As for the New Federation, Ray also knew very little.
Just like his understanding of Huanglong, relying solely on fragmented information online, it was hard to piece together a complete picture.
He only knew it was an extremely technologically advanced nation, yet it also had a shocking wealth gap.
That feeling was a bit like cyberpunk.
Of course, this was all hearsay from the internet.
As for what the New Federation was really like, he didn't know.
"This is the place."
On the dock, Carlotta stopped and spoke to Ray.
Ray was slightly taken aback, his gaze sweeping over the empty dock, nothing but a lone small boat gently rocking with the waves. There was nothing else around.
He frowned, a note of confusion in his tone. "Where's the stuff? Is this it?"
Carlotta crossed her arms and shook her head gently. "Of course not. The Order's control over foreign goods has always been strict. Even travelers from other city-states must surrender their private terminals upon entering Ragunna; otherwise, entry is prohibited."
Her tone softened slightly as she continued. "The Montelli family does have formal channels to bring foreign goods into Ragunna, but as I said, this operation must not be detected."
"So, I've entrusted a third party to temporarily store that item." Carlotta looked at Ray, the corner of her lips lifting. "Therefore, retrieving it is up to you."
Ray shrugged helplessly, then teased Carlotta in a light tone. "So, is there a bonus for this business trip?"
"No." Carlotta's fingertip lightly touched her lips, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes. "However, there is another kind of reward."
Her tone rose subtly, carrying a certain hint that made one's heart skip a beat.
However, the "reward" mentioned by the young lady wasn't the kind of ambiguous sweetness Ray had imagined.
Suddenly, she raised her arm. In an instant, the surrounding air churned, formless frequencies beginning to resonate with her. Invisible energy gathered and intertwined at her fingertips, rapidly taking shape, finally materializing into a crystal-clear, sharp Swiftblade in her hand.
Carlotta offered the crystalline Swiftblade to Ray. "Here, this is for you. I made this weapon specifically for you, infused with part of my Resonance power. It's one-of-a-kind in the whole world. Take good care of it."
Her tone suddenly shifted as she half-jokingly lowered her voice. "If you lose it... I can't guarantee how I'll punish you."
Ray stared at the Swiftblade in her hand, his gaze lingering on its flowing crystal luster for a moment before finally reaching out to take it.
The hilt was cool, yet it seemed subtly connected to the warmth of her fingertips.
'Good news: I have a weapon.
Bad news: I have a weapon.'
As the saying goes, supplies always arrive before a major battle.
Based on Ray's rich gaming experience, the place he was about to go likely held some danger.
"Of course I'll treasure Miss Carlotta's gift," Ray said, hesitating briefly before finally asking, "So, the place I'm going to next... will there be danger?"
"Very alert, aren't you?" Carlotta said with a smile. "But you needn't worry. I've already arranged for someone to meet and assist you."
'I knew it.
But the arrow was already nocked; it had to be fired.
Who made me promise her?
Since it was a promise I made, I had to fulfill it no matter what.'
"...So, where am I going next?"
Carlotta looked toward the north, a hint of something distant in her voice. "A pilgrimage journey, all for you. Alright, time to board the boat. If all goes well, you'll reach your destination by sunrise tomorrow."
"A pilgrimage journey?"
Wasn't that what the Order called it when purging heretics?
He didn't suspect Carlotta of having ulterior motives against him, but the wording made him feel uneasy and confused.
"I know you might wonder," Carlotta saw through his thoughts, her tone turning cool. "But you'll soon understand what truly demonic deeds lie beneath the Order's glamorous facade."
She snorted coldly before continuing. "Also, the person meeting you is named Brant."
"Durant?" Ray instinctively responded. "The basketball player from the New Federation?"
"Not Durant, Brant," Carlotta corrected helplessly. "He's the director of a theater troupe I invest in."
"Oh, oh, Brant." Ray scratched his head awkwardly.
He turned and looked toward the gondola quietly moored by the dock.
"Then I'll be off, Miss Carlotta."
Carlotta gave a light wave, a trace of a smile appearing. "Go on, don't worry. I'll stay in touch. Don't worry about the concert; leave everything to me."
...
...
Rinascita.
Known as the land of a thousand islands.
Dotted across this boundless sea were far more than just the single city-state of Ragunna.
Though Ray had never set foot in any of them.
Given the chance, he truly wanted to step outside Ragunna and see the wider world.
He vaguely remembered that the closest city-state to Ragunna was one called Septimont.
Legend said that Ragunna and Septimont were once connected by a magnificent bridge.
However, due to a fundamental divergence in their understanding of the Sentinel, Ragunna viewed the Sentinel as an unopposable god of humanity, while Septimont firmly believed in human triumph over heaven, respecting but not worshiping, the rift deepened over time, leading to a complete break.
And that once great bridge connecting the two shores was utterly destroyed.
In recent years, driven by the Montelli family, the once-isolated Ragunna gradually opened its doors to the outside world, re-establishing connections with Septimont.
Even though the relationship between Septimont and the Order remained as incompatible as fire and water.
Ray had heard that in Septimont, gladiatorial combat was popular, whether noble or commoner, all regarded the arena as the highest glory.
Especially the quadrennial Grand Gladiatorial Games, whose grandeur rivaled Ragunna's Revelry, becoming the most famous celebration between the two city-states.
"Given the chance, I'd really like to see the gladiatorial games in Septimont for myself."
Ray lay in the gondola, looking up at the starry sky.
The boat had been sailing for some time, gently rising and falling with the ocean currents, leaving him sleepless.
On this boundless stretch of sea, he could only let his thoughts wander, relying on imagination to pass the somewhat lengthy time.
"Oh, right..." he murmured to himself as if remembering something, "once this mission is over, the Second Young Miss will probably give me some time off, right?"
"Maybe I really can visit Septimont then."
Before he finished speaking, the previously calm sea surface suddenly swirled with a strange white mist.
At first, Ray paid it no mind, until the fog grew thicker, completely engulfing him.
"What's going on?"
He frowned, tightening his grip on the crystalline Swiftblade Carlotta had given him, alertly scanning his surroundings.
Instinct told him there was danger here.
His gaze swept carefully over the sea surface but found nothing unusual.
It was just...the gondola beneath his feet seemed to be trembling slightly?
He instinctively looked down and was horrified to discover, beneath the water, a shadow so enormous it was suffocating lay hidden.
Ray's pupils contracted sharply.
".....What is this?!"
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If we cross 200 powerstones, there will be another bonus chapter.
Read advance chapters on [email protected]/lost_moon