The maple colors grew deeper, fiery red and golden yellow—it was the most colorful season of the year.
"Do you really have to leave?"
At the dock, in front of the Montelli family's merchant ship, Jinhsi stared straight at Noah, her hands behind her back clenched tightly into fists.
"Yes. I heard there's a gladiatorial tournament in Septimont, so I'm planning to go watch."
Noah explained the reason casually.
"Don't overthink it, Hsi. I've set up a teleport anchor in Jinzhou. Coming back would only take an instant. If you're free during the day, I can even take you to watch the matches together."
It had to be said that the Shorekeeper's abilities were truly convenient. Whenever needed, she could instantly pull a Sentinel Resonator over. Just thinking about it was exciting.
"Alright… okay then."
Jinhsi bit her lip, racking her brains but unable to find any reason to make Noah stay.
"Is it really not because of Cartethyia that you decided to leave?"
"It's not."
"Swear it."
I still have to swear?
Noah paused for a moment, looking down at Jinhsi whose eyes were slightly red. In the end, he still raised three fingers.
"I swear."
Seeing this, Jinhsi finally showed a faint smile.
"Laureate, Carlotta says the ship is about to depart. Come aboard quickly."
On the merchant ship, Cartethyia, who had just walked out of the cabin, urged him. Noah nodded and said to Jinhsi:
"I'll send you back to City Hall."
"No need. I… have something to do in Whining Aix's Mire anyway. It's perfect… I can see you off a bit further."
Amid the roar of the engines, the Montelli family's business ship quickly sailed away, leaving two trails of clear waves in its wake.
Noah stood at the edge of the cabin and suddenly looked back. That moon-white figure was still standing silently on the shore. The sea breeze blew her dress and skirt fluttering like restless, surging clouds.
The waves rose high, then fell low.
Their gazes met from afar, and his heart felt as if it had been gently pricked by something—soft and light.
...
Septimont.
The highly anticipated gladiatorial tournament was in full swing. The entire arena was like a boiling volcano, the passionate atmosphere almost igniting the surrounding air.
The wide and sturdy arena was surrounded by tall stone walls. In the center of the field, Lupa swung her blazing long spear with a heavy upward thrust, easily sending the last enemy flying.
"First round of the qualifiers, won!"
Lupa grinned excitedly, revealing a pair of cute little tiger teeth. Her fluffy tail behind her wagged vigorously as she enthusiastically waved to the countless spectators in the stands.
However, the audience's attention was almost entirely not on Lupa, but instead erupted into enthusiastic roars toward the golden-haired man beside her:
"The future Hero King has won!"
"Avidius!"
"OHHHHHHH!"
"So annoying. If the Silva family hadn't been expelled from Septimont, I wouldn't want to team up with this guy at all."
Lupa's tail stopped wagging. She pouted, glanced at Avidius beside her, then unhappily picked up her spear and prepared to leave the stage, muttering quietly:
"Clearly I defeated all the opponents, yet all the praise went to him."
"Lupa, please don't misunderstand. I have no intention of stealing your spotlight."
The sharp-eared Avidius heard her words, quickly walked to Lupa's side, and walked alongside her as he patiently explained:
"In fact, as someone who has crossed the bottom of Manes four times and possesses the Oakheart Badge, I'm not interested in the championship of this gladiatorial tournament."
"You're not interested but still came to participate?"
"The old fellows in the Senate need me to claim this champion title so I can better replace Ephor Augusta's position in the future."
Avidius shook his head helplessly.
"I noticed you enjoy the cheers of the arena more, so I deliberately didn't take action earlier, wanting to let all the glory belong to you alone. It's just… I might have underestimated my own popularity."
Hearing this explanation, Lupa laughed angrily on the spot:
"Who asked you to yield!"
"If my sincere words and actions have hurt you, then I apologize to you."
Avidius spread his hands. Not wanting to sour his relationship with his partner, he changed the subject:
"That last upward thrust you used earlier—the timing and angle didn't match your usual fighting style at all. It was very unexpected. Did you learn it from someone?"
"None of your business. Can't I have practiced it myself?"
After finally leaving the arena area, countless enthusiastic fans outside rushed over. Lupa turned in another direction and separated from Avidius.
Sure enough, that group of frenzied fans immediately surrounded Avidius.
"He's clearly a guy who doesn't have much passion for gladiatorial combat, yet he's welcomed by so many people?"
Lupa snorted, tossed her annoying thoughts aside, then took out her terminal and opened her follow list in Quick Tone. She clicked into an account homepage named "Phaethon."
There were already five or six videos inside, but she had already watched all of them.
"Ah… no update today either!" She let out a dejected wail.
"What is Phaethon doing…?"
...
"After a day and a night, we've finally returned to Rinascita."
Looking at the shore that was about to draw near, Cantarella stretched lazily. Her smooth golden hair draped behind her brushed against Noah's chest.
"Laureate, I'll go find the Sentinel first to hand over the separated consciousness. I'll find you later."
"Alright."
With Noah's nod, Cantarella bent her knees and leaped, unfolding her gliding wings in mid-air and quickly disappearing from Noah's sight.
Light footsteps came from behind. Noah felt a weight on his left shoulder and turned his head left, but saw no one.
"Hehe, I'm on the right."
Noah lowered his head to the right, and his gaze finally met a pair of brilliant eyes.
"Welcome back to Ragunna."
Carlotta spoke with a smile full of meaning:
"I know you're definitely going to Septimont next. Perfect timing—the Montelli family invested heavily in Quick Tone and bought the full live broadcast rights for the Septimont gladiatorial tournament."
"So? As our Montelli family's Tall Chestnut, would you like to go with me as an investor and enjoy VIP treatment together?"
Hearing this, Noah's eyes immediately lit up.
In the original plot, Rover had no plans to go to Septimont at first. She only went after discovering Cantarella had gone missing and following the traces she left behind.
Upon first arriving in Septimont, Rover was completely unfamiliar with the place. If she hadn't happened to meet Lupa, she would have taken many detours.
But in his case, he could go to Septimont as an investor—an absolutely better choice than being a complete stranger like in the original plot.
Noah nodded immediately:
"You have a lot of money, so I'll listen to you."
"Haha, listen to me." Hearing Noah's words, Carlotta covered her mouth and laughed:
"Then let's rest in Ragunna for one night first. We'll head to Septimont tomorrow."
"Alright."
Seeing Noah nod, Carlotta was about to say something more when her waist terminal suddenly rang with a communication signal. She had to answer it first.
At the same time, Noah also received a message from Cantarella.
[Cantarella: Have you returned to Ragunna?]
[Noah: How did you know?]
[Cantarella: The Sentinel was communicating with me, but the heavenly sound suddenly cut off. I guessed that Cartethyia had returned, and then guessed whether you would follow back.]
So it was just a guess.
You actually guessed correctly!
[Cantarella: By the way, there's a Remnant in my house that can meow like a cat. Want to come over?]
...