Time passed slowly.
Cristoforo, having learned the relevant information from Phrolova, fell into deep thought.
"It seems the girl that Noah brought down from the skies and saved is the legendary Sentinel Threnodian dual Resonator."
Cristoforo pinched his chin, his brain continuously analyzing:
"When It previously reshaped the Leviathan body through the Decree-defiling Mirror of Nightmare, It mentioned that Its consciousness was above the skies. It looks like It was trapped inside Its Resonator's body."
"And with Noah's personality that hates evil as much as an enemy, for him to actually save Its Resonator means that Its Resonator is a good person."
"Moreover, he chose to revive the Resonator, and there has been no sign of any Black Tide appearing in Rinascita... All these circumstances indicate that Leviathan should have been defeated, or even killed."
This guy is terrifyingly strong.
Cristoforo drew in a cold breath and shook his head with emotion:
"Noah, what a Noah."
"Stop talking about this nonsense, Playwright."
Phrolova propped her cheek with one hand, her gaze turning sideways toward Cristoforo:
"With Noah here, you won't be able to stir up any waves within Ragunna. What do you plan to do next?"
"Easy. Since Noah killed Leviathan, when Leviathan's consciousness regathers, It will definitely try every possible way to find a new vessel."
Cristoforo curled his lips into a light smile:
"And I happen to have preserved a very suitable vessel for It over at Septimont. I can use this as leverage to demand cooperation with It."
"Hmm?" Phrolova tilted her head slightly: "And then?"
"On the condition of helping It revive, have It bring down the Black Tide again, and also... help revive your family."
Cristoforo unhurriedly threw out this topic that instantly captured all of Phrolova's attention:
"I know that after seeing Noah revive the Sentinel, you must be very tempted."
"But Phrolova, once you're a person of the Fractsidus, you'll be a person of the Fractsidus for life."
"With Noah's personality, he won't help you. Only the Fractsidus can help you."
Hearing this, Phrolova's gaze dimmed slightly. She somewhat accepted this statement and nodded:
"Playwright, I'll trust the Fractsidus one last time. Don't disappoint me again."
"Hehe, rest assured." Cristoforo said confidently: "No matter how capable Noah is, it's impossible for him to suddenly run over to Septimont and disrupt my plan."
...
Night gradually descended, and brilliant lights lit up all across Ragunna.
Phoebe had received a notice from the Order in the afternoon and had to leave. Cartethyia wanted to go see the ruins of the Dragon of Dirge Gehinnom.
Noah parted ways with the two girls and went alone to the place where he had invited Carlotta for dinner.
Tonight, Carlotta was not only dressed extremely exquisitely but had also arrived earlier than him.
"You're finally here, Tall Chestnut."
In the low-luxury private room, Carlotta bloomed into a smile toward Noah opposite her and welcomed him to the candlelit table for two.
"Let me share something interesting with you. This afternoon, the Order suddenly issued an announcement to the Montelli family, stating that they will no longer restrict the Montelli from selling private terminals."
"Good, good. That's actually a good thing."
Noah cut a piece of steak on the table, tossed it into his mouth, and agreed:
"Without the Order's restrictions, I believe you'll soon become a legendary figure like your grandfather Francesco."
"Haha, of course. I spent the entire afternoon thinking about how to maximize the selling points of private terminals. I currently have an idea."
Carlotta smiled brightly and poured out the idea she had painstakingly thought of without any reservations:
"I plan to design an application on the private terminal that allows creating, sharing, and watching short videos. At the same time, we will provide rich filters, special effects, music, and other editing tools..."
"Whoa!"
Isn't this just short video apps?
If there was one thing that could energize Noah, it was this!
Since crossing over, there hadn't been a single day he didn't miss this thing. As a night owl, he had been forced by Solaris into developing an early sleep and early rise habit.
There was no choice; nightlife here was too barren. Other than sleeping, what else was there to do?
Noah became interested and immediately added:
"Does this app also allow searching for videos by keywords, following creators, commenting on videos, and letting everyone record their lives?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Carlotta's eyes lit up as she exclaimed in admiration: "How did you know that's exactly what I was thinking?"
"The Montelli have solved the world problem of Echoes being unable to be preserved long-term. Ordinary people who buy Montelli terminals can also obtain Echoes as combat power against Tacet Discords."
"The reason for adding this app is simply to increase the unique features of Montelli terminals. I plan to make this app free, and even provide funding incentives for creators with high view counts on their works."
Listening to Carlotta envision her business plan, Noah immediately gave a thumbs up:
"Little Potato, your vision is too sharp! If you do this, you will definitely become even more successful than your Francesco!"
The success of short video apps had already been proven on Blue Star.
With Carlotta's unique and sharp vision, she would soon realize that this app's appeal to people would far surpass the Echo function of Montelli terminals.
"Borrowing your good words. Grandfather also once said that I will be the core of the Montelli family in the future, deciding everything for the family."
Listening to the girl's words that could hardly hide her pride, Noah inexplicably thought of the barrel effect — the shortest stave determines the overall capacity.
Unaware of Noah's thoughts, Carlotta smiled slightly at him and spoke with implication:
"I've already arranged for people below to implement this app. I plan to name it Quick Sound."
"With this level of execution, you will succeed at whatever you do."
"Haha, things will definitely get busier later. I really need a smart and quick-witted partner to assist me closely... So, next it's time to talk about your matters."
Carlotta inserted her fork into the steak, and the smile on her face slowly faded:
"I unexpectedly received news today saying that the Laureate declared in Freedom Square that the Sentinel is a white horse, and then was kidnapped by a red-haired woman."
Not only that, there were also questions about why Noah went to draw his sword at Fisalia, why he descended from the sky holding a woman, and why he spent the whole day strolling around Ragunna with that woman...
All kinds of questions weighed on Carlotta's heart. She didn't ask directly, but hoped Noah would give her a reasonable explanation.
"Well, this matter is actually quite ridiculous to talk about. I just happened to gain a new ability. Give me your hand, and I'll show you."
Show me? What kind of thing could be shown just by speaking?
Carlotta extended her hand in confusion and gently held Noah's.
Switch character — Ciaccona.
Ciaccona's Resonance ability could reproduce all things through frequencies and bring the content of stories into reality. It was absolutely the best ability for storytelling.
In just an instant, Carlotta recognized this unique Resonance ability belonging to her sister. Without any resistance, she was pulled by Noah into a melodic space.
"The matter is quite long. I'll try to simplify it."
Following Noah's will, the two viewed "Noah" from two days ago in third-person perspective.
From drawing the sword at Fisalia, ascending to the Inverted Tower, drawing the sword together with Cartethyia, the great battle against the Threnodian, reviving Cartethyia and the Sentinel, and exposing the Order's truth.
All events were briefly explained to Carlotta in just a few minutes. She finally understood the full story from beginning to end.
"No wonder the Order has always hidden the truth. It turns out that those who know the truth will be eroded by the Threnodian's whispers."
"No wonder you went to Fisalia to draw your sword. You actually went up to the skies to fight the Threnodian."
"No wonder you were holding an impossibly beautiful woman while flying across all of Rinascita. So she was the Order's former Saintess and the Threnodian's Resonator."
So that woman was the one he could see but she couldn't before.
All doubts received reasonable answers. Carlotta finally felt completely at ease.
That's great. Tall Chestnut is not the scumbag who flirts around that Ciaccona described.
The previous suspicions were resolved and transformed into even stronger goodwill than before.
"So you've been doing such an amazing thing all along. That's wonderful, Tall Chestnut. I really didn't expect that you secretly saved the entire Rinascita."
Carlotta's little face flushed red with excitement, her breathing becoming somewhat rapid. Her sparkling eyes widened, reflecting bright luster under the candlelight:
"Tall Chestnut, you're really amazing!"
"You're overpraising me... Actually, the main reason I came this time is to say goodbye to you."
This time, it was Noah's turn for the smile on his face to slowly fade.
"Do you remember our first meeting when you asked me why I came to Rinascita, and how I answered?"
"Wasn't it to cause trouble for the Fractsidus?" Carlotta vaguely guessed something and suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
This unease made her hand tremble.
Noah opposite her shook his head:
"No."
"Then what is it for?" Carlotta forced a smile, pretending to joke:
"It can't be... you really came to save the world, right?"
This time, Noah nodded with a serious expression:
"It sounds a bit embarrassing, but... it is indeed the case."
"Stop teasing me, Tall Chestnut. How is that possible? Really... How could someone come to Rinascita for something like this..."
Carlotta pretended to see through it and acted relaxed:
"It's too fake. I know, you must be lying to me..."
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
Noah silently pushed forward a ship ticket. His voice was extremely soft, yet it instantly woke the girl from her remaining pitiful fantasy:
"I obtained what I needed from Imperator. I can't stay here any longer."
Taking the slightly warm ship ticket, Carlotta lowered her head deeply. Looking at the cold date on it, her vision gradually blurred.
After a long time, a muffled voice squeezed out with difficulty from her throat:
"Will you come back?"
"I'll come back when the Septimont arena competition begins."
"One month..." Her breathing grew heavier, her shoulders trembling slightly: "That's so long..."
The candlelight on the table burned gently and steadily without the slightest flicker, just like the current atmosphere — silent and still.
After a long while, Noah took out another letter and pushed it forward:
"I'd like to trouble you to send this report letter to the Ephor of Septimont, Augusta, under the name of the Montelli."
Carlotta did not take it. She stood up, turned around, and left hurriedly:
"Sorry... cough, I have something to do. I'll step out for a bit."
The ship ticket was left on the table by her, with two points of broken candlelight flickering on it, like an accusation for a story that had ended before it even began.
Being a savior or whatever, it's not as good as a scumbag who flirts around.
At least with the latter, she could reach him and keep him...
...