Chapter 17: Easy and Relaxed
Phrolova was initially somewhat perplexed.
Why would the playwright take interest in this seemingly ordinary priest before her, then decide to eliminate him after thorough investigation, even recruiting her as an accomplice.
However, after witnessing Aeron's death and resurrection, his growing strength in battle, his mortal body resisting her, and his nearly suicidal approach, she began to understand Cristoforo's perspective.
This priest named Aeron—if not removed—would make it difficult to incite conflicts among Ragunna's various factions. Now, he had become dissonance capable of disrupting the entire movement and script.
"..."
Yet, just as a stray note might inspire a new musical movement, facing Aeron's ability to return from death ignited new thoughts within Phrolova.
Perhaps... this person could serve another purpose.
...
Heterogeneous Armament—a fully armed, combat-born artificial weapon, a special Echo processed through unique technology.
For Aeron, originally an ordinary person, confronting it wasn't just challenging; it was tantamount to suicide.
But for Zani, it was different.
Scorching sword energy clashed violently with the Heterogeneous Armament's icy greatblade, erupting in a piercing roar. Zani alone forced the massive war machine into retreat.
Compared to her, Aeron—standing idly by, capable only of watching—seemed like a complete rookie.
"So your plan was to use yourself as bait to draw all the fire? Interesting."
Before her words faded, Zani exerted force again, reducing the Heterogeneous Armament before her to an utterly helpless state.
Simultaneously, she glanced at the disheveled Aeron beside her, initially intending to scold him further, but ultimately swallowing her words.
"Anyway, glad you're safe."
"Uh..."
By now, Aeron couldn't bring himself to mention he'd been killed over ten times already.
Just then, several crystalline trajectories shot forth like meteors, striking the Heterogeneous Armament's joints with precision, suppressing its attempt to rise.
'...This is just pathetic.'
Even Aeron began feeling sympathy for the thing.
"My, you seem quite close."
Carlotta's confident voice emerged from behind Aeron as she elegantly stepped through the smoke, while Montelli's other forces dealt with the smaller Echoes.
"It appears you've once again landed yourself in a situation requiring others to clean up, Priest Aeron."
"Now, now, Second Young Lady," Aeron spread his hands, utterly unrepentant, "Look, there's still a big one left."
Following his words, Carlotta's gaze shifted to Phrolova, who had been observing from the shadows all along.
"Overseer of Fractsidus... Do you intend to interfere in Montelli's family affairs?"
Phrolova's crimson pupils remained unblinking, her gaze bypassing the vigilant Zani and Carlotta to lock directly onto Aeron behind them.
"The script's progression... should not be disrupted by accidental dissonance. His very existence is an inharmonious note."
Despite her words, she made no move, simply folding her arms lightly before continuing:
"However... if you're willing, you could play a more significant role in this grand comedy. Far more meaningful than wasting your life among these mediocre individuals."
Everyone present understood the implication in Phrolova's words. Zani and Carlotta's gazes sharpened, poised for action.
"Cease your disturbances, leave Ragunna, and join our side. In exchange, you'll no longer live merely as a character in a script."
Phrolova's saccharine, tempting voice echoed through the main hall, as if performing a musical piece.
Aeron merely wiped the blood from his lips and let out a derisive laugh.
He'd been fooled by such words countless times in his past life. Her skills were still lacking compared to what he'd experienced.
"Overseer... did you know? When I negotiated with the second daughter of the Montelli family here, I put everything I could use on the table."
"And you? First, you tried to kill me, then you say such things. Don't you find it laughable yourself?"
"Ultimately, I have no interest in your grandiose but empty promises. Or perhaps..."
Here, Aeron covered his face with one hand, attempting to conceal his smirk. He knew his next words would be the finishing blow.
"...even now, you still believe 'promises' can be useful?"
What answered Aeron was a crimson, sharp whip-blade.
"!"
Zani immediately moved to shield Aeron, barely managing to block Phrolova's attack at the last moment.
"Silence..."
Phrolova's whisper was no longer ethereal but carried an icy chill. The invisible strings of sound in the air suddenly tightened, radiating a suffocating pressure.
Zani promptly held her greatsword horizontally before her, while crystalline energy gathered around the gun in Carlotta's hand. They both sensed it—the Overseer's amusement had vanished, replaced by genuine anger.
"What in the world did you say to her?!"
"Nothing much, just a bit of spontaneous ingenuity!"
Before Zani could finish her reprimand, Phrolova slowly raised her hand. The shadows behind her seemed to come alive, dense annihilative energy coalescing into a vague, massive feminine silhouette—Hecate.
"Since you insist on becoming an irreconcilable dissonance in the movement... I'll have to personally 'mute' you and return you to your designated 'rest'!"
As she spoke, several crimson spinning blades materialized behind Aeron, shooting straight toward his unprotected back.
Yet even then, not a trace of panic showed on Aeron's face.
Because, before today's operation, he had already sought help from Carlotta. It had been quite some time; it was about time for her to make her appearance.
Just as the crimson spinning blades were about to strike Aeron's back, a swifter, sharper black shadow instantly appeared behind him.
Clang!
A clear sound of metal deflecting rang out, and the attack aimed at Aeron was blocked.
The newcomer stood sideways, sword in hand, completely shielding Aeron with her back.
"...Are you alright?"
"Thanks to you."
Aeron looked at the suddenly appearing, straight-backed black-haired girl. He couldn't imagine how they could possibly lose now.
The Savior of Jinzhou, Leader of the Black Shores, Tuner of the Stars, Future Crown of Ragunna, Champion of the Septimont, Hero of Rinasita—the top-tier substitute fighter Aeron had been waiting for had finally logged in when she was most needed.
"Fractsidus..." Rover's deep voice carried unquestionable authority. "Your actions end here."
When Phrolova first saw her appear, there was a brief moment of stunned silence, but it was soon replaced by deeper gloom.
"Not even you can stop me today...!"
No matter what, she was determined to capture Aeron today.
Then, Phrolova materialized a conductor's baton from the air and began forcibly distorting the frequencies of all Echoes present.
"Roar—!"
The Heterogeneous Armament that Zani had been restraining let out a pained roar. Its massive body trembled violently, with ominous red light bursting from the seams of its surface armor.
Simultaneously, other still-active Echoes in the venue, and even the wreckage of destroyed Echoes, were drawn by this force like iron filings to a magnet, all flying toward the Heterogeneous Armament.
The screeching sounds of metal twisting, splicing, and merging echoed throughout the auction hall. Its form visibly expanded and deformed, eventually transforming into a monster that even Aeron had never seen before.
Watching the increasingly chaotic scene unfold before him, Aeron instead laughed aloud.
The stage was set, the actors were in position—he would personally bring this climactic drama to its conclusion.
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