Chapter 35: Who Would Understand What You're Saying?!
"Ready, playwright? Do we have enough personnel reserves?"
Faced with the sword formations Ciaccona had replicated, the numerical advantage of the Fractsidus was instantly neutralized.
The bard's fingers danced continuously across the strings, filling the entire space with the melody belonging to Ciaccona.
A rain of swords descended from the sky, trapping the Fractsidus members firmly in place, yet not a single blade pierced their chests.
As for Rover over there... Aeron couldn't comprehend how she was using a sword to sweep large groups of people aside like leaves. When did Wuthering Waves unlock a Musou mode?
"Wow, as expected of them. Not only are their abilities on point, but they're also strangely kind-hearted."
Compared to Rover and Ciaccona, Aeron's one-on-one approach seemed rather ordinary and inefficient.
While lamenting the gap between individuals, he drove his sword through the chest of a Fractsidus member, then Arsène tore apart an enemy attempting to ambush them from behind with his sharp claws, both now stained with blood—whether their own or the enemy's, it was impossible to tell.
Fortunately, there weren't as many enemies on his side. It seemed even the Fractsidus preferred to preserve their lives, fleeing toward Rover and Ciaccona instead.
Well, there was no helping it. After all, Aeron was a priest, and no matter what, he had to fulfill his duty to the best of his ability, offering these bloodstained individuals a chance to confess before the Sentinels.
"So my mission is to send you to meet the Sentinels!!"
Thus, with the support of Ciaccona's "Unlimited Instrument Works," Aeron and Rover steadily advanced toward Cristoforo.
One of the swords flew directly at Cristoforo, but before it could even touch him, it dissipated into scattered resonance energy.
"...Hmph, hmph, hmph."
The reported resurrection from death, peculiar new abilities, the determined orphan of Toccata, the protagonist of the story, and the discordant note that should not exist.
Faced with this entirely unexpected turn of events, Cristoforo laughed.
"Father, the surprises you've brought me are far beyond my expectations!"
Cristoforo's laughter echoed across the grassland, not born of frustration but rather of fervent admiration.
Then, with elegant grace, he clapped his hands, and the scattered Fractsidus members ceased their attacks, gathering behind him like a receding tide.
"I now understand why the Performer was defeated by you... I must admit, for now, you are the stronger one, Father Aeron."
Cristoforo openly acknowledged his defeat, yet his tone remained as composed and effortless as ever.
"On this small stage I so carefully prepared, under the radiant performances of these three roles, I, the director and antagonist, have temporarily lost control of the narrative. Remarkable, truly remarkable. To manifest that poet's inner longing for freedom, truth, and music in such a magnificent form... I truly... never imagined it could be so spectacular."
He took a few steps forward, showing no fear of the sword-filled sky, and turned his gaze toward Ciaccona, who was slightly breathless but whose eyes shone with increasing clarity.
"Miss Ciaccona, you have proven the bloodline of the Toccata family and the weight of truth. This is excellent."
"You've given an answer far beyond my expectations. The caged bird not only yearns for the sky but possesses the strength to shatter its prison, even singing songs that make the cage itself tremble. Such experiences are truly precious."
"Stop speaking in that cryptic tone of yours!"
The Rover immediately stepped forward, swinging their blade toward Cristoforo, but Fractsidus members behind him rushed forward without hesitation, shielding him from the attack.
Not far away, Ciaccona, who continued playing her movement, sternly refuted the playwright's words.
"Human lives, faith, freedom... these aren't data for you to define!"
Cristoforo's voice remained placid. "Without chaos and sacrifice, how could we appreciate the value of order and peace? Without lies and deception, how would the worth of truth be revealed? I merely accelerated this process, filtering out the truly valuable parts—"
"Who can understand that kind of talk!"
"!!!"
Before Cristoforo could finish, Aeron's voice rang out from behind him. Several nearby Fractsidus members exploded into crimson mist as cover, allowing Aeron to charge toward his flank.
Such a direct ambush couldn't possibly go unnoticed by the playwright. He sidestepped gracefully, evading Aeron's thrusting blade.
And this was exactly what Aeron had anticipated.
Slice!
A clean, chilling sound. Cristoforo glanced at his severed right hand before shifting his gaze back to Aeron.
"...Father, did you know? Separated from my hand, that is merely an ordinary book. Even in your possession, it would serve no purpose."
Now held in Arsène's hands beside Aeron was the volume documenting Rinascita's decade-long schemes and countless individuals' fated paths.
"I know. That's why I never intended to keep it."
With those words, black flames erupted from Arsène's hands, reducing the book to ashes.
Cristoforo shook his head, his masked voice betraying little frustration. "That was merely one record among infinite possibilities. The true spectacle was never written on paper, Father."
"Do you realize how utterly unconvincing that sounds?"
Aeron flicked blood from his blade as the Rover immediately followed up:
"Your plan has failed. Leave this place, or stay."
"Patience, protagonist. I still have words to share."
Cristoforo's tone softened as he turned to Ciaccona. "Poet, what does truth mean to you? A weapon for revenge? An axiom that must be proclaimed to the world? Or... a burden you must carry?"
Ciaccona took a deep breath, ceasing her performance. The sky-full of sonic blades halted mid-air, shimmering with gentle yet resolute emerald light.
"Truth... is the key my father entrusted to me. What the Toccata family protected through exile and silence."
Her voice rang clear in the abruptly stilled space. "It shouldn't be used to incite hatred, nor should it merely be a stone thrown at someone. It should... be understood. Be contemplated."
"People have the right to know what they believe in and why they live. As for what comes after knowing—whether it's anger, disappointment, or seeking new paths... that is everyone's own choice. My song merely replays the buried movements."
Cristoforo fell silent. His mask concealed his expression, but the slight tilt of his head revealed a posture of genuine listening. After a long moment, he gave a gentle nod.
"An admirable answer. You are more... mature, and more burdened than I imagined. To carry the truth forward without being crushed by it, without letting it distort you—that is far more difficult than simply using it to destroy something."
"'Caged bird'—I hope the movement you compose will ultimately receive a finale worthy of such sacrifice and courage."
Having said this, he no longer looked at Ciaccona, finally turning to face Aeron.
"So, after disrupting everything's trajectory, what will you do next? Take the Sentinels' truth to proclaim everything to Ragunna's people? To ignite that fire that has been hidden for over a decade?"
"Rest assured, I have no interest in doing that."
Though Aeron said this, Cristoforo could tell this man clearly had other ideas in mind.
"...Heh, then I shall go make new preparations."
As his voice faded, his figure along with the Fractsidus members began gradually dissipating.
"Reverend, I look forward to... the new stage you have planned."
"Stop speaking in riddles at the very end!"
The final words carried meaningful resonance as his figure completely vanished.
Then, the entire space began dissolving—the azure blue sky replaced by night, the green grass turning into points of light, and the countless instruments beginning to disperse and disintegrate. The three returned to the cold stone ground of Ragunna's harbor district.
"Ugh..." Ciaccona groaned, her face turning pale as she collapsed sideways. Rover immediately came to her side, supporting her limp body.
Aeron watched the sword in his hand disappear, scanned their surroundings, and after confirming no danger remained, walked over to Rover and Ciaccona.
"The work's done. Let's head back to Montelli to collect our reward."
"Alright, then you carry her on your back."
"Huh? Shouldn't that be your job as a Resonator?"
"...You want me, a girl, to do this kind of work?"
"You—"
Rover made such a compelling point that Aeron couldn't muster a single word of rebuttal.
In the end, he could only obediently carry Ciaccona on his back and set off on the road back to the Montelli district with Rover.
"..."
Walking beside Aeron, Rover looked at his usual half-dead profile and pondered something in her heart.
For instance, what did Cristoforo's final words to Aeron actually mean?
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