Chapter 103: Phoebe: Win!
"Senior, senior, senior, senior, senior! Really? Are you really going back to the Order? When? If possible, I can take you back right now!"
Right after Aeron gave his answer, Phoebe, who heard it, immediately reacted.
The big white golden retriever ball ran up to Aeron, instinctively ignoring Carlotta who was still hugging him, and excitedly grabbed his hand.
"As long as you're willing to come back, senior, I'll support whatever you want to do in the Order! If anyone tries to harm you, I, I'll—"
"Alright, alright, calm down a bit, Phoebe..."
Cartethyia hurried over to Phoebe's side, putting in some effort to pull her away from Aeron.
At the same time, Carlotta finally let go of Aeron, whom she had been holding, stepped out of his embrace, and resumed her ladylike demeanor.
"That being said, your future whereabouts aren't something you can decide for yourself... You should know that, right?"
"Huh? Why?"
Seeing Aeron's clueless expression, Carlotta couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.
He could frustrate the performers of Fractsidus, exploit Fenrico's schemes, and even handle the Threnodian Leviathan, so why was he so dense about something like this?
Seeing Aeron's bewildered look, Cantarella just smiled softly and gently channeled her Resonance Power. A jellyfish materialized in the air, guiding the deep-in-thought Aeron to sit beside her.
"Don't forget what you did during Carnevale and in Avinoleum~"
"What does that have to do with my whereabouts..."
Aeron admitted that when he did those things, he hadn't thought that far ahead. He was too busy figuring out how to deal with Phrolova, how to use Fenrico, and how to single-handedly defend against the Leviathan. He had given it his all.
Even though he couldn't die, Aeron was still just an ordinary person, with no energy left to think about the day after tomorrow.
Besides, now he had met Carlotta and Cantarella, and Phoebe too. As the current de facto rulers of Ragunna, with their help, he could easily fabricate a fake identity and manipulate public opinion a bit. The so-called "evil spirit" would just become an unsolvable but unverifiable mystery in Ragunna's history.
"So, this really isn't a big deal, right?"
"It absolutely is!"
As soon as Aeron finished speaking, Phoebe, who had just been pulled away by Cartethyia, immediately retorted with great emotion.
"E-everyone here gathered because of you, senior..."
Just like her trembling voice, her hands gripping her cane were also shaking slightly.
"Even though... I don't know what you want to do, senior, you're important not just to everyone here, but to all the people of Ragunna."
At this point, Phoebe paused briefly before lifting her head and speaking with determination:
"So... this is undoubtedly the most important matter!"
"Even though I was really moved by everything you said earlier, coming to this conclusion is just too strange!"
What is this? It feels like the dagger is finally being drawn!
Seeing Phoebe pour out her true feelings in front of everyone, Cantarella immediately seized the opportunity.
"So, to avoid drawing attention and from the most appropriate perspective, hasn't the Fisalia side already prepared an 'identity' for him?"
"Ah? When did this happen? I didn't—"
Before he could finish speaking, Aeron consciously shut his mouth.
Too many things had happened earlier, and he had nearly forgotten about this matter.
No, he had to find a way to gloss over it! If he slipped up here, the family head would hold a grudge against him for life!
If he failed to answer properly, the consequences could range from minor physical harm to... Aeron didn't dare dwell on the details.
Why did his mouth have to be so quick? The family head's expression was already turning sour. Come on, stupid brain, think fast!
Just then, Carlotta spoke up.
"I've been meaning to say this all along—how is it even remotely reasonable for the head of the Fisalia Family, who has never shown her face in Ragunna, to suddenly have a husband?"
"As the oldest and most mysterious family in Ragunna... isn't it natural for the Fisalia Family to have such peculiar occurrences?"
"That's exactly why it's even more suspicious, isn't it...?"
Seeing Carlotta choosing to engage in a war of words with her over Aeron's whereabouts, Cantarella's attention naturally shifted away from Aeron.
"Well then... Miss Carlotta, as the new representative of the Montelli Family, what is your opinion on this matter?"
"Hmph, naturally, he came here as a guest of Montelli from the start, and he will continue to receive the treatment he deserves."
Carlotta puffed out her chest confidently, meeting Cantarella's gaze, the stray strand of hair on her head swaying slightly.
"Oh?"
Hearing Carlotta's words, the smile on Cantarella's face deepened.
Her confidence and demeanor in daring to confront me are commendable... but it's a pity she's still inexperienced, having just taken office~
"But Miss Carlotta... according to your logic, in Montelli, he is merely an outsider, isn't he?"
"...Huh?"
Hearing Cantarella's words, Carlotta couldn't help but furrow her brows.
...What does she mean by that?
"Regardless of the validity of the 'husband' identity, at the very least, in Fisalia, we regard him as one of our own. His safety, honor, and disgrace are intertwined with Fisalia's. Such a level of commitment... might be somewhat difficult to achieve in Montelli, don't you think?"
"...!"
Cantarella's words struck precisely at the point Carlotta had overlooked.
She had only considered whether Aeron's identity would be "reasonable" in Ragunna but had forgotten whether the identity itself could truly bind him to her.
Although the identity of "Fisalia's son-in-law" might seem abrupt and rushed, the benefits it brought were undeniably far more appealing.
Thus, Carlotta was momentarily left speechless.
Montelli could indeed offer a luxurious life and courteous treatment, but a "guest" was, after all, just a guest. Compared to "family" or "one of our own," the depth of the bond seemed inherently shallower.
She couldn't just declare on the spot that Aeron was "one of Montelli's own," could she...
Wait, maybe that's not entirely impossible?
But she quickly dismissed the thought as soon as it arose.
Cantarella immediately seized the opportunity to press her advantage.
"Moreover, Mr. Aeron has investments in Fisalia. Miss Carlotta has heard about the Porto-Veno Castle incident—he helped our family through difficult times. Both emotionally and logically, Fisalia owes him proper recognition and a place to belong. This isn't just about repayment; it's our responsibility."
"Uh... but I don't recall signing any kind of indenture contract back then...?" Aeron muttered under his breath, but he wisely shut his mouth after meeting Cantarella's gaze.
"Everyone here cares about you, Mr. Aeron. I think that's wonderful." Roccia approached Aeron while speaking, undoing his restraints. "Wherever you go, Mr. Aeron, I'll support you."
"Pero!" (Translation: Scram.)
Aeron responded to this sensible child by gently placing his hand on Roccia's head and patting it. "Well, if Roccia ever needs help in the future, feel free to come find me."
"No need. I just want you to be well, Mr. Aeron."
Hmm... Roccia truly treats me well. Ah, how can there be such a sensible child in this world! At this thought, Aeron nearly teared up.
"Hey, what about me? What about me?" Ciaccona suddenly popped up seeking attention, and Aeron naturally gave her a customized response:
"Instead of adding fuel to the fire, can you think of a solution? Otherwise, Ragunna's peace will be destroyed over such trivial matters."
"Well, didn't Little Phoebe just say it? This isn't trivial at all." As she spoke, Ciaccona slung her instrument behind her back, stealthily moved closer, and leaped onto Aeron from behind, rubbing her chin against the top of his head. "Yaa~ still warm, how nice."
Aeron couldn't even bother to retort anymore.
"Alright, since your favorability is relatively high, I've prepared a hidden route for you too. Want to try it?"
"Though I doubt it's anything good... go ahead and tell me." After all, with Carlotta and Cantarella in their current states, Aeron couldn't get a word in edgewise. Killing time by chatting with Ciaccona seemed like a decent alternative.
"How about running away with me from here and wandering the world together?"
"Hmm, that sounds like a particularly stupid way to commit suicide."
"Eh? Don't you think it's romantic and exciting?"
"Sorry, I'm a realist."
"What a pity~"
Just as Aeron and Ciaccona were casually bantering back and forth, Carlotta finally regained her train of thought and spoke up again.
"Well... there are many ways to show gratitude!" Carlotta tried to regain ground, as she had reasons she couldn't compromise on. "Formal recognition isn't important—Montelli can also provide him with ample rewards and status! And—"
After reorganizing all her thoughts, Carlotta found new justification: "His activities in Ragunna all started from Montelli! He's partners with Ciaccona, worked with Zani as colleagues, and... he provided tremendous help to both me and Montelli. We share the same responsibility!"
Carlotta diligently listed all of Aeron's connections to Montelli, growing more confident with each point she made.
He clearly has so many acquaintances here with me, I must make full use of them all now!
Cantarella raised a brow slightly, revealing a playful smile.
"Yet as far as I know, his acquaintance with that priestess named Phoebe, and even with Miss Cartethyia, seems to have predated his deep involvement in Montelli's affairs."
Then, Cantarella turned the topic over to Phoebe, the girl who had been quietly observing this "contest" all along.
"The Order's connection, I'm afraid, came even earlier than his 'advisor' status at Montelli, didn't it?"
Suddenly called upon, Phoebe was taken aback, momentarily unsure of what to say.
Ever since she had been excluded from watching Carlotta and Cantarella's argument earlier, her heart had been filled with anxiety.
...If senior goes to Montelli or Fisalia, wouldn't it be just like before, only seeing him occasionally? The Order is senior's original home after all... Although the Order had many flaws in the past, it's different now. This is precisely the time when someone as upright and powerful as senior is needed to return and take charge... As long as he returns to the Order, I could see him every day, ensuring he no longer engages in those dangerous things...
Cartethyia looked at Phoebe's almost tangible gaze of anticipation, then at Aeron's expression that seemed to say "I'm innocent, don't look at me," and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Why did she have to help him sort out this tangled mess of relationships as soon as she returned!
Montelli, Fisalia, the Order... How did he manage to offend all these notable factions in Ragunna!
What was even more awkward was that Cartethyia couldn't interject a single word about the current situation.
...Because it seemed this really was because of her!
Don't you also want to stay by her side?
That's different, completely different!
Just as Cartethyia was arguing with Fleurdelys in her mind, Phoebe took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"I... I want to stay by senior's side."
Phoebe's voice wasn't loud, but it drew everyone's attention back to her. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her hands tightly gripping her staff, yet her gaze was unusually firm.
"Senior has worked at the Order for a long time and is familiar with everything there... I... I also have many things... that require senior's help..."
Having accidentally blurted out her true feelings, the tension in Phoebe's heart actually lessened considerably.
"And... and this way... I can also ensure... that senior doesn't do dangerous things..."
Though her resolve faltered in the end.
"If senior gets hurt again, if he goes off alone to do something dangerous again... I... would be very troubled too. So..."
Phoebe herself didn't even know what she was saying anymore, just pouring out her needs in a rush.
She knew it wasn't good to bind Aeron with responsibility and need, but she didn't want to see the senior who had brought her to the Order and taught her so many things get hurt again.
...Is she getting a bit too invested? Cartethyia quietly asked in her heart.
This kind of relationship... I've never seen before. Fleurdelys's response carried a hint of curiosity.
Aeron looked at Phoebe's expression and sighed inwardly, but fortunately, he had long been mentally prepared.
His gaze swept over Carlotta and Cantarella before finally settling back on Phoebe.
In any case, he should first state his reasons for wanting to return to the Order.
"The Order is currently in complete disarray, with many things needing reorganization... It might be too much for Phoebe alone to handle those with ulterior motives within the Order."
He paused, his tone growing more serious.
"Although Leviathan has temporarily retreated, the erosion of the Threnodian may not be entirely eradicated. There's no guarantee that the Order is free of hidden dangers... Having an extra person to handle things is always better... right?"
Listening to Aeron's clear and logical analysis, Carlotta's tense expression softened slightly. She had to admit that Aeron made sense. The Order truly needed someone like him to stabilize the situation now—it concerned the stability of all Ragunna and couldn't be dictated by mere personal wishes.
The current state of the Order was indeed a significant problem, and for Ragunna, which had long been under the Order's governance, it couldn't be left unattended.
Cantarella, meanwhile, gently swirled her teacup, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on her lips. She could tell Aeron wasn't speaking the whole truth, but she also understood that this was indeed the most "reasonable" choice under the circumstances. Persuading everyone with the greater good and responsibility was far better than pure emotional appeals.
"If it's for the stability of Ragunna... Fisalia naturally has no reason to object. However—"
Cantarella deliberately drew out her words, emphasizing what came next.
"The title of 'son-in-law' will always be reserved for you by Fisalia. You're welcome to come back... and visit anytime."
"Uh... I'll keep that in mind?"
It seemed he was going to be firmly kept on a leash.
Shortly after, Carlotta let out a soft humph and turned her face away, tacitly accepting the outcome. She knew that when it came to "official business," she couldn't win against Aeron's logic.
As for Ciaccona and the others, they had no objections to the result. Even the weary Zani merely cast a "do as you please" glance.
Finally, it was Phoebe's turn.
Aeron turned to look at Phoebe. Her eyes were slightly redder, and she still tightly gripped her cane.
"Well, after being away for so long... isn't it time for me to go back and take a look?"
Phoebe looked at Aeron, her eyes seeming to redden further, but this time, the corners of her lips lifted slightly, revealing a relieved, almost triumphant smile.
"Mm! Then it's settled, Senior!"