Cathedral of Mercury.
Today, the Order of the Deep was filled with the fragrance of various flowers. Dozens of priests each held a pot of different kinds of flowers, lining up to await appraisal by His Eminence Fenrico.
"Priest Hysilens, why is your flower pot completely empty?"
Fenrico asked a female priest, who immediately replied eagerly:
"Your Eminence, I will answer you sincerely. My seed was accidentally lost, so I was unable to grow any flowers."
"Sincere, but not careful enough."
Fenrico shook his head and looked at the next person holding flowers:
"Priest Lina, why are your flowers blooming so brilliantly?"
"Your Eminence, it is because of my careful cultivation and the Sentinel's protection."
Hearing this, Fenrico lowered his head, flipped through the book in his hand, and quickly found the corresponding information.
Desert Rose: Bloom period ninety days.
"Careful, but not sincere enough."
Shaking his head, Fenrico looked at the next person holding flowers. The other held a pot of petunias, blooming vibrantly.
But Fenrico remembered this person: Priest Sifen, who had once schemed to steal someone else's seeds.
Fenrico was too lazy to even ask, passing over him amid the other's fawning and eager gaze, moving straight to the next.
"Priest Phoebe, why has your flower pot grown so many weeds? It seems you've even specially trimmed these weeds?"
"Your Eminence, I believe weeds and flowers are equal living beings."
As soon as Phoebe's voice fell, faint sneers sounded around her. Her face flushed red as she continued:
"At least in the flower pot I tend, whether flowers or weeds, they all have the right to enjoy sunlight and rain."
"A very noble realization, Priest Phoebe, but—"
Fenrico raised his hand, signaling the priests to quiet down, his gaze coldly meeting Phoebe's:
"But these weeds will absorb the flowers' nutrients, making the flowers' growth more difficult and arduous. If, for the sake of the flowers growing strong and healthy, I ordered you to pull out the weeds, what would you do?"
"This..."
Phoebe lowered her head, thinking hard for a moment before finally raising it to answer:
"I would pull out these weeds."
Hearing this, a trace of hidden disappointment flashed in Fenrico's eyes, but Phoebe's words were not finished.
"However, I would also transplant these weeds into nature, preserving their right to survive."
Hearing these words, Fenrico's eyes brightened slightly, yet he still spoke coldly:
"Such high-sounding words are pleasant to hear, but their authenticity is questionable."
"Yes, Your Eminence. I am not the kind of person noble enough to consider all weeds."
Phoebe answered honestly:
"The reason I choose to transplant the weeds from this pot into nature is only because they are related to me."
"Good, very good—sincere and careful, merciful and rational."
Fenrico finally gave praise at this flower appreciation conference. He waved his hand and ordered:
"The most outstanding flower has emerged. This conference ends here. Everyone, withdraw."
The priests looked at Phoebe with envy or jealousy but dared not say much in front of Fenrico, leaving in an orderly manner.
Soon, the vast cathedral was left with only Fenrico and Phoebe.
"Priest Phoebe, why have you not left?"
Fenrico asked.
"Your Eminence..."
Phoebe lowered her head and hesitated, her fingers tightly twisted together. After hesitating, she made up her mind and spoke resolutely:
"Do you know of the Troupe of Fools?"
Having said the first sentence, the following words flowed smoothly:
"The members of the troupe are mostly people sent by the Order onto pilgrimage ships. Because of the Order's exile, they can never return to Ragunna or reunite with family and friends for life."
"But from what Phoebe knows, most of them are not actually guilty; many are even kind and warm-hearted, yet they have suffered for years 'atoning'."
"Phoebe does not seek to clear their names, only to beg you to allow them to enter Ragunna freely, not just during Carnevale."
After quickly finishing her long speech, Phoebe nervously lowered her head, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes.
Anything related to the Troupe of Fools was surely one of the Order's greatest taboos. Now, not only did she know this taboo, but she had bluntly exposed it.
She did not know what price she would pay—punishment? Imprisonment? Or exile because of this?
No matter the cost, the matter of the Troupe of Fools could not remain buried in Ragunna's shadows. Someone had to speak out.
"You are very brave, Priest Phoebe, but still too naive."
Fenrico looked at Phoebe with approval.
If their positions were swapped, he could think of at least three ways to seek justice for the Troupe of Fools without bluntly telling the Order's Laureate like Phoebe had.
But Phoebe was still young; her naivety in actions was understandable, and she had great potential for growth.
Having this courage was already precious enough.
"By the Sentinel above, I will seriously consider this matter. You may go now. Do not speak of this to others."
"Yes!"
Phoebe, as if granted amnesty, bowed and hurriedly left.
After leaving the cathedral, the priests along the way whispered about Phoebe's retreating figure:
"She's the Phoebe who was the only one praised by His Eminence at the flower appreciation conference? That little follower always trailing behind that outsider?"
"I heard she's skipped prayers five times in a row and has been on leave. I really doubt if she's still devout to the Sentinel."
"Speaking of which, who exactly is that outsider? Do you know?"
Amid the discussion, a man in white casual clothes entered their view, instantly drawing their attention.
"Hey! That's him—the one Priest Phoebe has been following. I think his name is Noah."
"What? Noah! Isn't that the Laureate? Damn, I always thought he just looked similar to the Laureate—didn't expect it to be the real one."
"He's the Laureate? I didn't recognize him without the mask! So Phoebe has been following the Laureate all this time!"
"Having a close relationship with the Laureate who hears the Sentinel's heavenly sound—Phoebe's future is at least on par with a high priest!"
"Not just that—His Eminence clearly said before that the best performer at the flower appreciation conference qualifies for a high position. Phoebe at least archbishop!"
Phoebe paid no attention to the gossip, walking quickly with her head down, her mind still replaying the conversation with His Eminence, her heart a tangled mess.
Suddenly, her round head bumped into a solid chest. Phoebe let out a startled cry, looked up, and her collagen-filled cheeks were easily pinched by Noah again.
"Not watching where you're going, Priestess?"
"Mm... sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you."
Noah released that extremely pleasant-to-touch little round face and asked:
"Where's your Eminence? He said he has business with me."
Phoebe looked up, pointed Noah in a direction. He nodded and headed straight for the Cathedral of Mercury.
"Hey?"
Left behind, Phoebe froze on the spot, an indescribable emptiness climbing into her heart.
Why hadn't that person teased her today?
...
On the other side.
As mechanisms on both sides sounded solemn horns, Noah entered the Cathedral of Mercury.
"Congratulations on claiming the Laureate, Righteous One. The last time Ragunna experienced such fervor was long ago. Thank you for bringing joy to Ragunna."
Beneath the pure white massive statue of Imperator, Fenrico turned around and spoke gravely:
"However, forgive my presumption—may the Order know the content of the heavenly sound you heard?"
"You know Imperator is already dead. The so-called heavenly sound is just Leviathan's trash talk."
Noah stared intently at the golden mask on Fenrico's face, which had expanded slightly, and couldn't help frowning:
"Your Eminence Fenrico, the black tide erosion on your face—is it getting worse..."
"No need to worry, Righteous One. I have already chosen a successor for the Order's future."
Fenrico touched the mask on his face and sighed lightly:
"Righteous One, my time is limited. May I know your next action plan?"
"..."
If he told Fenrico, Leviathan might learn of it too.
Noah was silent for a moment but still chose to answer truthfully:
"Tomorrow, I will go to the upside-down tower and directly confront the Threnodian Leviathan bound there. As for Sentinel Imperator... I can only say I'll do my best to save. I have no guarantee of success."
"No matter what, thank you for your efforts. If there is any need, please instruct at any time."
Fenrico bowed solemnly to Noah and slowly said:
"Please convey to the Troupe of Fools on my behalf: Effective immediately, they formally have permanent qualification to enter Ragunna City for performances."
"...You know they are actually innocent."
"Yes, but even if given another chance, I would still exile them."
Fenrico turned around. Even though he tried to straighten his back, a hunch was still visible.
He sighed heavily:
"A speck of dust from the era falls on each person as an insurmountable mountain—I have no intention of repeating the helplessness of past predicaments, but please believe I will not evade my sins."