Chapter 49: Jellyfish Swimming Beneath the Sea Surface
In her own workshop, Cantarella was carefully concocting medicines.
She added medicinal ingredients, observed the reactions, reduced the liquid over high heat, then transferred the mixture into vials one by one, placing them on a dedicated tray.
After preparing the day's portion of secret medicine, Cantarella estimated the time, awaiting Aeron's arrival.
A few minutes earlier, she had asked Gilberto—who interacted frequently with Aeron within the family—to fetch him. He should be arriving any moment now.
"I will use you, and you may use me in return."
It was at this moment she recalled the words Aeron had spoken back then.
"Hah, spoken so lightly."
He never cloaked his desires with hypocritical words, nor let external disturbances sway his actions. He adhered unwaveringly to his principles from start to finish.
Cantarella appreciated his response for a simple reason: a man like him would never submit to others, much less betray himself. That is to say, since he had decided to assist Fisalia, he would not betray her.
Moreover, she had to admit that Aeron indeed possessed what she needed.
The Sentinels now required aid—genuine power capable of stabilizing their connection with the present world.
The Threnodian's influence over Rinascita grew increasingly severe, and it was uncertain how much longer Fisalia could endure under such circumstances.
Thus, she needed assistance from elsewhere, and Aeron was the bridge.
"..."
But as Aeron had said, Cantarella could not fully trust him, though the reason lay not with Aeron himself.
His appearance in Fisalia was far too coincidental, especially when considering why he had come here...
Just as Cantarella pondered these chains of cause and effect, the workshop door was knocked upon.
Right on time.
"Come in."
Click!
The door swung open, but the person who entered was not whom Cantarella had expected.
The humanoid figure stepping through the doorway was shrouded in black mist, its features indiscernible, yet the voice it emitted was all too familiar to Cantarella.
"Does a drifting little jellyfish truly believe its faint glow can illuminate this boundless abyss?"
"...You flatter me, Old Patriarch. I have already granted you an eternal dream—why must you still cling to the living?"
Gazing upon the entity before her, Cantarella knew it was merely an illusion of the past and showed no retreat.
Perhaps, upon realizing that whispers alone could not shake Fisalia in the slightest, the Threnodian had finally taken alternative action—and precisely when an unexpected guest had appeared in Fisalia.
The phantom of the "Old Patriarch" let out a low chuckle upon hearing Cantarella's words, the black mist swirling around it.
"Hah, I had hoped for some maturity, but it seems you remain as naive as ever."
As it spoke, the shadowy mass turned its gaze toward the freshly prepared medicines Cantarella had just concocted.
"At this point, do you truly believe those bottled potions can buy Fisalia much more time?"
"Buy time?"
Cantarella softly repeated the phrase, her voice cutting clearly through the herb-scented air of the workshop. "Old Patriarch, Fisalia has endured through generations, with each member advancing one after another, without beginning or end... This is far more than merely buying time."
"Then, what are you willing to sacrifice to fulfill Fisalia's mission?"
"That is none of your concern."
Facing the "Old Patriarch" before her, Cantarella maintained her usual composure and elegance while firmly delivering her response.
"If you are concerned about Fisalia's path, I assure you that Fisalia will never disgrace their mission under any circumstances. You may rest in peace."
As she spoke, Cantarella began channeling Resonance Power. An ethereal blue melody swirled in her hand, transforming into a faintly glowing jellyfish.
"...But unfortunately, you are merely a whisper from the deep sea."
With these words, the jellyfish in Cantarella's hand flew toward the phantom named "Old Patriarch." The apparition made no attempt to dodge, allowing the jellyfish to silently pass through the churning black mist.
Immediately after, from within the black mist's embrace, a Fisalian's body collapsed to the ground under the effects of paralytic toxins.
"See? This is the price of 'inheritance.' How many Fisalians' minds can you protect? How long can your fragile potions sustain them?"
The phantom, having lost its vessel, began to dissipate like burning embers, yet it still wouldn't cease speaking.
"I understand the cost better than you do. Precisely because I understand, I naturally won't let this price become meaningless consumption."
"Even that priest outside?"
The phantom's words caused Cantarella to pause momentarily.
"...What does he have to do with this?"
Cantarella's question only made the phantom's mocking laughter grow more rampant.
"See, you cannot deny it either... How ironic. Don't forget, the deep sea excels at devouring all light and staining it with its own colors. The more special something is, the more turbulent the vortex it will create."
Cantarella's gaze refocused on the nearly dissipated black mist before her, her expression turning serious.
"You truly haven't changed at all," she said, her voice steadier than before yet completely devoid of warmth.
"You'll regret this, Cantarella. But if you hand Fisalia over to me, you can immediately live free and pursue your own life."
"Regret?" Cantarella slightly raised her chin.
"I've made many decisions, including choices that made me chew over them repeatedly in the dead of night, choices that broke my heart. But this one will definitely not be one I regret."
"Heh... I'll be waiting for you in the deep sea..."
With these final words, the phantom completely dissipated.
Cantarella immediately sprang into action.
She quickly picked up the freshly prepared medicine nearby and approached the fallen Fisalian.
Though Cantarella had only administered anesthesia, the victim's face still showed clear agony. The effects of the Threnodian were becoming more pronounced this time.
Previously, there were only whispers in the ears, but now even Cantarella's consciousness was being affected. She had to ensure the safety of other members.
Moreover, the Threnodian had already noticed Aeron and intended to make a move—faster than she had anticipated.
After administering the secret medicine to the unfortunate victim, Cantarella didn't allow herself a moment's respite, immediately leaving the workshop with the remaining potions.
She didn't know how many people had been affected, and there was no time to waste.
—But when she saw the situation in the hall, she froze completely.
The worst scenario Cantarella had anticipated had indeed occurred... yet the outcome far exceeded her expectations.
"Hmm? Finally decided to come out?"
[Instant Mastery, activated!]
Standing alone at the center of the hall was Aeron, surrounded by subdued Fisalians who had been corrupted by the Dark Tide.
The hired servants and those who still retained their sanity watched Aeron from a distance in astonishment.
He alone had held back the affected individuals while protecting everyone else behind him.
Cantarella met Aeron's gaze from across the room and couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
It seemed this clergyman had more interesting aspects than what he had previously revealed.
"It appears," she shook her head lightly, putting away the medicine bottle in her hand, a glimmer of relief flashing in her eyes, "my preparations this time were insufficient after all."
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