Cartethyia had spent a full twenty years alone at the Avinoleum Theological Seminary.
Apart from the tacet discords that had yet to be completely destroyed, this academy was like a dead, isolated island, devoid of any other living creature.
So, when Cartethyia learned that Ray could break through the seal and come to this small world to see her, she was actually quite happy.
After all, she had never been the patient type.
Through those long, lonely years, she had countless times longed for someone to be by her side, to talk and chat, to make these lifeless days less boring.
Ray's appearance was, to her, like a lamp suddenly lit in the long darkness not dazzling, but enough to warm her long-frozen heart.
"How did you know I was here?" Ray looked at the young woman before him, who shimmered like a spirit.
The corner of Cartethyia's mouth lifted in a faint smile. "Because I felt a change in the Sonora's frequency."
"I see." Ray responded softly.
"But this time, why did you come so quickly? I thought I'd have to wait as long as the first time to see you again." Cartethyia walked lightly over to him, tilting her head slightly, her curious, inquiring gaze examining him carefully. "And you look a bit strange. Did something happen?"
Ray paused briefly, then said, "Nothing really happened. I just feel a bit uneasy for some reason."
Could Cantarella be doing something bad to his body?
Probably not...
Cantarella wasn't that pent up.
Besides, his body should be in a deep sleep right now, unresponsive to external stimuli.
Just as Ray was convincing himself he was overthinking, he felt a soft, moist sensation on his face.
Though the feeling was faint, it was unmistakably the same as when the Second Young Miss kissed him!
But this feeling...
Did this mean that even in his current "spirit" state, he could still perceive what was happening to his body?
Did this mean that Cantarella was...
Wait, why did he feel a hand roaming over his chest?
The touch was light as a falling feather, yet carried an undeniable presence, slowly moving downward.
Ray's breathing quickened uncontrollably. He clenched his jaw, desperately maintaining his composure, not wanting to lose face in front of Cartethyia.
But that faint, teasing sensation was pushing his rationality to its limit.
"Are you alright? You look a bit strange." Cartethyia tilted her head, her clear eyes full of concern.
"I-I'm fine." Ray forced a smile, feeling the corners of his mouth twitch.
"Really?"
"Really."
How could he be fine?
He screamed inside.
What was Cantarella doing?
This kind of touch...
Wait, what was her hand doing now?
The hand grew bolder, now sliding down to his lower abdomen.
The cold touch made him shudder.
One more inch, and it would be really bad!
Fortunately, Cantarella withdrew her hand at the critical moment, and the agonizing sensation finally disappeared. Ray's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he let out a long, silent sigh of relief.
Phew, good thing Cantarella knows her limits.
If he hadn't been able to control himself in front of Cartethyia, his reputation would have been ruined.
Cartethyia was completely unaware of his inner turmoil. She simply tilted her head, the sunlight gilding her hair with a light gold. Her clear eyes still held lingering confusion, like a lost fawn in the forest.
"I'm fine now." Ray composed himself and met her gaze again. "I was just saying that I was able to come here thanks to Cantarella, the matriarch of the Fisalia family. Do you still remember her?"
"Yes, of course." Cartethyia nodded gently.
But as she spoke, the young woman lowered her gaze.
Her long lashes cast shallow shadows on her cheeks, and a trace of barely perceptible melancholy flickered in her eyes.
If... the Saintess of the Fisalia family was the true Resonator of the Sentinel.
Then what was she, standing here?
The silent question spread through the air, and Cartethyia once again fell into the familiar trap of self-doubt.
Ray watched Cartethyia's downcast profile and easily read her thoughts.
He walked over to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
The warmth from his palm felt like a silent promise.
"Before the truth comes to light, don't be so quick to deny yourself." His voice was soft.
"No matter what, you are still the Saintess who saved Ragunna, the knight people admire in their hearts."
"A knight...?" The young woman repeated the familiar title quietly, a lonely emotion surfacing in her eyes.
Since she was young, she had dreamed of becoming one of those perfect knights from the stories. For that ideal, she had always adhered to the virtues of being human hope, courage, kindness all those facets of humanity flowed quietly within her.
Cartethyia, or rather, Fleurdelys had never failed to live up to her title as Saintess.
That was the recognition Ragunna had given her, and the reason why legends of the Saintess still circulated through the streets and alleys, even though most of the stories in those plays were embellishments added by later generations.
Cartethyia took a deep breath, as if trying to expel all those gloomy emotions from her body.
When she looked up again, a faint but genuine smile finally appeared on her face.
"Thank you for your encouragement," she said softly. "You're the first person... to say these things to me."
Sunlight happened to fall on her slightly trembling lashes, casting a delicate halo.
"What matters is that I will trust my heart and keep moving toward that goal."
"Yes, I won't deny myself anymore. Whether or not I am the Sentinel's Resonator no longer matters." Her voice grew firm. "What matters is that I will always trust my heart and continue down the path I've chosen."
Ray watched the young woman's eyes brighten again and smiled with relief. "That's more like the Saintess of Ragunna."
"Oh, right." Cartethyia suddenly remembered something, her tone lightening. "Did you bring any books with you this time?"
"I've been trapped here for twenty years. Only during the Carnival can I briefly return to Ragunna, and even that short time passes in an instant. But now, for some reason, even the Carnival has stopped..."
Ray had some knowledge about the Carnival.
He'd heard that the last celebration had caused a disaster, which the Order of the Deep interpreted as a sign of the Sentinel's wrath. Since then, Ragunna had stopped holding this traditional event.
As he relayed this news, he noticed Cartethyia's brow furrowing deeper and deeper.
"What do you mean!" she couldn't help but raise her voice, a faint blush coloring her cheeks from the agitation. "The Sentinel has never been angered by the Carnival! What is the Order of the Deep doing these days? Honestly, if I were still in Ragunna, I would definitely reorganize the Order!"
As her words faded, Ray's form began to grow thin, gradually becoming transparent like morning mist.
This time, it was even shorter than before.
But it was enough.
His purpose in coming here was to verify that from now on, whenever he wished, he could return to her side.
"You're leaving again?" Cartethyia looked at his fading silhouette, unconsciously biting her lower lip, a hint of barely concealed loneliness flickering in her eyes.
"Don't worry, we'll see each other again soon."
"Really?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Just this once... last time you said you'd bring me books next time we met."
"Sorry, this time was special circumstances. But believe me, Cartethyia. One day, we will meet again in reality."
His voice grew distant, finally fading away with his form into the air.
Cartethyia opened her mouth slightly, gazing at the place where he had disappeared. Her fingertips lifted gently, as if trying to touch the lingering light.
"Yes, I believe you."
She whispered her promise to the empty space ahead.
...
...
Inside Porto-Veno Castle.
Ray slowly opened his eyes. A heavy wave of dizziness immediately enveloped him, his consciousness like it was submerged in murky water, struggling to surface.
This feeling...
It was as if all his energy had been drained, even lifting a finger felt difficult.
"Mmm, awake?"
Cantarella's voice came from beside him, tinged with a lazy nasal tone.
The room was dim, with only the cold moonlight filtering in through the window.
Ray stared blankly at the silver moon hanging high, his consciousness gradually clearing.
Wait... it was already evening?
But he distinctly remembered it was still noon when he had entered the Sonora.