Dragon Soul was an up-and-coming rock band... Though to my eyes, they were clearly three of the Four Great Magic Dragons wearing nothing but masks, I suspected this was a case where Recognition Inhibition Magic was involved.
Thanks to Shiro-san's Blessing, I could see them for who they truly were, but to the average person, they probably looked like normal band members.
I wondered for a moment what the point of the masks was, but then I remembered that Recognition Inhibition Magic was a spell that relied heavily on the caster’s proficiency. If Alice were the one casting it, even the Six Kings would struggle to notice, but when used by someone less skilled, it was often transparent to anyone with sufficient power.
Flare-san didn't strike me as the type to be particularly adept at such magic. Therefore, they likely wore masks as a failsafe; even if someone sensed an inconsistency, their true identities wouldn't be immediately exposed.
"Still, this concert has a great atmosphere. You can really feel the energy—it’s exciting."
"It is. By the way, Kaito-san, isn't there something you should be saying?"
"Hm? —Wait, you changed again!?"
As I spoke to Shiro-san while we moved to a better vantage point for the performance, she replied with a pointed remark. When I turned to look at her, her outfit had completely transformed once more. She was now wearing a rock-inspired ensemble consisting of leather pants and a sukajan. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, giving her a totally different vibe from just moments ago.
"...But as expected, you look good in anything, Shiro-san. You’re on the taller side and have long legs, so the rock-and-roll look really suits you."
Since Shiro-san was the same height as me, she was quite tall for a woman, and her long legs made her a natural fit for trousers. Combined with her incredible figure, she looked genuinely cool. Shiro-san had been changing her clothes so frequently today that it was a constant surprise... but getting to see her in so many different styles was fresh and enjoyable.
"I am glad you liked it, Kaito-san. Well then—"
"I’d like to praise you even more, but the show is about to start. Let’s save the rest for later."
"Hmm. Very well. In that case, I shall expect plenty of compliments later."
Based on how the day had been going, I could tell she was about to demand a refill on the praise, so I headed her off in advance. Shiro-san would probably be happier being complimented when we had more time anyway, and she accepted my suggestion without protest.
With that settled, Shiro-san and I listened as Dragon Soul’s performance began.
Eingana-san, the vocalist, guitarist, and bandleader, stood out immediately due to her height. Both her guitar work and her vocals were top-tier. She sang gritty, authentic rock with a beautiful voice, sending the venue into a frenzy of excitement.
Flare-san played the drums with a dynamism that was hard to reconcile with her small frame; the sheer power of her performance was staggering. I didn't know enough about the technicalities of drumming to judge her skill accurately, but she appeared to be quite a virtuoso. Flare-san was a demon for training—a term that made "hard worker" sound like an understatement—so she had likely practiced an immense amount.
Then there was Fafnir-san. He provided rock-solid support for the highly individualistic styles of Eingana-san and Flare-san, lending the performance a great sense of stability. While his playing wasn't flashy, he served as the band's foundation, and that steadfastness felt very much like him. He had likely been coerced into participating, but since he was fundamentally an earnest person, he must have practiced his heart out.
As I watched the crowd heat up under the trio’s performance, I happened to spot a familiar face in the spectator seats... Great Sea God Marine-san, whom I had just met a short while ago.
Rather than watching as a spectator, it seemed she was there as part of the Gods' positioning. She stood a little distance away from the rowdy crowd with a smile on her face.
Yes. It was definitely a smile... She was watching the stage with a grin. However, it might have been my imagination, but a vein seemed to be throbbing on her forehead, and her eyes and mouth looked like they were twitching as she struggled to suppress her rage... though for my own peace of mind, I desperately wanted to believe it was just my imagination.