Ch 312: A Gentle Melody, Tears In A Dream

Everyone followed Yselle onward. As evening approached, the setting sun cast the entire Inverted City in gold.

“Let’s find a place to rest for the night.”

Bal walked to Yselle’s side and said. Yselle nodded; she led everyone to begin searching for a suitable place to rest.

“I remember there being a church up ahead; let’s rest there.”

After walking a short distance, Yselle said this to Bal.

“Alright, let’s go to the church then.”

After walking for over half an hour, the sun had completely set. The pitch-black night enveloped the world; Bal and his group arrived at the church Yselle had mentioned.

“This…is a church?”

Grey’s eyes widened after entering the church. The church in front of them was comparable to the worship area of Fral’s Great Temple.

“What’s that?”

Nia noticed a large object across from them. She pointed at the large object and asked Yselle.

“That’s a pipe organ. I don’t understand the principle, but the playing method is similar to a piano.”

“Oh? Sister-in-law, aren’t you going to try it?”

Nia turned her head to look at Phia. Phia shook her head.

“I’m not in the mood to play. The magic interference here is too severe; I need to rest properly.”

Bal heard this and walked to Phia’s side. He hugged Phia.

“You rest. Tonight, Nia and I will keep watch.”

“Mm.”

“Do you have my guitar?”

“I think so. What do you want to do?”

“Listening to music while sleeping can be more relaxing.”

“Alright.”

Phia took out the guitar from extradimensional space. Bal held the guitar as if he were cherishing Philia. After hearing Bal’s words, Yselle looked thoughtful.

“What are you thinking about?”

Seeing Yselle’s thoughtful expression, Bal walked to her side and asked.

“I’m thinking about what you just said. If possible, please let me play a piece for you using that pipe organ.”

“It’s possible, but it’s been so long; will that pipe organ still work?”

“I’ll try it.”

Under Bal’s gaze, Yselle walked toward the pipe organ. She lifted the cover on the piano keys, then pressed something next to the keys; the pipe organ emitted a piano sound.

“How is it? Does it work?”

Bal walked behind Yselle. Yselle nodded.

“It still works, or rather, it’s in very good condition.”

“But it’s been so long, and this thing hasn’t been maintained. Is it really okay?”

“Please believe me, Mr. Bal. Although I don’t know why I feel a sense of nostalgia for this pipe organ, I feel like it’s been waiting for me for a long time.”

“…Then try it. Do you need me to accompany you?”

“I’d be honored.”

Yselle closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, then opened her eyes and began to play. A melodious piano sound came from the pipe organ.

“I see the dawn on the water, the shimmering light begins to rise.”

“In the breath, in the woven strokes that rise, I leave notes under the feathers.”

“Sharing the golden light, the floating notes are like gentle dreams.”

“In my heart, that lightness secretly plays the chords.”

“When time flows slowly like red wine in a bottle, then pours out a page of rhythmic poems.”

“Can we set sail again, towards the sky where the rainbow hangs high, and the birds soar?”

“…?”

Yselle’s singing voice was very gentle, and everyone present was captivated by her singing and playing.

Phia found a place near the pipe organ and lay down. She covered herself with her cloak. Philia took the opportunity to snuggle into Phia’s arms; the mother and daughter listened to Yselle’s singing and gradually fell asleep.

Grey and Nia held hands; they swayed to the music. Xiaoyue sat silently on the ground; she was recording Yselle’s lyrics and melody.

After the first chorus, Bal roughly understood how to chord. He held his guitar, sat near the pipe organ, and began to play, accompanying Yselle’s melody.

“Can we set sail again, towards the beating heart of the sky, that is where Grandmother rests with a smile?”

“Let us do as Grandfather did, bring a bunch of daisies to visit her, and sing all the songs she loved for her.”

“Last night I dreamed of all this, clouds and rainbows intertwined.”

“Blurring my timeline.”

“…?”

“I hope you are still by my side?”

As Yselle’s singing stopped, the gentle and soothing melody gradually ceased. Bal stood up. He wanted to ask Yselle if he could learn to sing this song, but when he looked at Yselle, her eyes widened, and tears involuntarily flowed from the corners of her eyes, dripping onto the keys.

Bal offered his handkerchief to Yselle. Yselle finally came to her senses. She took Bal’s handkerchief and wiped away her tears. After a while, she finally calmed down.

“…Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Don’t you want to ask me what happened?”

“Would you like to tell me?”

“Mm.”

Yselle nodded. She held Bal’s handkerchief in both hands and placed it on her chest.

“I recalled my childhood.”

“Did you remember your name?”

“Unfortunately, not yet.”

“I see. What was your childhood like?”

Yselle looked up at the ceiling.

“Just like in the lyrics, I had a grandfather who loved me. He often took me out fishing and picking flowers. Sometimes he would specially buy a bunch of daisies, my grandmother’s favorite flower, and he would take me and the flowers to visit my grandmother, who lived alone.”

“That sounds beautiful.”

“Yes.”

“Can you teach me this song?”

“Yes, I’ll teach you after this investigation is over.”

“Okay, it’s a deal.”

“Mm, definitely.”

Bal put down his guitar.

“It’s getting late. You’ve walked so much today; you must be tired. Go to rest. Nia and I will keep watch tonight.”

“Mm.”

Yselle left the pipe organ and sat down next to Xiaoyue.

“May I sleep here?”

“Please.”

Xiaoyue made room for Yselle. Yselle leaned against the stairs behind her and fell asleep in a short while.

Bal walked to Nia’s side.

“Nia, get some sleep. I’ll keep watch during the first half of the night; I’ll wake you up then.”

“Okay.”

As everyone gradually fell asleep, Bal leaned against a chair and began to wipe his two Beloved Swords.

“Oulan…”

Bal heard someone calling something. He looked up toward where the sound came from. It was Yselle talking in her sleep.

“Oulan… I’m sorry…”

Yselle frowned. After a while, tears welled up again in her tightly closed eyes.

Seeing Bal approaching, Xiaoyue was about to get up, but Bal pressed her down. Bal softly said.

“Let her sleep soundly.”

“I understand.”

“You should go to sleep early too.”

“Yes.”

Xiaoyue closed her eyes. She took out a pair of earmuffs and put them on. She quickly fell asleep.

“Oulan, that sounds like a man’s name. Was he her childhood sweetheart? Whatever, it doesn’t matter; I have a wife.”

Time passed slowly. The full moon, which had been high in the sky, slowly descended.

“Nia, wake up. It’s your turn to keep watch.”

Bal shook Nia. Nia rubbed her eyes.

“Mmm… what time is it?”

“It’s the middle of the night. Wake up quickly; I’m going to sleep.”

“Okay…”

Nia sat up. She kissed Grey’s sleeping side face, then stood up and stretched.

“Mmm… Okay, go to sleep. I’ll take over here.”

“Mm, remember to wake me up if anything happens.”

“I’ll wake you up if I can’t handle it.”

“Don’t push yourself.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Bal carried his two Long Swords and went to Phia’s side. He sat down, leaned against the bench, and closed his eyes.

The night passed peacefully.

In the morning, Xiaoyue was the first to wake up. She put away the blanket she had been covering herself with. After a while, Phia also woke up. She opened her eyes; Philia was still sleeping soundly in her arms, and Bal was sleeping next to her.

“Seriously, he didn’t even cover himself up.”

Phia was about to use magic to cover Bal with a spare blanket from extradimensional space, but Xiaoyue came over carrying her blanket.

“Madam, let Master have this.”

“Okay.”

Xiaoyue covered Bal with her blanket. She turned to Phia.

“Madam, are you feeling better?”

“Mm, better.”

“That’s good.”

After another hour or so, everyone woke up from their sleep. Xiaoyue prepared breakfast for everyone. After breakfast, they continued on their journey.