Chapter 86: The Problem Is Solved... Or Is It?
"Hehe, it seems someone still has others in their heart~"
Cantarella stood atop the high-rise, watching the Leviathan continuously approaching from not far away.
Back in Montelli, the Rover and the Fool's Troupe had mentioned matters related to the Leviathan and the Dragon of Dirge.
Colluding with the Fractsidus, using "pilgrimage" as a means to eliminate dissidents, and even attempting to manipulate the Carnevale to consolidate their rule... Even though Cantarella already knew the Order had issues, she never imagined they'd dare go this far.
But with Aeron there now, nothing would go wrong.
She didn't know exactly what Aeron was planning, even needing to position himself against Ragunna and even against them, and she felt somewhat annoyed by his self-willed, self-neglecting behavior.
If it were anyone else, Cantarella wouldn't be standing here so composed right now.
Even she found it surprising that despite the chaotic situation, she could peacefully leave the entire matter to Aeron to handle.
As for what Cantarella needed to do... naturally, it was to handle the matters behind Aeron for him.
After all, as his significant other, finding ways to share his burdens was only right~
As the most ancient family, Fisalia naturally had traditions to follow, though what traditions to follow... well, that was naturally for her to decide.
According to the previous plan in Montelli, the Leviathan was being controlled by the Fractsidus. Removing the medium used for control would stop this crisis.
However, the speed of this colossal beast was much faster than anticipated.
"...It seems this is somewhat troublesome after all."
Cantarella's umbrella tip touched the ground, her Resonance Power overflowing and transforming into swarms of jellyfish that began pouring into the sea in batches.
Huum——!
But in the violent ocean currents, the jellyfish suffered considerable impact. Just maintaining their existence consumed a significant amount of Cantarella's Resonance Power.
"Well, this is somewhat troublesome after all."
Cantarella murmured softly, a trace of gravity flashing in her violet eyes. At this rate, her power would likely be depleted before the giant whale reached the harbor.
And at that moment, a peculiar resonance link suddenly formed between her and the distant direction—just like back in the seabed.
"Really..." Cantarella shook her head helplessly, yet a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips. That guy, still dealing with his own situation, had already turned his attention to her.
Cantarella didn't refuse the link. She gracefully raised her hand, the azure glow flowing from her fingertips growing more substantial.
She could sense that although Aeron was in a sorry state, his spirit remained quite active—that was enough.
"Since you've already set up the 'stage'..." she whispered, the Resonance Power around her beginning to vibrate at another frequency, "then I won't hold back."
Abyssal blue radiance bloomed from her, and through that link, the colors in the night sky quietly transformed as dark red curtains were torn apart.
Meanwhile, above the sea outside the port, countless streams of seawater gushed from the torn curtain, floating in the air and rapidly coalescing into shape—a colossal jellyfish slowly materialized.
Then, a soft radiance emerged from the ocean, illuminating the dark and bottomless sea surface in the night, also revealing the Leviathan's form without concealment.
"Now, please turn back~"
The giant jellyfish gracefully slid forward, using its soft bell like a net to gently envelop the whale's head.
A dull, resonant hum echoed, akin to two underwater mountains slowly converging.
The Leviathan's devastating momentum was absorbed, dispersed, and dissipated layer by layer by the soft bell, as if crashing into an endless deep-sea marsh.
The jellyfish's massive body rippled backward with enormous waves, yet it remained steadily suspended between the sea and the port.
The Leviathan let out a confused and pained roar, its eyes flashing with frantic red light, but it could advance no further.
And that guiding other shore flower manipulating the whale was emitting a crimson glow at its tail.
The jellyfish extended a dangling tentacle, gently touching the whale's tail fin, then lightly "tapped" and "hooked" the flower rooted within its body.
Plop!
Hum!
The dark red flower fell onto the tip of the tentacle, its glow quickly dimming. Deprived of continuous guidance and stimulation, the red light in the whale's eyes extinguished, and it emitted a long, relieved lament. Its massive body slowly sank, churning the seawater as it slid toward the deep sea.
But merely stopping the whale was far from enough. Even if it swiftly departed after regaining calm, the nearly tens-of-meters-high seawater it had carried was already crashing toward the port.
"However, it seems this was already within his expectations~"
Cantarella turned to look toward the port, where someone had already taken a stand in advance.
In the darkness of night, that figure with radiant golden hair, bearing a heavy sword and shield, stood alone before the port.
"...Sigh, he really knows how to create trouble."
Following Aeron's plan, Zani had arrived early at Ragunna's port. Gazing at the approaching wave, she merely sighed.
"Never mind, I'll deal with him afterward."
Clang!
The heavy sword and shield slammed into the ground, embedding deeply.
Then, a semi-transparent golden light membrane rapidly expanded and spread outward from the shield, forming a diffraction shield dozens of meters wide and densely condensed, blocking the path of the tidal wave.
BOOM——!!!
In the deafening roar, the seawater violently crashed against the light shield, sending spray soaring into the sky.
The fierce surge was forcibly halted. Zani didn't even retreat half a step, and only a slight mist drifted with the wind into the main port area and square behind the shield.
A few seconds later, the tsunami's impact force peaked and then rapidly declined.
Once the remaining seawater lost its momentum, Zani withdrew her shield, and residual droplets fell from the air.
"You've worked hard, Miss Zani."
By the time Zani retracted her Resonance Power, her hair slightly disheveled and falling loosely behind her, returning to her usual appearance, Cantarella had already approached her side.
"It was merely my duty, Lady Cantarella. Thank you for your assistance earlier as well."
"After all, this is a major threat to Ragunna—Fisalia would naturally not stand idly by... So, what are your plans now?"
Watching Zani lift the heavy sword and shield, preparing to leave, Cantarella deliberately asked a question to which she already knew the answer.
"I'm going to see what that fool who never takes care of himself is up to now—sneaking around and keeping everyone in the dark again."
"Oh?"
It seemed Aeron hadn't even told Zani the truth. How interesting.
"I thought you, having spent so much time with him, would trust him more."
"It's precisely because I've spent so much time with him that I know exactly what he's capable of."
"Trust and indulgence are two different things," Zani said calmly, slinging the great shield onto her back.
"Just as you, knowing full well he'd act recklessly, still help clean up his mess—it's simply a difference in approach."
"Well then," Cantarella tapped the tip of her umbrella lightly on the ground, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of her lips.
"I should go fetch my ever-troublesome 'fiancé' as well. Care to join me?"
Zani paused mid-step, then turned to meet Cantarella's gaze.
What's with the insinuations? Does it have to be now?
"...Do as you please. As long as he stays put, I have no issue."
"Don't worry," Cantarella strolled leisurely to walk beside her. "I'm not here to compete. In fact, the more people keeping an eye on him, the better, right?"
"...So, have we reached an understanding?"
"Let's just say we've taken this chance to resolve potential future issues in advance. It seems we've succeeded, wouldn't you agree?"
Zani nodded silently in acknowledgment. She turned her face slightly, gazing toward the direction of the square.
"Then we can discuss this after—"
BOOM!!!
Before Zani could finish her sentence, a deafening roar cut her off.
A pure, blazing, golden pillar of light shot into the sky, piercing through the night and instantly illuminating the entire expanse as bright as day.
Cantarella and Zani halted almost simultaneously, staring in astonishment at the source of the light.
"...He never fails to surprise us, does he?"
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