Chapter 80: Death, Expectations, and Carlotta
Carlotta couldn't understand.
Everything had been planned so perfectly, so why did Aeron suddenly jump out to play the villain? Why did he have to push Carnevale into such chaos?
"Explanation? What more explanation do you need? Isn't our standing here right now the best explanation?"
Enduring excruciating pain, Aeron barely managed to stand steady before Carlotta, yet his face still wore that smile as if everything was under his control.
Initially, Carlotta thought Aeron would at least say something about their past relationship, but now it seemed she had overestimated him.
"Is that so, then—"
As she spoke, Carlotta aimed the gun at Aeron.
The hand holding the gun trembled slightly.
"Tell me, what roles do I, and Montelli, play in this drama of yours?"
"Naturally, the leading roles, Second Young Lady."
"And you?"
"As you can see, a villain who appeared out of nowhere."
Aeron answered without a moment's hesitation.
If he hesitated even for a second, she might notice.
The reason was simple: Carlotta's identity was crucial to Aeron.
No matter what kind of performance it was, it would eventually be detected at some unknown point in the future. Carlotta's reactions had to be genuine and heartfelt.
The Rover concerned the survival of Ragunna and even the entire Rinascita, and Aeron believed she would never fail in that regard.
As for Carlotta, she would determine the future direction of Ragunna.
Montelli represented the fresh blood of Rinascita, and more importantly, its future.
Aeron never doubted Carlotta's abilities, but to steer the future in the direction he desired, he still needed to guide this Second Young Lady.
The Rover was the signpost, but Carlotta was the one who would lead the people of Ragunna to follow that signpost.
Therefore, from the very beginning, Aeron had no intention of informing Carlotta of his plans.
Even if he had to say some harsh words to her next, Aeron had to make Carlotta become the person everyone expected her to be.
Of course, to put it simply: as long as he revealed his identity here, Carlotta would become the grieving army—and a grieving army is sure to win!
"I told you, Second Young Lady, I would handle the most difficult part myself, but the method wasn't specified."
"So... you abandoned everything around you and put yourself in this position?"
No matter what, Carlotta never expected Aeron to be so heartless.
He had previously helped Cartethyia, helped Montelli, helped Ciaccona, and even helped Fisalia.
He had even told Carlotta before that he wanted to maintain his relationship with Montelli, so how could he just discard it all so casually now?
"You've misunderstood one thing, my respected Second Young Lady."
Hearing Carlotta's words, Aeron merely sneered.
"To put it bluntly, why should I care what happens to you?"
"...What did you say?"
Those words instantly plunged Carlotta's emotions to freezing point.
"I helped you only because you were useful to me. Otherwise, who would bother meddling in your affairs? If you're looking for a saint, there are some out there—but it's certainly not me, Second Young Lady."
"So you mean, you never trusted me from the start..."
"Me trusting you and me using you—are those two things mutually exclusive? I've always been sincere with you all along, but that doesn't prevent me from having my own goals."
"Then why didn't you explain it to us? If only you were willing to say—"
"You're being quite naggy, Second Young Lady."
Before Carlotta could finish her rebuttal, Aeron cut her off again.
"I, from the very beginning, never wanted to get involved with you all."
The moment these words left Aeron's lips, Carlotta felt as if a powerful sense of helplessness had seized her limbs.
So, from their very first meeting, from the moment she witnessed Aeron's death, the relationship between Carlotta and him had never truly changed.
In the end, they were merely strangers temporarily walking the same path.
Carlotta slowly lowered her head, gripping the gun in her hand with all her strength.
No, she must not.
She was Montelli's Second Young Lady, the next successor, and this was a stage watched by thousands. She absolutely could not show even the slightest hint of wavering.
Even if seeing Aeron again felt like a knife twisting in her heart, even if she feared raising her gun once more, she had to face the man before her.
But that damned sense of helplessness continued to cling tightly to Carlotta, refusing to let her break free.
The Aeron before her now felt so unfamiliar, as if he were not the same person who had helped Carlotta cleanse the family's poisonous blood, handled official duties, and always offered advice.
As for Aeron, watching the slightly trembling Carlotta before him, he appeared calm and steady on the surface, but inside, he was utterly panicked.
He admitted there was some truth in his words, but even someone as detached as Aeron wouldn't casually discard the time they had shared.
But since Carlotta needed to become someone capable of shouldering great responsibilities, her perspective couldn't remain so narrow.
To be honest, Aeron hadn't really thought about what he would do if he truly broke through Carlotta's defenses. Where were his teammates? Someone, help!
"Your evil deeds end here!"
Fortunately, just as the protagonist of the drama found herself in difficulty, her companions came to her aid.
A clear and resolute voice, like sunlight piercing through thick clouds, interrupted the conversation between the two.
Ciaccona stood on a nearby collapsed platform, took a deep breath, and facing the crowd in the square—some terrified, some bewildered, some furious—she used the loudest, clearest voice she could muster as a bard:
"People of Ragunna! Please look at the statue above us! Look at the one we have always prayed to!"
Her voice carried a barely noticeable tremor, not from fear, but from the weight of something suppressed for too long, finally released.
"That's wrong! That is not the true form of the Sentinel 'Imperator'!"
Ciaccona's eyes reddened slightly as she shouted with all her might: "In the verses of the 'Golden Anthem,' in the memories guarded with their lives by the Toccata family—the Sentinel is a celestial steed with pure white wings, soaring between the starry seas and the heavens! It is a symbol that brings hope, courage, and the guidance of freedom!"
The crowd instantly erupted into even greater uproar. Doubt, shock, and hushed discussions surged like a tidal wave.
"The Sentinels you have all worshiped for years are actually distorted forms fused with Threnodian corruption."
Under the Rover's protection, Cartethyia seized the moment to step out from the crowd, ascending the stage with girlish grace as she announced the Imperator's current state.
"Holy shit! Isn't that the girl chosen by the Order as the Blessed Maiden over twenty years ago?"
Cartethyia's appearance truly awakened the memories of the veteran members in the audience.
"Listen, people of Ragunna! The true Sentinels are currently suffering from Threnodian influence and need your help!"
The Rover stepped forward, declaring in a voice as resonant as Ciaccona's:
"And this 'evil spirit' standing before you now—"
While speaking, the armed figure drew a blade, pointing it toward Aeron nearby.
"—is attempting to exploit this buried truth and your fears to completely destroy Ragunna's order!"
The performance by the Rover and Ciaccona proved magnificent, delivering timely assistance when Aeron needed it most.
Just as Carlotta's mind reeled from this sudden public exposure, her gaze instinctively shifting away from his face—
Aeron turned and locked eyes with Ciaccona.
[Innate Bounded Field activated. Projection initiated. Target: Ciaccona Toccata.]
Ciaccona's Resonance Power transformed into musical notes that surged through the [Innate Bounded Field]. Then, under the disbelieving eyes of all present, light began gathering, flowing, and taking shape in the square's sky beside the distorted Sentinel statue—
A massive and elegant phantom pegasus, entirely composed of gentle white light, slowly unfurled its radiant wings! It stood with head held high, embodying sacred freedom as it spread its wings to soar through the crimson-shrouded sky.
"What—what is that?!"
"Could this be the true form of the Sentinels?!"
"Holy shit! The horse head is huge! The horse head has arrived! The horse head is amazing!"
While the audience marveled at this wondrous spectacle, the Rover turned to the pale-faced Carlotta.
"Carlotta, Ragunna needs someone to step forward—to provide guidance after this revelation and restore order. The people are looking at you now."
Carlotta stood frozen.
Her mind was in chaos. Aeron's cruel, hurtful words still echoed in her ears, the throbbing pain in her chest still vivid.
But before her eyes lay a shocking truth, alongside Ciaccona and the Rover's courageous outcry, and the countless citizens in the square whose panic had shifted to confusion, then to glimmers of expectation.
All those gazes ultimately converged upon her.
She was Montelli's Second Young Lady, the universally acknowledged next leader.
Regardless of whether those words reflected Aeron's true feelings, there was only one thing Carlotta needed to do now.
Since he had chosen to play the villain, to trample everything—including those foolish expectations she once held—
Then she naturally had to respond in kind.
To show him that matters between them wouldn't end so simply.
The gun muzzle once again aimed at Aeron. But this time, it wasn't pointed by a wounded girl, but by the representative of Ragunna.
"Ciaccona, Rover." Her voice was calm and steady, clearly carrying through the air. "Thank you for bringing the truth back to Ragunna."
She tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over the gradually gathering crowd whose eyes held dependence and inquiry, before finally settling back on Aeron's face, which still bore that detestable smile.
"As you can see, this man's intentions are far from simply revealing the truth. He incited chaos, took hostages, attacked the festival—his actions are nothing short of an open threat and betrayal to Ragunna."
She took a step forward, her voice suddenly rising with undeniable authority:
"I, Carlotta Montelli, swear in the name of the Montelli family—today, I will end this farce and uphold the order and peace of Ragunna!"
"And this man—" She stared at Aeron, enunciating each word deliberately, "must pay the price for his actions. Ragunna will never allow such a dangerous presence to escape and continue harming others!"
As her words fell, the crowd first fell into silence, then erupted into a wave of mixed support and relief. Invisibly, the will of the people began to coalesce around Carlotta, Ciaccona, and the Rover.
Ciaccona nodded firmly and stepped to Carlotta's side. The Rover gave a slight nod, their blade turning subtly to seal off all possible escape routes for Aeron.
The three stood shoulder to shoulder, backed by the people of Ragunna who were gradually finding their resolve, facing the lone, battered "evil spirit" before them.
"...Aeron."
Once again, Carlotta spoke the name of the man before her, her tone growing resolute once more.
"This play isn't something you can stop just by calling it quits."
She tightened her grip on the gun, her knuckles turning white.
"We're not finished yet."
Seeing the three before him, Aeron felt no ripple of emotion in his heart—if anything, he felt like laughing.
"Ahahahahahahaha! That's it, that's it! This is exactly what I wanted to see!"
Aeron admitted he had been somewhat flustered earlier, but indeed, trusting the Rover and the others had been the right choice.
Now, with the villain on stage and the heroes assembled, all that remained was to elevate this drama to even greater heights.
After reining in his maniacal laughter, Aeron fell silent, quietly drawing a pistol and pressing the barrel against his own temple.
Bang!
Under the stunned gazes of the audience below, bullets, brain matter, and blood sprayed from Aeron's skull.
Yet, he did not fall.
[Cause of Death: Suicide by Firearm]
[Evaluation: C, saving it for later use~]
[Status Refreshing]
[Instant Mastery, activated—Absolute Proficiency in Daggers/Firearms]
[Focus Fire, activated—All of Ragunna will converge on this stage]
[Inherent Domain maintained; Imagine Breaker activated]
"Persona!"
And finally, the shadow beneath Aeron began to stretch endlessly as "Arsène" emerged from it once more, more tangible than ever before.
"Draw your gun, Second Young Lady,"
Aeron raised his pistol, aiming it at Carlotta before him, his heart brimming with delight.
"Just you and me."
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan