Liberty Square.
A massive plaza in the heart of Ragunna.
Folk troupes and performers treated the square as an impromptu theater. Street artists would sometimes instinctively join in these sudden performances, skillfully providing musical accompaniment or even participating in the improvisation.
Even so, trying to find suitable candidates in such a place was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But it was worth a try. What if…?
What if luck was on his side, and an SSR popped out of this crowd?
Though, Ray wasn't exactly holding his breath.
He sat on a bench in the plaza, his gaze lightly sweeping over the passing crowd.
Just then, a small Echo gently tugged at his sleeve, excitedly showing him a large, colorful bunch of balloons it had blown up.
Ray paused, his eyes settling on the Echo before him, it was a combination of a Workman Doll and Miss Lonely. They were remnants dwelling within dolls, formless and insubstantial, harboring no hostility toward humans.
On the contrary, for them, only by establishing sincere relationships with humans, earning their trust and gratitude, could they savor frequencies that tasted like the most exquisite delicacy.
He hesitated for a moment, then smiled, taking one of the balloons and saying softly,
"Thank you."
"Lappy, Beni, wait for me! Oh… is that… Mr. Ray?"
A familiar voice came from beside him. Ray instinctively looked up and saw a flustered priest stopping a few steps away, having just hurried over.
His eyes widened slightly as he softly called her name. "Phoebe?"
The girl placed a hand over her chest, her lips pressed together, her breathing still a little quick.
The blush on her cheeks was like the horizon at sunrise, faintly shimmering, clear and bright.
She really was adorable.
"You…"
Ray looked at the girl before him, then slowly shifted his gaze to the two Echoes. In a flash of understanding, he seemed to grasp something.
In Rinascita, being friendly with Echoes wasn't particularly strange.
The problem was according to the doctrines and precepts of the Order of the Deep, Echoes were regarded as sacred messengers of the Sentinel, carrying its will and authority.
Unless absolutely necessary, Acolytes were bound by strict rules and were not to have private contact or interaction with Echoes, lest they offend the Sentinel's dignity.
Now, it seemed…
"Phoebe, you wouldn't want this to be discovered by the Order, would you?"
"N-no… it's not like that… I haven't broken any precepts! Someone just asked me to look after them for a moment, so—"
Perhaps out of guilt, Phoebe immediately began waving her hands in a flustered manner, hurriedly explaining herself.
Seeing the girl's utterly panicked state, Ray couldn't help but chuckle softly and shake his head.
"Miss Phoebe, making excuses the moment you make a mistake instead of facing it honestly isn't a very good habit."
Hearing this, the girl's shoulders trembled slightly. She then lowered her head, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
"…I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing to me?" Ray smiled knowingly. "I was just teasing you earlier. Besides, this is your freedom. I have no right to interfere. Everyone in this world has the right to live their own way."
Lappy and Beni hopped back to Phoebe's side, tugging at the hem of her skirt and pulling her toward the bench, as if urging her to sit down.
Ray shifted slightly to the side, making space for her.
Phoebe's lips moved silently, but she finally sat down beside him. She kept her head bowed, hands neatly folded on her lap, and said softly,"Mr. Ray… you really are very gentle."
"This is the first time I've seen Lappy and Beni take the initiative to approach an adult. Usually, they only give balloons and little gifts to children."
"Is that so?" Ray glanced at the balloon in his hand. "Should I feel honored, then?"
As he spoke, he looked toward Lappy and Beni. They waved goodbye before hopping away and disappearing into the crowd.
"By the way, Miss Phoebe, would you like to have pizza again today?" he asked, his tone relaxed.
The girl was slightly taken aback, then quickly shook her head."N-no! You already treated me last time; I couldn't possibly let you pay again. And…"
Her voice grew quieter, tinged with seriousness. "As a Priest, I must abide by the precepts and not commit the sin of gluttony."
In truth, it hadn't even been Ray who paid last time, it was Zanni.
"Is that so?" Ray's lips curved into a teasing smile. "You can be friends with Echoes, but you can't eat pizza?"
"I… I…" Phoebe's cheeks instantly flushed pink, and she instinctively lowered her head again, at a complete loss for words.
"You really blush so easily when teased," Ray chuckled lightly.
"…Mr. Ray," Phoebe mumbled, a hint of playful protest in her tone, both indignant and helpless.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Ray let out a soft sigh. For some reason, talking with Phoebe always made him feel particularly relaxed. "I actually wanted to ask you about something."
Phoebe looked up, tilting her head slightly. "Something?"
"Mhm." Ray nodded. "Do you know anyone who has particularly strong, independent ideas about music? Someone a bit unconventional?"
"Huh?" Phoebe furrowed her brows, thinking seriously for a moment, but ultimately shook her head. "I don't… seem to know anyone like that. But if you're interested in music, Mr. Ray, I know the choir's performance schedule. I could take you to see it!"
Choir?
Ray had zero interest in that.
"It's not that I'm interested," he explained. "It's for work. I need to get in touch with that kind of person."
Hearing this, Phoebe's expression dimmed slightly.
"I see."
Ray noticed the subtle change immediately.
"Come to think of it, I've never actually seen a choir performance," he said after a moment. "After my work is done, Phoebe, how about you take me to see one?"
The girl's eyes, which had dulled moments ago, instantly sparkled."Really? I thought Mr. Ray never went to the Order of the Deep."
"Well, it's mainly because work has been too busy."
That was a lie.
The truth was, he just didn't want to go.
Time was like water in a sponge, if you squeezed it, there would always be some.
Phoebe looked serious.
"Then it's a promise! Mr. Ray, you mustn't break it!"
Ray smiled gently.
"Of course. Any promise I make, I'll definitely keep."
A sudden breeze carried an indescribable hint of sorrow, gently brushing against his face.
And in that very instant, a crimson figure silently flitted across his vision.
.
.
.
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Bonus Chapter Alert!
If we cross 100 powerstones, there will be a bonus chapter.
Read advance chapters on [email protected]/lost_moon