In Chapter 34, at the moment of truth, he applauded.
Ashlin strode through the rain like a starving wolf for a while before realizing that her leaf umbrella had done nothing to keep her dry.
She was soaked to the bone, her hair disheveled and dripping wet, and all the butterflies on her skirt had flown away without her noticing.
Lucas Deville is a conceited and selfish jerk, as irritating as the cat hair on his clothes. He retained some semblance of dignity when he was human; now it seems none of it was genuine.
She cursed inwardly as she walked around the statue in the garden.
Yes, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and took everything for granted. A witch from the forest was naturally obligated to give her life for him and dance with him at the ball!
Hey, he's the prince of Helian City! His affairs must come first. How dare that witch dance and relax with others before lifting his curse, or even try to become an adventurer? How audacious! If it weren't for this witch, he would still be lying peacefully on his royal bed, enjoying the service of his servants.
It was all because she mispronounced one word...
She's just a witch; all she needs to do is focus on breaking the curse and atoning for her sins. But he, as a prince, has a lot more to consider.
By the way, the Elf Grand Musician couldn't possibly like a witch, that's hilarious. He'd definitely prefer dancing with his harp!
Who does Lucas think he is? So what if he's a prince? Just because she made a mistake, does she have to risk her life and be with him every moment?
Ashlin grew angrier the more she thought about it, only to realize that she had actually already passed the sacred oak tree.
She quickly stepped back a few paces. Aidan was waiting for her under the tree. He seemed to have expected her broken umbrella and handed her another one.
“It’s time.” He didn’t look at her, his gaze fixed on the withered oak tree. “You haven’t forgotten the sheet music I taught you that day, have you?”
"I hope so," she said absentmindedly.
It was only then that Aidan noticed her appearance.
Ashlinn hated his nonchalant tone, as if it were nothing. "None of your business."
Aidan held out his hand defensively: "Just checking in."
To be fair, Ashley hadn't really wanted to lead the dance with Aidan, but she had already agreed. Besides, dancing wasn't a big deal; she and Mia used to dance together all the time back in Foxtail Bend. But Lucas's attitude made it seem like she had no choice, which was, of course, unbearable.
She took out the Nocali Flute from her spatial backpack and stood directly in front of the Divine Oak.
The sorrow contained within the sacred tree was ancient and immense, making her anger seem so childish in comparison.
Shame enveloped her like a dark cloud, but then she felt remorse for that shame.
So what if she's angry? She has the right to feel any emotion, doesn't she? Even if she's insignificant compared to this tree, she can still be upset about her own things.
She raised her flute.
"Are you really ready?" Aidan asked to confirm. "Don't let your emotions get the better of you, Ashlin. That's important."
“Of course,” Ashlin said irritably. “I’m perfectly calm.”
Aidan raised an eyebrow: "Hmm...are you sure?"
“That’s right!” she raised her voice. “I’ll get started now. See? All ready.”
The elf opened its mouth, but then closed it again, perhaps not wanting to provoke her.
Ashlin closed her eyes, recalling that night when Aidan taught her the tune.
The rain had clearly lessened considerably, yet the sound of the raindrops inexplicably grew louder, scattering the musical notes from her memory. Her musical memories, hastily acquired through magic, grew increasingly faint; all she could hear was drip-drip-drip, drip-drip-drip, drip-drip-drip, repeating endlessly, mocking her maliciously.
"Shut up!"
Drip-drop, drip-drop, drip-drop.
“I didn’t say anything,” Aidan said innocently.
"I wasn't talking about you."
Ashlin took a deep breath, readjusted her posture, and pressed the tone hole.
Think of the forest, think of the sunshine, think of Mia. Think of the bellflowers by the window, the sunflowers in the yard, the treasure map in the field.
Black wizard, chimera, three-headed dog, vine statue, dead Tara, the face of the forest goddess, death...
Four elements. Four deities. Four items.
Four gifts.
Curses, blood-stained cloaks, cat-like dance steps, Lucas's face. Pale, distorted, utterly sorrowful.
She suddenly opened her eyes.
“I’m in perfect condition!” Ashlind shouted, startling Aidan. “I’m sorry. I mean, let’s just… let’s leave it at that for now. I mean what I say, please believe me, my lord.”
Yes, she simply wouldn't heed the goddess's warning, she thought fiercely. Sylvina said she couldn't heal the divine tree, couldn't save Ilovia?
No, she will never give up, never.
She promised to save Elf Valley, and she kept her word.
Do gods know everything? She's lived for over a decade and doesn't even know her own parents. Now, a god claims to be her ancestor and is interfering in her life!
Anger is now clouding her mind; she needs to calm down.
Clear your mind... it has nothing to do with Lucas, yes.
A clear, melodious flute tune rose and gradually drowned out the sound of rain. Aidan's musical magic guided her, like a long lamp in the dead of night.
She rediscovered the feeling she had when she first fell in love with Aidan's music.
She was fourteen years old at the time, and the Lord of Foxtail Bay had hired a small orchestra to celebrate his daughter's birthday, also inviting commoners to attend. Although it wasn't Aidan Benling playing, the beautiful melody completely captivated her, taking her deep into the woods.
She listened so intently that she didn't even notice the crooked green shoots sprouting on the lord's table. Later, Sanova discovered her little hobby and gave her sheet music, which she cherished. Although she wasn't very good at playing, she treasured it and kept it in a shelf in her attic.
Ashlin seized upon this feeling and amplified it continuously.
This is the music that Aidan personally taught her; it is her past and Ilovia's future.
A verdant melody swirled around the sacred oak tree like a whirlwind, layer upon layer, like the steps of a castle, but it was indistinct and unstable.
“That’s it!” Aidan encouraged. “Follow your instincts, Ashlin!”
All magic users have colored magic, just as Ashlin's magic is green and Aidan's magic is purple.
At this moment, the green wind followed the purple light, turning rhythmically to the sound of the flute, just as they had done in the ballroom.
Music has its own independent space and time, and people who are immersed in the world of music are far removed from people in reality.
Ashlin was no longer before the sacred oak; she had returned to the forest.
At first, she thought this was the ash forest of Foxtail River Bend, but she soon realized that these trees were not ash trees, but cypress and pine trees.
This is the forest behind Mount Ilovanya.
Ashlin felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't have a very good impression of this place. Why would Aidan's magic lead her here?
The forest was shrouded in mist, fraught with danger. Ashlin's music lost its power, taking on a hint of uncertainty, and she played a few wrong notes.
“It’s alright, keep going,” Aidan said gently. “Just do as I tell you.”
She walked along the forest path, constantly shifting her finger positions, trying her best to maintain the rhythm of the flute.
Then, she saw something.
It was out of place with the rest of the forest; there was no space for it, just a doorway in a wall.
Ashlin didn't want to go any further, and the flute music became intermittent. She must have been hallucinating from anger to see this inexplicable thing in the music.
Perhaps she really isn't feeling well today. She should have a good talk with Lucas, and then try again when the weather is better.
They're not children anymore, and it's quite ridiculous from any perspective that they can't let go of something as trivial as a dance.
Just as she was about to give up, Aidan put his hand on her shoulder. Ashlyn suddenly had a strange feeling, as if something was superimposed on her.
“We’re almost there,” he said confidently. “Let the music pass through that door, and the disease of the sacred oak will be healed. Don’t back down.”
These words shook her resolve once again.
She's already gone this far, why not move forward?
So she mustered her strength and continued playing, rushing into that inexplicable entrance in the magical illusion, and the music finally burst into its final climax, intense and rapid.
A blazing, bright light enveloped her, like a summer heatwave.
She succeeded.
She healed the sacred oak.
A warm hope welled up in Ashlinn's heart, and she eagerly opened her eyes.
The rain stopped, after a light drizzle.
The white light faded, revealing the oak tree. It was no longer withered as before, but instead stood tall and verdant.
“I…I did it,” Ashlin said joyfully. “I really did it.”
She smiled at Aidan, but the elven high musician's face remained expressionless.
Ashley couldn't help but wonder if she was seeing things, repeatedly checking to see if the oak tree had truly come back to life.
"Aidan? What happened?"
Before Aidan could respond, a tremendous sound pierced Ashlin's ears, as if the sky had been cleaved open by giant scissors.
She turned around in horror, holding her breath.
How could that be? Was it her anger?
All the branches and leaves of the sacred oak are withering at the fastest rate ever; the green is fading, the leaves are falling, and the trunk is black and seems to be crawling with pests.
Thick black smoke slowly rose from the center of the oak tree, spreading like a poisonous gas.
A few wisps of purple light were faintly visible within the black smoke.
Aidan stepped forward, stroked the tree trunk, and then turned around.
The withered tree blocked the moonlight, appearing behind him like the antlers of a giant deer.
His eyes were hidden in the shadows of his brow bone, indistinct, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.
Clap, clap, clap. He clapped his hands.
“Congratulations, Miss Bailey,” he said in his usual soft, musical tone, as if it were the end of a concert. “You have finally, utterly destroyed the Divine Oak.”
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