Chapter 66: I Really Have to Control You
Zani had long grown accustomed to having her lunch breaks interrupted.
When she first started working, she would still voice some complaints about it. But as time passed, life had gradually worn down her edges.
Two hours—just give them away then.
She was already used to "overtime work." Such things hardly mattered anymore. Life only lasts a few decades anyway; consider it as keeping her eyes open a little longer to see more of the world.
However, she never expected that one day she would feel a slight... anticipation for overtime work?
Looking at Aeron's exhausted face before her, Zani had to admit that when she received his message, her mood had indeed brightened with a hint of excitement.
"What's wrong? Suddenly in the mood to visit me today? Here to fulfill your previous promise? Let's have a meal together after I get off work then. Where do you want to stay tonight?"
"I haven't even said a word yet, and isn't your pace a bit too fast here?"
How did she already have everything planned out the moment they met?
"After all, standing before me now is someone who dumped all his responsibilities on others and went off to Fisalia to enjoy himself. If I don't hurry and settle things, who knows what new identity he'll have next time we meet."
"...Sorry, I know I was wrong."
Though Aeron wanted to retort, everything Zani said was true—he had indeed done all those things.
"Alright, enough joking. Why did you come find me?"
"Just here to check on my dear work partner, and by the way see how her job is going."
It had to be said, this guy's way of speaking remained as unpleasant as ever, yet she fell for it every time.
"I just finished a date with Little Carte, and happened to remember something so I came to find... Zani, could you please retract your tail first?"
Aeron felt something tightly wrapping around his calf, with considerable force.
"No problem, keep talking. I'll decide whether to arrest you based on the situation."
"But she's an adult... Wait no, I never had those kinds of feelings for Little Carte in the first place!"
"Doesn't look like it to me."
"Can't you all have a little more trust in me?"
Unbeknownst to Aeron, it seemed his reputation had gradually deteriorated in places he couldn't see.
Watching Aeron's frustrated expression, Zani felt somewhat satisfied and finally retracted the tail wrapped around his leg.
"Get straight to the point. What do you need me to help you with this time?"
She already knew—if there wasn't some benefit exchange, this guy would run wild like an unbridled horse.
Before, his identity as a clergyman and his duties had kept him restrained, but now he was completely free and utterly uncontrollable.
"Why does that make me sound like some villain who only knows how to use others..."
But clearly Aeron himself didn't see it that way.
"After all, we're dealing with the Order of the Deep. No matter the consideration, I need to have a concrete grasp of the situation, right?"
Aeron's logic was sound, and it wasn't without reason, but to Zani, it still felt strangely off.
Having spent so much time with Aeron, she had never seen that particular undertone in his eyes before.
It felt... like he was trying to deceive her.
"You know you can't hide things from me, right?"
"I know," Aeron admitted readily. "That's why I'm here to come clean with you."
Though he said this, Aeron's mind grew slightly more guarded.
Truly worthy of being the lead employee of the Averardo Vault. Even when Aeron felt he wasn't being particularly deliberate, she still sensed something amiss.
For Ragunna, Carnevale was the most important festival, and this year's celebration—after so many years of cancellation—had reignited long-dormant enthusiasm in people's hearts, making it extraordinarily significant.
Therefore, during this Carnevale, whether it was Montelli, Fisalia, or other families big and small, they would all strive to maintain order and ensure the festival proceeded smoothly.
As for the Order, though they were colluding with Fractsidus and planning to cause trouble during Carnevale, ultimately, they aimed to preserve their own rule and wouldn't likely intervene too drastically.
Unfortunately, for Aeron's plans, these circumstances actually posed certain obstacles.
Just as he had told Cartethyia before, this Carnevale would definitely not be mediocre. Rather, Aeron would turn it into the most unforgettable Carnevale yet.
...So how could he not add some extra ingredients?
Of course, none of this could be revealed to Zani.
If he truly laid all his cards on the table, regardless of whether she would help him or not, if she were held accountable afterwards, Aeron would feel deeply troubled.
"If I said I didn't want to drag you into this kind of matter... you definitely wouldn't agree, would you?"
"Since you understand, then honestly tell me the truth."
That was absolutely impossible.
Aeron knew he had only one choice when facing Zani: half-truths.
"...You've already done so much for Ragunna. Now it's my turn."
After this opening, Aeron glanced at Zani. She didn't interrupt, just listened quietly.
"For many years, the Order of the Deep has been obstructing the celebration of Carnevale, and they have their own plans for this latest festival."
"The other side has both more intelligence and more preparation time than we do. Someone has to do something about it."
"So you plan to pull off some grand spectacle where no one can see you."
Zani finished Aeron's thought, her voice terrifyingly calm.
Aeron didn't deny it.
"Where are you going to get yourself killed this time?"
"It's not like I'm afraid to die anyway."
"Then how do you plan to escape? Ragunna is a coastal city-state, completely sealed off during the entire Carnevale—"
"I never said I was going to run."
Hearing Aeron's words, Zani froze.
"Zani," Aeron's voice became unusually gentle, "I never said I would be the main character of Carnevale."
"What are you planning to do?"
"To make people watch, and to remember something. The Order can alter records, they can erase evidence, but they cannot erase the memories of thousands who witnessed something with their own eyes."
Silence fell between them once more.
Aeron's every move fell within Zani's expectations, yet when he actually came to her, she still didn't know how to react.
Watching him, Zani felt deeply irritated.
He arbitrarily took matters into his own hands, arbitrarily arranged everything, and finally arbitrarily withdrew as if nothing had happened.
"So, you plan to do something that all of Ragunna will never forget, and even the Order cannot change."
"Pretty much."
After hearing Zani's summary, Aeron gave an affirmative reply.
Although there were some deviations in the specific process and details, at least he had given her an explanation.
"Then what do you want me to do? Help you stabilize the others like before?"
"Of course not. I just hope you can take a good rest for a while~"
"...?"
Zani had thought Aeron would assign her some troublesome task again, but she didn't expect him to mention something like this.
"...What kind of trick are you pulling this time?"
"Don't look at me like that. Can't it just be that I see how exhausted you are and want you to rest properly?"
"If you were really that kind-hearted, we wouldn't be having this conversation here."
"Busted." Aeron spread his hands, the feigned innocence on his face completely gone.
"Your performance has been a bit too outstanding, Zani. It's time you took a couple of days off to rest."
Zani stared at him for two seconds, still somewhat puzzled.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
"Of course, I want you, Zani."
"...Keep talking like that, and I can't guarantee your safety."
Zani suppressed the urge to directly confront Aeron. She had a feeling that this guy's way of speaking would eventually get him into trouble.
"I need you as my safety net, just in case. After all, I need someone trustworthy to back me up. As for the reward this time... same as before, you decide. As long as it's within my capabilities, I'll definitely deliver—it won't be worse than your performance review."
"Didn't you still owe me from last time?"
"Uh... There was a little accident. Don't mind the details."
"An accident?" The tip of Zani's tail lifted dangerously. "You mean the kind of accident where an extra fiancée appears in the plan?"
"T-The reward pool can accumulate! I know you're the most reasonable, Zani."
Zani stared at him for a few seconds, as if trying to suppress some emotion.
"Trying to owe me, huh? Then I really have to control you."
"Don't worry, after this is over, I'm at your mercy."
"...Fine."
Seeing that Aeron had made up his mind, Zani gave up on trying to stop him.
There was no helping it—who made Aeron the kind of person he was? And she was the one who had tied herself to him.
"Don't keep me waiting too long for this debt."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely repay it."
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