But in Brant's account, it was a graveyard where exiled people met their demise.
Could this man be a member of the Order of the Deep, or is the force behind him closely tied to the Order?
Cristoforo continued, "I heard a new pilgrimage ship is about to set sail, so I came to take a look, hoping for some new inspiration."
Rover noticed the stark contrast between this man's and Brant's views on the pilgrimage, so she asked:
"We're indeed newcomers to Rinascita. Can you tell us about the pilgrimage ship?"
Cristoforo chuckled lightly, "My pleasure."
"Long ago, so long that it dates back to when Ragunna's ancestors first set foot on this land, they held heartfelt reverence for the Sentinel."
"They held the Carnevale as a ceremony to express their devotion and communicate with the Sentinel."
"The Sentinel Imperator seems to dislike appearing before the masses, commanding their submission with Her might and authority."
"But during the Carnevale's songs and laughter, She descends with miracles, communicating with the people to keep them under Her guidance."
"And one devout believer, grateful for the Sentinel's grace, boarded a ship, braving thick fog and raging waves, to personally meet the Sentinel."
"That is the legendary origin of the pilgrimage ship."
Lucian, expression unchanged, asked, "This devout believer was?"
Cristoforo smiled, "The founder of the Order of the Deep— Napoli II."
"And now, the great Enlightened One Fenrico, the current Primus, has found the path to the High Heavens, the bridge for mortals to commune with the Sentinel."
"With his permission, these ships carry devout and hopeful pilgrims, singing sacred hymns as they sail to the promised land."
Rover pressed, "But that man named Andreas seemed very resistant…"
Cristoforo smiled, "I can see the doubt in your eyes."
"Indeed, these pilgrims don't seem willing—for Ragunna, they are Fools, not righteous ones."
"Having hope in adversity is at least better than drowning in confusion."
Lucian fell into thought, noticing that Cristoforo's words seemed contradictory.
He said the Sentinel Imperator dislikes appearing before people, so why could this Napoli II meet Her?
If they were equally devout, why couldn't the other pilgrims on the ships meet Imperator?
Cristoforo continued, "I'm working on a script about pilgrims sailing through hardships to reach the Sentinel's promised land."
"But to make the story gripping, I need some dramatic twists, like what awaits them isn't the Sentinel who can save them…"
"But instead, endless gold and treasures? Or an indescribable beast lurking in the sea fog?"
"Or perhaps they find nothing but a forgotten barren shore?"
"This is just a rough concept; I still need time to refine it."
"After hearing this story, could you give me a suggestion?"
"Which would be more compelling: a tale of sinful Fools struggling in despair toward their doom, or righteous ones enduring suffering, ultimately finding redemption?"
Lucian exchanged a glance with Rover, then pondered, "I don't like either of those stories."
"I'd rather see people in confusion decide their own fates, rather than relying on so-called gods."
Cristoforo's brows twitched beneath his mask. After a brief pause, he clapped and laughed:
"Your idea is brilliant, but in a sacred land like Rinascita, such a story might be labeled blasphemous."
"Well, thank you for your suggestion."
"Until we meet again at the Carnevale, guests from afar. I hope you'll enjoy the performance Ragunna has in store for you."
Cristoforo nodded in farewell and walked away.
After Cristoforo left, Abby clutched his head, a bit overwhelmed:
"…I'm a little confused. Was what he said true? Or just a story?"
Lucian shook his head, "There's more to his words—half true, half false."
Lucian suspected this man was sent by some faction to test them.
And the story he mentioned later caught Lucian's attention.
Just as Lucian wondered why Imperator, who dislikes appearing, could be seen by Napoli II, Cristoforo brought up this so-called "script."
Lucian shared his thoughts with Rover.
Rover frowned, speculating, "If he was sent by some faction to test and hint at us…"
"Based on his script, could it mean that what Napoli II saw wasn't the true Sentinel?"
"Then where is the true Sentinel Imperator? Is the Order of the Deep, founded by Napoli II, still worshipping the true Sentinel?"
Abby's mouth fell open in shock, "How do you guys think of so much?"
"I thought he was just a riddle-loving guy writing mysterious novels…"
Rover shook her head slightly, "It feels like the people in Rinascita are deeply divided, each with their own version of the truth."
"We'll need to dig deeper to uncover the truth."
"I hope this journey will be a bit easier and that we can meet Imperator soon…"
To stop the Threnodians, they fought them in Jinzhou.
For the Time flow in Mt. Firmament, they battled Jue fiercely.
And at the Black Shores, to deal with the deranged Tethys System, they fought it as well.
This journey has been full of twists…
Abby shook his head, "Since it's all speculation, let's keep it in mind for now!"
"Though their descriptions of the Sentinel vary, one thing's the same…"
"The Carnevale sounds fun!"
"We can enjoy the festival and maybe even talk to the Sentinel—win-win!"
"Let's hurry to Ragunna City's main area!"
Lucian paused, "Speaking of the Carnevale…"
"Before this one, it's been ten years since the last Carnevale."
"The Montelli family's push and the people's expectations played a role…"
"So, the Order of the Deep originally didn't want to hold the Carnevale."
"Could it be just because the Order wants to restrict art?"
"Combining what was said earlier, the Sentinel Imperator dislikes appearing but sends miracles during the Carnevale…"
"Could it also be related to the Sentinel?"
Abby's small hands pushed Lucian and Rover's backs, "Let's go! I can already smell pizza!"
Lucian said wryly, "Sea breeze-flavored pizza?"