Chapter 57: Really Sent Myself Away (Sad)
Finally, after Aeron had been working as a laborer (enduring exploitation) in Fisalia for some time, the day agreed upon with Cantarella and Carlotta was drawing near.
Aeron had to admit that, aside from occasionally having an hour of his time forcibly monopolized by one of the three, his life in Fisalia was quite comfortable.
The problems plaguing Fisalia had been resolved by him, and as long as he remained within Fisalia's territory, Aeron enjoyed the highest standard of treatment wherever he went.
Wherever he went, the people of Fisalia would stop what they were doing and actively strike up conversations with him. It seemed the long-standing influence of the "prison fish" had left many feeling stifled.
Except for when they occasionally made comments like, "The family head finally has someone to keep her company," or "This lord must have it tough."
To be honest, although Montelli hadn't treated him poorly either, in such a comparison, Fisalia undoubtedly came out on top.
You know, Fisalia has always been the GOAT in my heart. They've consistently maintained their effort and determination to win, keeping their faith in the Sentinels at a top-tier level. Cantarella is also a warm, friendly, and charismatic family head. Coincidentally, this family needed an experienced freelancer, so I decided to bring my talents to Fisalia. As for little Shorty, I hope she can grow another five centimeters.
If there was one drawback to being in Fisalia, it would probably be the toll it took on his health.
Every day was a battle against three formidable opponents, but Aeron was no chosen hero.
At this thought, Aeron's balls began to ache faintly again.
Still, he didn't mean to complain. After all, this might be his last period of leisurely days. Once he returned to Ragunna, there would be plenty of matters to attend to.
Once again, Aeron found himself in front of the study at Porto-Veno Castle, sighing at how Fisalia truly had no other place to receive guests.
The mere thought of facing all three of them at once made his balls reflexively ache.
Aeron pushed open the heavy oak door, and warm lighting along with a faint scent of incense greeted him. Seated in the main chair was Cantarella, still dressed in her intricate family head attire, holding a cup of steaming tea.
"...It seems you've been doing quite well in Fisalia lately~"
"Thanks to your blessings."
Nearby, Zani was also seated close to the bookshelf, holding a thick book. The moment Aeron saw the words "overbearing," he immediately knew what she was reading.
Hearing Aeron's voice, Zani looked up and glanced at him, who was supporting his waist with one hand.
"You should consider whose fault this is."
Zani shifted her gaze back to the book, her expression neutral but her ears slightly red. "You'll have to look to yourself for that problem."
"The problem lies with me? I'll take a look then."
Aeron couldn't help but wonder what kind of person could handle one person each in the morning, noon, and evening without repetition. He was no protagonist from a hentai manga, after all!
"Well~ but Aeron, you seem to be enjoying yourself too, don't you?"
A cheerful voice came from the other side. Ciaccona sat on a low couch by the window, holding her ever-present instrument, leaning halfway out with a smile as she spoke.
"Can I say it was only like that at the beginning?"
"In that case, would you like me to have the kitchen prepare some more tonic soup for you?"
"..."
Hearing Cantarella's words, Aeron only felt his pain intensify.
Though he could be resurrected through the System's power, Aeron at least hoped his death wouldn't be something as humiliating as sudden demise due to being milked by three vixens.
Seeing Aeron's expression, Cantarella smiled faintly—teasing him was truly a unique form of entertainment.
However, pleasantries should end here. What came next was serious business.
"So, why did you summon all three of us today?"
"Hmph, obviously to discuss important matters."
Propping his chin in his hands, Aeron briefly summarized the current situation for the three.
During his time in Fisalia, he had helped Cantarella resolve Threnodian's influence over the entire region. In return, Fisalia would provide full assistance to Aeron.
Though Aeron's motives weren't pure, their goals aligned—weaken Threnodian's influence, then completely expose the Order's true nature during Carnevale.
Of course, Aeron didn't reveal his ultimate intentions to them.
"Anyway, the date agreed with the second young lady is approaching. We've completed everything that needed doing at Porto-Veno Castle."
"Mmm~ you've been quite thorough~"
Hearing Aeron's words, Ciaccona revealed a sly smile.
Zani pretended to continue reading, but Aeron noticed her page-turning finger pause momentarily.
Cantarella elegantly sipped her tea and nodded slightly: "Indeed. Fisalia will always remember your... 'gift'."
Wait, this poet? Why does she seem even more immersed in those matters than Aeron imagined?
Probably just his imagination?
"...Regardless, what we need to address now is what we should do after returning to Ragunna."
The lighthearted, teasing atmosphere in the study slightly receded. Zani closed her romance novel, Ciaccona gently set her instrument aside and propped her chin in her hands, adopting a serious listening posture. Cantarella put down her teacup, fingertips lightly tapping the smooth table surface as she awaited what came next.
"During Carnevale, Ciaccona and the family head will publicly detonate the bomb about the 'Sentinels' truth,' while I'll help stabilize public sentiment to prevent Leviathan from exploiting the chaos. As for the remnants... someone will handle them, adapting to circumstances as they arise."
Moreover, regarding the latter point, Aeron had already prepared foreshadowing—the escort he'd gone through great efforts to invite was no ordinary protection.
Then Aeron turned to Cantarella: "What support can Fisalia provide? I know your family prefers to keep a low profile, but this time... it might be bigger than you imagine."
Cantarella smiled faintly, her expression carrying a calculated edge—knowingly dangerous yet uniquely captivating.
"Support will naturally be provided. Since you've given your all for Fisalia, then Fisalia shall offer corresponding repayment."
"Good, with your word I'm reassured."
Aeron knew Cantarella's heart was as vast and inclusive as the ocean (metaphorically speaking), yet simultaneously as treacherous as poison. As an ally, she would be the most reliable.
"However, Aeron, I have one more question here."
"Oh? Go ahead."
"What identity do you plan to use when returning to Ragunna?"
Cantarella spoke unhurriedly, her fingertips still lightly tapping the tabletop.
"You should know, when you left Ragunna back then, you left yourself with quite an impressive criminal record in front of many people. Just swaggering back like that... would bring considerable trouble, wouldn't it?"
Cantarella was right. If Aeron were to return just like that, he would undoubtedly attract a lot of trouble, even causing quite a stir.
Although Aeron wasn't afraid of this and had prepared countermeasures, he now needed to focus more energy on the preparations for Carnevale. There was no need to invite those troubles upon himself. He had already discussed strategies with Carlotta.
When the atmosphere reaches its peak, people are most easily swayed—this was the psychology Aeron intended to exploit.
"Montelli's externally hired instructor. I'll use this identity temporarily when I return to Ragunna."
"...Mmm, a very prudent choice."
Cantarella nodded slightly. As expected of Aeron, the plan wasn't bad, but she needed to make a slight adjustment.
"Montelli's name carries enough weight to explain why you can freely enter and exit certain occasions. However..."
She paused, a playful glint flashing in her amethyst-like eyes.
"The identity of an 'external instructor' is ultimately that of a guest, an outsider. There are some places and some things that an 'outsider' simply cannot accomplish."
Zani seemed to sense something. She lifted her eyes from the book pages: "What are you trying to say?"
"Since we're going with a disguise, why not choose one that's more thorough, more convenient, and more... interesting?"
"?"
Hearing Cantarella's words, Aeron felt somewhat flustered.
Her tone sounded as if she were saying, "Since we're going for excitement, let's go all the way."
Aeron knew she wouldn't do anything particularly outrageous, but he still felt somewhat uneasy.
Cantarella leaned forward slightly, folding her hands on the table, her face revealing that blend of calculation and temptation, her voice soft yet clear:
"For example, Fisalia family's—live-in son-in-law."
"Pfft—cough!" Ciaccona nearly slipped off the low couch, hurriedly covering her mouth, her eyes wide and round, her cheeks visibly flushing red.
Zani's book snapped shut with a "thud." She looked expressionlessly at Cantarella, then slowly turned her gaze to Aeron, her eyes devoid of any warmth.
"?"
As for Aeron, his CPU had already short-circuited.
"L-Lady Cantarella, what does this mean?"
"This way, all your actions in Ragunna can be carried out under the name of 'Fisalia.' Moreover, if anyone wants to move against you, they'll have to think twice."
"Wait..." Aeron finally managed to recover somewhat from his CPU overload. He rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of this sudden proposal. "Family head, are you suggesting that I pretend to be the Fisalia family's live-in son-in-law? But... then wouldn't my identity..."
"No, your identity won't be exposed." Cantarella elegantly picked up her teacup, gently blowing on the surface. "I said 'Fisalia family's son-in-law,' not Aeron. Within..."
"Ragunna, Aeron is still that exiled priest, isn't he?"
Aeron froze.
Right.
Her violet eyes shifted slightly, looking at Aeron: "You just need to play this role well. Who stands behind this role doesn't matter. What matters is that this identity gives you a legitimate reason to approach me and access Fisalia's resources while moving through Ragunna, and when necessary, intervene in certain situations under the guise of 'family affairs'."
"..."
Don't say it, but seriously, don't say it.
Cantarella's logic was meticulous, her strategies comprehensive—damn, it made perfect sense.
Hadn't he seen this kind of routine somewhere before?
So, Aeron turned to look at Zani.
Zani stared at him expressionlessly, merely letting out a long sigh before speaking after a few seconds.
"I have no objections."
Aeron: "?"
He even thought he'd misheard.
"....?"
"Huh? What, after we've already fought, you're suddenly concerned about reputation?"
"No, what I mean is..."
"My opinion is that I have no opinion."
Zani cut him off, her tone returning to its usual coldness, but something flickered in her eyes.
"As long as it gets you back safely and lets you do what needs to be done, these nominal things don't matter."
Aeron stared at her blankly, momentarily touched.
Then he turned to Ciaccona, who was covering the lower half of her face, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her eyes even showing a hint of excitement.
"...I can accept it!"
"First, rein in those thoughts in your head—you're even getting a nosebleed."
Damn, Aeron would have to thoroughly investigate what this bard usually read afterward. If she continued developing like this, the impact on art would be immeasurable!
"Do you all really think this plan is feasible? Marrying into the family? Getting married? Just for a cover identity?"
"Why not?"
Cantarella countered.
"This solves many problems. The Order wouldn't dare easily target the husband of the Fisalia family head. It's also more easily accepted by the public. As for Carlotta..."
She smiled.
"I believe she'll understand. After all, it's only 'nominal,' isn't it?"
She deliberately emphasized the word "nominal."
"But for me, Aeron, a priest, to do something like this—what about my official status..."
"Are you a priest?"
"...I think I am."
Although strictly speaking, Aeron was now retired, but who didn't dream of a stable position?
"Don't worry, you don't need to concern yourself with that aspect. This is my suggestion—it won't affect your personal actions. Even if some unexpected situation really arises…"
Cantarella set down her teacup, smiling at Aeron.
"I'll take care of you~"
Those four words completely stripped Aeron of his last shred of resistance.
Seriously, is there any working stiff in this world who can resist those four words?
I don't care where you're from—I'm in!
With Cantarella's assistance, Ciaccona's grasp of the truth, Montelli's support, plus Rover...
Honestly, in Ragunna right now, Aeron couldn't find anyone else who could confront them head-on and win.
However, Aeron, being a knight enthusiast, also knew that celebrating halfway through was inadvisable—who knew if they might pull some major stunt at the very last step?
Aeron watched the three who had reached a consensus (?) and took a deep breath, rubbing his tense temples.
"Alright... I can accept this arrangement. We'll discuss the specifics after returning to Ragunna..."
Before Aeron could finish, Cantarella gracefully rose, circled around the desk, and blocked his path. "Don't be in such a hurry~"
Zani quietly returned the book to the shelf. Ciaccona had also drifted over to Aeron at some point.
Aeron took half a step back, his instincts screaming warnings again: "Hey, wait—we have to travel tomorrow!"
"That's exactly why we need to 'recharge'~"
"After all, there's plenty of work ahead."
"Stay away from me!"
Click!
The study door locked. As for what happened inside... let your imagination run wild!
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