Chapter 63: A Date With the Holy Maiden
There were still two hours left until the agreed time with Cartethyia.
Seizing this opportunity, Aeron headed out early and wandered through the morning streets of Ragunna, gathering information related to the Carnevale.
"Did you know? I heard the head of the Fisalia family will make an appearance at this year's Carnevale!"
"Pfft, what's so interesting about that? If you ask me, Montelli is the real deal!"
"Fisalia will definitely crush Montelli!"
"Crush my foot!"
"They absolutely will!"
Sigh, humans truly are creatures who never tire of watching chaos—even this has become some bizarre form of cricket fighting.
But this wasn't what Aeron was concerned about right now.
He wanted to see what had become of the gift he left behind before his departure.
"Montelli and Fisalia are nothing but a pair of smiling tigers, two-faced bull sharks. They can't compare to the legitimate authority of the Order of the Deep where the Sentinels reside. Anyone who gets it, gets it."
"Damn, an old-timer has arrived."
"If you ask me, it's still Montelli."
"How much is Montelli paying you? If there's money to be made, let's share it."
"Ah yes yes yes, that leader of yours is astonishingly weak when being weak and shockingly tyrannical when being domineering. Have you forgotten that priest who was sent on a pilgrimage that day?"
"Hey hey hey, that's something we absolutely cannot mention!"
"What's wrong with that?" I'm just treating the Order the same way the Order treated me."
"Fighting against heaven without inviting me? / "Order picked up."
Well, regardless of the specific content of these conversations, at least it was clear that what Aeron had done before leaving Ragunna had been very effective.
Before being put on the ship, Aeron had publicly shattered the sinner's shackles in front of the entire city, and incidentally made the Rover play the role of "savior."
Aeron's reason for doing this was simple: to prepare in advance for what would happen after taking down Fenrico.
This wasn't some premature celebration—as long as Aeron's plan remained unchanged, this was something that had to be done.
The Leviathan is a Threnodian that eroded people's minds. Aeron had witnessed it before when he was with Fisalia—wherever there was a crack, it would do everything possible to expand its influence.
Just through a Sonora formed by frequency convergence alone, it could achieve that much. When Aeron actually eliminated Fenrico, with Ragunna's people panicked and unsettled, it would become an even more fertile breeding ground.
And Aeron definitely wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.
Ultimately, what he needed to do was seek revenge, but he wasn't selfish enough to completely abandon all responsibility and consequences.
That's why Aeron had set his sights on Rover, using her as his shield.
The reason Fenrico maintained his authoritarian rule in Ragunna was precisely to unite the people's hearts through this method, preventing external interference and thereby resisting the Threnodian's influence on people's minds.
Aeron's approach wasn't really that different—he had just slightly altered the method.
If the people needed a "god," then he would create one.
By concentrating people's expectations and prayers onto one person, then using sufficiently explosive events to elevate that person to a high position, a true "heroic figure"—whether she was willing or not—had already emerged.
The reason such methods often fail lies primarily in the individual's own capabilities not matching the title of "hero," but Aeron had already found a solution.
At the very least, as someone who had crossed over into this world, Aeron had no reason whatsoever to distrust Rover. Not to mention, there were also Carlotta and Cantarella around.
All he needed to do was pave the way for them, and everything afterward would fall into place. As for Aeron, he could just find a quiet place to make a fortune in the background.
Such is human nature—slightly altering the form of the same method can often yield unexpected results.
With that thought, Aeron glanced at the time on his terminal.
Enough of complicated matters. Now, it was time to keep his appointment.
"So why is it this place again? Does Ragunna have no other presentable spots?"
"I just like it here. Is that not allowed?"
It was the familiar Margaret's restaurant. When Aeron arrived punctually at their usual spot, Cartethyia was already seated there, a brightly colored juice in front of her. She was gently stirring the fruit pulp at the bottom of the glass with a straw.
Though Aeron was genuinely curious why it had to be this place again, his complaints were merely lip service—he harbored not a shred of resentment in his heart.
After all, it had been nearly half a month since he last had Margaret's pizza. The feeling was akin to finally having your first KFC meal a full month after recovering from a cold—a deeply missed experience.
Moreover, the meals he'd had at Fisalia recently were all overly nourishing, and he truly couldn't take it anymore (sigh).
"By the way... is it really appropriate for you to wander around outside like this?"
"What's inappropriate about it? Just comb your hair, put on glasses, and unless you're someone special, no one will recognize you. That's the basic logic of the 2D world."
"What nonsense are you spouting now...?"
Cartethyia was somewhat exasperated by Aeron's rambling, but just as he said, no one around them seemed to recognize him, so she didn't pay it much mind.
"Ugh, Hot Sea Yellow Pear Pizza again?"
"It's delicious, so I ordered it. Got a problem with that?"
"What's so delicious about it?"
"Tch, you just don't get it."
Aeron took a bite of the pizza that countless people had criticized as "heresy." According to Margaret herself, he was the only one who ever ordered it.
Though Aeron had once asked, "Then why do you even keep it on the menu?" the reply he got was, "If such minimal ingredients can retain one customer, it's still a win~"
But the thing was, it was genuinely delicious!
Aeron lifted his gaze to look at Cartethyia, who was taking small sips of her juice across from him.
"Go on, what did you call me out to talk about?"
Hearing Aeron's words, Cartethyia's petite frame trembled slightly. It seemed he had hit the mark.
"I-It's nothing, really. Can't I ask you out without an agenda?"
"After all, if the Blessed Maiden personally summons a priest for a date, anyone would be curious, right?"
Cartethyia's hand, holding the juice cup, paused. Her pale green eyes blinked, and she averted her gaze, lightly poking the fruit pulp at the bottom of the glass with her straw: "You'd better be curious..."
Watching Cartethyia before him, Aeron could clearly sense it—something was off. This was nine parts, if not ten, out of the ordinary.
How could the Cartethyia he knew only drink juice? Who would make up for the missing Green Branch Laurel Salad she always had?
Clearly, she was feeling guilty, hiding something from Aeron.
But since it was Little Carte, Aeron didn't plan to press further.
After all, he knew exactly what kind of person she was—there was no way she would ever harm him. Besides, he was keeping things from her too. On this rare day off, at least for now, Aeron couldn't bring himself to expose that matter.
But could she please stop staring at him like that? It was making it hard to eat, and things were getting awkward.
"Ahem... Um, Little Carte?"
"What is it?"
"Could you scold me a little? This feels a bit unusual."
"Ugh, what on earth is going through your mind?"
Ah, that's more like it.
"After all, before this, you'd definitely have complained a bit as soon as I got back."
"Grr... It's not like you'd change even if I complained..."
Cartethyia turned her face away, a little annoyed, but her tone was enough to convey her displeasure.
"Well, that's true."
"So, you see," Cartethyia took a soft breath and turned back, her gaze fixed directly on Aeron. In her eyes, which were always brimming with lively emotions, she said, "If complaining is useless, I might as well save my energy."
"Whoa, are you cutting ties with me already? How heartless, Blessed Maiden!"
"I meant I should care more about you as you are now, you idiot!"
"...Huh?"
For a few seconds, silence fell between them. By the time Cartethyia realized what she had said, her face was completely flushed.
She could feel the heat from her cheeks spreading down her neck, the embarrassment almost melting her away.
"I-I-I meant, since you never know where you might disappear to next, it's better to... while you're still here..."
Cartethyia tried to explain, but the more she spoke, the worse it got, and her voice grew softer and softer.
Watching her like this, Aeron simply let out a soft sigh.
"Don't worry, Little Carte. Being with you all every day is the most wonderful time for me now."
After all, compared to his past life, even if he was tired now, at least the people around him were good.
"...?"
When Aeron's words reached Cartethyia's ears, her brain seemed to short-circuit.
The most... wonderful time?
Spending time... with her?
All the worries and gloom she had been holding inside instantly shattered at this straightforward remark.
Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as vivid as the evening glow, and even her nimble pointed ears trembled slightly with embarrassment.
"W-What's with the sudden cheesy talk! Y-You can't just say things like that to a girl! You perverted priest!"
"Wait, how is that perverted? I'd like to know."
Flustered, Cartethyia grabbed her juice glass, trying to hide her rising smile with the straw. Her eyes darted around, not daring to look at Aeron again.
You idiot... Saying something like that at a time like this... Isn't that against the rules...
Cartethyia tried to steady her emotions. No matter what Aeron said, she couldn't afford to be shaken now—someone even more unsettling would be arriving soon.
Clatter!
Just then, the sound of something hitting the floor came from the restaurant entrance. Both Aeron and Cartethyia turned to look.
There stood a petite figure, her pristine priestess robes slightly disheveled. The iconic wide-brimmed hat sat askew on her head, tilted by surprise.
"Senior... Aeron?"
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan