At dusk, the ferry slowly docked at the port of Septimont.
Unlike Ragunna's Order, which subjected visitors from Septimont to strict interrogation, Septimont was far more lenient toward travelers from Ragunna, as long as they weren't here to preach, Septimont welcomed all guests from afar.
After all, tourism was a vital pillar of the local economy.
The moment he set foot on the soil of Septimont, Ray keenly sensed how different the atmosphere was from Ragunna's.
Whether it was the attire of the pedestrians or the vibe of the streets, everything carried a distinct flavor.
Most conspicuous was the statue of Gryphon standing tall in the central plaza, in Ragunna, this spot would have been reserved for a statue of the Sentinel.
"That is..." Ray paused, gazing up at it. "Does Septimont have its own Sentinel?"
Carlotta walked slowly to his side, joining him in looking up at the imposing statue. "That is Arsinosa, the Guardian Holy Beast of Septimont. In the hearts of Septimont's people, its status is likely no less than that of the Sentinel in Ragunna."
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze shifting to Ray. "You must know the shared origins of Septimont and Ragunna. The people of Septimont do not reject faith in the Sentinel; their way of belief is simply different from ours."
"In Ragunna, the Sentinel is revered as a deity, considered beyond the companionship of mortals. But in Septimont... while they revere the Sentinel, they place even greater faith in humanity's own strength. They strive to become powerful warriors, aspiring to one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the Sentinel."
"That is also why the culture of gladiatorial combat thrives so strongly here."
"Is that so?" Ray fell into thoughtful silence before smiling gently. "I don't mind that kind of 'human will triumphs over heaven' rhetoric."
"Who does?" Carlotta crossed her arms, nodding in agreement. "Clinging rigidly to rules and taboos will only make Ragunna more isolated, eventually turning it into a stagnant pool. That's precisely why the Montelli family is determined to change Ragunna because we have seen with our own eyes how vast this world can be."
"Enough of that for now." The young lady pulled her thoughts back, glancing at the deepening sky. "Let's go. We need to find a place to stay before dark."
The Cliff Harbor where they currently stood was a crucial gateway connecting Septimont to the outside world. Merchant and fishing vessels came and went daily, docking here to welcome travelers from all directions.
The true capital of Septimont was the Capitoline Hill City nestled among the surrounding peaks, it was not only the administrative center but also the heart of life for the people of Septimont.
Ray had long heard that Septimont was famous for two distinctive features: one was the thrilling gladiatorial tournaments, and the other was the renowned public bathhouses.
He thought to himself that since they were here, he should see for himself if the legendary bathhouses truly lived up to their reputation.
The only worry was...
The water pipes here probably didn't contain lead, right? (fistulae)
After all, the style here seemed quite similar to Rome's.
...
...
As Septimont's gateway to the outside world, Cliff Harbor's commercial prosperity far surpassed that of any port in Ragunna.
Though in recent years, with the efforts of families like the Montelli, Ragunna had also introduced many foreign merchant guilds, making the market somewhat livelier, it still couldn't escape the pervasive shadow of the Order's surveillance. It never achieved the unrestrained, vibrant vitality seen here in Septimont.
"Hey, have you heard? The House Silva team recently recruited an amazing new star!"
"Of course I know. I think the fighter's name is Lupa. Wields a spear with such ferocity, seems like she's about to sweep championships in all the major tournaments!"
"If I were the head of any other family, I'd be sweating buckets right now. If she takes the crown in the Great Agon Grand Tournament too, wouldn't House Silva truly be starting a dynasty?"
"A dynasty? I'm not so sure. The other teams aren't just sitting ducks either."
Conversations from passersby drifted over with the wind.
Ray quickened his pace to catch up with Carlotta, lowering his voice to ask quietly, "Second Young Miss, these gladiators... are they all backed by nobles behind the scenes?"
"What else?" Carlotta's reply came naturally. "It's true that gladiators hold an extraordinary status in Septimont. Every person here aspires to become a qualified gladiator, but—"
She shifted her tone, plucking a black card from her pocket. She spun it deftly between her fingers before giving it a light flick, producing a crisp sound. A meaningful curve touched the corner of her mouth.
"What ultimately drives this world are money and power. Even in the arena, without connections and backing, unless you possess absolute, overwhelming strength... you'll find it difficult to advance an inch."
"In Ragunna, where divine authority reigns supreme, whether it's our Montelli family, the Fisalia, or any other family, everything operates under the Order's regulations. There are social strata, yes, but it's never as... blatant and brutal as it is here in Septimont. The Montelli value ability over bloodline. Even the Fisalia, who place the greatest emphasis on lineage, haven't completely blocked the path for ordinary people to rise."
"But here—" Carlotta's gaze swept over the vaguely visible noble districts on the distant upper slopes. "The chasm between nobility and commoners is deep and unbridgeable. I've met many nobles of Septimont. Their arrogance and prejudice run far deeper and are far less concealed than those of any family in Ragunna."
"In the past, gladiatorial matches might have carried a sacred mission, but now..." Carlotta shook her head gently. "The so-called tournaments have long been reduced to tools for noble entertainment. They place bets, gamble, and even manipulate outcomes behind the scenes countless gladiators' years of blood, sweat, and dreams are easily sacrificed just to satisfy those ingrained, twisted pleasures."
"You might not know this, but early gladiatorial matches were less about sport and more about fighting to the death. It wasn't until the current Governor of Septimont implemented reforms and introduced commercial operations that such senseless bloodshed was finally curbed."
"Speaking of this Governor, she truly is a legend." A note of admiration couldn't help but seep into Carlotta's tone. "A young girl with no background, fighting her way up from the very bottom, ultimately winning the gladiatorial championship and ascending to the pinnacle of power in Septimont. A legend like that... I doubt we'll see another for a hundred years."
'So even beneath the glittering surface of Septimont, such darkness lurked?
Seems no different from Ragunna after all. Crows everywhere are black, huh.
Sigh. Capital wins, I guess.'
The two of them walked into the hotel lobby together. Ray set his luggage aside for a moment and headed straight for the restroom. Seizing this brief window, a mischievous glint flashed in Carlotta's eyes.
She approached the front desk alone. The receptionist immediately stood up, speaking politely. "Hail to you, miss. May I ask—"
"You currently have only one room left, correct?"
Carlotta interrupted with a light chuckle before the other could finish.
"Huh? No, we actually have plenty of vacancies. If you need—"
Tap.
The black card was placed gently on the counter.
The faint smile still lingered at the corner of Carlotta's mouth as she repeated the question, each word enunciated clearly and slowly.
"You currently have only one room left, correct?"