Cartethyia.
The Saintess of the Order of the Deep, the Sentinel's chosen Resonator.
At least, that was how she was seen in the eyes of most.
But for the Fisalia family, especially for Cantarella, the truth might not be so simple. Like undercurrents hidden beneath a calm lake, it could stir up waves at any moment.
"So, you used that stone tablet to enter the sealed Sonora realm again and saw Cartethyia?"
Ray recounted the events at the cathedral that day to Cantarella without holding anything back.
She lightly stroked her fair, jade-like chin, pondered for a moment, then looked up at Ray. "And what did you think? Was there anything strange about her this time?"
Ray shook his head gently, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Strange? No, not really. But Cartethyia… she has almost no memory of the details of that great battle twenty years ago. As for whether she's the Sentinel's Resonator or the Threnodian's, she has no memory of that at all."
"And Cartethyia's age…"
He paused briefly, then lifted his gaze to meet Cantarella's. "Miss Cantarella, you mentioned once that you met Cartethyia in passing, didn't you?"
"Yes, I crossed paths with her once at the Carnival, but just once."
"That's strange."
"Strange?"
"Because Cartethyia looks exactly the same as she did twenty years ago. Still a young, inexperienced girl."
"Is that so?" Cantarella's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "Living alone in a place like that for twenty years, yet her age didn't advance with the years? Though Resonators have much longer lifespans than ordinary people, the ability to stay young forever is rare even among them."
"Is that so?" Ray's gaze turned inquiring. "But I've heard that the Fisalia family possesses a secret elixir for eternal youth."
At these words, Cantarella's expression grew subtle. She leaned forward slightly, reached out with her slender, jade-like fingers, and gently lifted Ray's chin, making their eyes meet.
"Oh, so you've heard those rumors. The Fisalia family does have such a secret elixir, but eternal youth… isn't quite as perfect as the rumors make it out to be. What's this? You want to try it? Then why not join the Fisalia family?"
"As a token of my sincerity, all the family's resources will be at your disposal, and even…"
She leaned close to his ear, her voice soft as the wind, carrying an indescribable allure.
"Even me."
Cantarella had launched another fierce assault on him.
It couldn't be helped.
As the head of the Fisalia family, in her fight against the Threnodian that hung over Rinascita like a dark cloud, Cantarella had exhausted every means she could think of.
Yet she had never found an effective way to counter the shadow that lingered over this land.
Now, having finally glimpsed a ray of hope in the abyss of despair, how could she easily give up this hard-won dawn?
If she couldn't eliminate the Threnodian in her lifetime, why not carry on the strong bloodline?
After all, one day, the darkness would recede, and daylight would come.
"Compared to that little girl from the Montelli family, oh, I mean young lady, the charm of a mature woman is far beyond your imagination."
"However, the Fisalia family places great importance on bloodline. You might have to marry into the family."
Ray sighed softly, a trace of helplessness in his brow. "Marry in? No thanks. I prefer a free, unrestrained life."
"Is that so? What a pity." Cantarella lightly licked her lips, the Resonance Mark on her tongue shimmering with a faint, mysterious light. "But I could let you sample the experience in advance. Maybe then you'll change your mind?"
Who could resist that?
Ray couldn't either.
But then again…
who was he to be so "devoted" to the Second Young Miss?
Sure, he had quite a few female acquaintances, but at least for now, nothing substantial had happened.
So it didn't count as betraying the Second Young Miss.
"Ahem—" Ray cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Miss Cantarella, let's get back to the point. About that stone tablet, I don't know if it's because of Leviathan's interference, but every time I try to actively resonate with it, I'm blocked."
"The last time I managed to enter that Sonora realm, it was probably because of Phoebe."
"Phoebe? Ah, I've seen that young woman. Compared to the other clergy in the Order of the Deep, with their hidden agendas, she's as pure as a clear spring. But that purity… might face an even crueler test when she learns the truth."
Cantarella sighed softly, a note of concern in her voice. "But what do you mean, being able to enter the Sonora realm was because of Phoebe?"
Ray furrowed his brow and shook his head. "To be honest, I don't really understand it either. But perhaps her devout, flawless faith strengthened my resonance with the Sentinel's lingering power, allowing me to break through Leviathan's seal."
"So, I came to you to ask if you have any way for me to enter the Sonora realm without involving Phoebe."
"After all, having to sleep with Phoebe every time I want to enter the Sonora realm would probably disrupt her life and work."
"Sleep?" Cantarella caught the somewhat ambiguous word, a teasing smile curving her lips. "It seems you're not as steadfast as I thought. Does Carlotta know about you and that little priestess?"
Ray looked embarrassed. "…That's not the point."
Cantarella pressed her lips together in a smile. "But if what you say is true, then anyone with devout faith in the Sentinel should be able to enter that Sonora realm, right?"
"Maybe?" Ray's tone was uncertain.
"If that's the case, why not give it a try right now?" The corner of Cantarella's mouth lifted, her eyes sparkling with eagerness. "Isn't there a perfectly suitable candidate right in front of you?"
The Fisalia family's true Saintess, the Sentinel's Resonator though Cantarella had lost her memories of the Threnodian, there was no doubt her connection to the Sentinel ran deeper than most people's.
Ray paused, looking a bit embarrassed. "That… wouldn't be appropriate, would it? I mean… don't you have any medicine that can temporarily enhance resonance?"
"I have not only medicine to enhance resonance, but also medicine for other things." Cantarella leaned closer, her slender wrist lightly tugging at his sleeve. Her whole body was almost pressed against him, her warm breath brushing his ear.
"Since both methods are viable, why not try them together? Who knows? There might be unexpected effects."
...
...
Meanwhile.
Ragunna.
"Second Young Miss, everything has been prepared as you instructed." The subordinate bowed respectfully.
"Mm, you may go." Carlotta rose gracefully from her chair and walked to the window, letting the afternoon sun silhouette her elegant figure.
She stretched her arms lazily, like a cat just waking from a nap, with a hint of innocent charm.
The family affairs were temporarily settled. She had nothing much to do for the next few days.
"Oh, right." The young woman suddenly remembered something and picked up her terminal. "I'll have lunch with Cat's Eye today. I heard the new restaurant on Bank Street is quite good."
With that thought, she tapped the screen and dialed Ray.
But only cold, dead tones answered, echoing through the empty room.
"What's going on?" The young woman frowned. "Is he still not up?"
"Never mind. I have nothing to do at noon anyway. I'll go back and check."
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