Chapter 412

Chapter 412: Silver Snow Songstress

On the cruise ship ‘Great East’, in the dressing room behind the stage, several young girls were making their final preparations. Tonight’s main act was none other than Lolan Hill.

Today, she had silvery-white hair that flowed like silk, resembling an elf, causing everyone to marvel. She claimed it was a superlative potion for dyeing her hair, but only a few knew that this was actually her true appearance.

“Lily and Alena will accompany me backstage tonight,” Lily told the others, which had been agreed upon from the beginning.

“And I,” Letis raised her violin, “though I rarely use instruments, it doesn’t mean I can’t. I received comprehensive noble education since childhood.”

“Nia, you can play the small drum; don’t worry too much about hitting the wrong notes,” Lolan said to the girl with goat horns.

“No problem, Lolan,” Nia reassured her, her personality having become more open after entering second year, or perhaps more confident and straightforward.

“What about me, Lolan?” Keti looked at Lolan, feeling a bit nervous since she felt she couldn’t contribute.

“You can sit and watch with Night Spirit Ling and Bumansa,” Lolan patted the lovable flame witch.

Finally, Lolan turned to Vimya, who nodded in understanding, and they didn’t need to say more.

While Lolan performed on stage, Vimya would provide harmonies backstage, enriching the performance.

After tuning their instruments, the companions played through the pieces they had practiced over the past two days, putting their minds at ease.

“Alright then.”

Lolan placed a floral wreath in her silver hair, and the curtain slowly rose.

—

In the middle hall of the ship, the lights suddenly went out, leaving only two small lamps lit, casting everything in dimness.

This was the largest stage within the ship, designed like an opened oyster shell, with the audience seated in waves like ocean waves below.

As the lights went out, the noisy chatter gradually ceased, and everyone turned their gaze toward the stage.

Just as everyone waited, music began to play from the stage.

The strings were gently plucked, creating a small yet magically captivating sound that silenced the entire hall, calming the anxious hearts that had been waiting.

Then, the melody played again, creating a world of silence where nothing else existed except the soft strumming of the strings.

Though no one could see the performer, the sound alone painted a vivid image in everyone’s mind—surely someone with delicate fingers and a refined heart.

Following that, a short whistle sounded, the melody simple yet melodious, like running through an endless grassland with boundless blue skies and white clouds, where the wind swept over the grass, rippling like the sea.

Free from earthly troubles, the body and soul became clear and serene under the gentle music.

Unbeknownst to them, the stage lights gradually brightened, revealing a young girl.

She had silvery-white hair like silk, holding a seven-stringed harp. Her pink-tinted fingers gently strummed, and the music flowed like a clear spring.

Sitting gracefully on a smooth wooden stool, her long dress slanted across the wooden floor, adorned with a laurel wreath. Green leaves intertwined with pure white flowers. She closed her eyes slightly, parted her lips, and her ethereal voice spread softly throughout the hall.

[Through the heath, at dawn’s first light / On the grasslands, in the world’s first morning]

[The birds fly, where might they be tomorrow? / The birds in the painting, where do they wish to go tomorrow?]

[I follow the rustling wings into the silent moor / In the silent wilderness, I begin to flap my wings following its voice]

[Ancient songs emerge from the mist / Ancient songs penetrate the fog]

Her voice was like a nightingale in the forest, nimble and melodious, her clear throat like morning dew, free of any dust.

[Let us chase the sky in dance / Like silk gauze, my skin feels as cold as snow and mist]

[Further and further, where will I find my longing’s goal? / There is still a longing in my heart, where is my destination?]

Recalling the teachings of the azure songstress, her fingers moved lightly with the beat of her heart, expressing the most beautiful scenery in her mind.

[I close my eyes, and feathers sprout / I can feel the wind passing through my wings]

[Like stars, traveling their paths / Like stars, we shine in our own ways]

The simple melody looped endlessly, making it hard to stop listening, as if one could listen to it a thousand times without tiring.

[Come, let us fly away / Let the wind carry you far from here]

[Come, fly as high as you can / Let us dance in the sky]

After many stories of love, war, religion, fantasy, and intrigue, this song that distanced itself from the mundane was like a clear mountain stream, flowing down.

It was slightly cool, bringing a sense of clarity and joy, cleansing the inner dust and chaos, reminding people of their buried dreams and purest fantasies and beauty.

The short performance seemed like a dream, drawing everyone into its beauty, allowing them to experience this ancient and distant song.

Overcoming language, culture, and racial barriers, music conveyed the shared beauty in people’s hearts, awakening the long-dormant soul. Like a newborn baby, looking at the world anew.

This was what she wished for in her heart. The young girl sang softly, conveying her desires and dreams.

Despite many hardships, her tender heart remained full, speaking of beauty and hope.

Even when she sometimes wanted to escape, retreat, or rest, she would gather strength again, cross mountains and rivers, pursuing the direction in her heart.

Why?

Because that was her most beautiful dream.

The most crystal-clear dream, the most joyful existence, the most desired action, made her yearn day and night, her blood pulsing to its rhythm.

—

The young girl’s performance had ended, but no one stood up from the audience. They remained lost in the beautiful scene in their hearts for a long, long time.

Until applause broke the silence, the audience finally came back to reality. The enthusiastic applause thundered, even though their hands were red, they couldn’t hide their joy and amazement.

Even though the stage was now empty, many stood up, removed their hats, bowed, thanking the young girl for her performance.

Perhaps this long journey would be remembered most vividly tonight.

—

The song quoted is “Federkleid,” an old German folk song, very beautiful. If you like it, you can listen to it. (Available in the NetEase cloud playlist, search “Not a Witch”).

Thank you to Qi Yi Mo, Meng Hui Ling Du Nuan, Ai Shi Yi Guo Qu, Shu You 20170422163512764, Xiao Feng, Bu Zhi Dao, and 7 others for their support.

—

End of Chapter