Moreover, taking off white stockings in public like that would be far too embarrassing, wouldn't it?
How could a member of the clergy do such a thing?
However, at that moment, Rover stepped forward and, from somewhere, pulled out a pair of black stockings, slipping them over Lucian's head.
Rover chuckled playfully, "Good thing I came prepared."
Lucian: "?"
Phoebe: "…"
Phoebe thought to herself, these two are playing way too wildly, aren't they?
Are people from the New Federation really this open?
Through the black stockings, Lucian laughed, "I was just joking earlier."
"Miss Phoebe, do you know where the Averardo Vault is?"
Phoebe fell silent.
You're asking a priest of the Order of the Deep about a bank while wearing black stockings on your head—are you planning to rob it?
Be careful, or I'll call the La Guardia to arrest you as a criminal!
"Ignore him, Miss Phoebe. Can you tell us more about the Sentinel?" Rover asked.
Phoebe nodded, "Of course."
"The Sentinel is a god of peace, justice, humility, and benevolence. She governs the skies and seas, leaving the land to us humans."
"She watches over every being equally, freeing us from division and strife, erasing prejudice, and uniting us all."
"Legend has it that the Sentinel's breath brings the breezes of Ragunna City, setting sail to countless ships under Her divine breath, reaching their destinations under the shelter of Her wings."
"Her gaze pierces the clouds, guiding ships through the darkness of night."
"People revere Her vision and foresight, building lighthouses on distant islands."
"The Sentinel never flaunts Her deeds before mortals, yet She reveals miracles in subtle ways."
"The scriptures sing Her praise—"
"When you walk through verdant fields, you may enjoy the cool breeze of the mortal world, for I am with you; when you pass through the valley of death's shadow, fear no evil, for I am with you."
"I stand before you, unwavering; I remain by your side, never parting."
"Ever was, ever is, ever shall be."
Through the black stockings, Lucian sighed, "Ever was, ever is, but Jinhsi isn't here."
Rover glanced at him, "We're in Rinascita, and you're still thinking about Jinhsi?"
Lucian rubbed his chin, puzzled, "Right… with the pure, adorable, and charming Miss Phoebe right in front of me, how could I think of Jinhsi?"
Lucian shook his head slightly, "That's not right. This isn't the mindset of a God of Pure Love."
Rover: "?"
Phoebe's face flushed slightly. How could Mr. Lucian say such things so shamelessly…
Meanwhile, unnoticed by the group, a white-haired woman with red eyes, dressed in a uniform, took out her terminal and secretly snapped a photo of the scene, sending it to someone labeled "Second Miss."
[WorkJustToClockOut: Second Miss, are you sure these are the people you're looking for?]
[The woman in black seems normal enough, but the man with black stockings on his head doesn't look like a good person no matter how you see it.]
[Who in broad daylight puts black stockings on their head?]
[In my impression, only those trying to avoid being recognized by the Order of the Deep's priests, planning to do something bad, would do this.]
[GloryDemandsMore: Ahem, under normal circumstances, that's true, but this person can't be judged by normal standards.]
[To others, this might seem strange, but when it happens to him, it's not surprising at all.]
[I left a hint in the letter. They should head to the Averardo Vault to withdraw money next, and you can approach them then.]
[WorkJustToClockOut: Understood.]
Lucian asked curiously, "Who wrote those scriptures you just mentioned? They're even better at boasting than me."
Phoebe crossed her arms, slightly displeased, "This isn't boasting. Our Sentinel is truly this divine."
Lucian shook his head slightly. It seemed Phoebe was deeply influenced by the Order of the Deep.
Given the current state of Ragunna City, words like 'peace,' 'justice,' 'humility,' and 'benevolence' had little to do with the Sentinel.
Rover also felt that Phoebe was excessively devout.
"Can you tell us more about the Carnevale?"
"After all, you mentioned earlier that during the Carnevale, the Sentinel bestows the Laureate, allowing the wearer to communicate with Her. That's one of the reasons we came here."
Phoebe nodded slightly and continued, "The Carnevale is Rinascita's grandest annual festival, lasting seven days."
"It is said that the Carnevale originally meant 'bidding farewell to the flesh and entering the realm of the spirit.'"
"Long ago, the seas around Rinascita were plagued by Tacet Discords and storms, with frequent minor Laments, and external shipping routes had not yet been established."
"The people of Ragunna City, confined to this island, found solace in the tales sung by lame poets and the ballads of blind singers, which became their few comforts."
"People from different regions shared their ancestors' stories, planting the seeds of drama and art."
"In their conversations, they imagined the outside world and another version of themselves."
"The annual spring festival to give thanks to the Sentinel became the venue for realizing these fantasies: people dressed up as different personas, setting aside positions and prejudices to revel together—this was the prototype of today's Carnevale."
"On the day of the Carnevale, a free stage is set up in the city. As long as you wear a mask, anyone can perform."
"On the stage, masks and identities shift endlessly, allowing everyone to sing freely in this city without restraint."
"The Carnevale hasn't been held for many years, so this year's will be especially grand."
"There will be spectacular theatrical performances on the streets, and merchants will set up stalls throughout the city, selling unique goods."
"Even without a mask, you can still feel the Carnevale's atmosphere and collect souvenirs."
Lucian, deep in thought, said, "Since the Carnevale is meant to honor the Sentinel, why hasn't it been held for so many years? What happened during the last Carnevale?"
Phoebe lowered her head slightly, looking somewhat sad, "During the Carnevale ten years ago, large sea beasts and rogue Echoes attacked the festival venue, causing severe consequences."
"Afterward, Primus Fenrico quelled the incident, proclaiming it was due to the wrath of the Sentinel Imperator."
"She was furious at the people of Ragunna City for indulging in pleasure while forsaking their faith, thus bringing divine punishment upon them."
"Since then, the Carnevale has not been held—until now."
Large sea beasts? Rogue Echoes?
Lucian couldn't help but think of Phrolova. Could the Fractsidus be behind this?