Leader of the Four Pillar Cult, You Are Under Arrest

February 2nd, Yudunling, Starry Kingdom. One could tell just from its name that Yudunling was a romantic city. Its romance lay in how considerate it was—drenching you to the bone with howling winds and sudden downpours midway through your outing, only for the rain to cease the moment you stepped into your home. Nearly every city in the Starry Kingdom had its climate regulated by the Meteorological Office: cities devoted to fruit production had vast differences between day and night temperatures; cities producing grain enjoyed mild breezes and timely rains; and Jialesi, the capital, was maintained year-round at the most pleasant temperature. Yudunling was one of the very few "lawless zones" free from the Meteorological Office's control, even preserving the natural turning of the four seasons. Yet precisely because of Yudunling's fickle weather, it had become the Starry Kingdom's most renowned capital of art, leaving even Jialesi in its shadow. Art—ever in pursuit of the novel, the changing, and the strange—always favored the unpredictable whims of fate. The vast majority of artists settled in Yudunling, and Yudunling's academy of fine arts reigned supreme across the country, thoroughly outclassing Jialesi. Consequently, Yudunling boasted the finest theaters, the best exhibition centers, and the largest open-air venue: Woodland. On this night, Woodland was packed to capacity, with many traveling overnight from afar. After all, this concert was the final stop on Daidalos's nationwide tour; miss it, and who knew how long it would be before another opportunity arose. Rumors even claimed that Daidalos intended to focus on her sorcery to make a push for the legendary realm, planning to cut back on commercial engagements. At the very least, a nationwide concert tour—a commercial endeavor that devoured so much time, focus, and energy—would not happen again for years to come. And that was assuming she failed in her breakthrough. If she succeeded, resuming commercial tours would be virtually impossible. Even if she wished to treat her fans, the Throne Room would never permit a legendary sorcerer to perform in public. How could an instrument of state be treated so lightly? The final performance of the Greatest Beauty Under the Stars—this premise alone was enough to drive countless music and film fans into a frenzy. Daidalos's studio also knew how intensely anticipated the concert was, arranging a nationwide live broadcast so that those unable to purchase tickets could watch from home for free. Ingrid, Lois, and Adele sat in the eighth row, the prime seats in the house. Even though they had tickets gifted by Sonia, they actually had classes scheduled for tonight. But when they explained their reason for requesting leave, the professor simply waved a hand: "We'll be watching the live stream during tonight's class as well, so this doesn't count as taking leave—it counts as a field trip." When seven o'clock arrived, the refracting panels above the Woodland venue tilted slightly. Without needing any cue, as gleaming starlight shifted from the audience and converged onto the stage, the immense arena fell completely silent. Every pair of eyes locked onto the stage beneath the starlight. Their anticipation had reached a fever pitch. Yet in the next second, the refracting panels slid upward. All the starlight vanished without a trace, plunging the entire Woodland arena into darkness. Just as everyone instinctively looked up in bewilderment, they saw two pairs of gold-and-silver void wings shining high above, eclipsing the stars, tracing the most magnificent arcs, becoming the most dazzling light! As the orchestra's accompaniment swelled, impassioned singing pierced the night! "The vow sworn on the night legends descend." "Words echoing across the divide, lighting the road ahead." "Rejoice together for the new era!" "Rejoice together for the new era!" Two distinctly different, melodious female voices blended seamlessly together, weaving a blood-boiling anthem that instantly ignited thunderous cheers from the entire crowd. Daidalos wore a white-and-gold tailcoat, while Sonia wore a sandalwood-red combat dress. In the dimly lit arena, they were the only vivid colors, like descending angels! The two flew around the stands as they sang. Every section they swept past erupted with the frenetic cheers of countless spectators, spiraling toward the highest stage like a pair of butterflies. As they swept past Lois and the others' seats, Sonia reached out to high-five each of them, offering a quick wink. When they touched down at the center of the stage, the starlight reappeared to drape them in hazy veils. Glittering fireworks soared across the venue, driving the atmosphere to an absolute peak! "Entrusted to fate, drifting with the tide." "An unchanging view holds no delight!" "Boil over, surging wind and splashing blood!" "Revel to the very end of the dream!" "Feel my heart, listen to my heart, test my heart!" "Whatever the end may be, I shall gladly accept it!" "At the end of this distant road, we shall reach the promised land!" "Rejoice together for the new era!" "Rejoice together for the new era!" As the final drumbeat faded following their passionate duet, the entire venue erupted into unending applause. The dashing, spirited Daidalos and the captivating, gorgeous Sonia waved to the audience. Daidalos gently raised a hand, and within seconds the thunderous applause settled down. Looking out at the crowd, she smiled and asked, "Do I look good tonight?" "Gorgeous!" "Thank you so much for your support!" Daidalos laughed merrily. "I was actually worried whether I could match little Sonia. Standing beside her, I constantly feel my title as the Greatest Beauty Under the Stars is in serious jeopardy." "Welcome to the Starry Beauties Concert!" Indeed, this concert was not Daidalos's solo performance; Daidalos and Sonia were co-starring. In fact, since the start of the tour, Sonia had begun taking the stage—initially just as backing vocals, but now singing duets alongside Daidalos. Most people assumed Daidalos was grooming Sonia to become the next leading screen maiden, but only they knew Sonia was merely dabbling for fun. In truth, Sonia had no qualifications to perform in a massive concert—not due to lack of talent, but because she was merely a Sword Baron, lacking the social rank required for commercial engagements of this caliber. However, Daidalos did not always hold stadium-scale concerts, and the tour stopped in various cities where Sonia had previously only played supporting roles like backing vocals—and supporting roles carried no nobility rank requirements. Advancing step by step, by the time this nationally broadcast Starry Beauties Concert arrived, Sonia took the stage as a lead performer as a matter of course. A strict investigation would certainly find it non-compliant, but who would dare refuse to give Daidalos face? Besides, people figured that if Sonia ever ventured into the entertainment industry later on, her rank would inevitably be elevated, so why make an issue of it now? Who could have guessed that the finest of Jialesi's younger generation, the contemporary Sword Flower Sonia Servi, would defect from the Starry Kingdom in just over a dozen days? It was precisely because of this that Sonia had joined the tour. Sharing the stage with Daidalos was simply to fulfill a childhood dream. This concert was also Daidalos's farewell performance. The Four Pillar Cult's preparations were already ninety percent complete; next, they only needed to tour a few more cities before launching the Sky Light Plan to shatter the sky curtain. Yet precisely through performing together, Sonia realized the vast gulf between herself and Daidalos. It was not merely a matter of technique; more importantly, Daidalos possessed an overwhelming stage presence, capable of commanding an audience of tens of thousands, compelling countless spectators to breathe and beat their hearts in unison with her—something Sonia simply could not do. Even after rehearsing across numerous concerts, Sonia still could not handle the spotlight as effortlessly. On this stage, Daidalos remained an idol she could not surpass. "Daidalos, sorry to interrupt," Sonia took a deep breath and laughed aloud. "There's something I've always wanted to do." She reached her hand toward the highest, furthest seats in the stands and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Friends at the top of the mountain, how are you doing?!" The audience chuckled and applauded. Daidalos let out a laugh, and Sonia continued, "Whenever I watched your concerts in the past, you'd shout that every single time. I might forget what songs you sang, but I've always remembered you saying that line. Ever since I was little, I've wondered what it felt like to say it." "Really?" "Of course! Though how could I ever forget what you sang?" Sonia beamed. "I grew up listening to your songs, after all." "You make me sound so old," Daidalos sighed dramatically. "Has the time already come for me to bow out at my peak...?" "Don't go!" Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted at the top of their lungs, and the cry swiftly rippled through the stadium as wave upon wave of spectators began chanting, "Don't go! Don't go! Don't go!" Sonia and Daidalos exchanged a glance. Daidalos pressed her palms down to signal for quiet, then said, "It seems no one wants me to leave. But do I really still sing that well?" "Yes!" "As if I believe you. You folks who bought the expensive seats up front—if you didn't say I sang well, wouldn't you feel you wasted your money? So not only must I sing well, I also have to be the Greatest Beauty Under the Stars so that just feasting your eyes on me fills your bellies and makes the ticket worthwhile." Daidalos looked upward. "The friends up on the mountain have the better deal; their tickets are cheap! Come on, tell me: do I sing well?" "Yes!" "You're sitting too far away, I can't hear you!" Daidalos giggled, spreading her hands. "Sit in the front row next time—I really do want to hear your thoughts." The audience was both amused and exasperated. Once the laughter died down, Daidalos said casually, "I know there have been plenty of rumors lately. After all, when someone as lazy as me suddenly launches a nationwide tour, it's bound to make people nervous. Looking on the bright side, maybe I'm getting ready to retire; looking on the dark side, maybe..." "You're getting married?" Sonia chimed in. "Oh? Does that count as bad news?" Daidalos blinked. "In any case, I can tell everyone clearly: barring any accidents, I will continue the performing career I love most." Yet even that answer broke countless hearts—could Daidalos really be getting married?! No way, anything but that! "Now then, let's begin," Daidalos said. "The next song is everyone's favorite theme song from Cycles of Crossed Blades—" Thud! A sudden tremor disrupted the rhythm of the concert. Immediately afterward, a bridge woven of starlight extended from outside the venue onto the stage. Everyone looked up to see a four-pointed star lattice—a Star Web—enveloping the entire Woodland arena. Sealing Miracle: Star Web! Sonia's and Daidalos's expressions turned grim as they watched a group of sorcerers march across the starlight bridge. Clad in blue-flame combat outfits, high boots, and tactical goggles, they were none other than the sorcerer legion under the direct command of the Throne Room—the Starflick Guard! They did not step onto the stage, but stood atop the starlight bridge, looking down at them. At their head was a Sanctuary sorcerer wearing gloves wrapped in shimmering light, who declared, "I am Alexis Somer, captain of the Starflick Guard, here by order of the Throne Room." "Leader of the Starry Four Pillar Cult, Daidalos Lena: you are under arrest."