs swinging restlessly.
At first, the reporter refused to believe it was Eden. But then, even in her drunken state, she sang a high note of such impossible quality that he turned to stone.
(Eden? Is it really Eden?! Am I dreaming?)
Slap!
He smacked himself hard across the face.
(Ow—hurts like hell. So it's not a dream… ahhhhh! I'm not dreaming! Miss Eden, she—she's being carried into a hotel by a boy! Why, oh why is this real?!)
His heart shattered. Instinctively, he raised his camera and snapped a picture of their backs.
Elias didn't look back. But Eden, carried in his arms, turned her head toward the lens. The shot was crystal clear.
The reporter laughed and cried at once, torn between joy and despair.
Good news: he had his headline. With Eden's influence, this wasn't just a headline—it was a world headline. Rent was no longer a problem. Promotion and a raise were certain.
Bad news: this was Eden's scandal. His goddess would, after tonight, no longer belong to the world.
And so the middle-aged reporter had but one plea in his heart:
Reporter: "Uuuugh… please, just please don't retire from music because you found a boyfriend, Miss Eden~!"