As the former family head was instantly killed, the entire Phantom Sea space gradually became unstable and began to show signs of dissipating.
"Let's go. We should leave this place."
Noah called out to Cantarella. The latter responded and followed Noah's steps out of the area.
"What's wrong? The whispers that plagued Fisalia for many years and the former family head's obsession have been resolved. Why do you look a bit unhappy?"
Hearing Noah's question, Cantarella was pulled out of her thoughts. She quickly shook her head:
"No, I'm just... a bit dazed. Yes, a bit dazed."
"Oh! I get it. You haven't recovered yet. It's no big deal."
Noah nodded and thoughtfully helped Cantarella sort out the current situation:
"I know that most of the girls who participated in the Saintess Trial back then weren't actually killed by the poison. You saved them all with illusions and have been hiding them in the underground of Porto-Veno Castle."
"Now that the Order can no longer easily monitor Fisalia, the former family head's lingering obsession and the Threnodian's whispers have both been dispelled."
"It's time for them to go home. Take the opportunity to explain this to them."
Hearing this, Cantarella suppressed her concerns and forced a smile:
"You've helped Fisalia so much again. I don't even know how to thank you... How about you stay here for the night?"
"No need to thank me. That's too polite."
Noah shook the terminal in his hand, indicating that the "thank-you gift" had already been received:
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going first."
"Hey, wait!"
Cantarella called Noah back, her gaze somewhat complicated.
It was the middle of the night, with a man and a woman alone. A great favor that was hard to repay, with everything available for the taking... The atmosphere had been built up to this point, and he was actually leaving?!
What was the difference between this and stopping halfway?
No!
Absolutely not!
Was her charm getting weaker, or did Noah really not understand all the hints along the way?
Cantarella was unsure. She decided to try one last time. A woman's competitive spirit made her unable to tolerate losing to a mere Echo.
To hell with hints. She was going all in!
This lady is craving your body. Do you want it or not!
Cantarella brushed her purple wavy long hair behind her back. The simple action carried the primal allure of a woman.
Her gaze looked deeply at Noah:
"I want to know... in your eyes, am I a charming person?"
As long as the other party said a single word of praise, she would immediately seize the momentum and launch a direct, fierce offensive.
Under Cantarella's expectant gaze, Noah pondered for a moment before solemnly answering:
"Cantarella, you are a true Saintess, an unparalleled good woman. I greatly admire you."
The moment the words fell, Cantarella's expression stiffened.
It was fine to praise her, but... why did he suddenly elevate her so highly?
"You consider the bigger picture, you are flexible and intelligent. As the one destined to become the Saintess, you have twice unhesitatingly returned your own power to the Sentinel, helping to save Rinascita."
"You are emotionally delicate yet mentally strong. Even when tormented by deadly poison during the Saintess Trial until your body was covered in wounds, you still did your best to take care of others and care about their feelings. In the end, you protected the other five girls in that cruel trial."
"You are brave and resilient, selfless and willing to sacrifice for others. Knowing full well that becoming the head of Fisalia would mean enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens, and that your childhood dream was to yearn for freedom, you still chose to sacrifice yourself for the sake of others."
"If there really are angels in this world, she would surely be named after you."
A string of praises made Cantarella involuntarily feel her cheeks heat up. She felt light-headed from the compliments.
She... was actually this good?
Having endured defamation from all sides for so long, she had almost forgotten what it felt like to receive praise. It turned out... it was such a joyful feeling.
Opposite her, Noah waved his hand:
"Alright, I'll be going first. We'll meet again if there's a chance."
"Goodbye."
She subconsciously raised her hand and responded with a polite smile.
Only after that person had walked out of sight did Cantarella snap back from the previous praises.
"No!"
She stamped her foot in place:
"How did I not manage to make him stay!"
...
The moon set, and the sun rose.
[Daily Quest: "Anticipating a Better Reunion"]
[Quest Description: When you left, you felt nothing because you believed you would meet again soon. Every parting is for a better reunion. Now, set sail with the blessings of your close friends (0/3).]
[Completing the quest grants rewards: Astrite800, Shell Credit10000.]
[Challenge (Optional): Obtain blessings from ten or more people. This reward will be doubled (Progress 0/10).]
The group arrived at the dock, feeling the morning sea breeze as they watched a ship slowly approaching the shore from not far away.
"I didn't expect you to leave so early. Well, after seeing you off, I can still go back to work and avoid taking leave."
Zani handed Noah a bottle of energy drink:
"You didn't sleep well last night, right? I'll give you this bottle of mine. I won't say anything too sentimental. Remember to eat on time. Life is always the most important."
"Thanks."
Noah took the drink. His sleeve was tugged again. Turning his head, he met Phoebe's gaze and reflexively reached out to pinch her round little face:
"Miss Priestess, is there something you want to say?"
"May your journey always be blessed with love and light... I mean... I will miss you, Mr. Noah."
"Haha, good."
While they were talking, the ship he had chartered had already docked. Noah let go of his hand and turned to look at Cantarella and Cartethyia beside him:
"This is far enough. I should go. The terminals of Huanglong and Rinascita are not interconnected. If anything comes up, just write me a letter."
"Alright. This is a small token of appreciation. Please accept it." Cantarella nodded and handed over the exquisite gift box she had prepared:
"When you arrive in Jinzhou, please send my regards to Counselor Changli and tell her that the matter has been resolved."
Taking the gift box, Noah looked at Cartethyia, who had a smile on her face from time to time, feeling somewhat puzzled:
"Little Cart, why are you smiling the whole time?"
"Oh, I asked the Sentinel. It said that once it confirms Rinascita is safe later, I can go to Jinzhou to find you and play."
As she spoke, unlike the reluctance on everyone else's faces, Cartethyia's eyes were filled with longing:
"The one who plucks the laurel, when I arrive in Jinzhou later, you can't shut me out, okay?"
"Sure, sure. When the time comes, I'll introduce you to Jinzhou's Sentinel Resonator."
"Really! That's great. I've been wanting to see what a real Sentinel Resonator looks like."
After saying goodbye to the few people who had come specifically to see him off, Noah no longer hesitated. He turned and boarded the ship, waving to the people behind him:
"Everyone, until we meet again."
The group waved together: "Goodbye."
Accompanied by the hum of the engine, the large ship started moving and sailed toward the distance.
Suddenly, a loud shout rang out. Noah looked toward the sound and saw the Troupe of Fools' flower boat. Brant at the bow cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted loudly:
"Brother Noah, that's too disloyal! You're leaving without even telling us."
Roccia rummaged through Pero's box and successfully found a megaphone. She called out to Noah from afar:
"Laureate, have a safe journey!"
The megaphone was snatched away by Brant, who turned toward the Troupe of Fools members:
"All members, get ready, shout!"
Following the command, the Troupe of Fools members spoke in unison:
"Welcome back to the Troupe of Fools next time!"
[Daily Quest "Anticipating a Better Reunion" (Challenge) has been completed.]
Noah held onto the railing at the ship's edge and loudly responded to the Troupe of Fools' farewell:
"Thanks, no need to send me off anymore."
These guys...
Noah looked at Cantarella, Cartethyia, and Phoebe on the shore, as well as the entire Troupe of Fools on the flower boat not far away. For a moment, he couldn't describe the emotion in his heart.
At the beginning, he had only come to Rinascita to speedrun the main story of the 2.2 Inverted Tower. He hadn't expected to gradually meet so many precious friends here.
The time spent in Rinascita had been very enjoyable.
It was just a shame that all banquets must come to an end.
However... why hadn't he seen Carlotta?
This thought had just arisen when a gondola broke through the water. Carlotta rode the boat straight after them and quickly caught up near Noah's position.
"Tall Chestnut, hey!"
Carlotta stood up from the gondola. Her pure white long hair was blown back as her pleading voice pierced through the sea wind and reached Noah's ears:
"Don't go, okay?"
Unlike the others' farewells, Carlotta was the only one who wanted to make him stay.
But such a plea was something Noah could not agree to. He could only smile:
"If I don't go, are you going to fight The Lament?"
After the words fell, Carlotta remained silent. Their gazes met. She gripped her hands tightly and called out to Noah again loudly:
"Hey, Tall Chestnut!"
"What is it now?"
"Will we meet again?"
"We will."
Layers of sea waves slowed the gondola's speed. Carlotta finally waved at Noah and said a heavy goodbye.
Perhaps this parting was deeply engraved in her heart.
Tall Chestnut... in the end, he was not her Tall Chestnut alone.
The sea breeze grew lighter and lighter.
The white-haired girl who had sent him off the farthest finally gradually faded from view.
Noah stood quietly by the railing on the ship's edge, lowering his head to examine the "Tall Chestnut" token given to him by Carlotta.
Even though this precious gem did not have the exquisite outer decoration like in the original plot, Noah could still recognize it as cat's eye stone.
After a long time, he shook his head and carefully put away the stone.
Rinascita was good, but he had no time to linger.
Next stop Black Shores, the stop after that Septimont, then the New Federation, Huanglong... He could not relax until he found the Rover.
Noah raised his head. His deep gaze turned toward the distant horizon where the ocean met the sky, and he let out a soft sigh:
"Indulging in the joy of the present, the price is the scenery of the future."
...