With a gentle close of the script in his hand, the entire script world underwent a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering change. Leviathan once again began the cycle of the script.
Cristoforo, on the other hand, exited the script world and returned to reality.
"Overseer! This is bad!"
A Fractsidus craftsman rushed into the room in a hurry, bowing as he reported:
"One of our teams of brothers was killed out in the wilderness."
"Oh?"
If they died, then they died. Was such a small matter worth reporting to him?
A trace of coldness flashed in Cristoforo's eyes, yet his expression remained calm as he asked the craftsman before him:
"Do you know who did it?"
"I don't know. At the scene, we only found this."
The craftsman respectfully took out a brilliant crystal.
"Opal?"
Cristoforo took the opal crystal with some surprise and sneered coldly:
"I think I know who did this. I will handle it personally."
He didn't expect that the second young miss of the Montelli family, who had escaped being trapped and killed last time, had also come to Septimont.
Perfect. Noah should not be in Rinascita right now. He wondered what kind of expression Noah would have when he received news of Carlotta's death.
...
Noah's group finally stepped into the city area. What greeted their eyes were magnificent and orderly ancient Roman-style buildings. Griffon stone statues and relief columns were visible everywhere, giving off a solemn, epic feeling.
After releasing his perception to observe for a while, Noah did not find any abnormalities in Septimont.
Perhaps because he had arrived too early, or maybe because Cristoforo could not replace reality with the script due to Mya's body being cremated, everything in Septimont was currently peaceful.
No major issues. Noah planned to find time later to wipe out several of the Fractsidus's strongholds in Septimont one by one.
"Place your bets! Howling Tide Team VS Yellow Camera Team! Bet now, no refunds!"
"Want to become a master of the Hill of Glory? Selling lightweight class Echo, Havoc Small Wyvern, 10,000 Shell Credits each."
"The grand gladiatorial tournament held once every four years is still accepting registrations! All powerful gladiators are welcome to sign up. Form a two-person team—the next champion could be you!"
At the city entrance, lively hawking cries rang out endlessly.
Cartethyia caught the keyword about the gladiatorial tournament and quietly tugged at Noah's sleeve:
"Laureate, did you hear that? The gladiatorial tournament uses two-person teams! Let's sign up and win the championship too!"
"No." Noah shook his head. "I don't like bullying weaklings."
Here's a joke: The people of Septimont do not believe in gods, but they believe in power. They worship the Lioness of Glory that represents power, and every person in Septimont longs for its recognition.
But the Lioness of Glory is only Overlord class, and it's just an Echo.
If the Lioness of Glory wanted to fight Noah, Noah would definitely not be able to win—because he would laugh himself to death.
In the original plot, when Rover came to Septimont to participate in the gladiatorial tournament, it was no different from a supreme great emperor from a xianxia world coming to a first-rate sect to participate in the disciple competition. It was pure dimensional suppression.
Lupa finding such a teammate to compete with was truly her finding a Phaethon.
"What's the fun in fighting and killing?"
On the other side, Carlotta snorted lightly. Her gaze shifted as she casually suggested:
"Besides its gladiatorial culture, Septimont's bathhouse culture is also an important part that attracts a large number of tourists. Since we've come to Septimont, we must try it. Let's go soak in the baths!"
For this, she had specially prepared a swimsuit.
"Soak in the baths?"
These simple three words immediately made Cartethyia throw her original idea about the gladiatorial tournament to the back of her mind.
Although she had already lived together with Noah for a few days before, Noah always maintained the boundary of friendship.
Even when she occasionally created opportunities for the two of them to come into contact, it was always brief. It was like dripping a few drops of oil into raging flames, only making the fire in her heart burn even stronger.
"Carlotta is right. Since we've come to Septimont, how can we not properly experience the local culture and customs here?" Cartethyia cast a vote of approval, a layer of shy red tinting her cheeks.
Seeing that there were already two votes in favor, Carlotta quickly turned her gaze to Zani:
"Zani, what do you think?"
"I'll do whatever the boss does."
Zani answered very conscientiously.
The four-person team had already obtained three votes, leaving only the last one.
"Hmm..." Noah thought for a moment.
Since he had arrived in Septimont ahead of time, this main quest had become a long-term task. There was no need to rush to find the main plot character Lupa.
"Then let's go!"
He immediately cast the most crucial vote:
"We're going to soak in the baths!"
Having made up their minds, the group of four immediately headed toward the bathhouse area.
"Wait, Miss Carlotta."
A gladiator wearing leather bracers jogged over and called out to Carlotta:
"Ephor Augusta requests your presence."
"Huh? Of all times."
Carlotta looked somewhat troubled and turned back to Noah:
"How about... you guys go to the baths first. I'll go see the Ephor and come back right after."
"It's fine. We have nothing else to do anyway." Noah readily decided. "We'll go with you. It shouldn't take too long."
...
Following the gladiator's guidance, Carlotta entered the Ephor's mansion, while Noah and the other two waited outside the hall.
Cartethyia bent over and peeked toward the inside of the hall, her golden hair cascading down like a waterfall:
"I wonder what Ephor Augusta wants with Carlotta."
"Doing business is like this." Zani explained to the two people who had never worked:
"As the boss, you only need to run around meeting all kinds of people, discussing cooperation, and communicating interests. Employees have to consider a lot more things."
"Zani, are you sleep-deprived? When I put all your words together, I don't understand them at all."
Noah repeatedly pondered Zani's words. Just trying to understand them gave him a feeling of exhaustion.
"Right!" Cartethyia straightened up and suddenly said:
"Now that I think about it, I still have one more task in Septimont. I need to retrieve the item placed inside Septimont's central beacon."
Hearing this, Noah thought for a moment and quickly recalled the relevant plot.
There was actually nothing inside Septimont's central beacon, only a bit of intellect and guidance that Imperator had separated before being completely eroded by the Threnodian.
And this guidance pointed to the Box of Civilization stored within the hunting plains, which was the key to the later main storyline.
Thinking of this, Noah couldn't help but feel a bit curious:
"How do you plan to retrieve the 'item' placed in the central beacon?"
Cartethyia answered without hesitation:
"Go directly to this Ephor Augusta and ask for it. If she doesn't give it, I'll just fight her. On the way here, I saw that the people of Septimont seem to solve problems this way."
Noah was stunned for a moment, realizing that this method didn't seem entirely unworkable.
The three had only exchanged a few words when they saw Carlotta, who had just gone inside, walk out of the hall. They were all somewhat surprised.
"Is Septimont's work efficiency this high? You finished talking and came out so quickly?"
"Yes, because the person the Ephor truly wanted to see wasn't me."
Carlotta shook her head and turned her gaze toward Noah:
"Ephor Augusta said she wants to invite you for a meeting."