Chapter 43: Head of the Family, You're a Challenger Too
Far from Ragunna, in a hidden chamber undetectable by any probe within Porto-Veno Castle, lay Aeron's current whereabouts.
This was a meticulously arranged study, where he now sat on an exquisitely soft and comfortable sofa, his mind remarkably clear.
Yet his entire body felt limp and powerless, as if the tendons of a chicken had been stripped of their bones—ah, how tantalizing (?).
Across from him, Cantarella leisurely poured tea, her expression placid and unruffled, as though nothing had transpired moments before.
"Awake?"
Her voice remained as gentle as ever, but to Aeron, immobilized and with heightened senses, it carried an added stickiness.
"Rest assured, I merely considered your long journey here and used a small amount of 'extract' to soothe the soul, hoping it would grant you proper rest."
Well said—Aeron almost fucking believed it.
He attempted to mobilize his body, only to find even lifting a finger or opening his mouth to speak exceptionally arduous, let alone summoning Arsène. Truly, he'd won himself a Stephen Hawking experience card.
"It seems the effect is satisfactory. You appear much calmer."
Cantarella took a sip of tea, her azure pupils observing him through the rising steam.
"Then, may we begin a candid conversation? Father Aeron... or should I use the title bestowed upon you by Primus Fenrico—the variable disrupting Ragunna's order?"
Hearing Cantarella's words, Aeron didn't respond directly. Instead, he mustered all his strength to shift into a more comfortable position.
He knew that facing such a person, he absolutely must not lose his composure.
And Cantarella, naturally, understood precisely what his actions implied.
"Intelligent people often have few choices, but each is crucial."
Cantarella set down her teacup, elegantly folding her hands upon her knees.
"I'm curious what kind of person would compel the Primus of the Order to deliver you here voluntarily."
AUV, what a coincidence—Aeron was wondering the exact same thing.
"That's... truly considerate of you... to personally receive me."
Aeron finally gathered enough strength, his voice somewhat hoarse.
Hearing this non-answer, Cantarella showed no anger, merely chuckling softly.
"Directness is a virtue, especially when time is precious."
She leaned forward slightly, the intangible pressure coalescing around her.
"So, tell me, what do you know about the 'martyred' Blessed Maiden and the truth concealed from the Sentinels?"
Well then, the pressure now shifted to Aeron.
Unlike the Order of the Deep, whose doctrines were covertly altered under the imperceptible influence of the Threnodian, the Fisalia family had never wavered in their true faith toward the Sentinels' Imperator.
Amid the conflict between Threnodian and the Sentinel, the Fisalia family had always borne a clandestine mission: to evade the eyes of the Order and the outside world, secretly selecting from within their ranks the true Blessed Maiden who would serve as the Sentinels' Resonator.
However, back in Montelli, Aeron had heavily leveraged Cartethyia's identity as the "Blessed Maiden." Not long ago, he had forcibly thrust the Rover onto the stage, orchestrating a grand performance before everyone.
At this point, Aeron had roughly discerned Cantarella's thoughts regarding his actions.
After all, he had truly done everything one could possibly do—appropriate or otherwise.
"..."
Aeron didn't respond immediately. Facing the head of the Fisalia family's inquiry, he felt utterly unperturbed, even somewhat amused.
Leaving aside that this was merely a delightful misunderstanding, even if Aeron couldn't move at the moment, the initiative still lay in his hands.
The reason was simple: Cantarella was the one posing the question, and only Aeron could provide the answer. This time, time was his ally.
To be honest, he had a favorable impression of Cantarella and hadn't originally intended to resort to such measures. However, since she had disrupted his plans and reduced him to his current state, Aeron had no choice but to retaliate.
So, Aeron placed the tip of his tongue between his lips and teeth. All that remained was to wait.
"..."
Faced with Aeron's silence, Cantarella waited, weighing the situation in her mind.
Silence could be a weapon in negotiations, or it could be a bluff revealing one's weakness.
In truth, her question to Aeron was merely a pretext.
With the Threnodian having fully infiltrated Ragunna, she couldn't afford to trust a complete stranger under such circumstances—especially one who had emerged from the Order.
If he could provide a reasonable answer, Cantarella would have Fisalia protect and contain him, preventing further erosion and influence from the Threnodian.
Conversely, if his answer failed to satisfy her... then Cantarella would let him witness firsthand that Fisalia's "poisons" showed no mercy to enemies.
"..."
But this silence felt different—it had gone on far too long.
"Father Aeron," Cantarella's voice cooled by a degree, losing its previous soft clinginess and instead carrying a chill akin to the deep sea.
"Stalling is pointless here. My patience is not infinite."
"..."
Yet even so, Aeron remained unresponsive.
'...Something's wrong.'
Cantarella's fingertips twitched, and a pale purple jellyfish formed from Resonance Power seeped from her sleeve, drifting toward Aeron as if alive.
The moment the jellyfish touched Aeron's skin, it abruptly stiffened, then dissipated uncontrollably.
No breath, no heartbeat, not the slightest ripple of spiritual energy—like an empty shell that had just cooled.
Dead?
The moment this thought crossed Cantarella's mind, even she felt a rare flicker of astonishment.
And this was precisely the moment Aeron had been waiting for.
[Status Refreshed]
Seizing the instant Cantarella failed to react, the shadow beneath Aeron's corpse elongated. In the dim room, a figure clad in dark red ceremonial attire emerged from the shadows and lunged toward Cantarella across from Aeron.
"!?"
Cantarella immediately rose, evading Arsène's sudden assault.
Then, her fingertips traced a faint gleam in the air as jellyfish conjured from Resonance Power, laced with toxins, flew toward the dark figure before her.
But Arsène merely waved lightly, extinguishing all the jellyfish.
Behind him, Aeron wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and slowly stood up.
"What... are you?"
Cantarella warily watched Aeron before her, simultaneously releasing jellyfish that dispersed lethal toxins into the air.
"Just an ordinary passing priest."
Yet the man who had just been effortlessly subdued now lifted his head with unnerving composure, meeting Cantarella's gaze as if completely unaffected.
[Death Evaluation: B—Unoriginal but decent reaction]
[New Ability: Poison Immunity—Can immunize against threatening toxins]
At this moment, Aeron stood with hands in pockets, appearing invincible.
"Alright, Family Head, shall we have a proper conversation now?"
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