Ragunna City, Bank Street.
With the Carnevale approaching, the streets were already decorated with balloons and streamers of various colors, creating a very festive atmosphere.
After returning the core component to the secure area, Carlotta finally breathed a complete sigh of relief. She took Noah for a stroll through the area belonging to the Montelli family.
The continuous light rain made Ragunna City unusually quiet.
"As for the Order of the Deep, I've arranged for someone to reject this transaction on Capollo's behalf. The core component has returned to the family. This matter is finally settled."
Without the tense atmosphere from the banquet hall earlier, Carlotta placed her hands behind her back, stepped onto the arched stone bridge, and sincerely thanked Noah:
"To accomplish so much, it's largely thanks to you, Tall Chestnut."
"The main credit goes to you. I just lent a small hand."
Noah was flipping through his panel, calculating the Astrite resources in his backpack while casually responding to Little Potato.
Having completed Carlotta's Companion Story, he gained another 3200 Astrite. Now he had Radiant Tide *20, Astrite *83240—adding up to 540 pulls.
...It still felt like 520 pulls sounded better. Maybe...
Exiting the backpack panel, Noah opened the [Summon] interface, preparing to throw in 20 pulls to pad the pool for Cartethyia.
[Limited Banner "Another Clamor", "Death and Dance" now open.]
"Speaking of which, family members, besides having code names, also have a corresponding representative object matching the code name."
On the stone bridge, Carlotta steered the topic in another direction:
"As thanks to you, I've prepared a gift for you too."
Like performing a magic trick, she took out a golden, undecorated round gemstone:
"Ta-da, Tall Chestnut. This gem is the representative object matching your code name. Take a close look—doesn't it resemble the kernel of a nut?"
Watching Noah accept the "Tall Chestnut" gem, Carlotta's face gradually flushed red.
Ever since the stained-glass mirror incident, she had increasingly realized she had irredeemably fallen for this traveler from Huanlong in Jinzhou.
The hero saving the beauty trope was cliché, yet it always touched the heart. After all, few women could resist the shock and emotion brought by the person who rescued them from death's grasp in that life-or-death moment.
Especially since this person already had so many bonus points.
Though she could appear composed and generous on the surface during their interactions, only she knew the fluttering and joy in her heart.
Confessing something like that—even someone as bold as her felt too embarrassed to speak up proactively.
But he's so smart; he should recognize that this "Tall Chestnut" gem is actually a priceless cat's eye stone, right?
He'll understand the feelings she's trying to express subtly, right? He definitely will! Then, would he suddenly give her a hug?
Thinking about it, Carlotta couldn't help but laugh out loud, spreading her arms open expectantly toward Noah.
Noah put away the "Tall Chestnut" gem and threw a ten-pull into the Carlotta banner.
As expected, nothing.
Only then did he divert his attention to Carlotta, who had been maintaining her arms-open pose. His eyelid twitched:
"Little Potato, why are you posing like that? Do you think I'm going to hug you?"
"Huh?" Carlotta's eyes widened in shock.
Noah threw another ten-pull into Carlotta's banner.
On the panel, blue wave tides surged skyward. A strand of gold light mixed in, becoming increasingly prominent!
Gold!
Noah's breath caught, his heart filled with great joy. He quickly tapped to skip. The two golden images on the panel immediately caught his eye.
Double gold! He got double Carlotta!
His Carlotta was at six chains! To reach full six plus one, it only took 193 pulls total!
Thinking of this, Noah couldn't suppress his laughter.
Across from him, Carlotta hadn't reacted to his sudden mood shift. She only felt a pair of large hands pass under her armpits, lifting her high. Noah spun in circles while shouting:
"Do you think I'm going to hug you? Of course I will!"
"Huh?!!!"
What the heck is this kid-lifting pose!
Carlotta gradually overheated in the wind.
This wasn't the kind of hug she wanted at all!
This bad guy definitely wanted to witness a new wave.
===
The long night faded, and day had dawned.
Tomorrow was the Carnevale. The Troupe of Fools' final rehearsal was exceptionally serious, with only the ever-present Carlotta absent.
"Brother Noah, do you know why Miss Carlotta didn't come today?"
"No idea."
Noah innocently shrugged.
He had just hugged Carlotta once—who knew she would suddenly get angry. Women are really hard to understand... girls too.
"I guess she's probably busy handling family matters. Last night on the arched bridge, we were chatting halfway when her Grandfather Francesco called her away."
"Alright."
Brant shook his head, not thinking much of it, and shifted to another topic:
"By the way, according to Carnevale tradition, everyone participating needs to wear a mask. What does your mask look like, Brother Noah?"
The words were like a wake-up call, instantly energizing Noah:
"Oh no, I don't have a mask yet!"
"Disaster." Brant slapped his palm sharply: "If you want to custom-order a mask now, it probably won't make it in time. Why not pick a ready-made one from the troupe?"
"No need. I'll ask Carlotta for a backdoor favor."
Actions followed words. Noah set off immediately, flapping his gliding wings to leave Penitent's End.
Gliding, transferring to the High Sky Messenger, transferring to the gondola—using various means of transportation, hurrying as much as possible, he finally arrived in Ragunna City.
Stepping off the gondola, just about to head toward the Montelli Quarter in Ragunna, Noah once again felt a familiar gaze upon him.
Familiar gaze, familiar bench, familiar person.
"Selene!"
Changing direction, Noah sat directly beside Selene and casually greeted:
"What a coincidence, we meet again."
"Not a coincidence. I've been waiting for you."
Phrolova observed carefully. Seeing no change in Noah's attitude, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed... he hadn't discovered that the book she gave him was Cristoforo's script. So the identity of Selene could still be used.
Phrolova took a small box from beside her and handed it to Noah:
"For you." As if remembering something, Phrolova added: "A gift between friends."
"So generous—what gift is it?" Noah accepted the small box in surprise.
"Inside are honey biscuits I made myself."
Phrolova lowered her head, her voice becoming very soft, as if somewhat embarrassed:
"In the future... I might have places where I need your help, so... I'm trying to get closer to you first."
"Pretty straightforward—I like it."
Hearing this, Noah confidently opened the box lid. A mixed awful scent of sweet, sour, and greasy immediately assaulted his nostrils, causing his expression to change repeatedly.
This... is this really something humans can eat? She eats this every day? No wonder she's so thin.
Noah immediately closed the box lid. His original thought of reciprocating the gift was thrown to the winds. He awkwardly stood up:
"Well... if you need anything, feel free to find me anytime. I have something urgent—gotta go. See you."
Phrolova didn't even have time to say goodbye before seeing Noah quickly leave with the box.
"Heh..."
A soft laugh echoed lightly from nearby. Phrolova turned her head in response, seeing the newcomer was none other than Cristoforo:
"Phrolova, I was wondering why you've been acting so sneaky. Turns out you've been secretly making poison, trying to poison Noah to death."
As he spoke, Cristoforo clapped his hands, shaking his head regretfully:
"Such a great idea—I racked my brains and couldn't think of it. Unfortunately, he didn't fall for it."
Phrolova lowered her gaze, ignoring Cristoforo's words.
Seeing this, Cristoforo snorted coldly, his gaze turning sinister:
"Don't think I can't guess what you're thinking, Phrolova. I must warn you—Noah is the mortal enemy of the Fractsidus. If you seek his help, you'll only end up playing with fire and burning yourself!"
"Playwright, you're being a bit verbose."
The single sentence seemed to sting Phrolova.
She finally stood up slowly, her icy gaze meeting Cristoforo's eyes. The Red Spider Lily staff extended, pressing against Cristoforo's neck:
"If you secretly follow me again next time, I won't mind giving you a little lesson."
"As for Noah's matters, you'd best mindless—"
"I have my own rhythm."