Chapter 29: …Is This a Poet?
"The morning light guides my gaze through the clouds (I saw the light break through)~"
"Your gentle murmurs sway softly in my ear (You whispered soft and true)~"
The morning breeze carried a melodious song, the clear singing lingering over the stone steps of the square, where a red-haired maiden was reciting poetry carefully woven by her own hand.
Clink.
Just as she was immersed in her verses and artistry, a crisp, faint sound pulled her from her thoughts.
A single Shell Credit, tossed onto the ground, spun and spun before slowly coming to a halt.
"?"
A look of profound confusion crossed the maiden's beautiful face. When she looked up and met the eyes of the suddenly arrived acquaintance, without a moment's hesitation, she grabbed her only lute and bolted.
Then Aeron caught her by the arm.
"Hey, what the hell are you running for?"
"Eh, eh?! Aren't you here to tell me to leave?"
"I'm not wearing my Order robes right now, are you blind?"
"I... I'm a poet?"
Ciaccona blinked adorably, seemingly not fully grasping the situation. When she noticed Aeron wasn't dressed in his usual priestly attire, she tilted her head in confusion.
"So you finally got expelled?"
"Honestly, can you wish me well for once? I'm here in a private capacity today, Miss Ciaccona."
Hearing Aeron's words, Ciaccona stopped struggling. Her emerald green eyes stared at him in bewilderment before shifting to Rover standing behind him.
The other's demeanor was cool and aloof, bearing traces of a long journey, yet their eyes were clear and their presence extraordinary.
"And this is...?"
"Consider them... a friend."
Rover gave a light chuckle and responded quickly.
"What, you actually managed to make friends?"
"Hey."
Was it Aeron's imagination, or did everyone he meet seem to enjoy teasing him?
As someone specialized in handling the Order's external affairs, Aeron's acquaintance with Ciaccona had been rather unusual.
To avoid unnecessary details, Aeron would summarize it briefly: he was the city patrol, and Ciaccona was part of his job performance.
Still, since she played an important role, Aeron had done his best to protect her within his authority. Ciaccona was aware of this, and through their interactions, they had grown familiar.
"Alright, alright, just a little joke. So, Priest, what brings you to me?"
Aeron let out a long sigh; maintaining his usual composure around Ciaccona was challenging.
"Naturally, it's serious business—about the 'Golden Anthem.'"
When Ciaccona heard those words from Aeron, her expression stiffened slightly, though she kept her tone light.
"So... the Order needs me, as a poet, to help?"
Her fingers unconsciously plucked a lute string, producing a faint tremolo.
Aeron didn't answer her question directly, instead glancing at the passersby around them.
"Don't worry, that old fool Fenrico isn't that rotten, nor does he have the authority to order me around. Let's find somewhere else to talk."
So Aeron led Ciaccona and Rover to a secluded spot under the eaves at the edge of the square. Leaning against the wall, he looked at the two young women sitting beside him.
"Was it really necessary to come all this way..."
Ciaccona, clutching her instrument, was slightly out of breath after being led on such a long walk by Aeron.
"Better safe than sorry, and this place is more convenient anyway."
Aeron dismissed Ciaccona's complaint with just a couple of brief remarks.
"A priest retrieved the lost work of the 'Golden Anthem' from an abandoned library. The Montelli family is very interested in that item, so I'm here on Second Young Lady's orders to seek your help."
As he spoke, Aeron reached out toward the Rover closest to him.
"?"
"...The letter."
Hearing this word, Rover was momentarily stunned before understanding what Aeron meant, feeling somewhat exasperated.
Does this guy really have to recycle even such props?
With a hint of petty resentment, Rover handed Carlotta's letter to Aeron, who then passed it to Ciaccona.
"As you can see, my information also comes from the Montelli side. I'm just following orders."
"But how could something like that possibly be here with the Order?"
Ciaccona took the letter, gazing at the smooth envelope and its cold wax seal, a trace of doubt arising in her heart.
Seeing Ciaccona's expression, Aeron said nothing. As a priest, the most appropriate thing for him to do now was remain silent.
The "Golden Anthem" was once a poetry society. They had collaborated with the Order, composing hymns for them, but everything changed after being questioned by a true knight during a public performance.
Initially, the poets of the "Golden Anthem," guided by a mysterious gentleman, learned the truth about the Sentinels.
Wanting to convey the truth of the Sentinels, they sought out the Toccata family, who were responsible for organizing the choir—the family Ciaccona belonged to.
But soon, the poets were targeted by the Order, followed by arrests and exiles. Thus, the entire Toccata family now consisted of only Ciaccona Toccata.
If not for Ciaccona's remarkable character and appearance, Aeron, as a priest, would never have gotten involved with her.
"So, to verify its authenticity, we need your resonance ability, and... Montelli also wants to learn about some past events."
Worried that Ciaccona might dwell too deeply on the matter, Aeron smoothly steered the conversation in another direction.
Ciaccona took a deep breath, raised her head, and her face regained that resilient smile: "So, the Second Young Lady of the Montelli family wants me to be an appraiser?"
Seeing that she could still joke, Aeron felt somewhat relieved and continued: "Precisely because it's you that we're more likely to distinguish the genuine from the fake."
Here, Aeron paused briefly, "As for safety, I and... my friend will be responsible." He said, glancing at the Rover.
The Rover met Aeron's gaze, nodded slightly, and said to Ciaccona with a smile:
"Don't worry, I'm quite capable in a fight."
"Did you have to put it quite so bluntly..."
Aeron couldn't help but marvel—was this the confidence of the strong?
"Alright, I'll help." Ciaccona carefully put away the letter, her expression turning serious. "Shall we go now?"
"No need. See this place I'm leaning against? This is exactly where we need to be."
"?" x2
Hearing Aeron's words, both Ciaccona and Rover showed puzzled expressions.
"What, did you two think I brought you all this way for fun? Alright, prepare for the assault!"
"Wait wait wait wait—we haven't made any preparations at all—"
Before Ciaccona could stop him, Aeron swaggered up to the main entrance and kicked the door open with one foot.
As Aeron's former colleagues, they were completely stunned when they saw who had arrived.
"Everyone inside listen up! You're surrounded by the three of us!"
"Are you even human?!"
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