"Umumu! Now this is a theater worthy of me."
Nero looked utterly satisfied.
As a luxurious emperor, that shabby little stage from before had been an insult. Only a golden grand theater like this was fit for her performance.
[Sushang: W-What is that thing?]
[Kuki Shinobu: Isn't that a Noble Phantasm?!]
Having once obtained a Noble Phantasm herself, Shinobu immediately recognized the similarity.
[valerius: Correct. That's Nero's Noble Phantasm—Aestus Domus Aurea.]
[Jing Yuan: So it really is.]
[Furina: So this emperor is a Heroic Spirit!]
Furina instantly felt a strong affinity toward Nero.
An emperor and a Hydro Archon.
Both leaders of nations.
Both acknowledged by their people as great artists.
They had far too much in common.
A pity she couldn't go talk to her.
[Zhongli: To activate one's Noble Phantasm merely to construct a proper stage… truly refined.]
Zhongli approved.
The sense of ceremony was impeccable.
"Ahem."
Nero cleared her throat and finally began.
"Run like the wind, toward Tsukimi Hara~~~ Padoru Padoru!!!"
"…Huh?"
The three in the audience froze.
Wait.
Wasn't she supposed to be a nationally recognized artist?
Why was she completely off-key?!
Was a single note on pitch?!
Their hands stiffened midair.
Bronya couldn't bring herself to wave her glow stick.
She absolutely did not want to cheer for what sounded like kindergarten-level singing.
"Good!! Amazing!"
But if she wouldn't cheer, someone would.
Luocha shot to his feet immediately.
One hand waved a glow stick.
The other held up a sign that read:
[Your Majesty Nero, You Are the Best!]
Onstage, Nero glanced at him approvingly.
Excellent taste.
A true connoisseur.
As for the other two… lacking, but redeemable.
She raised her voice even louder.
"RO~~~~~MA~~~~~~!"
"Ghh—!"
Bronya shuddered.
What was this auditory catastrophe?
"Move! Hurry and move! You don't want a second round, do you?"
Clorinde shoved her urgently.
Right.
If the performer wasn't satisfied, they'd have to repeat it.
Bronya jumped to her feet and began waving her glow stick wildly.
Completely off-beat.
Entirely out of rhythm.
But at least she was moving.
[Robin: Uh… so this is music from another world… It's… very… childlike.]
[Serval: Just say it's off-key.]
[Barbara: Ah… are idols from other worlds all like this?]
[Nilou: Probably… not…]
[valerius: Hurry! It's Nero's singing! You won't get this chance again!]
[Seele: Heh… heh.]
[Silver Wolf: What exactly was I expecting?]
[Cloud Retainer: …You know, after a while it's oddly charming.]
[Yun Jin: There's a certain… cuteness to it.]
[Ningguang: This is a nationally acknowledged artist? How indulgent is this country called Rome?]
[Huahuo: Recording complete. Daily playback secured.]
After finishing one song, Nero still looked reluctant to leave.
But time was limited.
She nodded at Luocha with an approving look before exiting grandly.
"Phew… that counts as clearing the first round, right?"
Clorinde was visibly shaken.
And that was only the first performer.
What horrors awaited next?
"Doesn't matter what comes. As long as we're enthusiastic, we'll pass."
Luocha remained determined.
If he just kept up this energy, they wouldn't fail.
The stage lights dimmed again.
Another spotlight flared.
A horned girl rose into view.
"Hello, little piggies! I'm your beloved Elizabeth!"
The three in the front row went dark in the face.
Excuse me?
Little pigs?
Are we livestock to you?!
"Ahem."
Elizabeth needed none of Nero's theatrics.
A mic was enough.
She opened her mouth—
"AHHHHHHHH——!"
Just one note—
The stage lights exploded.
Shockwaves rippled outward.
"T-This—!"
Luocha clapped his hands over his ears instantly.
The sound was like nails scraping glass.
Shrill.
Piercing.
If he didn't cover his ears, his eardrums might rupture.
Bronya looked ready to abandon existence.
Was this even singing?
It felt like attempted murder.
"EEEEEEEEEEE——!"
Another shriek.
The trio nearly coughed blood.
Not only off-key—
She was peaking the mic.
"R-Raise… the sign…"
Clorinde, already collapsed on the floor, forced her arm up.
Her sign read:
[Dragon Girl Is Amazing! Take Me With You!]
"J-Just endure it… it'll end soon…"
Bronya tried to encourage them.
Her vision blurred.
Stars floated in her sight.
Breathing felt heavy.
The livestream exploded.
[Silver Wolf: TURN IT OFF. I can't take it.]
[Fu Xuan: What in the world is this?!]
[Serval: This is murder!]
[Jing Yuan: Hm… this is not healthy.]
[Yanqing: My Mara might awaken at this rate!]
[Hanabi: Why did I choose to listen? I should've muted it at the start…]
[Kokomi: This deployed on a battlefield would be devastating.]
[Bailu: Cover your ears and open your mouth! It'll help!]
[Lingsha: Music from another world… terrifying.]
[Huahuo: Heehee, recorded this too. Daily slow playback incoming!]
[Jean: This should honestly be destroyed.]
[Lisa: Is this punishing them… or us?]
[Diluc: I—why—what is—ugh—]
[Kaeya: Stop malfunctioning. valerius, turn it off!]
[valerius: Nope. You all asked for it.]
[Feixiao: You're listening too. Mutually assured destruction?]
[valerius: I didn't turn it on for myself. Just for you.]
[Herta: Do you have no shame?!]
[Jade: This could be useful for interrogating spies.]
[Silver Wolf: I confess! I confess everything! I ate the oak roll in the fridge last night, and Kafka's wine is hidden in the third compartment of the second-floor storage cabinet! Just turn it off!]
[Firefly: ...]
[Kafka: ...]
On stage, Elizabeth's voice continued to tear through reality itself.
In the front row—
Three proud, powerful individuals of their respective worlds—
Reduced to trembling glow-stick-wielding survivors.
Listening to music that might actually kill.
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