"Mr. Francesco, Carlotta often mentions you to me, and that's why I could recognize you at a glance."
Francesco, whose identity was called out in one sentence, was slightly stunned. Only when he heard the latter part did a trace of gratification appear on his face.
"Since I've been recognized, continuing to act mysterious would seem too clumsy."
Francesco shook his head and gave a wry smile:
"Mr. Noah, since you took the initiative to mention the Montelli Family, I also want to ask—from your perspective, how do you view the Montelli Family?"
"On the surface, it's glamorous, but internally, it's far from impregnable. Not to mention the bunch of undercovers that Carlotta and I rooted out last time—just looking at the Montelli higher-ups, I'm afraid they're not all of one mind."
Noah pointed out the Montellis' current state without mercy:
"The Montellis are caught between the Fisalia Family, the Order, and the Fractsidus. Once there's a reshuffle of power, they're likely to be the first eliminated. That's also why the Montellis need the Laureate."
Hearing such objective and blunt words, not only was there no anger on Francesco's face, but he gave another wry smile:
"Though you're very young, your insight is incredibly sharp. Yes, that's exactly the Montellis' current situation."
"As long as I'm still alive, the Montellis can barely hold the overall situation together. But once I pass away, I'm afraid the Montellis will decline irreparably from then on."
"I'm old; my eyesight is no longer as sharp as when I was young. In your view, can my son Capollo take over the position of head of the Montellis?"
Hearing this question, Noah recalled his recent meeting with Capollo and immediately tugged at the corner of his mouth, counter-asking:
"How old is your son?"
"Over forty."
"In the history of my homeland, any forty-year-old crown prince who isn't incompetent would know to rebel or cause trouble, forcing the old emperor to abdicate. I guess you've waited a long time, but your son has never rebelled."
As soon as the words fell, Francesco's entire body shook, and he let out a sigh, but Noah's words did not stop:
"He's been the quasi-head for forty years, which shows he's content with the status quo and doesn't want to break the balance. A person who doesn't dare face risks is probably not the head the Montellis need."
"Besides, you're also advanced in age. If you thought your son could do well as head, you'd probably have abdicated long ago."
"Oh, right—Carlotta was adopted by you about ten years ago, I think. Let me guess why, when Capollo was thirty, you suddenly decided to adopt another child..."
"..."
Each sentence was like a sharp arrow, deeply piercing into Francesco's aged body.
Unconsciously, he put the cigar in his mouth, wanting to numb his melancholy with tobacco, only to find the cigar unlit.
He had no choice but to abandon the fantasy and face reality.
"Those involved are confused; bystanders see clearly. Yes, I... didn't educate him well, yet I've always held hope, nearly ruining the family's future."
Saying this out loud, Francesco suddenly felt much relieved in his heart.
"My adopted daughter Carlotta is the one who truly possesses the qualities a real Montelli should have, but she hasn't realized this yet."
Francesco turned around, his old eyes shining brightly:
"Mr. Noah, I hope that at the critical moment, you can give her a push."
"If Carlotta needs help, even without you saying it, I would help."
Hearing Noah's reply, Francesco smiled in relief, patted Noah's shoulder, and couldn't help sighing:
"To be honest, I once sent people to Jinzhou to gather information on you. When I saw your file, I could hardly believe my eyes."
"In the world outside sealed by the Order, there actually exists someone like you—superior in character, conduct, and even strength."
"At that time, I thought, if you were willing to stay in Ragunna, I would even want to arrange a marriage for my adopted daughter Carlotta. What do you think?"
If the Montellis could tie themselves to the powerful Noah, they naturally wouldn't fear the scheming between the Order and the Fisalia Family.
In any era, strength always surpasses everything. Without powerful strength as backing, even laws are just waste paper.
"...Thank you for your kindness, but sorry—Carlotta and I are still just friends. Maintaining the current friendship is pretty good."
Noah shook his head, gazing far into the world where the heavy rain was gradually stopping:
"I won't stay in Ragunna forever. I might leave after the Carnevale."
But Carlotta is forever bound to the Montelli Family; Carlotta cannot leave the Montellis.
"Sorry, that was presumptuous of me."
Francesco sighed. He knew Ragunna couldn't keep the Noah before him, just as this small sheltered block couldn't keep him either.
"The rain has stopped. I'm leaving. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
The cool wind blowing through Ragunna carried the elder's retreating figure away. Noah stood for a moment and finally waited for Carlotta's arrival.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I spent a lot of time shaking off those 'eyes' along the way."
"No problem. I just had a great chat with an old man who raises potatoes. He said he'd marry his daughter to me, but I refused."
"Haha, an old potato farmer's daughter?"
Carlotta was amused into a puff of laughter:
"Good thing you refused, or she'd probably be old enough to be your mom."
"Uh... she's one year short of adulthood."
"Oh? What a coincidence—she's the same age as me? That old man is really vigorous in his old age."
Noah glanced at Carlotta, subconsciously wanting to say something teasing, but thought better of it and gave up, instead shifting to the main topic:
"By the way, why did you ask me to come here?"
"Before, you invited me to adventure together. Now it's my turn to invite you. You fished up a big one like Cetus the Tidebreaker yesterday—I really need a skilled angler like you."
After the playful words, Carlotta's expression turned serious:
"The big fish lurking deep in the Montellis has finally started moving."
Recently, partners have successively terminated transactions with the Montelli Family. At this exact time, news broke that a manager named Bennett in the vault had embezzled and privately sold vault goods.
It is said he fled with the goods, was attacked by a Tacet Discord, and died outside the city. Before dying, Bennett sent Carlotta a heavily encrypted photo.
Carlotta keenly sensed something wrong, deducing that Bennett was a scapegoat for the mastermind behind the scenes—the one who truly made the vault goods vanish was someone else.
"I'm investigating the possible hidden truth behind Bennett."
"And you once caught the initial betrayers in the vault with me, so I trust you wholeheartedly."
"I need your help."
Facing Carlotta's request, Noah, well-versed in the plot, naturally agreed readily:
"Then you've found the right person. What do you want to do next?"
"My identity is well-known to everyone in the Montellis, so many things are inconvenient for me to handle personally. First, I need you to help investigate Bennett's residence—"
"Skip."
===✧✦✧===
On the other side.
Capollo, having finished washing up and about to go to bed, suddenly received a communication from the Order.
"Sorry for waking you so late, Mr. Capollo. Allow me to introduce myself—my name is Cristoforo, nicknamed the Playwright, Overseer of the Fractsidus."
A calm and unhurried voice came from the terminal, but the content instantly put Capollo on alert, making him cautious:
"The Overseer of the Fractsidus? Calling in the dead of night—what's the matter?"
"Haha, don't be nervous. We are also a cooperating organization with the Order; who knows, we might even become allies in the future."
Cristoforo let out a relaxed laugh, carrying a breezy aristocratic air:
"I heard that the Montelli Family once collected a mirror that hides a Sonoro Sphere space inside. May I... be allowed to view it?"