Chapter 376 - 376: The Most Precious Thing in Eridu Is the Right to Never Give Up Joy

Astra smiled happily, and the two continued until they reached the small playground.

"Sometimes, I sneak out here to have fun! I mean, kids won't recognize me! Even if they do, they're easy to fool! Hehe~"

"Oh, it seems you're very gentle with children," Wise said with a smile.

"Yeah! When I was a child, everyone was really kind to me. They saved me..."

Astra's tone became slightly somber.

"When I was a kid, I almost died in the Hollow. Although I'm sure there are plenty of people like me in New Eridu who have experienced the same thing... There aren't many people in New Eridu who haven't experienced some kind of Hollow disaster. That was also when I decided to keep singing."

"Why?" Wise asked curiously.

To love someone, one needed to understand their inner self, and Astra was happy to share hers with him.

"Back in the Hollow, I wanted to... wanted to give everyone hope, so I... I sang."

Her voice trailed off for a moment before she continued.

"We were facing death... But so many people still listened to me sing. Whenever I think of the gazes I used to receive when I performed, I want to keep on performing... Even if death is lurking around the corner, I hope that my singing will be able to bring some cheer to everyone."

Hearing this, Wise silently held Astra's hand a little tighter, and she only then noticed.

"Ah, suddenly talking about such a depressing topic... It won't bother you, will it?" she asked, worried that it might.

"Not at all."

When Astra heard that, she smiled.

"Mm... I don't want to give up. I don't want to surrender to those cruel things! Back then, I would also fantasize about things... like being a hero, defeating a terrifying demon lord and such. I thought of so many cool lines!"

Astra then struck a brief pose while reciting a line.

"'You can kill me, but you can never kill my singing voice and smile!' Stuff like that. On that day... I understood the real meaning of those words. The people who saved me... They taught me that."

Astra's words made Wise fall into thought, and he suddenly thought of something.

"I think I understand."

"Understand... what?"

"The Treasure of New Eridu. I know what it is."

Astra was still a bit confused. Looking at the confident Wise in front of her, she spoke with some uncertainty.

"Eh? You're not going to say it's my song, are you...?"

"The essence is the same. The most precious thing in Eridu is... the right to never give up joy."

"Ah... you mean..."

Hearing Wise's words, Astra suddenly realized what he meant and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Pfft... Isn't that a bit too cool of a statement? But I understand what you mean. The most special and valuable thing in New Eridu is indeed happiness... I love this answer! That's exactly what New Eridu is!"

Astra excitedly agreed, but then immediately became a little worried.

"But... Will everyone think this way too?"

"They definitely will," Wise said, gently patting Astra's hand.

<<>>

The performance costumes and accessories had already been designed, and there was still some time until the finals.

Wise happened to arrive at the Outer Ring. There, he happened to find Nicole talking to Caesar.

"Long time no see, Caesar. I think I saw you on Sixth Street the other day. I thought you might feel shy, so I didn't say hi~"

"Wh-Wh-Why would I be shy...!"

Caesar was about to say that she and Wise already had a clear relationship, but then seemed to think of something.

"Speaking of which, Nicole, why didn't you let me know in advance when you came to the Outer Ring?"

"I figured you guys would be busy prepping for Gilded Carrot Day, so I didn't wanna trouble you, Lil'C."

"'Lil'C?' What in the world is that?!"

Seeing Caesar's blushing and anxious look, Nicole was a bit surprised.

"Oh, that's not what Lucy calls you at home?"

"No chance! Unless she or I have lost our minds," Caesar said, sounding a bit exasperated.

"What if it was Wise..."

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore! What exactly are you doing in the Outer Ring?"

Caesar no longer wanted to discuss the topic, and Nicole, realizing this, put away her gossipy curiosity.

"Ahem... Actually, I wanted to ask if anyone has come looking for Lucy recently? It should be a man in a suit. I have something to discuss with him."

"Huh? You actually know that sneaky guy? He just ran away from here!" Caesar said, her expression turning suspicious.

"Eh? Just now?"

Hearing Caesar's words, Nicole seemed a bit surprised, and the former continued to explain.

"Just now, as soon as that guy showed his face, I called out to him. I'm very concerned about unfamiliar faces in the Outer Ring, so I wanted to catch him and ask a few questions. I didn't expect him to run away in a flash."

"That's suspicious... Any idea where he is now?"

"I sent Lighter after him. He won't lose that guy. If you want to track him down, just ask Lighter."

Wise, who had overheard all this, stepped forward and greeted Caesar. Curious, he then went with Nicole to find Lighter.

Lighter told them that the man in the suit had been caught by Burnice again and forced to drink Nitro-Fuel.

Apparently, it was a new special blend.

Wise suddenly felt a bit sorry for the guy.

Immediately afterward, he found Burnice and Piper, along with the terrified man standing in front of them.

"Wuwu... The biker gangs from the Outer Ring are seriously scary... No wonder Mr. and Mrs. Montefio are worried. Lady Lucy has to live in this madness every single day..."

He then sobbed harder before adding, "...There's that tough, loud woman... The guy with the crushing grip... And that crazy witch trying to shove some weird potion down my throat... The only one who's friendly is Miss Piper..."

"Uh-huh, that's me."

Piper felt a bit confused by his words, but it was probably a compliment, so she acknowledged it.

But if he had ever ridden in a car driven by Piper, he would probably have had a completely different expression.

"I'm a witch?! Those from Lucy's family sure know how to speak nicely."

After hearing the man's words, Burnice seemed very happy, but seeing this, the former became even more worried.

"Miss Piper, please, look after Lady Lucy, will you? Wuwu..."

"Ugh... Can you stop crying? Your pampered Lady Lucy could whip us, Outer Ring thugs, into shape three times a day if she wanted to!"

Piper couldn't stand the man, and speaking of whipping, Burnice suddenly thought of something as well.

"Speaking of which, it's been ages since Lucy last took a swing at me! What's up with her lately?"

"R-Really? Then I must definitely apologize on her behalf! Wuwu..."

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