As expected, thanks to Elysia's cuteness, the ticket seller gave them a friendly discount.
The two of them managed to get tickets at a low price.
"Hehe, cute girls really do have privileges everywhere."
Holding the tickets, Elysia happily bounced around.
"That's right, even I'm benefiting from your charm, Elysia."
If they had paid the full price, it wouldn't have been a huge blow, but it would've cost several hours' worth of wages. Saving money was always good.
"Alright, let's go in. This is my first time at an opera house. I'm so excited~"
Humming a little tune, Elysia slowly walked into the opera house.
They eventually found their seats and sat down.
Elysia was eagerly waiting for the opera to begin.
After Chang Yuan sat down, they waited for about five more minutes before the opera officially started.
While Elysia was thoroughly enjoying the performance, Chang Yuan felt out of place.
He really didn't have an ear for music.
Soon, the opera was nearing its end.
"This song is so beautiful. If there's a next time, I'll definitely come again."
"Huh? Do you like this opera too?"
"Yes, do you, big sister?"
Hearing a voice from beside her, Elysia turned to see a girl with wine-red hair who was slightly taller than her.
Chang Yuan had noticed this girl earlier.
With such striking wine-red hair, it was hard not to recognize her.
"Yes, I love classical operas. I have a few albums here. Since you like it too, I'll give them to you. I have plenty more at home."
The girl with wine-red hair handed Elysia a few albums.
"Thank you! By the way, what's your name? I'm Elysia. My friends call me Eli. You can too. This is Chang Yuan."
"I'm Eden. No need to thank me. I've collected multiple copies of these albums in case they get damaged."
Eden smiled and nodded at the two of them.
"Eden? That's a beautiful name."
"Yours is lovely too. Well, the opera's over, so I'll be going now. I live nearby. Maybe we'll meet again. It was nice meeting you."
Seeing that the final opera wasn't one she was interested in, Eden got up to leave.
Elysia waved goodbye.
In her heart, she remembered Eden's name, feeling that they would meet again in the future.
"Maybe Eden will become a world-famous singer in the future."
"Huh? Chang Yuan, why do you say that? Eden never said she wanted to be a singer."
Hearing Chang Yuan say something she didn't understand, Elysia curiously asked again.
"I have a feeling that she will definitely become a globally renowned singer, perhaps even a symbol of civilization."
"Wow~, Chang Yuan, you think so highly of Eden?"
Elysia was surprised.
They had just met Eden, so why did Chang Yuan have such high praise for her?
Elysia couldn't understand it.
But how could Chang Yuan explain? By saying he knew the story? He could, but he had to keep it from Elysia.
If she found out her true identity early, she might sacrifice herself right after the first Herrscher's birth.
Then she'd bet that the subsequent Herrschers would develop humanity, ultimately saving this civilization.
This was definitely a decision Elysia would make after her global travels.
If she didn't make this decision, then this Elysia wouldn't be the one he loved.
So no matter what, he couldn't tell Elysia early. If possible, he wanted to keep it from her forever.
Once she knew her true identity, the probability of her sacrificing herself would be 99.99%.
The only sliver of hope was that nothing in the world was absolute.
Excluding that, her sacrifice was inevitable.
"I think highly of you too. Maybe you'll become the center of the world in the future."
"Hehe, I think so too. After all, a cute girl can do anything."
Elysia then packed the albums Eden had given her into her little backpack.
After Chang Yuan started earning money, their gear had been upgraded.
Now, they could survive in the wild for a month if needed.
Finally, the opera ended, and Elysia reluctantly left the opera house.
"Chang Yuan, do you think we'll have a chance to come back here again?"
"We will. Definitely."
Chang Yuan was absolutely certain about this.
After all, in the future, Elysia and Eden would become the closest of friends, almost inseparable.
"Alright, if we don't come back, then you're lying."
Elysia secretly noted this and smiled.
"Don't worry, I won't lie to you."
With his knowledge of the story, he was invincible.
"Hmm~, who knows? But... I want that. Buy it for me."
Pointing at a vendor in the distance, Elysia said.
What could Chang Yuan do? He had to buy it. After all, this was his childhood sweetheart in the making.
Though it might not succeed, he could at least become a cherished memory for her.
But he felt conflicted. He both hoped Elysia would selfishly love him and didn't want her to.
As a certain former demon once said, "If the queen loves me, she is no longer the queen."
Similarly, if Elysia selfishly loved him, she wouldn't be the Elysia he loved.
He loved Elysia, partly for her appearance, but mostly for her personality.
There were many beautiful characters in anime, but there was only one Elysia.
"Hmm, it's too sweet. Chang Yuan, you can have it. I don't want cavities."
"...So you're fine with me getting cavities?"
Taking the treat Elysia had taken a bite of, Chang Yuan's mouth twitched.
"Hehe~"
Elysia put her hands behind her back, playfully blinking and sticking out her tongue.
"But you bit this part."
Pointing at the spot soaked with saliva, Chang Yuan said.
"Oh right, I almost forgot. Chang Yuan, you're a big boy now. We can't do things like we used to."
Elysia realized that they weren't little kids anymore. Back then, they were innocent, so sharing a piece of bread was fine.
But now that they were older, they couldn't keep doing that.