"Turns out, the Sentinel we have always believed in is not the appearance the public is familiar with. The true god protecting us is that solemn and majestic heavenly horse!"
Words full of suspense and a shocking truth caused countless people in Freedom Square to collectively gasp.
Using the scriptures and Golden Song that Noah had previously given her, Ciaccona activated her Resonance ability to manifest the image of the Sentinel in mid-air.
A massive, noble flying horse figure appeared above Freedom Square, causing the crowd to cry out in unison.
"So this is the Sentinel's true appearance."
"Tall, sacred, and worthy of admiration."
"Just one glance and I inexplicably believe this is how the Sentinel should look."
High in the sky, a certain palm-sized existence quietly cast its gaze over and secretly gave Ciaccona a thumbs-up.
"It gallops across the seas and soars above the skies."
Even though it was an off-script speech, it flowed as smoothly as reciting poetry.
Ciaccona seized this opportunity to pour out the words she had held in her heart for ten years and fantasized about for ten years, speaking them in the square without regard for the cost:
"And those teachings written in the scriptures for us are nothing but a lie from the Order of the Deep!"
In the shadows, several priests of the Order exchanged hand signals and surrounded them with a group of Common-class La Guardia.
"Ciaccona Toccata, and the Laureate, in the name of Imperator, you will be taken to the Repentance Court and face the sanctions of the law."
Noah: "Wow."
Ciaccona unhurriedly put away the microphone in her hand and looked straight at the Order personnel opposite her:
"Is that so? May I ask what charge it is this time?"
"Blasphemy against the divine."
"Still playing the same old tricks. How much longer do you plan to hide the truth?"
"Hmph." The leading priest snorted coldly, too lazy to say more: "Do it!"
Several Common-class La Guardia charged aggressively toward Noah and Ciaccona.
Ciaccona turned and ran. Looking back, she saw Noah still standing motionless in place and immediately stamped her foot in anger. She turned back and forcefully dragged Noah away.
"What are you doing?"
Noah was bewildered.
Had Carlotta not told this sister of hers how strong he was?
"Run quickly! We can't afford to provoke the Order!"
Ciaccona hooked onto a high-altitude messenger at the edge of Freedom Square, tightly grabbing Noah as they soared upward. She didn't forget to make a face at the priests on the ground before bursting into hearty laughter.
On the ground, Cartethyia and Phoebe were walking back from the bank when they happened to witness Noah and Ciaccona flying away. Their expressions changed at the same time.
"Oh no, the one who plucks the laurel has been kidnapped by my signature support."
"What happened? Why are there suddenly so many people from the Order?"
Phoebe walked toward the nearest priest and happened to see him answering his terminal, only to be angrily scolded by another superior:
"Who told you to arrest the Laureate!"
"Ah, this... Bishop 1 told me to handle it myself..."
"Your Bishop 1 and the other corrupt high-ranking members of the Order have already been taken to the Repentance Court. They will either be executed or stripped of their positions. If you don't want to end up like him, you'd better immediately seek the Laureate's forgiveness."
The communication was cut off. Even though it was noon, the priest was drenched in cold sweat, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
He couldn't understand it. It had only been a normal meeting for a short while, yet it seemed like the Order was about to undergo a massive change?
"Quick!"
The priest suddenly roared:
"Everyone, go find the Laureate!"
...
At Whisperwind Haven, far from Ragunna, Ciaccona laughed heartily, her mood more refreshed than ever before.
The thing she had fantasized about for ten years and longed for for ten years had finally been accomplished in one go today.
It turned out that doing it wasn't nearly as difficult as she had imagined. She had simply lacked courage all along and needed someone to give her a push.
"O giant known as the Order of the Deep, I will keep charging toward you, charging again and again! Yoohoo!"
The antlered girl, disregarding her image, shouted loudly toward the distant Ragunna. Her voice was filled with immense delight. It took her quite a while to calm her excitement.
"A penniless wandering poet and a Laureate drifting in a foreign land, fighting alone against the entire Order of the Deep."
Recalling everything that had just happened, her mood became excited once more:
"As long as the spark of doubt is spread, the firewood of truth will eventually ignite into flames and temper pure gold. This is simply an extremely romantic story."
The antlered girl decided to write this story into her poetry. She turned her head and winked at Noah behind her:
"Don't you think so, my accomplice?"
Noah had briefly explained what had just happened to Phoebe and Cartethyia via his terminal, which finally reassured the two girls.
He stood up, his expression looking somewhat pained:
"Actually... I... Sigh, never mind."
It was rare for him to feel this surge of excitement in life, so he might as well let Ciaccona enjoy it a little longer.
If he really wanted to explain everything clearly, he would probably have to start from twenty days ago when he first arrived in Rinascita.
"What do you plan to do next?" Noah asked.
"Escape, of course!"
Ciaccona answered as if it were obvious:
"We have offended the Order of the Deep, so we will definitely be wanted and pursued. I will flee while telling my story to people along the way. It will surely be extremely romantic."
As she spoke, a trace of guilt gradually appeared on Ciaccona's face:
"It's just... this matter actually had nothing to do with you, Mr. Laureate. I should have tried to persuade you more earlier. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been wanted together with me."
Not quite, sister. You seem a bit self-indulgent there.
"It has nothing to do with you. I was planning to reveal the truth anyway. Also, you don't need to flee. The Order won't come after you."
Noah shook his head:
"Alright, since the matter is resolved, I'll be going first."
With that, he stood up, shot out his Grapple, and rode the high-altitude messenger toward Ragunna.
From behind came Ciaccona's loud shout:
"Hey, you're leaving just like that? Don't you want to chat more?"
"No need, I'm busy going back to find Little Cart and the others."
"But you haven't taken the scriptures and Golden Song yet."
"I'm giving them to you."
His voice grew increasingly distant until it could no longer be heard.
"What a strange person." Ciaccona took out the Order's original scriptures and the Golden Song score, a joyful smile blooming on her face:
"But he just gave these things to me directly? He's really nice."
"Clearly a Laureate who could enjoy the Order's massive benefits, yet he chose to expose the truth hidden by the Order, even at the risk of being wanted..."
"So righteous. As expected of the person my sister has her eyes on. Carlotta's judgment is as sharp as always."
[Event Quest: "Your Eternal Long Summer Shall Never Fade" has been completed.]
[Currently possess Radiant Tide0, Lustrous Tide20, Astrite32040, Shell Credit797w.]
...
Ragunna.
"Respected Laureate, I am truly sorry for the offense against you earlier."
The previously cold-faced priest now bowed deeply at ninety degrees toward Noah along with several Common-class La Guardia:
"I have understood the situation. It was all our fault. I will return to the Repentance Court to receive punishment right away. I hope my foolishness has not affected your mood."
"It's fine. Everyone disperse. Don't let others watch the show."
Noah waved his hand, not taking the matter too seriously.
Scratching his head, he suddenly remembered he had forgotten one thing.
It seemed... he forgot to ask Ciaccona why she had said those words during their first meeting.
Forget it, it wasn't important.
...