Averardo Vault..
Built by the Montelli family outside the city, this vault offered services for storing important items, appraising and acquiring collections, and also housed various precious artifacts gathered by the Montelli family over the years.
Security here was especially tight, equipped with numerous Echo security devices and heavily armed guards.
The most powerful among them were the artificially crafted weapons built specifically for combat, modified Echoes processed through special techniques: the Heterogeneous Armaments.
Their combat capability was said to be formidable. They were the vault's final line of defense and one of the Montelli family's proudest achievements.
"We're here."
Carlotta stepped gracefully out of the black sedan, facing the imposing building before her.
Ray followed close behind. Though not his first visit, he was still awed by the vault's majestic presence.
If Porto-Veno of the Fisalia family was enveloped in an aura of outdated tradition, Everard Vault radiated a modern spirit of progress and openness, which precisely mirrored why the two families had diverged so sharply, and the resulting conflicts between them.
Of course, both the Fisalia and Montelli families were fundamentally working for Ragunna's prosperity and future.
But the scales of fate had never been fair, while the Leviathan's whispers eroded reality, the Fisalia had chosen to bear the heaviest burden alone, guarding civilization's last embers in an abyss beyond public sight.
Perhaps...
only when everything finally settled, when Cantarella could finally withdraw from her standoff with the abyss, might the rift between the two families have a chance to mend.
"So you want to uncover the truth of the Dark Tide from twenty years ago, to verify Cantarella's theory?"
After listening to Ray's explanation, Carlotta's mood had noticeably eased.
Yet every time she spoke that name, a hint of barely concealed irritation crept into her tone.
This jealousy was understandable.
Even the most elegant young woman would feel some discontent upon discovering that her beloved might be coveted by another.
Ray keenly sensed the resentment in her voice but wisely chose not to comment. "Yes. I want to try... to see if I can return to that Sonora realm through that stone tablet again."
"Cartethyia..." Carlotta's heels tapped lightly on the polished stone floor, producing a clear echo.
The lounging staff members looked up at the sound. The moment they recognized the visitor, they straightened up and resumed their professional demeanor.
"The Saintess who was martyred twenty years ago, living within that Sonora realm?"
Carlotta murmured to herself, her gem-bright eyes swirling with thoughts.
Regarding that stone tablet, since Ray's previous contact with it, the family had conducted thorough investigations into its structure. Though they had discovered certain strange Echo energies and frequencies within it,
those frequencies and energies were bizarre; even the most advanced equipment couldn't analyze their nature.
She had also tried to resonate with the tablet using her own power but had never received any response.
Yet why was Ray the only one who could trigger this resonance?
She didn't know.
Also, there was that conversation with Phrolova before, and what she had said...
Could it be that Ray truly harbored some unknown past?
If so, then what exactly was his identity?
If his sealed memories finally awakened, would he... still be the Cat's Eye she knew?
A faint unease stirred in the young woman's heart.
Or perhaps, more precisely....
she was afraid of losing him.
"Second Young Miss?" Ray noticed the unfamiliar emotion in the young woman's eyes and softly called to her. "Something on your mind?"
"Ah? Mm..." Carlotta was momentarily startled, then quickly masked her brief distraction with her usual composure. "I was thinking about that Saintess. If Cantarella was telling the truth, then this Saintess..."
She trailed off.
"You suspect Cartethyia is the Threnodian's Resonator?"
Carlotta nodded lightly. "Something like that. But don't you find it contradictory?"
"Contradictory?"
"I've heard the Saintess's story many times. If she hadn't sacrificed herself to resist the Dark Tide twenty years ago, Ragunna would no longer exist." Her fingers unconsciously traced the edge of her clothes. "But if she really is the Threnodian's Resonator, why would she fight to the death for Ragunna against the Threnodian?"
Indeed.
This was the biggest puzzle at the moment.
Logically, if Cartethyia truly were the Threnodian's Resonator, she would have no reason to fight for Ragunna.
Could it mean...
that Cartethyia was also a true Saintess?
He didn't know.
Ray couldn't guess the answer.
"Perhaps... she was just noble enough in character?"
"Noble enough? To resist the Threnodian's invasion for the survival of Ragunna, regardless of whether she is the Threnodian's Resonator, that Saintess's character is indeed worthy of being called noble." Carlotta nodded in agreement. "If you're fortunate enough to see Cartethyia again, please convey this belated gratitude on my behalf, on behalf of all the people of Ragunna."
She turned to face him, a bright, clear smile curving her lips.
Ray's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise in his expression.
"What? You look strange." Carlotta leaned closer, studying his eyes curiously.
"No, I just thought you'd be upset about Cartethyia."
"How could I? What do you take me for?" Carlotta tilted her head, replying matter-of-factly. "Do you think I'm the kind of person who can't see beyond matters of the heart? Whatever Cartethyia's identity may be, no one can deny her contribution to Ragunna. Because of her sacrifice, this city was able to survive the calamity of twenty years ago."
"My respect for that is sincere."
"That includes the Fisalia family, their centuries of forbearance and sacrifice."
She paused here and added with serious emphasis: "Oh, except Cantarella."
Ray muttered softly, "Second Young Miss, she has her reasons too."
"I think you've been enchanted by her! Still defending her!" Carlotta's voice was clenched with anger, her fists cracking. "I'm not denying her merits. I just think she's shameless!"
"..."
Suddenly, the young woman turned her head again, scrutinizing Ray with narrowed eyes. "Nothing really happened between you?"
"Really nothing, Second Young Miss." Ray looked helpless. "I was asleep. How could I have had the energy for that?"
"Hmph. I'll know if you're lying once I check."
"Check what?"
"Whether your 'ammunition' is still stocked!"
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