Episode 39: The Process Wasn't Entirely Wrong, and the Result Wasn't Entirely Right Either
"Ah~ Is this really the Blessed Maiden? She's way too adorable!"
"W-wait, hold on—!"
After Aeron had fully shared information with the poet, he brought Ciaccona to meet the Blessed Maiden at her own strong request.
"Aeron, save me!"
"Hmm. (No mercy)"
Yet now, faced with her plea for help, Aeron remained unmoved.
He had previously been troubled by his inability to handle Little Carte, but now there was someone who could keep her in check—the meta had shifted!
"Ciaccona, how does she feel?"
"Su—per—b!"
The bard's eyes sparkled as she held Little Carte in her arms. The Blessed Maiden seemed like a loli compared to her... well, she was indeed a loli.
"So soft and smooth—is this how the Blessed Maiden feels? I'm going to write this into a poem!"
"Don't go writing all sorts of weird things into it!"
Ciaccona held Cartethyia like a kitten, burying her face in Little Carte's long hair and taking a deep breath.
"Mmm... so clean, it smells like fruit and bread~"
"Eh, you can even tell that from the scent...."
Wait, since when did you have that kind of character setting?
Anyway, after Cartethyia had been thoroughly petted by Ciaccona for a long time, the bard reluctantly let go.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Cartethyia hid behind Aeron, peeking out with just half her face to observe Ciaccona.
"...And you are?"
Before Aeron could answer, Ciaccona clapped her hands cheerfully and sat down opposite him with a grin.
"My name's Ciaccona, I'm a bard~ Though right now—"
As she spoke, she winked at Aeron and said in a slightly mischievous tone:
"I suppose you could say I'm Mr. Aeron's partner~"
"Aren't you giving yourself a bit too much spotlight?"
Is this what bards are like? Such a terrifying need for attention.
"...Partner?"
Cartethyia peeked out from behind Aeron, looking at Ciaccona before tilting her head up to gaze at Aeron.
"...What shady business have you gotten into this time?"
"Can't you people have a little more trust in me!"
Besides, what he was doing couldn't really be called shady business—this time, Aeron was honestly doing proper work.
"Is that so?"
Cartethyia emerged from behind him and sat down beside Aeron, maintaining a distance that would allow her to retreat at any moment.
"Even though every time you came back before, you'd get scolded by me."
"That's just because you worry too much."
"I do not!"
Ciaccona watched Aeron and Cartethyia's bickering with great amusement from the sidelines.
"My, who would have thought the illustrious Mr. Aeron would get scolded by such a petite Blessed Maiden~"
Aeron shot her an annoyed glance before sighing and turning to Cartethyia, his tone becoming slightly more serious.
He hadn't arranged this meeting just to form a wind erosion team—Aeron had actual business to discuss with them.
"Alright then, it's time to talk about matters concerning our Rinascita's Sentinel, the Imperator."
Subsequently, Aeron shared with Ciaccona and Cartethyia the information that each had been lacking about the other.
What Ciaccona possessed was the truth about the Sentinel's true nature—information that the Order had been concealing.
Cartethyia, as the Blessed Maiden, knew what had transpired two decades ago at the Avinoleum seminary.
"So, back then, the Order chose Cartethyia as the 'Blessed Maiden,' which led to the descent of the Dark Tide. But they covered it up with the 'martyrdom of the Blessed Maiden' and have been concealing the truth about the Sentinels all along..."
Ciaccona summarized, though her expression remained troubled. She couldn't comprehend the purpose behind the Order of the Deep's series of manipulations.
"It was I who chose resonance... Fleurdelys stayed behind... and I sought out Mr. Aeron for help..."
"But... why would the Order go to such lengths, even committing crimes, all to uphold a lie about the 'Sentinels'...?"
As Ciaccona and Cartethyia shared information and analyzed the Order's actions, Aeron, who had been listening nearby, grew increasingly restless.
He wanted to provide answers directly to Ciaccona and Cartethyia, but upon reflection, he realized his impression of the Sentinels had dwindled to just four words: Horse head, impressive!
To fulfill the promise of exploring the essence of resonance, the Imperator, after merging with resonance, had no choice but to attempt to analyze the other party. He found a way to resonate with humans, share power, and impose the shackles of a Resonator.
Since it couldn't speak now anyway, would it matter if he made up some nonsense?
So, this was the perfect time to pin the blame on someone else!
"—So, the Order's goal is actually quite simple."
Aeron clapped his hands, interrupting Ciaccona and Cartethyia's increasingly deadlocked train of thought.
"Don't overcomplicate it," Aeron leaned back in his chair and spread his hands. "Is it possible that what the Order is protecting isn't the 'Sentinels' or the 'Blessed Maiden,' but simply the status quo—a situation that allows them to maintain control over Rinascita's voice and resources?"
"All their actions boil down to one thing: preserving the legitimacy of the Order's rule."
"Regardless, the fact that the Order is our enemy remains unchanged, and what we must do won't change either."
Faced with Aeron's blunt and straightforward conclusion, both Ciaccona and Cartethyia were stunned.
"...Did you add some personal grievances into that?"
Never mind the process—just tell me if the result is right or not!
"And how exactly do we proceed? Expose the truth publicly during the festival? With just Little Carte and me, it might not be convincing enough..."
"Plus, the Order will definitely have countermeasures prepared," Cartethyia added. "They've been operating for so many years; they won't let us succeed easily."
"So—"
Aeron suddenly stood up.
His abrupt movement caught Ciaccona and Cartethyia off guard.
"—So, the detailed planning from here on out is up to you." As he spoke, Aeron rose and headed toward the door.
"Huh?" Ciaccona blinked.
"Wait," Cartethyia reacted faster, standing up as well. "What do you mean, 'up to you'? Aeron, where are you going?"
"To the Order," Aeron said matter-of-factly. "With Phoebe."
"...?" x2
Hearing Aeron's words, both Ciaccona and Cartethyia froze.
Let's not dwell on why he had such an idea—wouldn't going over there just be throwing himself to the wolves?
Cartethyia immediately grabbed his sleeve, her expression openly anxious: "Going to the Order now?"
Ciaccona also dropped her playful demeanor. Leaning slightly forward, she tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the table: "Mr. Aeron, this isn't quite what we discussed earlier."
"Where are your thoughts wandering?" Aeron chuckled helplessly, gently brushing off Little Carte's hand. His gaze swept between the two of them, carrying a relaxed confidence.
"If we need evidence, then we must go find it, right? Since I happen to have this identity, I might as well make the most of it."
"But..." Cartethyia frowned deeply.
"No buts." Aeron bent down, meeting Cartethyia's pale green eyes squarely, his tone unusually serious.
"What you know now is a sword sharp enough to pierce through the Order. However, there are still things that must be done by someone."
"But you don't have to go yourself—"
Cartethyia was on the verge of tears, and Ciaccona stepped forward as well. Without knowing what might happen, neither of them wanted Aeron to take the risk.
"Persona!"
But in the next moment, Arsène emerged from Aeron's shadow, pulling him away from Cartethyia and Ciaccona's outstretched hands.
"Don't worry. Since our opponent is the Order, I'll naturally make some preparations. The rest is up to you."
With those words, Aeron left gracefully, leaving Ciaccona and Cartethyia standing there in a daze.
"Is he... always like this?" Ciaccona couldn't help but ask.
"...Why else do I always scold him?"
As for the uproar that erupted when news of Aeron being sent off on the pilgrimage ship reached Montelli the next day—that was another matter entirely.
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