413 The Grey Youth Before the Night Bell Tolls

The audience seats offer a close-up view of the stage.

What happened to them?

Ikatinos asked, puzzled.

Mie also looked at Ikatinos with a puzzled expression.

"Do you know who the Ice Princess likes?" Mie asked.

"I don't know," Ikatinos replied.

"Didn't you tell me last time that you thought Ice Princess had feelings for your teacher?" Mie asked again.

"Yeah, so what?"

Ikatinos was even more puzzled.

"That's right! She likes your teacher, and now to make her lie in front of Dekan is not only a public execution but also torture. But to make her tell the truth, I can't imagine how this concert would explode."

Mie covered his eyes and said.

"Huh? She likes teachers? I thought she had a prejudice against teachers!"

Ikatinos covered her face in shock, then glanced at the state of Ice Princess and Dekan on the platform, and immediately understood the meaning of this Hell Scroll.

When she said "Ice Princess has feelings for the teacher," she meant it literally!

Little did Mie know that she thought she understood too!

"You two are truly of the same ilk; your thought processes are exactly the same."

Mie was at a loss for words when it came to criticizing the Demon Realm; these guys were all emotionally irrational.

"Then, why didn't the teacher say anything?"

Ikatinos wants to save Dekan.

But they found themselves willing but unable, and didn't even know what to do.

"He lost a bet to Cat Teacher, and then Cat Teacher tricked him again. He couldn't speak until nine o'clock."

Mie explained helplessly.

Since Dekan is here, and considering the request that Cat Teacher gave him before Dekan left, the answer is obvious.

Now, Dekan can't even save Ice Princess; he's barely able to save himself.

Mie didn't expect that Dekan would already have a mishap before Clay even played.

If we're talking about whose fault it is, it has to be Clay.

Because everything happening now is a Clay reaction that led to Dekan losing the bet on the Magic Airship.

The consequences, however, were not yet apparent at the time.

However, it's also possible that Clay has already made his move, but no one has noticed him yet.

On stage.

The silence of Dekan and Ice Princess gradually caused the concert to start to become somewhat dull.

Dekan desperately searched for Croix's whereabouts with his eyes.

Hey bro, help me out!

Every time he was in such a desperate situation, it was Croix who came to his rescue!

However.

But he finally discovered it.

Croix has long since disappeared.

As if he had foreseen the danger of today, Croix deserted early on.

It turns out these two good buddies had the same idea.

Nobody's going to drag anyone else down with them today!

Dekan, his heart sinking, became acutely aware of his current isolation and helplessness.

Although he knew he was being punished by standing in the corner, unable to speak or leave, he didn't quite understand why Ice Princess's condition had become so strange.

Dekan didn't know why she was having trouble bringing up the Cat Teacher's question.

He could only sense the feelings that Ice Princess would rather die than express.

"Call..."

Dekan sighed.

He knew that if he spoke up now and went against the bet, he would be breaking his principles.

But.

If the price is harming himself, he'll accept the consequences.

But if it would harm people unrelated to the bet, he would rather break his principles, even if it meant being branded with shame, than stick to those "principles" again!

Just as Dekan was about to speak to save the situation under the astonished gaze of Cat Teacher.

"All the songs I've sung so far have actually been for one guy."

Ice Princess spoke softly with her head lowered, and no one could see her expression.

I saw snowflakes falling from the sky.

This meant she was telling the truth, and immediately shouts erupted from the audience.

Just now on stage, she could sense the magic of the fairies, and the moment she saw the black cat being thrown onto the stage to save her, she already knew who the real Dekan was.

For some reason, she recalled the moment when the boy saved her during her most desperate time outside Tristin City.

She had heard the story of Dekan losing a bet to Cat Teacher at Happy Group, knew what kind of bet Dekan needed to pay, and understood the situation Dekan was in now.

So even if Dekan doesn't say a word, she won't blame Dekan, because it was never Dekan's fault.

He was also someone who fell for the trick.

But Ice Princess saw Dekan's reaction--

Was he about to speak just now?

Even if it goes against your principles, you still want to help me?

Just thinking about these things caused Ice Princess's heart to surge with emotions for some reason. She wanted to openly show him a smile full of affection, but those sad and slightly bitter memories swirled in her mind, constantly reminding her of what it felt like to want something but not be able to have it, making her eyes sting and as if tears were about to well up again.

She didn't know why she had fallen for him.

Perhaps it's because he's like a knight, always appearing when I'm in the most danger and resolutely protecting me.

He was clearly the worst kind of good person.

He's also the smartest idiot.

Ice Princess gripped her hands tightly, a resolute glint in her eyes.

She raised her head, her gaze lingering briefly on Dekan for a moment, before turning to the audience.

"Many, many years ago, in a past so distant you have never seen it, I fell in love with him. He was a ray of light I saw in the prison tower, my salvation."

Her words seemed to be filled with a bittersweet expression of her vulnerable heart.

Snowflakes began to fall again from the sky.

To prove her words are true.

The shouts from fans, which had initially seemed intended to liven things up, suddenly fell silent.

The audience below the stage finally understood why Ice Princess had hesitated to speak earlier.

Now I understand why the Ice Princess, who has lived for over two hundred years, would sing such a sorrowful lament!

It turns out that the person she loved so deeply, the one she couldn't have, was someone who had already passed away due to old age!

However, only Ice Princess and her friends understood what was happening at this scene.

She was speaking her own thoughts, and also the thoughts of Altis from her previous life.

At the same time.

In the control room, Clay snatched the director's headset and shouted, "Music!"

And so, for some reason, on the stage, the accompaniment gradually began to play.

Upon hearing the music, Ice Princess wiped away her tears, as if she understood something and realized what was happening.

He gripped the microphone tightly once more.

This is the song she most wants to sing at this moment.

I don't know what you did to me.

Her voice was like a shooting star falling into the water, crystal clear as it passed through the lake, scattering like stars.

On the spacious stage, she stood before the microphone, her gaze focused and profound, as if she were in a mysterious world of emotions. Every note seemed to exude an indescribable rhythm, captivating the audience.

My knees went weak, and I couldn't speak.

As the music played, Ice Princess lowered her eyebrows and softly sang the love song.

"You are the culprit behind all of this."

Her voice was as melodious as heavenly music, carrying a deep sorrow that moved the listeners irresistibly.

I've completely lost control; I'm obsessed with you.

Her eyes darted around, sometimes gazing into the distance, sometimes lowering to the ground, as if she were confiding a secret she kept to herself.

The audience below the stage were moved by the singing of Ice Princess, and their eyes welled up with tears and their eyes turned red.

Until the song ends.

I can't explain... why you made me so vulnerable.

The last sentence, with its subtle shift in tone, carries a kind of insincere sadness.

It is the unrequited love that makes one grow thinner and thinner, the fragile tenderness and cautiousness, and the loneliness of watching the lights of thousands of homes from across the river.

This is clearly a love song with a touch of sweetness and melancholy, but the last line, sung by the Ice Princess with a voice that seems to convey both relief and resentment, and also a sense of lamentation, becomes incredibly moving.

At this moment, the audience could no longer hold back their tears. Some covered their mouths, unable to hide their emotions, while others wiped away their tears with their sleeves, but could not stop the tears from flowing.

Thump, thump, thump.

The songs and bells mingled in a harmonious symphony.

As if casting ripples on the night sky of Tristin, the clock tower also played a mournful tune for the Ice Princess.

If her singing voice is a gentle stream, then the sound of bells is the stars reflected on the river's surface.

As the clock struck nine, Dekan, who had temporarily retreated backstage, was completely stunned.

He saw Ice Princess smile and sigh, and he couldn't tell Ice Princess was happy or sad.

Could the guy Ice Princess was talking about be Delois?

That Delois, isn't that me?

Dekan has never been an overly self-conscious person.

But his logic is rigorous.

Just from that last glance that Ice Princess gave him, there were many things she couldn't hide no matter how hard she tried.

"Dekan, Da Zhan and I don't want Ice Princess's final concert to leave any regrets. If we don't push Ice Princess a little, she'll never let you, Demon Realm, know what she's thinking."

Cat Teacher, clinging timidly to Dekan's shoulder, said...

"But don't worry, if things get really bad, I'll be there to save the day, meow."

In fact, all of Ice Princess 'Ice Princess friends have seen through her feelings.

However, it's impossible for Ice Princess to directly tell Dekan her thoughts.

Even if the Ice Princess receives a rejection.

However, the Ice Princess, who couldn't even pass the exam, didn't even have the chance to live with regret for the rest of her life, which was a more tragic kind of lifelong regret.

At least get her to convey the message.

That would make her idol career truly complete.

Thus, Da Zhan and Cat Teacher came up with their plan.

"What if Ice Princess doesn't come up with a quick idea?"

Dekan stared at Cat Teacher and asked coldly.

Wouldn't that mean the concert would be ruined by Cat Teacher?

"Don't worry, Da Zhan did a divination beforehand, and it says this concert will be a complete success, meow, so let's just go for it without worry, the idols won't die, meow!"

"?"

Is this how you use Fate Divination?

However, after listening to what Cat Teacher said, Dekan's expression softened somewhat.

"Of course you really meant it when you messed with me, right?"

Dekan asked again.

He kept thinking that the divination result seemed to have failed to take into account "Dekan's safety"!

"Meow meow meow..."

Cat Teacher immediately started pretending to be stupid.

It needs Cornelia's protection now!

However, it had already been Dekan by the back of the neck and was being interrogated one-on-one backstage!

In front of the stage.

The entire venue became noisy, as if the sky itself was about to tremble.

The audience's expressions varied; some were excited, some cheered, and some were still shedding tears. These emotions intertwined in the venue, forming a vivid picture of the century.

In the special segment just now, Ice Princess's impromptu performance seemed to be the grand finale, giving the audience an unforgettable moment.

Cries of emotion, applause, and cheers rose and fell, and everyone seemed to be enveloped in a warm current throughout the ever-changing night.

When Ice Princess temporarily returned backstage to prepare, and Flora and Judith took over the performance, the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic, and everyone was captivated, as if this was the most beautiful moment they had spent together.

Dekan stood backstage, watching Ice Princess walk towards him. His expression was complicated, and he didn't know what to say to Ice Princess.

His previous misunderstanding of Ice Princess may have led him to say even more hurtful things to her.

And now that he understands Ice Princess's feelings, things are even more awkward.

However, the Ice Princess only brushed past him.

As she passed by Dekan, she flicked her hair and smiled slightly.

It was as if she hadn't come to talk to Dekan at all; she was simply focused on her work.

Is that so?

Dekan lowered his head and smiled.

The concert was drawing to a close. After finishing their performance, Flora and Judith waved goodbye to their fans, expressing their heartfelt gratitude.

That night, they seemed to weave beautiful dreams, leaving unforgettable memories for the audience who witnessed the end of their idol careers.

But the audience kept chanting "Encore!" and shouting the name of Ice Princess.

It was as if it were calling out to her, or encouraging her, as if it still longed for her to come out again and sing one last song!

In response to her fans, Ice Princess returned to the stage.

Perfect.

She also had one last song.

It was a heart that longed to speak, but could only express itself through song.

"Goodbye"

"I'm not your soulmate. It's hard to accept, but I can't deny it. Yet, I still can't leave you."

Love is a game of deceiving others or yourself.

All expectations of love stem from fantasy.

Even if fantasies will eventually shatter, people will still pursue them.

A true and eternal mystery, a labyrinth without end, the song of the Ice Princess.

This is her last performance.

Not only could the audience in the audience hear her singing, but even Dekan, who was standing backstage hugging his Cat Teacher, could hear it clearly.

Suddenly someone put their arm around Dekan's shoulder.

"That was a really good concert."

The man spoke.

Dekan turned his head towards the familiar voice and saw it was Clay was just passing by.

But Dekan did not respond to Clay's words.

Just like he could never respond to the Ice Princess.

The singing from the stage continued.

Just looking at you from afar, a mix of heartache and sweetness washes over me uncontrollably.

"So what are you to me? I have no answer, and I don't want to know."

If there's only one undeniable fact, it's that "you are dazzling."

And so it happened under the snowflakes that kept falling from the sky.

The concert has come to an end.