“Opera is really different from a restaurant.”
Nicasia, who tightly held my hand, was nervous.
Ever since we had a pleasant meal at the restaurant, Nicasia had been in this state.
“Murmur really loved the restaurant too.”
“Ah, that’s not it! I didn’t mean that the restaurant was… terrible or that the food was bad or anything.”
“Nicasia also enjoyed eating with Murmur, right?”
“Of course. The abalone steak, the lobster… Ah! And the parfait for dessert was really sweet, right?”
Inside the swaying carriage, Nicasia quickly smiled and spoke.
What should I say? Whenever I, Murmur, spoke to her like this, Nicasia would brightly smile and respond.
But if I didn’t talk, her expression would quickly harden, or she would silently look out the window to avoid showing such a face.
I knew Nicasia’s inner feelings better than anyone, so I couldn’t help but feel even more sorry.
“Anyway… we’re here!”
As soon as the carriage stopped, Nicasia smiled and spoke.
—
Honestly, I really didn’t want to see this opera.
I even tried to suggest doing something else, but Nicasia’s mind didn’t change at all.
In fact, she even brightly smiled and promised it would be really fun, so there was no way to persuade her anymore.
“So this is the famous Opera House of Holimpia?”
“People from the Holy Nation and even other kingdoms come here to see it.”
Nicasia gracefully stepped out of the carriage.
I, Murmur, lightly hopped out of the carriage the moment the door opened wide.
If I didn’t get out like this, Nicasia would have ended up carrying me in her arms again.
“It’s… big.”
Trying to look up at the Opera House with my small body made my neck hurt terribly.
When a building is this big, it doesn’t feel grand—it just makes me feel small.
Even the maintenance was impeccable, so the shiny, extravagant decorations on the exterior walls weren’t damaged at all.
“It’s quite big, right? But don’t worry. We got really good seats. Unlike Murmur’s worries, it’s going to be really fun!”
Nicasia lightly cleared her throat, held my hand, and headed inside.
The interior of the Opera House was just as classic and luxurious as the background images I often saw.
From the chandelier embedded with precious gems to the historical paintings and the white marble statues, everything was clearly visible.
The nobles walking through the corridors were also dressed quite elegantly.
It suddenly hit me again that we were on a date at a high-class cultural facility.
“We’re really… really going to watch from a good seat.”
“How good is the seat?”
“Hehe, it’s a seat where Murmur and I can sit together, just the two of us.”
Nicasia looked down at me with an incredibly proud expression.
“Good job, Nicasia.”
I, Murmur, moved the hand Nicasia was holding and patted her butt.
“I… didn’t expect to receive such praise…”
Nicasia was extremely embarrassed but also openly happy.
I knew exactly what “method” she used to get these seats, and I was well aware of that adorable setup.
Nicasia, who usually never flaunts her “princess” status, had asked her “mother” for these seats. Shouldn’t I praise her for being so clever?
Come to think of it, it’s cute how Nicasia thought her date wouldn’t be found out even after making such a request!
“Anyway… we’re here! How is it, Murmur? Do you like it?”
Our princess shyly showed off the seats, which turned out to be a “box seat.”
Not just any box seat, but one reserved exclusively for the “royal family.”
This soundproofed space was the best spot in the Opera House to watch the performance and the most luxurious seat.
Recently, it seemed unused, as a bit of dust had gathered in the corner, but its splendor remained unchanged.
“Murmur thinks. This isn’t a normal seat.”
“Uh, hmm! That’s right… I guess I was pretty lucky.”
—
Nicasia is cute when she acts like this sometimes.
In the end, she used her “princess” status to get these seats, but she doesn’t mention the reason, afraid it might come off as bragging.
This behavior is both pitiful and admirable, so I energetically moved my small body and plopped down on the plush-looking sofa.
“It’s super soft and comfy. Thanks, Nicasia.”
“Hehe… I’m glad Murmur likes it.”
Nicasia sat next to me with a proud expression.
“Many students at the Academy said this opera was moving.”
“…Murmur thinks it’ll be fun to watch too!”
“Hehe, right? We’re really lucky, huh? Ah! And…”
Nicasia was about to say something when Riola, the head maid, brought over drinks, and Nicasia handed me a cup.
“This space is very special, so no matter what conversation we have, it won’t be heard outside.”
“So I can laugh and chat with Nicasia while watching the opera?”
“That’s right. We can chatter away during fun scenes and cry together during sad ones.”
Nicasia had completely regained her usual composure.
She must be happy that she can finally show me, Murmur, an “adult date” that Citrine and Monica could never offer.
This behavior is also oddly childlike.
“Let’s enjoy the show, us.”
As the lights in the Opera House dimmed, Nicasia gently stroked my hand and spoke.
Her hand trembled slightly, so I pretended not to notice and just tightly held her hand, interlocking our fingers.
─ Flash!
The most popular opera in Holimpia began as a white light illuminated the dark stage.
Even though I had seen this opera a few times while playing the game, seeing it with my own eyes and ears felt different.
In the game, only a few important songs were briefly shown, so watching it from the beginning like this was a completely different experience.
“Ah, there… Murmur sees him, right? The man in rags.”
“Yeah, Murmur sees him. That must be the ‘Hero of the Holy Nation.'”
The early part of the opera was, in a way, quite ordinary.
It showed the story of the “Hero of the Holy Nation,” who, despite being poor and hungry, had a good heart.
The stage was filled with darkness, and the songs were slightly somber.
But as the stage gradually brightened, the “Saintess” appeared, and the moment the “Hero of the Holy Nation” was recognized as a hero, the atmosphere completely changed.
“Wow…”
As the dark stage brightened, a lavishly decorated “background” came into view.
The grandeur of the “Papal Court,” made of white marble, was evident, and the stage was filled with actors dressed as clergy.
In the midst of this splendid stage, the “Hero of the Holy Nation,” dressed in rags, raised a shining “holy sword” and sang.
─ “The holy light shines, chosen by the Saintess.”
─ “I will fight day and night, until the demons meet their fate!”
As the hero sang, the beautiful melody was complemented by the clergy standing behind him.
─ “All the clergy cheer for me, as I walk this holy path.”
The Saintess brought a shining, luxurious robe and draped it over the hero’s shoulders.
─ “Soon you will see victory, as I drive away the darkness!”
The Hero of the Holy Nation became the hero amidst applause.
Every time he raised the shining holy sword, cheers, screams, and applause erupted from the audience.
The sound of fireworks bursting naturally made one imagine how much greater the celebration must have been in actual history.
“Murmur too… will surely have a day like this, receiving such a welcome.”
“Nicasia thinks Murmur can become a hero?”
“Of course. Of all the people I’ve seen so far… Murmur is the one who can become a hero.”
“Murmur will work hard to become a hero.”
Nicasia smiled brightly.
“That’s right. Murmur will become an amazing hero and be celebrated and applauded just like in this opera.”
Nicasia seemed to be imagining the moment when I, Murmur, would be recognized as a hero, receiving the blessings of many people.
Her kindness was so touching and lovely that I couldn’t help but smile.
“But the actors… they sing really well.”
“It’s the most famous and popular opera in Holimpia, after all.”
As we chatted lightly, the joyful songs of the opera continued.
Given that the title was “Hero of the Holy Nation,” the main story was about the hero overcoming hardships and trials.
“Of course, he sets off on a journey with the Saintess.”
“The Holy Nation’s paladins seem to be joining too.”
“Ah! Isn’t that the person who appeared earlier?”
Nicasia watched with keen interest as the Hero of the Holy Nation gathered companions one by one, growing the hopes of the people.
Certainly, this story was one that anyone could enjoy and get immersed in.
A poor and ordinary hero with a “good heart” solves the problems of villages and kingdoms, gradually gathering companions.
And he defeats the “Demon King,” who brings misfortune to many.
The clear distinction between good and evil made it a story that was easy to root for.
“Nicasia, look there. Even a princess appears in this opera.”
“She’s singing about how sorry she is for not being able to go with him.”
Nicasia glanced at me and fidgeted with our interlocked fingers.
“I’ll go with Murmur no matter what!”
“Did you promise Murmur? We have to go together.”
“Of course! Even if Father says no, I’ll definitely go with you.”
Wouldn’t that be a bit of a mess?
Nicasia chuckled happily, occasionally brushing her shoulder against mine or pressing our thighs together as we enjoyed our time.
─ Rumble!
─ “Charge!”
─ “The Hero of the Holy Nation is with us!”
The hero’s story quickly raced toward its climax.
Nicasia still had a joyful expression.
But as she watched the stage’s performance, her hands grew colder.
“This song is said to be the most famous and popular.”
The Hero of the Holy Nation, clad in shining armor, finally arrived at the Demon King’s castle with his companions.
And a splendid and exciting battle ensued.
The song was grand and lively.
The evil “demons” fell to the ground every time the hero swung his sword.
Their numbers quickly piled up like a mountain, and the Hero of the Holy Nation, amidst the audience’s applause and cheers, finally defeated the Demon King, who begged for his life.
─ “Their blood stains my sword. Behold those who fall by my hand!”
─ “All the demons I’ve slain, they form a mountain on this land!”
As the Hero of the Holy Nation raised his shining holy sword and sang, the audience began to sing along.
The hero plunged his sword once more into the chest of the Demon King, who was coughing up blood.
The light illuminating the stage turned red.
As if dyed in blood, the audience’s cheers grew louder, and the sound of applause intensified, as if they found it satisfying.
By this point, Nicasia began to glance at me, Murmur, repeatedly.
─ “This is divine justice, behold the light of my sword!”
The applause from the audience grew even louder.
A few ragged demons, refusing to accept the Demon King’s death, charged at the hero, but he swiftly cut them down.
“Stupid fools!”
“Haha! That’s why demons are no good!”
“I heard they actually resist meaninglessly like that!”
Some nobles stood up and cheered, while some noblewomen whispered to their children, “See, demons are that stupid and evil.”
As the laughter echoed clearly, Nicasia hastily drank her beverage.
─ “Now their evil is gone, I have purified this world!”
The Hero of the Holy Nation, with a courageous smile, climbed to the top of the mountain formed by the Demon King and the demons’ corpses.
As he raised his holy sword again, it shone brightly, and his companions, who had followed him, began to dance and sing a joyful chorus.
“Ah…”
Nicasia tightly gripped my hand in agony.
─ “Glory to the Hero!”
─ “Behold the fall of the demons!”
─ “For our holy future!”
─ “Let’s kill them all!”
The companions who followed the hero sang the chorus joyfully.
The audience also stood up, singing along with smiles on their faces.
Like a round, the chorus repeated until darkness returned to the stage.
“Ah… I didn’t know it was this kind of content…”
As the grand, noisy, and joyful song ended, darkness momentarily filled the Opera House.
“Wow… this opera is always fun to watch.”
“Haha, right? The Crown Princess will surely become like the Hero of the Holy Nation, right?”
“Those demons… they really don’t know their place, huh?”
As the “ordinary conversations” filled the Opera House, Nicasia bowed her head and muttered.
“I… what a stupid thing I’ve done…”
Nicasia’s voice was barely audible.
Her pale face was covered in cold sweat, and she covered her mouth with her left hand, unable to look directly at the stage.
“How could I… how could I bring Murmur to this opera on a date… …”
Nicasia was in despair.
Realizing what kind of opera she had shown me, Murmur, she trembled in agony.
In the darkened Opera House, Nicasia was the only one in despair.
—
I, Murmur, couldn’t casually offer warm comfort to Nicasia.
A single word might shatter her heart, which was barely holding on to continue the adult date.
I couldn’t ruin the bittersweet smile she gave me, even in this situation.
I just kept my mouth shut and gently massaged Nicasia’s trembling hand.
