Time passed leisurely, and the three people and one horse finally sat back down together. Except for the old horse Imperator, the faces of the three people all inevitably showed a slight blush.
"Thinking about it carefully, it's actually quite embarrassing."
Cartethyia stroked the golden strands of hair by her cheek:
"The Laurel Bearer defeated the Threnodian, Cantarella saved the Sentinel, and yet I was sleeping the whole time."
"What's wrong with that? You've been holding the pressure for ten years—don't you deserve some rest?"
Noah didn't think it was a big deal.
Cartethyia had endured repeated attacks from three lanes of super minions, bitterly guarding the crystal for ten years, finally waiting for him—this cheating Hero.
Not only were his mechanics and awareness maxed out, but he also had the blessings of wind spirits and moon shadows. Under these conditions, if Cartethyia still had to contribute, would this Hero have any face left?
However... though the victory was clean and decisive, the only imperfection was...
"Old horse, why are you so small?"
Quite blasphemous words came out of Noah's mouth, causing Imperator's horse face to darken.
Looking at the equally puzzled Cantarella and Cartethyia, They still patiently explained:
"My frequency is too complex, far exceeding the capacity of a Righteous One's pure resonance ability."
"This caused my frequency, when integrating into the body created by the Righteous One, to require compression by over a hundred times to barely solidify enough to accommodate my frequency."
"In summary, my resurrection is a miracle that is almost impossible to replicate. Though this body is very small... I am already very satisfied."
Saying this, Imperator bowed Their head toward Noah in gratitude:
"Thank you, Righteous One. If you ever need any help, just ask."
The weight of these words was immense. With Imperator's status as Sentinel, even if Noah wanted to become the head of the Order right now, it would be just one word away.
"You're too polite, old horse. I don't really lack anything right now."
Noah ate a Jinzhou skewer, pondering how to reshape the old horse's body after getting Encore's six-chain, while asking the question he was most curious about now:
"I want to know, what level is your power at now? Can you hold Rinascita?"
Hearing this question, Imperator pondered for a moment, carefully sensing the energy within Their body:
"Though there is feedback from Cantarella's power, limited by this body, the power I can currently exert is at most at the peak of Overlord class."
"Though the exertable power is limited, as long as Leviathan does not return in force, holding Rinascita without a Calamity class existence is sufficient."
"But in the future, if someone exceeding Overlord class comes to Rinascita, I..."
Listening to Imperator's somewhat hesitant words, the newly lively Cartethyia immediately patted her soft chest, full of confidence:
"Sentinel, don't be afraid. From now on, Cartethyia will protect you."
"That works too."
Imperator did not refuse to save face, turning to look at Noah again:
"Righteous One, with all matters concluded, may I borrow your Time power for a while? I intend to return to the high heavens and repair the shattered Avinoleum."
"What about me?" Cartethyia pointed at herself, waiting for the Sentinel's words.
"You were imprisoned in the inverted high tower for ten years. Now that you have regained freedom, do whatever you want. You need not consult my opinion."
Imperator shook Their head, looking toward Cantarella:
"Cantarella, from now on, the Fisalia Family will no longer be troubled by truth and Threnodians. You are all free as well."
Soon, Imperator borrowed Noah's Time power through separation authority and flew toward the high heavens. Only three remained on the ground.
"After feeding back power to the Sentinel again, I'm tired and sleepy now. I can't hold on much longer and want to rest."
Cantarella lazily yawned, turning to look at Noah and Cartethyia:
"I'm going back to Porto-Veno Castle. Are you coming along?"
"I'm going to the Order of the Deep."
Noah answered truthfully, but hearing this, Cantarella showed a hint of regret. She turned to look at Cartethyia, only to see the latter's gaze evasive:
"I just slept, so I'm very energetic now and have nowhere to go. How about..."
Cartethyia looked at Noah, her eyes suddenly shining with bright light:
"How about I go with the Laurel Bearer?"
"That's fine." Noah nodded: "I happen to be going back to Ragunna to buy some things. I'll take you around."
"It seems we're parting here. Noah, thank you again for saving the Sentinel, saving Rinascita, and the Fisalia Family."
Cantarella extended her hand to Noah. When shaking hands, her little finger inadvertently hooked the palm of the latter, the corner of her mouth curving into an inexplicable arc:
"Tonight, remember to come to Porto-Veno Castle. I've prepared a thank-you gift for you."
...
In the distant distance, watching Noah's group of three disperse, Phrolova interrupted her control over the Red Spider Lily, not daring to continue pursuing.
Previously, Noah's attention was entirely on Cartethyia and Imperator. After rescuing both, his mind relaxed, so he didn't notice the Red Spider Lily's surveillance.
But if she continued manipulating the Red Spider Lily to follow, Noah would definitely notice.
"What did you see? Tell me quickly!"
Cristoforo 's urgent muttering came from beside her ear, but Phrolova ignored it.
She lowered her gaze, her mind repeatedly replaying the scene she had just witnessed.
So... someone really can revive a segment of frequency into a living being!
But... that person happens to be Noah, the mortal enemy of the Fractsidus.
Phrolova's heart was in turmoil. A huge question involuntarily surged up:
How to quit the Fractsidus?
The honey cake sent last time—Noah seemed to dislike it. If... she offered Cristoforo 's head to Noah, could she win his favor?
Thinking this, her gaze inadvertently swept over the head of the person beside her. That face she had always found displeasing suddenly seemed somewhat pleasing to the eye.
The wind blew, and Cristoforo unconsciously shivered, completely unaware he had just walked past the gates of hell.
...
Ragunna's main streets were livelier than before, with conversations about this morning's sights audible everywhere.
"Did you see the clouds this morning? That was definitely the Sentinel manifesting. When that straight beam of light split down, I thought Ragunna was going to split in two."
"What Sentinel manifesting? Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. At the critical moment, there was clearly a blurry figure flying from the east to the west of Rinascita."
"How could a person cause that kind of commotion? It must be the Sentinel. Didn't you see how many people went to the Order to pray today, lining up all the way down the street?"
"Ah, maybe the Sentinel saved that person..."
Cartethyia quietly pricked up her ears, learning from the crowd's mouths about the exciting parts she had missed.
So, the Laurel Bearer's great battle against the Threnodian had caused such a huge commotion.
These people would never imagine that all of Rinascita had faced a crisis of annihilation today. But that crisis had already been resolved by someone passing by them on the street.
Moreover, this person not only saved everyone in Rinascita but also saved her and the Sentinel, creating an extremely beautiful knight story ending for her.
She really, really, really liked this ending.
Thinking this, Cartethyia couldn't help but sincerely exclaim:
"Laurel Bearer, you are the hero who saved Rinascita."
"Just my daily routine. Keep it low-key."
Noah calmly waved his hand, handing a newly bought Montelli Terminal to Cartethyia:
"Here, for you."
"Ah, this..."
Cartethyia took the terminal, her expression somewhat hesitant:
"I owe you more and more things now. I don't even know how to repay you."
An idea suddenly surged up. Cartethyia's eyes lit up, and she raised one finger to suggest:
"How about this, Laurel Bearer? From now on, I'll follow you. You just need to cover three—no, two—Green Branch Laurel Salads a day for me."
She snatched the big and small bags from Noah's hands, spinning in place. Her movements were light and quick, golden hair flying, very eye-catching, like a leaping elf:
"My job will be to help you with things you need, like... carrying bags or whatever."
Noah chuckled and shook his head.
How could he not see that Cartethyia wanted to repay his help in whatever way she could.
"If you follow me, you'll have to do a lot of adventurous things often."
Hearing this, Cartethyia's eyes shone even brighter:
"That's exactly what I want! Please, Laurel Bearer, I really want to join you."
"We'll talk about it later. When I return to Rinascita in the future, there'll be a chance. The old horse just revived—They need your help now."
"Eh?"
Cartethyia, sensing something unusual, froze. Her gaze trembled slightly, and she couldn't help asking:
"Laurel Bearer, are you leaving?"
"Yes, I'm leaving tomorrow. What I'm buying now are gifts for my friends in Jinzhou."
He couldn't return to Jinzhou empty-handed.
Having stayed in Rinascita for so long, he had finally "borrowed" the separation authority. Now it was time for him to leave.
Aalto, guarding the Black Shores, must be getting anxious.
Noah glanced at his task list.
There, the main quest "To the Shore's End" had been stuck for a very, very long time.
Closing the panel, Noah opened his terminal instead, preparing to have Carlotta book the earliest boat ticket back to Jinzhou tomorrow.
As the terminal opened, there were dozens of missed calls from Carlotta and messages with red dots.
Seeing this, Noah's eyelid twitched involuntarily. He reached out and opened the message from about 40 minutes ago.
[Little Potato: Are you there?]