Chapter 65: Blooming for the Four-leaf Clover
With a flick of the bard’s wrist, the violin played a beautiful melody, fluttering like butterflies in the air—sometimes soaring, sometimes gliding gently.
As the melody began, all the patrons in Lotran Snack Shop instinctively fell silent, ready to enjoy the bard’s performance.
These were mostly distinguished guests, and as part of noble etiquette, everyone remained quiet during a bard’s performance. It was the most basic form of respect.
Having paid, Erika returned to her seat. That adorable face of hers gave Isana a sweet smile.
Isana sniffled and quickly stopped crying. Her moist, wide eyes met Erika’s, and she returned the smile.
“Land of the Four-leaf Clover~♬People sing your praise~♬ The future blossoms for you~♬ Malice in the world awakens~♬ The horn of battle sounds~♬ Voices uplift the soul~♬ The Sacred Mountain heroes shall arrive~♬ This is the people’s redemption~♬ Oh heroes~♬ Heroes~♬ Born for glory~♬ Sworn to glory~♬ Driving evil into a dead end~♬ Oh heroes~♬ Heroes~♬ We cheer for you~♬ Offering devout blessings~♬ Protect the kingdom’s honor~♬ All children of the Four-leaf Clover~♬ The fear of night has unfurled~♬ But the bell of victory will soon chime~♬ Terrifying foes flee in panic~♬ The hymn of heroes shall echo forever~♬……”
As the clear violin flowed past the ears, the tender voice carried a surge of passion.
Like a fiery heart, it beat with life.
Like a clear spring, it soothed the soul.
That heavenly voice, rich and delicate with emotion, drew everyone in Lotran Snack Shop deep into the music.
As the music moved, so did the imaginations of everyone present.
Even Erika—at first, she had wondered.
She’d told the bard to pick a song suitable for someone her age, but never expected a heroic anthem.
Yet now, listening to the melody and voice, Erika gradually fell under its spell.
The song’s theme was of an unknown hero.
A flower that blooms is a season, a long night is a day. Every seedling born in the land of the Four-leaf Clover could become that hero admired by countless others.
Because in every child’s heart, there is a hero’s dream.
Erika found this song oddly touching.
Isana, too—at the moment the music began, the tear-streaked look on her face visibly softened.
“Wow!”
As the song ended, everyone in the snack shop applauded the bard.
“Thank you all.”
The bard bowed slightly, politely putting away her violin.
……
“That was amazing, miss. Thank you for your performance.”
“Indeed, that song, ‘Blooming for the Four-leaf Clover,’ is always such a delight.”
“This song is really famous in the Imperial Capital. When it first came out, everyone—adults and kids—wanted to be heroes, haha…”
“Yeah, it’s pretty old now. I wonder who requested it—so nostalgic…”
……
The patrons chatted excitedly.
Isana’s mood had clearly improved. She even looked a little happy. She knew—it was Erika who had requested the song for her.
“Thank you, Erika.”
“No problem, Isana. You treated me to all this food, I should be the one thanking you.”
Showing her little tiger tooth, Erika smiled happily seeing Isana’s cheerful face again. She finally made this crying girl smile, and it gave her a strong sense of accomplishment.
Isana, on the other hand, locked her jewel-like eyes onto Erika’s face.
Just kept staring like that…
To her, Erika’s smiling face was like a blooming white lotus—flawless, pure, and beautiful.
Perhaps…
This was the smile of an angel, one that drove away all her darkness.
……
……
“Isana?”
Blinking, Erika tilted her head. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Ah… it’s nothing.”
Snapping out of it, Isana mimicked Erika’s blinking.
“Are you still hungry, Erika? If not enough, we can order more. Whatever you want.”
“Really!?”
“Of course! As long as you like it, I’ll get you anything.”
Hearing that, Erika didn’t hold back. She had already devoured everything on the table.
Waving her little hand again, she called the waiter. “Bring another round of everything on the table!”
……
……
Afternoon tea time gradually passed.
The two girls sat at Lotran Snack Shop for the whole afternoon.
Of course, Erika spent the whole time eating…
With Isana there, Erika always felt she could eat to her heart’s content.
As guests at the elegant seats began to leave and nightfall approached, more people started arriving for the private dining rooms.
“It’s getting dark—we should head back, Isana.”
Having eaten and drunk her fill, Erika patted her little belly and flashed her tiger tooth in satisfaction. She got ready to leave.
But as soon as she stood up, her foot stepped on something soft and fuzzy.
“Hm?”
Puzzled, Erika looked down—and saw a mouse at her feet.
But it didn’t end there.
Immediately after, two or three more mice darted out from nearby, brushing past her skirt, scurrying across her fair little legs.
“Ahhh!”
Startled, Erika plopped right back into her seat, yelping in panic.
She wasn’t afraid of mice—just, having several suddenly run over your thighs would scare anyone.
“What’s wrong, Erika?”
Isana asked, confused.
“Mice!”
“Mice? How could there be…”
“There really were! A bunch of them just now!”
Erika’s voice was loud—so loud that it reached guests just entering the restaurant.
Hearing something that could harm business, the waiter couldn’t ignore it.
He politely approached Erika.
“Dear lady, I understand you may be dissatisfied with Lotran, but you shouldn’t tarnish our name with such claims.”
“???”
Suddenly being confronted, Erika got annoyed and pointed at her seat.
“But there really were mice! I’m just telling the truth!”
“That’s impossible.”
The waiter spoke confidently. “Our hygiene is the best in the Imperial Capital. There’s no way rodents could appear here.”
“Erika doesn’t lie.”
Isana now stood up to defend Erika. “You should reflect on yourselves instead of blaming my friend!”
“Oh~ dear ladies, we magically sanitize this place every day. It’s absolutely impossible for mice or cockroaches to appear.”
Just as Isana was about to retort, her eyes caught sight of something—A large, dark, hairy mouse darted by.
“Look! Still denying it?! There it is—right th—”
But midway through her sentence, Isana suddenly fell silent.
Her face twisted with fear. Whatever she was going to say got stuck in her throat, as if she couldn’t speak.
Not just Isana—Erika and the waiter were stunned too.
What they saw in this top-tier Imperial Capital snack shop was a massive swarm of mice.
These furry creatures, their eyes glowing blood-red, surged forth like a dark cloud.
“Ahhh—! Help! Help!”
“Gods! Where are these sewer monsters coming from!? Dammit!”
“Run! Run now!”
……
In an instant, the entire snack shop was overrun by countless mice.
Like a pitch-black tide, they flooded the entrance, trapping everyone inside.
Anyone with trypophobia would probably faint at the sight.
The densely packed little creatures gnawed at everything around them.
Tables, chairs, curtains—Including humans…