Camellya, eyeing the perfectly matched pair, pouted discontentedly: "I didn't expect you to resolve the issue so quickly."
Lucian's lips curved slightly: "I only had to make a slight move, and it was already the Tethys System's limit."
"As I've said before, back then, with my hands in my pockets, I didn't know what an opponent was."
Camellya shook her head, inwardly grumbling: "Tch, but as the Bloom Bearer of the Black Shores, I should thank you."
Lucian rubbed his chin: "That's odd…"
"Did Rover's Speaker change the personalities of everyone and every robot at the Black Shores? Even Camellya is saying thank you!"
Camellya: "?"
She huffed: "Am I that unreasonable in your eyes?"
Before Lucian could respond, Rover tugged at his sleeve.
"Lucian, look at this."
Lucian leaned over, and Rover played a video from her terminal.
[Dear ladies and gentlemen,]
[The Rinascita Carnival, this grand and magnificent celebration, is about to begin!]
[We cordially invite and look forward to your arrival.]
[Oh, please don't forget to prepare your mask.]
[Rinascita Carnival!]
The video ended, clearly an advertisement.
And this Rinascita ad had reached Jinzhou's Jinyan Forum.
It seemed similar to Jinzhou's Moon-Chasing Festival.
There were already some replies below.
[Pero: Our Fool's Troupe Mascot Band's carnival parade is confirmed. Don't forget to come watch!]
[WorkJustToClockOut: Hmm… I hope I can get a few days off…]
[RighteousLion: The carnival… If I could perform a lion dance at festivals in other regions… Just thinking about it is exciting!]
[Traffic Light Light Light: Too bad my delivery route doesn't go to Rinascita, or I could've soaked up the festive vibe!]
[Jade Coral Appraiser: Rinascita? I heard there are many noble families there, so there must be tons of treasures! If Lucian goes there later, I'll have him… I mean, ask him to bring me some…]
[Eternal Blaze: …Strange, I remember the Rinascita Carnival should still be some time away. Why are they advertising so early?]
[Margherita's Restaurant: Welcome all tourists to dine at Agrota Palace! By the way, never mention Hot Sea Emperor Pear Pizza in front of Lagunians!]
[FirstMate'sLackey: Tourists coming by water, beware of dark shadows underwater. If you see one, don't hesitate—get out fast!]
Lucian pondered: "The Rinascita Carnival? I've never heard anyone mention this festival."
"But Jinhsi said before that Rinascita's Sentinel takes the form of a Pegasus… Should we head there next?"
Rover shrugged her snowy shoulders: "If we don't have other leads, checking it out wouldn't hurt."
Camellya chuckled: "Rinascita, huh…"
Lucian noticed her knowing tone and asked curiously: "You know something about Rinascita?"
Camellya shook her head with a smile: "Not much…"
"But I can tell you that the Black Shores has members operating covertly in Rinascita."
Lucian caught the key point: "Covertly? Are Black Shores members unwelcome in Rinascita?"
Camellya laughed: "It's said to be related to their Order…"
"In short, their religious and political systems are a bit peculiar. Our Bloom Bearers filed a few field reports."
"There are some odd rules about Rinascita. If you plan to visit, you can ask Shorekeeper to pull those reports beforehand to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Rover nodded thoughtfully: "Thanks for telling us."
Camellya smiled: "No need to thank me. Even if I didn't say anything, you could've learned it through Shorekeeper."
Encore pouted: "Ugh… Encore wants to go to Rinascita too! But everyone seems so busy…"
Lucian pinched Encore's cheek: "If there's a chance later, I'll take you there."
Encore raised her hands excitedly: "Yay! I love Brother Lucian the most, way better than Uncle Aalto!"
…
"…All sent out?"
Somewhere, Phrolova asked, gazing at the starry sky.
A follower behind her replied respectfully: "All sent out, Lady Phrolova."
Phrolova hummed lightly: "Make sure they see it and head to Rinascita, or this play won't go on."
The follower hesitated but voiced their doubt: "Lady Phrolova, are we really following that person's arrangements…"
Phrolova's face remained expressionless: "He's been in Rinascita for so long, he's bound to know more…"
"But… heh…"
"Things won't go as simply as he thinks, just 'acting according to the actors' will.'"
"After all, even I've suffered quite a bit at his hands…"
"When the script takes an unexpected turn, will it still reach that goal smoothly? I'm looking forward to it."
"Let's go. We should make some preparations to make this performance even more spectacular…"
…
"…Awaiting your esteemed presence, respectfully, Montelli."
In a luxurious room, under a desk lamp, a young girl sealed an envelope with the Montelli family's emblematic stamp.
A white-haired man beside her asked: "Are you sure about sending this letter to the Black Shores?"
"Though we have some trade with the Black Shores, the Order of the Deep's stance makes it difficult for their members in Raguna."
His voice was steady, powerful, and slightly weathered, his refined attire marking his high status.
The girl smiled faintly, tracing the envelope's surface: "The heroes who saved Jinzhou, trusted by the Black Shores' leader…"
"Such news reaching Laguna would pique anyone's interest."
"As for the Order of the Deep's stance… if they come as carnival tourists, with our Montelli family's guarantee, they shouldn't face much trouble."
The man pondered, still skeptical: "Even with such a reputation, it only proves their strength, but…"
The girl smiled, carefully tucking the envelope into her bosom before standing to face the man:
"Grandfather, don't worry. I'll have Zani investigate them first, and I'll look into them discreetly too."
"As the second lady of the Montelli family, I wouldn't trust strangers so easily."
The man nodded slightly, looking at the rain-soaked pedestrians outside: "Since you've made thorough preparations, go ahead and do it."