Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.
After three days of research, Noah had finally thoroughly studied Iuno's prophecy ability.
The future seen by Jinzhou's Sentinel Jué was countless uncertainties, like all the branches and buds on a great tree. Therefore, Jué could analyze countless fragments of the future and prophesy parts related to Noah.
Iuno, on the other hand, saw the destined future on a single specific branch. Thus, her ability could accurately capture a person's fated future through frequencies, but she could not prophesy Noah's future at all.
Because Noah was not a native of Solaris to begin with. Whatever character he used, Iuno could only see the future corresponding to that character.
"So my existence is like an extra branch that suddenly appeared on the tree, capable of disrupting other people's trajectories — meaning I can change so-called destined futures."
Noah rubbed his chin and reached a conclusion:
"If in the original plot Rover represents the blank slate of all possibilities, then I am the... colorful one compatible with other people's fates?"
Never mind. He would set these brain-burning matters aside for now. As long as he possessed the ability to change the direction of this world like Rover, he was already satisfied.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Laureate!"
Cartethyia quickly walked out of the kitchen of the Blazing Sun Tavern carrying two plates of Laurel Sprout Salad. She placed one plate in front of Noah:
"Try it quickly. I remember you don't like things too sour, so I specially added a bit of white sugar."
"Thanks, Little Cartethyia."
While devouring his meal, Noah switched to the Iuno character and focused his attention on Cartethyia.
Prophecy!
A scene unfolded before his eyes. The content showed her chatting happily with Lupa.
"Laureate, why do you keep looking at me?"
Cartethyia waved her hand in front of Noah's eyes. A sly glint flashed in her clear, water-like pupils:
"Staring at me like this the whole time — do you think the salad in my bowl smells better than the one on your table? Want me to share a couple of bites with you?"
As soon as the words fell, the prophesied scene before Noah's eyes instantly changed to Cartethyia talking with Buling.
Seeing this, Noah simply gave up on the prophecy.
With him, the "butterfly," by the side of the person being prophesied, the future in the prophecy would keep changing, making it impossible to predict accurately.
"Little Cartethyia, last time when Imperator went to the Hunting Grounds, did it gain anything?"
"It brought back a box. It said it was something called... the Box of Civilization. No other gains were found though."
Cartethyia poked her soft cheek with her finger as she recalled and spoke:
"The Sentinel said that the Charioteer commanded It to guide the direction of Rinascita, and Threnodians also pull the fate of Rinascita. The people on this land have never had the chance to truly rule themselves."
"It hopes that civilization will rule its own direction. Therefore, even after reviving, It chose to remain hidden and is unwilling to step forward."
"In other words, for this Septimont Hunting Grounds matter, although the Sentinel will watch from the high heavens, It will not intervene unless absolutely necessary."
At this point, Cartethyia suddenly let out a soft laugh:
"I guess the Sentinel doesn't want to expose Its small body to the world. Plus, with you here, Laureate, It can stay comfortably behind the scenes."
Hearing this, Noah nodded. He didn't mind it.
Old Horse's current combat power was only at the peak of Overlord-class. Besides, Septimont was not a place that worshiped gods anyway. Whether It came or not made little difference.
As a backup insurance, it was quite suitable.
The two chatted and laughed as lunch came to an end. Suddenly the sky darkened. The atmosphere inside the Blazing Sun Tavern grew quiet as everyone subconsciously looked up.
Thick gray-black clouds, like surging asphalt, pressed down oppressively toward the horizon. The wind intensified, stirring up dust and brown leaves from the ground. A few crows let out hoarse cries.
"Look at the sky!"
"Black storm clouds have formed! It's the Dark Tide clouds!"
"The high tide period that comes once every four years has arrived. Looking at the scale of these clouds, this is definitely the largest in history."
In the high heavens to the southeast, a storm cloud formed by countless ink-black clouds swirled. The rotating high pressure caused dark purple lightning to occasionally burst from within the storm cloud.
Several lines of small text appeared at the bottom of Noah's vision.
[Main Quest: By Sun's Burning Hand has been activated.]
[Quest Description: The high tide period has arrived. Calamities hidden in the shadows are quietly watching Septimont's borders. Ephor Augusta has issued a summons, inviting you to participate in a hunt concerning the survival of Septimont at the Sanguiis Hunting Grounds...]
[Completing the main quest By Sun's Burning Hand will grant rewards: Radiant Tide20, Lustrous Tide10, Astrite1600, Shell Credit100,000.]
"Laureate, the high tide period has arrived. We..."
"Let's go!"
...
"We meet again, Mr. Noah. Ephor Augusta is still gathering the gladiators. It's perfect for us to walk the rest of the way."
Avidius had been waiting early on the necessary path near Windtide Cliff. He proactively led the way for Noah and Cartethyia:
"Heading east along this path leads to the Forecourt of Glory — Windtide Cliff."
"Long time no see, Avidius." Noah greeted him: "How have you been lately?"
"Hahaha, everything is going smoothly."
Avidius laughed and explained:
"The people from the Elder Council are still the same as before. They hope I will represent the Elder Council and achieve good results in this Hunting Grounds event. However, I am no longer the person I used to be."
"Although I still choose to go to the Hunting Grounds, it is no longer for the sake of power. It is to do everything I can to protect this land that I still love."
Hearing this, Noah nodded and smiled:
"Someone like you now gives off more of a Hero King vibe."
"Hahaha, you flatter me."
Avidius laughed heartily and led the two through the stationed Septimont sentries.
Not only them — many more tall and straight gladiators were also walking out of Septimont City in unison.
They had already sharpened their blades and prepared themselves for this once-every-four-years high tide period.
The sentries straightened their backs and sent blessing howls to every passing gladiator. Their voices rang out powerfully:
"May your hunt be unobstructed, and your eyes burn bright!"
After passing a corner, a red-haired figure immediately came into view, with half a gladiatorial tournament champion medal hanging on her shoulder.
"Teacher, I knew you would pass by here!"
Lupa quickly stepped forward. She first glanced at Cartethyia beside Noah, then unceremoniously pushed Avidius aside and stood on Noah's other side:
"Teacher, teacher, you haven't updated in days again. Update soon!"
"Update, update, update. I'll update tomorrow. There are plenty of Tacet Discords in the Hunting Grounds."
Seeing Noah agree, Lupa's tail wagged rapidly. She hurriedly suggested:
"Videos about ordinary people are starting to get a bit aesthetically fatigued. How about we don't shoot that kind of content next time?"
As she spoke, she took out her terminal, opened Quick Tone while walking, and pulled up Noah's latest video, reading the comment section:
[Genius Priestess of Tetragon Temple: Clearly stronger than anyone, yet you keep filming these 'ordinary person' videos every day.]
[Midnight Ranger Field Medic General: Although the intention of the videos is very good, some adolescents whose minds are not yet mature are instead attracted by the superb combat techniques and thrilling dangerous scenes, and even go provoke wild Tacet Discords. Luckily it was only Common-class...]
[Winter Ends, Spring Returns: You have seen mountains, rivers, and seas. Your horizons must have broadened. Yet the winds of Jinzhou always wait in the same place, hoping to enjoy ordinary fireworks with you one day——]
"Stop, stop!"
Cartethyia hurriedly stopped Lupa from reading more comments, afraid it would trigger Noah's homesickness.
The person with the ID "Winter Ends, Spring Returns" was definitely that white milk dragon from Jinzhou.
She looked at Noah again. He remained silent.
"Um..." Cartethyia asked cautiously: "Laureate, what are you thinking about?"
He wouldn't be thinking about Jinzhou, right?
Please, not that.
"I think I saw Buling." Noah replied.
Not far away, a short-haired girl wearing earphones had set up a stall, doing fortune-telling for every passing gladiator:
"Fated to encounter flying blades. There is a risk of external injury from weapons and bloodshed. However, your life is not in danger. Go with peace of mind."
"I'll trust you then, Master. I'm going in."
One gladiator left satisfied. Another gladiator immediately stepped up to the stall and handed over twenty Shell Credits:
"Little girl, tell me about the safety of this Hunting Grounds expedition."
"Alrighty." Buling skillfully shook the turtle shell. After a quick divination, she immediately had a result:
"The worldly yao is overcome and encounters six clashes. This journey outward will be difficult to return from. The return date is hopeless. Uncle, perhaps you should not go."
"Hmph! As expected, it's feudal superstition from the Huanglong side."
That gladiator snorted coldly and left without looking back.
Then another group of people came to the stall. Buling, who had just picked up the copper coins, looked up and saw Noah:
"Ah! Boss!"
She cried out in surprise and subconsciously uttered her reception line:
"What kind of thing are you?"
...