Chapter 28: Cooperation Achieved
If it were Aeron from half a month ago, he would never have imagined he'd soon experience a series of troubles: unlocking the System, being intercepted by Carlotta, encountering Cartethyia, performing a self-injury ruse at Montelli, striking a deal with the second young lady, facing Phrolova at the auction, executing Capollo, and then being sexually assulted by Zani... let's not mention the last part.
Though he was no longer a beast of burden, the intensity of his current work was exceptionally high.
Now, he also had to find a way to locate Rover and handle matters related to Cartethyia and Fleurdelys.
Even if he could grow stronger through reckless actions, he couldn't fathom how to deal with the Dark Tide. It wasn't as if he'd suddenly transform into a secret agent in his dreams one day, obtain a belt to change forms, and beat the imprisoned fish into submission.
Fenrico, who still wanted him dead, remained a threat. But to deal with him, Aeron would first have to overcome the obstacles of Fractsidus and the Threnodian.
Sigh, what decent person would assign such a difficult mission mid-season? Without hiring a carry, it was impossible to clear—a civilian player like Aeron could only endure the pressure and grind for points.
However, from today onward, things would be different.
While Aeron truly had no solution for the Dark Tide now, he knew exactly who to turn to for such matters.
His earlier agreement to let Carlotta stay in Montelli was precisely for this purpose.
Thus, after slacking off for a full day, armed with a series of intelligence reports provided by Carlotta, Aeron immediately set out—deployment after deployment after deployment.
And so, the current situation unfolded.
"...Your reaction is a bit excessive, isn't it?"
The icy blade pressed tightly against Aeron's neck, sending a sharp, stinging sensation. If the wielder exerted even the slightest force, Aeron would soon be collecting another reward from the System.
"A being who can command the unknown, possesses immortality, and is tracking me. I'd say you've earned this."
Before the killing intent, the faint fragrance emanating from Rover reached him first.
Her carefree short hair and long braid, simple and efficient attire, beautiful and delicate features, and of course, the subtly visible side thunder, smooth back, firm waist and abdomen, plump thighs accentuated by black stockings and boots... Wait, why was his train of thought drifting toward more primal instincts?
Facing Rover's cold glare, Aeron knew he was in the wrong, but he couldn't be bothered to explain.
Because he really was tailing Rover.
"Would you believe I'm a fan who came specifically to visit you after hearing about your deeds in Jinzhou?"
"Cut the nonsense."
"What, are you shy?"
"..."
Rover didn't respond, but the disdain in her eyes intensified. She had encountered all sorts of people, but someone as single-mindedly "horny" as Aeron was a first.
Aeron knew that if he kept beating around the bush, it would be hard to explain anything once his head hit the floor.
"Relax, if I truly had malicious intentions, I wouldn't have approached you like this."
Aeron shed some of his earlier frivolity, slowed his speech, and addressed the protagonist he once controlled in a more serious tone:
"I was wrong to follow you, and I apologize. But I had my reasons for doing so—reasons related to what you're currently investigating."
"...Speak."
Hearing that Aeron didn't seem to be lying, Rover allowed him to continue, though the blade remained firmly in place.
"Aren't you curious about the truth the Order of the Deep has concealed regarding the 'Blessed Maiden' and the 'Sentinels'?"
Aeron deliberately avoided mentioning Cartethyia or Fleurdelys by name, as those remained unresolved mysteries to the person before him. Yet, the terms "Blessed Maiden" and "Sentinels" alone were enough to pique Rover's interest.
"You know what the Order is hiding?" the Rover pressed bluntly.
"Given my... unique standing within the Order (in the negative sense, of course), I've naturally come across things they'd prefer to keep buried. After all, there must be connections behind this series of events, wouldn't you agree?"
Choosing his words carefully, Aeron continued posing questions to the Rover. Though premature at this juncture, these revelations struck at the heart of the matter.
The Rover didn't answer immediately, and Aeron knew what she was thinking—it was impossible not to be suspicious of someone who suddenly appeared bearing exactly what she needed.
Fortunately, he had an ace up his sleeve.
"This is a handwritten letter of introduction from the Second Young Lady. Will this suffice to earn your trust?"
"...You should've shown me this earlier."
Only after taking the letter from Aeron did Rover finally sheathe her blade, allowing Aeron to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Then tell me everything you know."
'As if I'd actually tell you everything.'
Keeping that thought to himself, Aeron feigned a cough before reporting the information about the Order of the Deep that could currently be disclosed:
The hidden truth of Rinascita possessing two deities; the fact that history had been altered and faith distorted; the reason Carnevale had been repeatedly postponed; and the initial Echoes malfunction that occurred in Ragunna...
Of course, the most critical point was...
"You're suggesting... the Order of the Deep is colluding with Fractsidus?"
"Merely speculation for now. I lack concrete evidence at the moment. Whether you choose to believe it is up to you."
Rover didn't dismiss Aeron's words. After everything she'd experienced since arriving in Rinascita, there were indeed connections between these events that weren't immediately apparent. What lay hidden behind them might also relate to Rinascita's Sentinel and Abby's abnormal condition.
"Any more information?"
"There is, but it concerns Montelli's reputation. I can't reveal everything. Whether you learn more depends on your stance."
Aeron deliberately withheld a complete answer—he needed to ensure Rover was willing to cooperate with him.
"..."
Rover then fixed him with a scrutinizing gaze. From the beginning, he'd only spoken matters concerning Rinascita, Ragunna, and the Order, yet he clearly didn't seem like someone who would casually bandy such slogans about.
"Then... I have one final question. Answer me truthfully, and I'll agree to cooperate with you."
'Oh? Getting feisty, are we?'
Aeron waited to hear what she would ask.
"What's your purpose in all this?"
"...Why ask that?"
"Just as you said—I need to verify my potential partner's... attitude."
As she spoke, Rover let out a soft chuckle.
Aeron hadn't expected her to ask about this, but... it wasn't something he needed to hide anyway.
"Just personal grudges," he answered the Rover's question directly. "Fenrico wants my life—I have to find a way to make him repay that debt."
The answer was so straightforward that it left Rover silent for a moment.
Yet, she didn't dislike this response.
"It's dangerous."
"I know," Aeron's lips curved slightly, "but dangerous paths are often the shortest. Besides—"
He shifted his tone, a glimmer flashing in his eyes, "The truth you're investigating and the trouble I'm looking for are both chiseling at the same spot on the Order's wall. At least for now, we're traveling the same path."
Rover didn't respond immediately. She folded Carlotta's letter and put it away. Regardless of motives, she truly needed Aeron's assistance right now.
"So what do we do next?"
"Recently, while organizing the abandoned archives, the Order discovered a small manuscript containing something that both we and another person need."
"Another person? Who?"
"Topaz."
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