Zani's lips parted slightly in astonishment, and she couldn't help but clap. "This is the first time I've heard someone describe 'scum' so elegantly and refined."
Lucian shook his head. "Ms. Zani still doesn't get it. It's not scum—it's a home!"
Zani nodded perfunctorily. "Alright, alright, if you say it's a home, then it's a home."
Margherita had a sudden realization, stroking her chin. "According to Mr. Lucian's words, the Order of the Deep is truly great…"
"But that's not right, is it? Even without the Order of the Deep, the people of Rinascita would still believe in Imperator, right?"
"Could they possibly believe in the wrong thing, chirp?"
Lucian said mysteriously, "Let me ask you this: Have you ever seen Imperator?"
Margherita froze, then slowly shook her head. "Of course not. Probably only the High Priest Fenrico in all of Rinascita has seen her, right?"
Lucian chuckled smugly. "Then how do you know the image of Imperator in your mind is the real Imperator?"
Zani interjected, "But there's a statue of Imperator in the Order of the Deep's tower."
Lucian responded, "Then let me ask you, how can you be sure that statue is the true likeness of Imperator?"
"As far as I know, Imperator never shows herself. So why could Napoli II see Imperator when no one else could?"
"Is the one he saw really Imperator?"
Lucian widened his eyes and declared loudly, "Imperator is so great! I love Imperator! I love Imperator!!"
After saying this, Lucian's expression instantly collapsed. "See, I believe in Imperator so much, yet why doesn't she come to see me?"
Zani, watching Lucian's exaggerated expression and tone, choked. "…Could it be that your faith is too fake?"
Lucian shook his head slightly. "Then the faith of so many Rinascita people should be real, right? Why can't they see Imperator?"
Zani gasped at his words. Though Lucian's statements were exaggerated and conspiratorial, they undeniably held some logic. If the Imperator everyone believed in wasn't the real Imperator…
Then what exactly had the people of Rinascita been worshipping all these years?
According to Lucian's logic, if Napoli II didn't see the real Imperator, then was the statue in the church truly Imperator's likeness?
Zani didn't dare think too deeply, as the idea was frankly terrifying.
Even if Imperator had never appeared, she preferred to believe that Napoli II had indeed seen her.
After all, according to historical records, Napoli II purified the Black Tide with Imperator's divine power.
Seeing the two fall silent, Rover poked Lucian's waist and whispered, "Are we thinking too poorly of the Order of the Deep?"
Lucian shook his head slightly. "Imperator could bestow the Laureate during Carnevale, which shows she enjoys seeing people sing and dance."
"There's no reason for her to claim betrayal and send divine punishment just because something happened."
"Look at all the exiled people—weren't they banished precisely because they questioned the Order of the Deep?"
"This shows I'm not the only one with these suspicions."
Seeing the two still deep in thought, Lucian put his hands on his hips and declared loudly, "Alright, enough of this. I want to eat a Pizza Tropicale!"
As soon as Lucian said this, he noticed the local diners around them casting disapproving glances.
It seemed crownapple pizza was indeed an unspeakable existence among the locals.
Zani quickly covered Lucian's mouth and whispered, "You can mention Pizza Tropicale in the restaurant, but please, never mention it outside."
Margherita smiled. "So, what would Ms. Zani like to eat?"
"Is it the 'Work Scent Eliminator Set' or the 'Happy Vacation Day Set'?"
Rover exclaimed in surprise, "There are really such sets?"
Zani: "…I'll take the latter."
Margherita smiled. "What about Ms. Rover, who committed the sin of pride?"
Rover shook her head. "Can you stop adding that prefix?"
"Since we're in a new place, naturally, we have to try all the local specialties."
Zani mused, "Are you sure that so-called secret weapon can eat it all?"
Lucian crossed his arms and snorted. "Ignorant human, daring to underestimate the power of Gluttonous Abby."
Zani: "Gluttonous Abby?"
When the dishes were served, Rover raised her hand and called out a few times toward the Tacet Mark on the back of her hand.
Abby immediately stretched, popping out, and upon seeing the food on the table, his eyes lit up as he pounced on it.
Zani, watching the fluffy white creature, asked curiously, "This is… Gluttonous Abby?"
Abby's eating paused, and hearing the term "Gluttonous," the food suddenly lost its appeal.
He raised his head angrily. "Why is that ancient nickname being brought up again? It's definitely Lucian's doing!"
Zani, crossing her long legs, asked curiously, "I think Gluttonous Abby is a pretty cool name?"
Abby hugged his short arms, huffing discontentedly. "You can joke with me casually, but if you touch my reverse scale, I'll show you what true darkness is! This is called the Child-Faced Wolf!"
Lucian: "?"
Rover: "?"
Zani looked puzzled. "Child-Faced Wolf? What's that?"
Abby snorted coldly. "You don't know, do you?"
"An Echo like me—on the surface, pure and innocent, but in reality, cunning and worldly."
"You can't outsmart me because you've been part of my plan from the start."
"If you defy me, I'll show you what cruelty and darkness are!"
"When I return to the world, all rebels shall perish!"
Rover: "Your top priority right now is to avoid getting too close to Lucian."
Lucian smirked proudly. "I'm the Smiling Tiger."
"Normally, I'm all smiles, but if you touch my reverse scale, well, sorry."
"I'll just laugh it off because I'm the Smiling Tiger."
Zani pursed her lips, stifling a laugh. "That's like stepping on cotton."
Rover leaned back in her chair helplessly. "What sins did I commit in my past life to end up with you two?"
Zani, stroking her chin, watched Abby devour the food. "I've never seen an Echo that can live inside someone's body. The world is truly full of wonders."
Rover asked, "Even in the Land of Echoes, you've never seen such an Echo?"