Brant, full of passion, raised his arm and shouted, and Lucian thought the captain had a touch of chuunibyou flair.
But at this moment, Lucian felt a bit more at ease. So far, Brant hadn't shown any malice, only sincerity.
After all, being attacked by Phrolova right at the start would make anyone wary of those around them.
Lucian looked around curiously, "By the way, I think I saw a purple suitcase with two hands earlier. That's an Echo too, right? Where is it?"
Brant laughed heartily, "Didn't expect you to notice that. Follow me…"
Brant led the two to the side of the flower ship, where the purple suitcase they'd seen earlier stood quietly on the ground.
Notably, the suitcase was wrapped in golden chains, with a golden key in the center, as if turning the key would open it.
Abby circled the suitcase, looking it up and down, and said doubtfully, "Is this really an Echo? Its frequency feels a bit strange."
Rover mused, "Why don't we open it and see?"
As Rover said this, the suitcase suddenly trembled.
Lucian laughed, "Looks like it's a bit shy?"
"But can Echoes be opened?"
"It's not some kind of treasure chest monster, is it?"
Brant smiled, "I won't hide it from you—this suitcase is our first mate's resting place."
He crouched down and said softly, "Roccia, you okay? New friends are here."
A soft, timid, childlike girl's voice came from the suitcase, "…Hello."
Brant explained, "Our first mate is a bit shy and has a unique way of showing friendliness."
Lucian nodded slightly, "So, social anxiety?"
Brant was taken aback, then laughed, "Social anxiety, huh? That's a fitting term."
Rover hugged Lucian's arm and smiled, "She's got social anxiety, and you're a social terrorist, right?"
At that moment, the suitcase trembled again, and three bronze coins flew out from the gaps.
Lucian hurriedly caught them and said gravely, "I knew it—you guys have ulterior motives, trying to assassinate the God of Universal Love!"
Brant held his head and laughed, "What are you talking about…"
"These ancient coins are one of her favorite collectibles."
"I think she's saying—she's happy to meet you."
"Maybe it's the way you and Abby get along that makes her feel at ease?"
Lucian lightly bit one of the coins and mused, "It's not chocolate—it's really an ancient coin?"
Rover pinched Lucian's ear, "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Abby sighed, holding the coin, "I'd prefer chocolate, but ancient coins are cool too!"
Lucian pocketed the coins, "I'm different—I like them all."
Rover nodded slightly, "That's the God of Universal Love for you."
Brant led them to the edge of the deck, and only then did they see the appearance of the massive Echo carrying the giant flower ship.
In terms of size, it was no less impressive than the Cetus the Tidebreaker, with golden ornaments on its head, looking majestic.
The mysterious Echo let out a cry as the group approached.
Abby waved, shouting, "Hello!"
"It's greeting us!"
Lucian asked curiously, "Does this big guy have a name?"
Brant smiled, "Of course!"
"Its name is Lario."
"Before meeting the Troupe of Fools, it was a lonely Echo wandering the seas for years."
"But after meeting us, it became an important member of our troupe!"
"It carries us to perform across the islands, letting those banned plays and songs continue to echo through Rinascita's city-states and islands!"
Rover, meanwhile, let out what she thought was a friendly cry in response to Lario.
Lario responded with a puzzled cry.
Lucian, arms crossed, explained, "It says it's just an Echo and doesn't know the meaning of life—maybe it's going to the dock to grab some fries."
Rover looked confused, "Is that really what it said? Or are you sneaking in your own ideas?"
Abby patted Rover's shoulder, "No, that's what it said! But to me, the meaning of life is walking with you all!"
Rover spread her arms toward the sea, and Lucian hugged her from behind:
"Abby's right—walking together is what's most meaningful…"
Brant looked at their backs and sighed, their relationship is so good…
But this scene somehow made him feel like the flower ship was about to crash into something. Hopefully, he was overthinking…
Soon, the sea, free of haze, sparkled with tiny flecks of light, and the flower ship pushed through blue-and-white waves.
A gentle sea breeze, unlike before, brushed across their faces, and seabirds overhead soared past the mast, flapping their wings toward the distance.
The port was faintly visible in the distance, with a lighthouse standing at the shimmering horizon.
Brant pointed to the port with a smile, "Everyone!"
"There… is Ragunna City's 'Beacon of Dawn'!"
The flower ship slowly docked, and the group finally set foot on solid ground.
Rover stretched lazily, her graceful figure on full display, "Finally here. Didn't expect some twists along the way."
Brant laughed heartily and gave a thumbs-up, "Thanks to Mr. Lucian, this journey had far fewer obstacles."
Lucian frowned slightly. From the moment they landed, he sensed a faint, almost imperceptible gaze, as if someone was secretly watching them.
Rover grabbed Lucian's hand, "Notice anything?"
Lucian mused, it seems this trip to Rinascita is full of undercurrents…
It could be the Fractsidus, the Montelli family…
Or even the Order of the Deep.
Brant said quietly, "Relax, at least for now, nothing will happen."
His words carried a hidden meaning.
Then he clapped his hands, resuming his enthusiastic demeanor, "Alright! This is Ragunna City's transfer dock."
"Head forward, and there'll be a special Echo ship to take you into Ragunna City."
Rover asked, puzzled, "You're not coming into the city with us?"
Brant smiled faintly, "The Carnevale hasn't started yet. We're just passing through and helping a friend with a small favor…"
Lucian nodded knowingly, "Passing through here, just happening to meet us in the stormy sea, and just happening to help a friend with a small favor—how very convenient…"