Chapter 51: Falling Together Beneath the Sea Surface
"A phantom, borrowing the 'Old Patriarch's' form and voice, appeared before me."
Cantarella recounted to Aeron what had happened earlier in her workshop. Having calmed down, she quickly deduced the answer.
"So, what did he say?"
"About the price of inheritance, matters concerning Fisalia... and an invitation."
She paused, her amethyst-blue eyes fixed on Aeron. At this moment, all traces of doubt toward him had vanished from her gaze.
"Threnodian has amplified its influence over Fisalia through certain lingering remnants of the past."
The other party made no attempt to conceal itself, having already disclosed the meeting location to her, awaiting her inevitable acceptance of this invitation.
No wonder no abnormalities were detected—it was using this method.
"What we must do next is follow that lingering attachment and bring closure."
As these words fell, the two stepped out of Porto-Veno Castle, only to find the outside far more chaotic than either had imagined.
The sky seemed soaked in thick ink, with neither stars nor moon visible. A heavy mist enveloped the castle's outer courtyards, pathways, and even the distant coastline. Within the fog, afterimages spawned by the Dark Tide continuously emerged, advancing toward Porto-Veno Castle.
"It seems we have some minor troubles to deal with."
Seeing no alternative, just as Cantarella was mobilizing her Resonance Power to force a breakthrough, Aeron stopped her.
"...Should we perhaps calm down first?"
"?"
What did he mean? This person had just dramatically died once right before her eyes—how could he lose his nerve after barely a few minutes?
"What, you claimed you'd accompany me to the end, but was it just a game to you after all?"
"Isn't that phrasing slightly odd...?"
Moreover, if truth be told, Aeron was indeed feeling a little flustered at the moment.
For no other reason than the newly acquired ability the System had just granted him—it was rather underwhelming.
If you called it strong, it was indeed impressive, but if you called it weak, it was truly pathetic.
A classic case of a situational card being dead in hand.
However, Aeron had long prepared a backup plan.
"Rest assured, Matriarch. Your priority is to recuperate and preserve your strength. Leave the rest to me."
"Oh?"
Hearing Aeron's words, Cantarella withdrew her Resonance Power.
"What? Do you have something else hidden up your sleeve?"
"After all, I did tell you earlier."
Cantarella felt puzzled by Aeron's words, then saw him raise a hand and point toward the sky.
"I have people."
Following Aeron's call, a golden figure descended from the heavens, crashing violently into the tide of afterimages. With a single strike, it annihilated a large swath of enemies within range, and the ensuing shockwave tore through the thick fog in one breath.
Standing there was Aeron's helper, a golden lion blazing with light in the night... no, wait—it was Aeron's dear work partner, Zani.
"I wondered what you were up to—turns out you went off to cause trouble elsewhere."
"Now that's not entirely fair. This time, I'm genuinely the victim here."
Aeron spread his hands, his face plastered with innocence.
Zani glanced at the Aeron before her and couldn't help but sigh.
"When I received your message, I actually felt a moment of worry. Seems I was overthinking things."
As she spoke, Zani raised her massive shield-sword and came to a halt beside Aeron.
"Have you figured out how you're going to explain this later?"
"Explain what? I've already told you everything."
"I never said I was coming alone."
"...Huh?"
Hearing Zani's words, Aeron felt a chill run down his spine.
Before the embers from Zani's landing had even cooled, a rain of blue crystals poured down from another direction.
Sapphire bullets pierced through the cores of the Dark Tide creatures before them, freezing and shattering them in a spectacle both magnificent and dazzling.
Of course, it would have been better if one of those bullets hadn't grazed past Aeron's ear.
"It appears Montelli's guest has been having quite an eventful time here~"
Carlotta's resonant voice carried from the distance, maintaining her elegant tone but laced with barbs.
"What's this? After dealing with Montelli's affairs, you immediately came here to play the knight in shining armor?"
Carlotta's gun barrel emitted a cold gleam, followed by Montelli's guards and private Echoes.
And since Carlotta was here, that meant—
Shifting his gaze slightly, Aeron spotted the fully-formed poet standing behind Carlotta, towering three or four heads taller than her. Unlike Carlotta, Aeron couldn't hear what she was saying at all, only seeing her beaming with excitement as she continuously waved toward them.
Yes, this was Ciaccona. She was adorable.
"...What are they doing here?"
"Here to rescue you, just like the message said."
"I'm pretty sure that message wasn't a group broadcast!"
Cantarella stood beside Aeron, her gaze sweeping over the successively appearing women, each with their own distinctive flair, before finally settling back on Aeron's face. A faint, indescribable amusement flickered in her violet eyes.
"It seems the connections you've made are far more... lively than I imagined."
"Is now really the time for this, Matriarch?"
"Matriarch?"
Just as Aeron was responding to Cantarella, Zani in front of him keenly caught the key term. She turned to stare at Aeron as if looking at some unspeakable entity.
"...This really isn't the time for such discussions, Zani. The situation is urgent. Can we count on you here?"
"I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already trying to change the subject..."
Before Aeron could continue his excuses, Cantarella stepped in with her response.
"Fisalia remembers Montelli's assistance. We are grateful for your aid in this critical moment." Her eyes swept over the group before finally resting on Aeron.
"The residual Echoes before us are merely the appetizer. The source of the erosion lies beneath the cliff behind the castle. We must deal with it personally. We entrust this area to you all."
Hearing Cantarella's words, Zani simply exchanged a brief glance with Aeron.
"Zani, please!"
"Sigh... Make it quick."
With that, Aeron and Cantarella sprinted toward the cliff behind Porto-Veno Castle, leaving the battlefield to Montelli's forces.
At the most perilous edge of the cliff, Cantarella paused and glanced back at Aeron who had followed.
Below the cliff lay the fathomless ocean, its depths holding untold mysteries.
"Reverend, since you previously claimed you'd accompany me to the end..." She extended her hand, palm upward, in a gesture reminiscent of a dance invitation.
"Then dare you take my hand now—and plunge into the abyss with me?"
"...What if I told you I have acrophobia?"
"Hehe, it's far too late for regrets now~"
The corners of her lips curved into a faint, almost illusory smile—dangerous yet captivating.
The moment their fingertips touched, Cantarella subtly twisted her wrist, instead tightening her grip around his fingers. Her strength was considerable, completely belying her delicate and fragile appearance.
"Don't you dare let go."
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan