Translated by XephiZ

Edited by Aelryinth

The Banlo Opera House was in the center of the city, to the east of its Central Park. Its backdrop was a few tall mountains.

The two walked past the Central Park. To their relief, the protest parade did not come through the park, or it would have been crowded too. The concert would have been munch less enjoyable if they were soaked in sweat by the time they reached the opera hall.

Even though going to an opera was mainly an audible experience, the process was important too! Dressing up for the concert, putting on some perfume to blend in with the wealthy of the city while being on a date with a woman he admired! It did not matter whether they were just friends or a couple. The sense of art was more important than being fickle, impatient, anxious, and uncivilized.

Zhao Manyan was the son of the richest man in his homeland. He cared about the social details more than anyone else. Sancha was obviously a perfectionist, too. They were standing out among the crowd of finely-dressed people in the Central Park.

The brightly lit concert hall was extravagantly decorated. Golden musical instruments were shining on the stage. The glamorous ladies took their seats first, followed by the gentlemen.

The strange thing was that, Sancha would normally see a few familiar faces around at an important concert like this. They also indulged in the pleasure of enjoying musical concerts, yet she did not see any of her old friends.

Sancha was actually a little relieved for some reason.

She would have no idea how to introduce Lecturer Zhao to her friends. They did not have to be a couple to attend a concert together, but she knew her fiancée was a suspicious person. She did not want those she knew to trouble Lecturer Zhao after the concert.

She also did not want her fiancée to intervene in her personal life, but it was a taboo for someone's girlfriend to go out with a stranger in China.

Sancha shook her head to clear her thoughts.

The concert hall was built to contain around five hundred people. It was not a huge concert venue, but it was definitely comfortable inside the hall, feeling more like a private hearing. Even the seats were high-quality sofas.

---

The piano started playing. Sancha and Zhao Manyan were ready to enjoy the concert.

However, they both frowned after a while.

Zhao Manyan whispered after exchanging glances with Sancha, "Something doesn't sound right."

"You noticed it too? It's not the piece we are familiar with," Sancha murmured back.

Sancha purposely observed other people's reactions as they were talking. The others seemed to be enjoying the music, as if nothing was wrong with it.

However, something was obviously wrong with the piece. The pianist was barely a professional, let alone a master!

"Is there something wrong with our hearing?" Sancha wondered.

There were around five hundred people in the hall. Not everyone was used to first-class music, but it was strange that no one except for them had noticed the pianist's errors!

"I don't think so..." Zhao Manyan was confused too.

The pianist soon played a confusing melody. Both Sancha and Zhao Manyan picked up the presence of magic. The notes being played suddenly felt murderous, as if they were lunging at the two!

"It's the Sound Element!" Zhao Manyan was astounded.

What were the performers doing? They were attacking the audience with the Sound Element. They were going to ruin their careers!

The shockwave created by the piano knocked the musical instruments to the ground. The strings were emitting piercing noises.

Sancha tried to Cast a defensive spell, but the piercing noise broke the links of her Star Pattern.

"Light Protection!"

Zhao Manyan's Will was a lot stronger than Sancha's. He managed to complete a Light Star Pattern under the disturbance of the noise.

The Light formed a golden Rampart in front of Zhao Manyan and Sancha. However, the shockwave easily penetrated his first layer of defense.

It was difficult to stop the Sound Element. Zhao Manyan was only trying to weaken the attack.

Their ears were hurting like they were being stabbed with needles, followed by heavy blows to their heads.

"Damn it!" Zhao Manyan cursed.

He had been watching the student who was likely a spy from the Black Vatican closely. He noticed the student kept watching Sancha's every move. It was possible that the Black Vatican was interested in her, so Zhao Manyan had decided to approach Sancha to see what the Black Vatican was up to.

He thought the Black Vatican would not make their move at such a luxurious concert in the middle of the city, but he was wrong!

"Who are you?" Sancha pointed at the performers angrily.

The conductor in a tuxedo had a wild grin as he played with his silver baton. They had no idea why he looked so pleased with himself.

"Miss Sancha, we have put in a lot of effort just to set up this meeting. Are you enjoying the concert that we've specifically prepared for you so far?" the conductor asked smugly.

"You are in the middle of Banlo City. There are so many people here too. Do you think you will get your way? I didn't expect the Greens would act so shamelessly!" Sancha seemed to recognize the man.

"We just want your father's vote. We aren't asking too much. As the CEO of the bank who has control over the economy of a few countries, he can earn money from either the Andes Federation or the Andes Rebellion. You businessmen will always be the winner as long as society is stable," the conductor said as he left the stage.

Sancha ignored the man. She told Zhao Manyan, "Lecturer Zhao, we must leave this place at once. Don't worry, there are other people here. That man is competing in the election. He won't dare harm innocent people!"

"I'm afraid not, these upper-class citizens… I'm afraid they are all actors whom that man has hired," Zhao Manyan smiled wryly.