A massive flower ship Echo slowly drifted into this natural cavern along the undercurrent, and a group of troupe members disembarked in an orderly fashion.
"First Mate, we're back!"
At the bow of the flower ship Echo, a tall man wearing a captain's tricorn hat shouted. Soon, a puffed-up blueberry little cake figure appeared in his view.
Roccia, sitting on her box Echo Pero, quickly approached the flower ship Echo. Her little face puffed up, saying nothing, her golden-pink heterochromatic eyes staring straight at Brant.
"Ahaha, First Mate, don't be mad. Next time we'll definitely bring you along."
Brant laughed awkwardly as he jumped down from the flower ship Echo, skillfully starting to coax the child:
"Though we didn't call you to catch the Order's priest, we actually didn't encounter him either. Probably capsized in that storm just now."
Roccia spoke faintly:
"If there's a next time, Roccia will reveal where Brant hides his private brew to the other members."
"Haha, I knew our great First Mate has a big heart!" Brant laughed loudly, then asked:
"By the way, where's the Montelli partner you picked up?"
Hearing the question, Roccia shook her head:
"Pero said they left right after arriving—seems like something came up."
"Is that so? No rush, I'll send a message to ask."
Brant was pulling out his Terminal when it coincidentally beeped with a signal. He answered first, exchanged a few words, and his expression tightened:
"Let's go, First Mate!"
Hanging up, Brant beckoned Roccia to move:
"Bardolino just got shocked while changing a light bulb. Let's check on him."
===
[Main Quest: "What Yesterday Wept, Today Doth Sing" activated.]
[Quest Description: Following Carlotta's guidance, you arrive at Penitent's End and encounter members of the Troupe of Fools again. Here, you will uncover another truth concealed by the Order.]
[Completing the main quest "What Yesterday Wept, Today Doth Sing" rewards: Radiant Tide *20, Lustrous Tide *10, Astrite *1600, Shell Credits *100000.]
After seeing off Carlotta, Noah returned to Fool's Elysium. Passing through a narrow passage that soon opened up after dozens of steps, he was met with a crowd huddled together.
"Bardolino, wake up, Bardolino."
In the center of the crowd, Brant laid the unconscious, electrocuted-explosion-haired Bardolino flat and began cardiac compressions:
With a forceful press of Brant's hands, a crisp bone-cracking sound rang out.
"Urgh ah!"
The comatose Bardolino suddenly snapped his eyes open, spewing black smoke and a scream before passing out again.
"Uh..."
Brant awkwardly raised his hands, facing the astonished gazes around him, somewhat embarrassed:
"That... I forgot Bardolino had a previous chest injury. I thought it was healed—pressed a bit too hard."
Nearby, Roccia held her forehead. The box Echo Pero beside her extended black-purple jelly-like tentacles, touching the grounded Bardolino and making "Pero Pero" sounds.
"First Mate, what's Pero saying?" Brant pointed at the box Echo in confusion.
"Pero says—"
Roccia translated bluntly:
"Quack doctor, rotten hands—back to winter."
Smack!
Brant slapped his forehead.
Smack!
The surrounding troupe members simultaneously slapped their foreheads, whispering to each other:
"Oh no, Bardolino's injured this badly—he needs a professional doctor."
"Do we have a professional doctor in the troupe?"
"How could we? We only handle simple external injuries."
"Hey! Brother, who are you? I've never seen you before."
Finally, someone noticed Noah. After an exclamation, nearby troupe members turned puzzled gazes toward him.
"I'm a doctor."
Noah grinned crookedly:
"Looks like I arrived just in time!"
Though spoken softly, the words thundered in everyone's ears. They voluntarily parted to the sides, like tides splitting to clear a path.
At the same time, Brant's view finally pierced the crowd to spot Noah, who waved as he walked toward the center:
"We meet again, Captain!"
"It's you!"
Brant's eyes widened in delight. He jogged over briskly, firmly grasping Noah's hand:
"Brother, you came to the Troupe of Fools without telling me—I couldn't even pick you up. Didn't expect you're a doctor too. Great—Bardolino's saved."
Brant's spirits lifted. He suddenly grabbed Noah's hand and raised it high, gazing at the surrounding troupe members and shouting loudly:
"All eyes on me!"
"I want to solemnly introduce to you!"
"This is the brother who helped our troupe recover the flower ship Lario—our friend of the Troupe of Fools—Noah!"
"OHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
With the impassioned words, the entire underground cavern erupted in enthusiastic roars.
"He's the one the Captain mentioned who recovered Lario?"
"Indeed a fine-looking talent—and a doctor too."
"Doctors are great—Bardolino's saved."
Infected by the fervor, Noah's face flushed red, smiling nonstop.
He had to admit—he'd never met people as passionate as the Troupe of Fools.
They gave such emotional value—it really made one like them a lot!
"Uh, Noah brother, what equipment do you need to treat him?"
Brant glanced embarrassedly at the grounded Bardolino and asked Noah:
"Whatever medical equipment—no matter what, if you need it, I'll get it for you."
"No need for that." Noah smiled faintly.
Character switch—Verina.
Slightly bending, Noah reached toward the troupe member named Bardolino. Gentle, soothing healing Resonance energy continuously flowed out.
In mere seconds, the cracked bones in Bardolino's chest rapidly healed. The originally deformed bones gradually realigned, fractures tightly reconnecting.
Even the paralysis and damage from electrocution quickly recovered under this Resonance ability's treatment.
"Urgh ah!"
Bardolino slowly opened his eyes, propping himself up from the ground. His gaze blankly scanned the surrounding crowd, as if not yet regained.
In the next moment, the underground natural cavern exploded with enthusiastic cheers.
"He's healed! Bardolino's healed!"
"It only took a few seconds."
"Miraculous hands, doctor!"
"Awesome, brother—you've helped me big time again!"
Brant stomped excitedly, grabbing Noah's hand and raising it high again. He passionately shouted to the members around:
"Everyone—cheer!"
"OHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The underground cavern rang once more with enthusiastic roars and applause. Some pulled confetti and shredded paper from pockets, tossing them into the air like celebrating a brilliant performance.
Sitting on the ground, the bewildered Bardolino followed along with woo-wah cheers and clapping.
Who am I, where am I, what happened? Whatever—clap first.
"Brother, don't go anywhere. I'll fetch my private troupe brew. Today, I must properly host you."
Leaving those words, Brant didn't wait for Noah's reaction and dashed off briskly in one direction.
The other troupe members enthusiastically surged over, chattering:
"Hey, Doctor Noah, where are you from?"
"Bardolino, quick thank Doctor Noah—thanks to him, you're healed."
"Doctor Noah, where did you find Lario before? Thanks to you, Lario came home."
Noah was busily answering when he felt his pant leg tugged. Looking down, blueberry little cake Roccia was gazing up at him.
"Doctor Noah, can you treat Echo ships? Could you please diagnose Lario's condition? The Troupe of Fools will pay you."
"Hundred-ton king? What's wrong with it?"
[Companion Story: "Sailing Day, Captain" activated.]