After hastily bidding farewell to Lorelai, Noah didn't linger in this awkward place for even a moment longer. He led the two women out of the Cloud Courtyard.
"What an incredible job — to think we actually got to see the legendary Lorelai up close. Boss, you're the best."
Once they left the courtyard, Zani gave a thumbs-up:
"I don't know how you knew about Lorelai's situation, but next time I'm off, I'm coming with you again."
"Um… Mr. Noah, we've been out playing for quite a while now. Can we head back to Ragunna?"
Phoebe hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up:
"It's getting late. I need to go back and report to Deacon Alessio."
"Alright, let's head back." Noah nodded: "I'll send you my background information via terminal later so you'll have something to report."
"Thank you so much."
Phoebe finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness this teasing, brazen fanatic was a man of his word. At least she wouldn't have to worry about being labeled a heretic by Deacon Alessio anymore.
"Mr. Noah, you're a good person. When I get back, I'll definitely explain your situation to Deacon Alessio."
"Do whatever you want. As long as you're happy."
Noah shrugged, not taking the matter too seriously.
The highest authority in the entire Order of the Deep — the Grand Seat himself — was already on his side. What was Alessio compared to that?
"Oh, there's one more thing."
Phoebe glanced at Zani beside her, hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered the courage to look up at Noah:
"Mr. Noah, you're a good person, but… in the future, could you please not tease me anymore when we meet?"
Her round little face flushed even redder:
"I'm an Acolyte of the Order. My body and mind are both loyal to the Sentinel. According to doctrine, I cannot fall in love, marry, or have any intimate contact with other men."
"Huh?"
Noah finally showed some interest:
"So you're saying… you're already a 'married woman'?"
"No, no, no! That's not what I mean!"
Phoebe's face turned scarlet as she tried to explain, only making it worse. In the end, Zani had to step in to rescue her.
"Boss, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
Noah turned his head. Zani shook the terminal in her hand:
"The Miss Carlotta you just met — the second miss of Montelli — has asked me to extend an invitation. She'd like to meet you at the Averardo Vault."
"Right now?"
"Yes."
He hadn't expected Carlotta to be so eager. Noah understood immediately:
"Then let's go. But… Phoebe, do you need us to escort you back to Ragunna?"
"No, no need. I can go back on my own."
At the port, Phoebe boarded a gondola, politely said goodbye, and hurriedly left.
It was as if staying one more second would get her eaten alive by some ravenous wolf.
"Boss, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."
Zani glanced at Phoebe's fleeing back, then turned her red eyes — shadowed by dark circles — toward Noah:
"I don't know what you did to that Acolyte, but I hope you don't have any improper thoughts about a little girl."
This morning, she had only wanted to eat a normal breakfast. She happened to see Phoebe sitting opposite Noah with a face that looked very bullied (actually just from the sourness of the Laurel Branch Salad).
That was why she had deliberately sat at their table instead of an empty one — to observe what was really going on.
"You're overthinking it."
Noah gave a mocking laugh:
"What kind of thoughts could I possibly have about a 15-year-old little girl? I just think she's cute and can't help teasing her."
"I see. I misunderstood you. Sorry."
Turning around, Zani pointed upward at the two Sky Messengers nearby:
"Let's go. To the Averardo Vault."
Noah nodded:
"Skip."
…
Jinzhou.
Frontier Prison.
After every lunch break, there was a short period of free outdoor time.
Aalto obediently followed the line of prisoners into a wide, open plaza.
Once the group was dismissed, Aalto wandered aimlessly, occasionally discreetly shaking small piles of sand out from the legs of his prison uniform.
"Does the Hero of Jinzhou know?"
A few voices of conversation reached Aalto's ears. He followed the sound and saw several prisoners in uniform loudly boasting without restraint:
"Me and my brothers — we were personally caught by the Hero of Jinzhou."
The words immediately drew roaring laughter from the surrounding crowd. People jeered and exposed him one after another:
"You've seen the Hero of Jinzhou? Big deal. We've all memorized your lines."
"Next you're gonna say the Hero of Jinzhou pulled out a flatbread, ate it right in front of you, then took out Shell Credits and put them back."
"The Hero of Jinzhou teased you in every way possible, and all you could do was repeat 'Could it be…' and 'Could it be…' — hilarious."
The ridiculed prisoner flushed with shame under the mockery. His eyes darted around and suddenly landed on Aalto. His eyes lit up:
"The big one's here, brothers! Look who it is!"
Everyone turned at once, erupting in excited shouts:
"I was wondering who — it's Aalto!"
"Now it's gonna be a good show!"
"Can't hold it in anymore!"
"This is too scary!"
"Hurry up and hear what he says!"
Under all the stares, Aalto simply shook his head calmly and spoke with certainty:
"Noah will get me out of here."
The moment the words left his mouth, it was like a boulder dropping into water — instantly triggering waves of uproarious laughter.
"Hahahaha, I'm dying — he's having delusions again."
"What kind of person is the Hero of Jinzhou? He's gonna care about some prisoner like you?"
"You're the king of the circus, the emperor of playing cards, brother."
The group of prisoners clutched their stomachs, laughing until their bodies convulsed.
When the laughter finally died down a little, someone suddenly imitated Aalto's tone and repeated: "Noah will get me out of here."
Immediately, the laughter surged to a new peak.
"Ahem."
A patroller stepped into the plaza and called out loudly:
"Aalto! Who's Aalto? You have mail."
"Me, me, me! I'm Aalto."
Aalto hurried over to the patroller, who glanced at him and nodded slightly:
"Come with me. The Hero of Jinzhou sent you a letter."
"Got it."
The two walked off, one in front of the other. Behind them, the plaza had fallen deathly silent, as if someone had suddenly grabbed every throat.
The smiles that had been on everyone else's faces now transferred to Aalto's.
After a long while, someone swallowed hard:
"No way…"
"The Hero of Jinzhou… actually got Aalto out…?"
On the other side.
"You only have ten minutes to read the letter and write a reply, then back to your station to step on the sewing machine."
The patroller called out, then closed the iron door, leaving the space to Aalto alone.
"It's been three days already, Noah — you finally remembered me."
Aalto grumbled resentfully as he tore open the envelope bearing the Lollo Logistics express label, muttering to himself:
"If you don't get me out soon, I'm gonna dig my way out myself. You have no idea what kind of days I've been living here."
"Please, please — you've got to write something about asking me to do stuff."
"Otherwise, how am I supposed to prove to Lingyin and get out of here?"
Finally opening the envelope, Aalto unfolded the letter paper. There was only one line of messy handwriting:
[To Aalto: I'm at the Agrotta Palace Hotel in Ragunna City, Rinascita. If you need anything, write to me.]
"No way, bro—"
Aalto's eyes widened. He reread the short single line several times, then clutched his head in despair:
"You paid for express delivery through Lollo Logistics—"
"And you only wrote this much?"