The storage area of Averardo Vault was heavily guarded. Even internal staff were strictly confined to designated zones; crossing boundaries without authorization was prohibited, any violation would trigger a costly breach of contract clause.
The conditions were harsh, but necessary.
After all, the vault held not only the Montelli family's possessions, but also the collections of many other factions, of incalculable value.
If the rules weren't strict, what if someone snuck in with a meager loadout, speed-ran through the vault in seven minutes, and extracted with tens of millions worth of loot?
"Are these all the Montelli family's precious artifacts?"
In the storage area, Ray couldn't help but exclaim as he gazed upon these priceless treasures before him.
Famous paintings, gemstones, antique artworks, everything in sight was a rare treasure, any one of which could cause a sensation at an auction.
These were things Ray wouldn't normally get to see. If not for coming with Carlotta today, he probably wouldn't have been qualified to enter here in his lifetime.
"This seems to be... a scroll from Huanglong?"
His steps halted before a display case. He bent down to examine the scroll inside, which was stylistically distinct from the other Western collections.
Faint ink landscapes could be glimpsed on the pale yellow silk, as if carrying some distant Eastern legend.
"This one?" Carlotta strolled to his side, her fingertip tapping lightly on the glass case. "Grandfather said this scroll was already here when he was young. It's said to contain hidden secrets within the painting, that only one bearing a heavenly destiny can enter. And inside, there's said to be a craftsman who never eats meat."
"?"
Destiny-bearer?
A craftsman who never eats meat?
"Let's go. The tablet is further ahead."
"Mm."
Ray followed close behind Carlotta as they headed deeper into the storage area.
They saw almost no one along the way, all security was handled entirely by the Vitreum Dancer.
These meticulously crafted Echo guards were arguably the most reliable force the Montelli family possessed, far more trustworthy than humans.
They reached the area where the tablet was displayed without obstruction.
Carlotta took out her authorization device to unlock the case. With a soft mechanical whir, the display case slowly opened.
Carefully, she lifted the ancient tablet and handed it to Ray.
"Here you go."
Ray accepted the tablet, lowering his gaze to the steed galloping across the heavens depicted on it.
This must have been the Sentinel's true form, utterly different from its current distorted appearance.
Now, he needed to try to resonate with it again and return to that Sonora realm. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and sank his consciousness inward, trying to awaken that power within him that could speak to the tablet.
Carlotta watched him intently, holding her breath. After an unnervingly long silence, she broke it softly: "Did it work?"
Ray slowly opened his eyes and shook his head helplessly. "No."
"What? Why?" Carlotta's eyes widened in surprise. "I remember the first time, Cat's Eye, you succeeded just by touching it, didn't you?"
"I don't know what's wrong this time."
Ray was puzzled. Before, a simple touch had been enough for his consciousness to enter that Sonora realm.
But this time...
Even when he tried to use his power to resonate with it, he couldn't reach that place.
"Could it only be usable once?" Carlotta guessed.
Ray shook his head, offering his own assessment. "I don't think so. When I infused my Resonance energy into it, I could clearly sense the frequency hidden within the tablet trying to resonate with me. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"Some kind of alien frequency is blocking it, like a signal interference."
"Is it Leviathan?"
Hearing that name, Ray's expression grew grave. "Very possible. That entity... seems to be deliberately preventing me from entering that world."
"Is that so?" Carlotta lightly bit her lip, a thoughtful gleam in her eyes. "If that's the case, I happen to know a friend whose Resonance ability might be able to break through that block."
"Who?"
"A bard."
"A bard?"
"Don't rush. I'll introduce her to you when the time comes." Carlotta changed the subject, the corner of her mouth curving meaningfully. "As for now, I think you must be tired. You need to lie down and rest, don't you?"
Ray was taken aback and instinctively objected, "Tired? I'm not tired at all—"
Before he could finish, the young woman tilted her head slightly, smiled at him, and cut him off in a tone that brooked no argument: "Be good. You're tired."
"..."
...
...
Carlotta had her own private suite deep within Averardo vault.
This residence at the heart of the storage area was less a bedroom and more an exquisite showcase, adorned with the same elegant decor as her boudoir in the Montelli residence, every detail reflecting its owner's refined taste.
Though she rarely stayed here, only using it when work kept her from returning to the city, the room still held a gentle, feminine warmth.
It was quiet, with a faint hint of perfume in the air.
Ray couldn't tell if the scent was originally in the room or emanated from Carlotta herself.
Regardless, he liked this subtle fragrance.
"The Second Young Miss has her own room in the vault too?"
"Yes. Because of work, sometimes I can't make it back to the city, so I set up a room here."
Carlotta continued in her unhurried tone, tilting her head to look at Ray, that perfectly measured smile still on her lips.
"Since this is deep inside, apart from the security Echoes, there won't be anyone else here."
The words were spoken casually, yet they hinted at a certain secret hope.
"What I mean is no one will disturb us for a while."
Her voice was as light as a feather falling on snow.
Ray's breath caught slightly.
Was the Second Young Miss... hinting at something?
No, this was practically a direct invitation.
So how should he answer now?
Refuse?
How could he!
A hero doesn't retreat from a challenge!
Sensing his thoughts, the young woman rose on her toes and leaned close to his ear. Her gentle tone, laced with a softness she had never shown before, brushed against him like a feather.
"So... want to do something pleasant?"
"Today... I'm in my safe period."