"Mr. Germain?"
"Mr. Germain?"
From the tone of their voices, Germain could tell that Kurapika and Melody were both surprised to see him here.
"The Queen of Gungi," Komugi turned around after hearing them and immediately realized what was going on. She quickly sat up straight, her posture respectful yet slightly nervous.
"Mr. Germain..."
Germain briefly greeted them and explained that he was here to find Melody.
"Me?"
Melody pointed at herself in confusion, not understanding why Germain was looking for her.
Kurapika also looked at Germain and then at Melody, trying to figure out what was going on.
Germain and Melody didn't seem that familiar with each other, so why was the teacher looking for her?
"Play me a song," Germain suddenly suggested, pointing at the flute in Melody's hand.
Although it was unexpected, Melody thought for a moment and decided there was no reason to refuse. She agreed with a smile.
"Then I'll play a song."
After that, Melody brought the flute to her lips, her fingers pressing down on the holes, and started playing a new melody.
The sound of the flute was beautiful and enchanting, like the music of the heavens.
Germain, Kurapika, and Komugi all became absorbed in the music, as if they were walking through snow-covered mountains and vast grasslands, witnessing the beauty of the world.
Soon, the music faded, and everything returned to normal.
Melody bowed slightly to the group.
"I hope you liked it."
Everyone applauded, with Komugi clapping the hardest.
Germain quietly noticed the projection of the "Hunter's Badge" and realized that his pressure had eased slightly.
As expected, he had found another way to relieve stress...
Hina had cleared his "Passionate," which meant that Melody's Nen ability to relieve stress could now work on him.
This is why he first removes his Nen before going to find Melody to help with stress relief.
Although it's less effective than the stress relief from "Magical Beautician Miss Cookie" or the meals from Menchi and Buhara, it's more stable and continuous.
Melody can easily play the flute during a battle, continuously lowering everyone's stress.
Besides that, she also has a powerful "Emission-type Nen ability" that allows her to control the entire battlefield with the sound of her flute. This ability can be incredibly effective in combat as well.
Germain couldn't help but praise: "What a wonderful flute sound."
"Thank you," Melody smiled faintly.
However, everyone could tell that Germain still had something left unsaid, something he wasn't willing to express here.
He couldn't have just come to listen to a flute solo, could he?
As expected, Germain finally spoke up.
"Melody, how about we take a walk in the garden behind the castle?"
Both Melody and Kurapika quickly realized that Germain wanted to talk to Melody alone.
"Uh… sure."
Melody didn't sense any malice in Germain's words, so she followed him with a curious expression.
Kurapika, on the other hand, was filled with doubts, so he stayed behind to play Gungi with Komugi.
However, Kurapika's Gungi skills were no match for Komugi, and now with his distracted mind, Komugi easily crushed him.
Germain and Melody quickly made their way through the path, arriving at the lush and beautiful garden behind the castle.
Throughout the walk, Melody couldn't detect any change in Germain's mood, which only made her more confused.
"Sorry, Germain, I'm really curious. What did you want to talk to me about?" she asked, stopping and nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
Germain, who didn't like to beat around the bush, answered directly when she asked.
"I've heard of a 'Demon King' in this world. He created something called the 'Dark Sonata.'"
When Melody heard "Demon King" and "Dark Sonata," her eyes widened, and for the first time, she showed an emotional reaction in front of Germain.
How does he know all of this?!
Germain only observed for a moment before continuing.
"The 'Dark Sonata' is a solo piece that can be played on the piano, violin, harp, or... flute."
"It's said that as long as someone plays the 'Dark Sonata,' even just one movement, terrible things will start happening around them..."
Germain noticed that Melody's face had turned pale, as if recalling some terrifying memory. She couldn't help but shiver slightly.
To be honest, Melody's experience quickly reminded Germain of a Cthulhu Mythos story he had read before.
It was called "The Music of Erich Zann."
The story was simple: A violinist named Erich Zann would play enchanting tunes every night in his narrow attic room.
Anyone who heard the music couldn't help but be mesmerized by it.
However, the truth was that he didn't play willingly. Instead, he was constantly using his mortal body and violin to fend off the music coming from "the gods."
He had to keep playing, never stopping, and refuse to listen to the melodies coming from the endless darkness beyond the attic window.
But in the end, he failed. In the mockery of the gods, he turned into a lifeless corpse, still playing the music.
Melody's terrifying experience was not much different.
Seeing Melody's uneasy expression, Germain couldn't help but ask with an apologetic tone.
"I'm sorry for bringing up bad memories. Are you okay?"
"I..."
Melody slowly calmed her breathing, fearfully glancing at Germain.
Is this the intelligence network of the top-tier Hunters?
The secret I've kept hidden deep in my heart for so long, he has just revealed it with one sentence...
His voice was steady and firm, there's no way he's trying to deceive me...
In the midst of her nervous haze, she realized there was nothing left to hide anymore. This man knew everything.
Moreover, enduring the dark memories alone for so long had kept her mind on edge. She truly needed someone to confide in.
Perhaps, Germain was that someone.
"It happened many years ago. Some of my friends had obtained the 'Dark Sonata,' and in a drunken state, they played it on a flute."
"After that, something terrible happened... In that instant, we found ourselves in an endless abyss of darkness..."
"Then, the performers and listeners—almost all of them—died, their faces twisted and their flesh turned inside out. Only I... only I was lucky enough to survive..."
"But even though I survived, I ended up like this... like a hairless rat..."
"You gained the ability to hear others' thoughts because of the 'Dark Sonata,' right?" Germain asked.
Melody froze for a moment, then sighed.
"Looks like you know more than I thought. You must have known about me listening to your thoughts these days."
"Yes, it's all because of it... That's why I made up my mind to destroy every single 'Dark Sonata' and never let our tragedy happen again."
"At the same time, there's also a small hope deep inside... Maybe, during the journey to find the 'Dark Sonata,' I could restore myself to what I once was."
As Melody said this, she gently touched her face and revealed a strange expression.
"Well, Mr. Germain, could you tell me why you want to know about these old events? Are you interested in the 'Dark Sonata'?"
"Something like that."
Melody immediately showed a terrified and nervous expression.
"These... they are too dangerous. Please, don't..."
"Don't worry." Germain interrupted. "I have no knowledge of sheet music, let alone playing piano, violin, harp, or flute solos."
"Even if you threw the 'Dark Sonata' sheet music in front of me, I wouldn't be able to play it."
"Then you are…" Melody looked at him suspiciously.
"I just want to confirm something I've been speculating about using the 'Dark Sonata.' That's all."
After seeing Melody's ruined face, Germain knew that it was beyond the range of most methods like "Herb for All-illnesses," "Breath of the Archangel," "Exorcism," or others.
Even plastic surgery wouldn't work; otherwise, Melody would have done that long ago.
This was a curse, an evil curse that couldn't be removed.
At the same time, it brought an unexpected "gift."
Melody's Nen ability originated from the 'Dark Sonata,' meaning its root was from that 'Demon King.'
Germain breathed slowly.
And for the first time, Melody heard an unfamiliar, slightly erratic heartbeat from his chest before it calmed down.
Such strong control…
She couldn't help but think.
At that moment, Germain said to Melody, "I agree with your idea of destroying all the 'Dark Sonatas' and support you in doing so."
"You need trustworthy companions, and you need to know more things. If you're ready, go find Dwun and List, and tell them that I've allowed it."
Melody looked at Germain in confusion, not understanding what he meant by this.
Germain didn't explain further, only giving a reminder.
"Remember, once you decide to join us, there's no turning back, just like the solo in your memories."
"Once you start playing, there's no way to stop. It will be etched in your mind forever, becoming an inescapable nightmare."
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