Chapter 625: Banana's Misdeeds Are Not the Dao (53)

Honkai 3.

Oh my, it's really lively~

In Past Paradise, within this space constructed from memory and data, Ailixiya sat lightly on the railing, gazing up at the 'party' from the distant Star Sea.

Choosing to face disaster with song and party? What a bold plan! Though I do admire that courage and romance! Though speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've heard Miss Zhigengniao's singing—I've started to miss it♪

Beside her, Eden stood holding a glass of blood-red, mellow wine, silently at Ailixiya's side. Her golden eyes gazed at the large box before Zhigengniao, curious about what lay inside.

Judging by the size, could it be…… a piano?

The piano indeed matches her aesthetic; surely Zhigengniao is a piano master, but if it really is a piano, that would hardly be 'unorthodox'.

Is she planning to lead everyone in song? Gathering a bunch of not-so-'harmony' people together to praise 'harmony'? That sounds a bit difficult—much harder than holding a solo concert.

But precisely because it's difficult, it's all the more precious♪ Ailixiya tilted her head, smiled slightly, "Miss Zhigengniao's solo is indeed moving, but the voices we sing together are what can create miracles! Just like our paradise, isn't it special precisely because everyone's different memories intertwine?"

Eden's lips curled slightly: 'Yes, Ailixiya. "Harmony"... I find this word quite lovely. It doesn't demand absolute unity, but seeks harmony in finding resonance within difference. Like different instruments playing different parts, yet weaving together into a grand movement. I suppose Miss Zhigengniao intends something similar right now.'

——

""How should we say it?""

""Zhigengniao nodded: "Well, let's begin.""

""Ha——Should the chaos of crisis be solved with chaos? I don't think so. The song of Thus we have: Liúmèng Jiāo should be free and easy! Let's begin, superstar——" Boteo suddenly realized something, switched to a more precise phrasing: "Oh no… is 【Disc Jockey】 (DJ)."

After finishing everything, Boteo called out to March 7th to find a good spot to sit, ordered a malt drink, and prepared to begin.

Just, Reke suddenly appeared from nowhere, elusive.

""Very good, very good… the music is truly the finishing touch of a good film.""

Boteo narrowed his eyes: 'Damn it, you little brat, haven't you wrapped up?'

""That's right. So now I'm not an actor, but observing on-site as a 【Director】. I'm also very curious what kind of 【Harmony】 song this will be.""

Reke glanced around, his gaze sweeping over these ordinary, common folk: 'At times I get a premonition that a good film is about to be born. Most of them are stitched together from crowd-sourced material. Most of the people in this film can't be called protagonists; they struggle to show a complete arc in the usual sense, yet they likewise possess a soul's light that saves hearts.'

""And when they've lost everything, what do these people need most? Guidance from the wise? Aid from the strong?" Reke chuckled lightly, "Neither. In my view, they just need a shot. Then those sitting before the screen can witness the most splendid drama in the world."

""Ha! Not that complicated, director bro, let me say——" Boteo threw his arms wide and shouted at the sky: "——Damn it, this is 【Life】!"

——

Blessings upon this beautiful world.

Axel's Adventurers Guild, as usual noisy and chaotic, filled with the subtle scent of cheap beer and mixed foods.

""So——" Sato Kazuma dragged out his voice, poked the table with a finger, his gaze sweeping over this bunch of hidden talents before him, "Who can explain why we've received such an absurd commission?"

A wrinkled sheet of parchment lay on the table, written in crooked characters:

【Emergency Commission: Play the Divine Ape·Dark Ninja】

Content: Play the defeated Divine Ape·Dark Ninja (requirements: able to scream, able to fake a fall, priority to those with convincing acting)

Location: Newly built 'Sleeping Banana's Moment' theme park on the outskirts

Reward: 5000 Elis each, includes lunch

""Hey hey, you got it wrong? Taking this commission? You planning to dress as Banana Helper and get beaten up?"

""It's totally normal, what's the big deal?" Aqua said unconcerned, "Since the meme virus infection, many have developed strong resistance to the Divine Ape·Dark Ninja, so a lord had a bright idea and decided to open a theme park about the Sleeping Banana monkey——just pay and you can directly oppose the evil Banana Helper! This is also to ease people's discontent, after all the outside monsters and demon army officers are already scary enough, so we need to shift our mood and vent our inner sense of justice."

Saying this, Aqua's eyes sparkled as if seeing countless bills waving at her, 'Moreover! 5000 Elis! There's absolutely no reason not to do this, right?!'

""Indeed, I think it's great too." Darkness' cheeks flushed abnormally, her breathing ragged, "Playing…… the defeated evil side? Being struck by countless 'ninjas' with swords, magic…… without mercy…… ah! Plus we have to scream?! This, this is…… utterly shameless! So great!"

Kazuma looked at his two teammates with differing levels of excitement, painfully covering his face: 'Playing Banana Helper being defeated feels so embarrassing……'

""Can face be exchanged for 5000 Elis?" Aqua demanded bluntly.

……Cannot.

""Can it be exchanged for a free lunch?" Megumin added.

……Probably not either.

""Can it be exchanged for…… the feeling of being trampled underfoot by everyone?" Darkness asked, panting.

""That absolutely can't be exchanged! And besides, that's not right at all!

——

""Hmm… did you hear that faint prelude coming through?" Reke closed his eyes, as if catching the scattered notes in the air, "A minor third weeps and laments, a diminished sixth sighs endlessly. The suspended note asks: Must we die? While the seventh comforts: Life may continue——let's give it a try, or who knows."

The scene shifts back to Zhigengniao's side, Mika enthusiastically said: 'So, Miss Zhigengniao, is there anything else I need to do?'