Chapter 82: Don't Panic, This Is All According To Plan
Away from the center stage of Carnevale, Cantarella had also witnessed everything Aeron had displayed earlier.
Though mentally prepared, she never expected that man to act so decisively.
Cantarella had initially intended to intervene, but ultimately abandoned the idea upon seeing the final message Aeron sent her before the explosion.
"Don't panic, everything's going according to plan."
"...What an arrogant bastard."
With a tone laced with fond exasperation, Cantarella sighed helplessly.
She wouldn't mind playing the villain for Aeron's sake, but since he had anticipated her actions, she'd let him off this time.
Besides... if Aeron truly became unwelcome in Ragunna, wouldn't she have every reason to keep him at Porto-Veno Castle for life?
More importantly, Aeron had succeeded—through his orchestration, all attention in Ragunna was now focused on the staged confrontation between the "evil spirit" and the "hero" at center stage. Even the Fisalians tasked with protecting civilians couldn't help but gaze toward the unfolding drama.
Now that Toccata's poet had revealed the truth to the public, Cantarella naturally had to take action as well.
For instance—
"Senior... why is Senior doing something so dangerous again... No... please don't..."
Soothing the golden-haired girl beside her—clutching her staff, trembling uncontrollably as she watched Aeron take the distant stage.
Even Cantarella hadn't anticipated such a coincidence would require her to clean up Aeron's mess. It seemed she'd have to collect a proper favor from him later.
"Don't worry, little Priestess. I'm sure he'll be fine~"
"Y-You are... the Head of the Fisalia?"
When Cantarella addressed her, Phoebe momentarily froze, unsure how to respond. She reminded herself to maintain decorum as a member of the Order in front of a Fisalian, yet found herself incapable at this moment.
"Senior... he promised to stay somewhere safe... Why would he do this..."
Looking at Phoebe, Cantarella couldn't help but reflect on how heavily burdened with sin that certain someone was.
When she first witnessed Montelli meeting Phoebe, Cantarella had sensed this girl would grow into a reliable person—pity she'd fallen for Aeron's schemes.
Revealing her relationship with Aeron would surely yield amusing reactions from this junior.
Still, Cantarella suppressed such thoughts. After all, judging by Aeron's behavior, he seemed genuinely fond of this junior.
"Just trust him. You've spent more time with him than any of us, haven't you?" Cantarella reached out and gently patted Phoebe's shoulder.
"If he's standing there, he must have a plan to see it through. If you panic too much, you'll waste his intention of deliberately keeping you here."
"But... I can't bear to just watch him be hated by everyone, pushed into that position..."
Cantarella took in Phoebe's reaction, and the sigh about "heavy sins" in her heart grew even heavier, yet it was followed by an even stronger surge of interest.
"Because some things remain truer the fewer people know of them. Especially for you, Little Phoebe," her tone softened, as if stating a fact, "The light in your eyes cannot be hidden. And someone can't bear to tarnish it—at least, not by letting you know in advance."
These words seemed to strike a chord, and Phoebe's trembling body gradually calmed somewhat.
"Senior... always does this." Phoebe seemed to draw a sliver of strength from Cantarella's steady tone, though her voice remained choked. "He never explains anything clearly, just recklessly takes on the most dangerous tasks..."
"Mmm, that's precisely the clergyman's way of doing things."
Just as Cantarella was comforting Phoebe, a calm voice interjected from the side.
Both turned simultaneously to see Roccia standing quietly nearby, holding a massive curiosity box, with a strange Echo(?) beside her.
"Mr. Aeron knows exactly what he's doing. He must have his most important reasons for choosing this approach. Don't you think so too, Pero?"
"Pero!" (Special Translation: Nice, time to pop the champagne!)
"Uh... judging by its reaction, it seems to disagree with you?"
With Roccia and Pero's arrival, Phoebe finally managed to ease her emotions slightly.
"Miss Roccia."
Cantarella smiled, shifting her gaze to Roccia.
"Where's your lively troupe leader? I thought he'd prefer to stay where the action is."
"The leader has temporarily departed." Roccia tilted her head slightly, her tone as composed as ever.
"He just said something like 'Protecting my troupe members is my responsibility!' then collapsed gravely injured and temporarily left. But don't worry, my presence here is sufficient."
"Pero!" (Special Translation: Leader, what are you doing, leader!)
As she spoke, Roccia puffed out her chest with slight pride, while Pero struck the same pose beside her.
"Hmm... Then I'll leave it to you, deputy of the Fool's Troupe."
Cantarella sensed something suspicious in Roccia's words but decided not to press further for Aeron's sake.
Rather, another question now occupied her mind.
Though she wasn't sure if this intuition was correct, judging from the "Blessed Maiden" named Cartethyia and the two before her... did someone have a particular appeal to children?
As an adult, Cantarella could tell—the "Blessed Maiden" had been giving Aeron those lingering looks recently, and Roccia... was practically an "Aeron approval bot."
As for the young priestess beside her, so worried she seemed about to shatter... Cantarella felt more of a protective affection toward her junior, as if observing a daughter distressed by her father's recklessness.
...Wait, is this line of thinking somewhat inappropriate?
"——!"
At that moment, a rhythm suddenly descended from Ragunna's sky, instantly shattering the relatively relaxed atmosphere among the three.
Unlike Ciaccona's spirited and inspiring melodies, this musical strain was icy and filled with cutting intent, like ice water dripping into boiling oil, abruptly tearing through the revelry's clamor.
With pale hair and crimson eyes, Phrolova's gaze remained fixed on the stage nearby, the Lycoris in her hand emitting a scarlet glow.
"That's—!"
Seeing the scene before her, Phoebe immediately assumed a defensive stance, and the Order priests following her quickly prepared to protect the civilians.
"It seems someone couldn't wait to take the stage."
Cantarella spoke while turning to look at Roccia beside her.
"Little assistant, are you ready?"
Roccia gave a slight nod, her fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the rare case: "When Mr. Aeron needs the troupe's cooperation, the stage can be set at any time."
"Pero!" (Special Translation: Let's make sure she suffers a crushing defeat!)
Receiving Roccia's response, Cantarella chuckled softly, then slowly raised her umbrella to rest it on her shoulder.
"Then, let us add more fuel to the plot."
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