In Ray's impression, the Order's choir was typically made up of children.
Most of them came from orphanages, their voices clear and pure. Once they grew older and their voices changed, they would leave the choir and transition to being acolytes.
"I was also a member of the choir when I was little," Phoebe said softly as she led Changli and Ray toward the choir's performance area. "Later, when my voice was no longer suitable, I became an acolyte instead."
The surrounding seats were already filled with people, including members of the Order and travelers who had come from various places.
Within the sanctuary, candlelight flickered, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and tranquility.
Looking at Phoebe's earnest profile, Ray suddenly flashed a mischievous smile. "But I actually think Phoebe's voice is still very cute now. How about... you sing a couple of lines for us?"
"C-cute?" Phoebe's steps faltered, her fair cheeks instantly flushing as she turned her face away in a fluster. "Mr. Ray, d-don't joke around... I'm an acolyte now, how could I go back to singing in the choir?"
She was as easily flustered as ever.
A little teasing was all it took to make her blush completely.
If it were the Second Young Miss, a bit of teasing would probably cost him a year's salary.
And Phrolova... she was a minefield, best not touched at all.
So, if he wanted to find a bit of amusement, besides Phoebe, there really didn't seem to be a more suitable candidate.
Changli stood quietly to the side, watching their banter with a faint trace of amusement in her eyes, remaining silent throughout.
It wasn't until they had all taken their seats that the choir children slowly took the stage. They bowed to the audience, and then the performance began.
The melody of the hymn flowed gracefully; rendered by the clear voices of the children, it sounded especially ethereal and pure.
As for the lyrics, they were still the same old platitudes praising the Sentinel.
Ray wasn't actually interested especially after witnessing the shadows beneath the Order's polished surface.
But for Phoebe's sake, he absolutely could not, and would not, let the slightest hint of his disdain for the Order show in front of this girl.
It's just...
Ah, never mind.
He could only hope she would never learn those secrets.
Listening to the choir's melodious singing, Ray gradually felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him and unconsciously closed his eyes.
In a daze, the sounds around him grew blurred and distorted, eventually morphing into strange, low whispers, as if some presence was murmuring softly right beside his ear.
He jolted his eyes open, only to find himself standing upon an endless expanse of sea.
"Where is this...?"
Ray murmured to himself, gazing around in bewilderment.
He turned, facing a sky so vast it was suffocating. High above, a steed riding the wind was staring down at him.
What was that?
The Imperator, the Sentinel?
Before he could think further, the calm sea suddenly churned, and the sky darkened in an instant.
A gigantic, dark fish surged from the abyss, seized the heavenly steed in its jaws, and violently dragged it down into the unfathomable deep.
Ray stood frozen, instinctively reaching out a hand and right then, the whole world ground to a halt.
He was back in reality.
The choir's song continued, candlelight flickering gently.
Changli softly grasped his outstretched hand, her voice low.
"Just now... did you see something?"
As the hymn ended, everyone clasped their hands and bowed their heads in silent prayer, offering respect and blessings to the Sentinel.
Only Ray and Changli remained quietly seated, seemingly out of place in this scene of devotion.
"I..." Ray pressed his lips together. The vivid vision was rapidly fading, as if being silently erased by some invisible force. "I think I saw... a horse? It seemed to be the Imperator."
"Oh, is that so?" Changli's eyelashes trembled imperceptibly for just an instant, only an instant, her tone completely calm. "And then?"
"I can't remember." Ray shook his head, somewhat dazed. "What happened to me just now?"
"You were likely drawn into a Sonoro vision." Changli's gaze shifted to the choir, her voice soft. "All melodies in this world are composed of frequencies. And their hymn became the medium that pulled you in."
"A Sonoro vision? What is that?" Ray pressed, frowning. "Why didn't anyone else enter?"
Changli tilted her head slightly, her tone elusive. "Who knows? Perhaps... the Sentinel intended to convey something to you."
"The Sentinel, wanting to convey something to me?" Ray lowered his head in thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up. "Could it be that I am... a Holy Envoy?"
"Who knows?" Changli gave a slight shrug, her eyes sweeping over the devout faithful around them. "But it's best not to mention this to anyone else."
"Why?" Ray asked, puzzled.
Changli leaned in closer, her voice a soft whisper near his ear: ".....You would be exiled."
...
...
After watching the choir performance, Phoebe continued her role as guide, explaining various details of the cathedral to Changli and Ray.
Though nominally providing commentary for both, it was essentially to satisfy Phoebe's own curiosity.
"I've heard that Huanglong seems to have more than one Sentinel?" Along the way, Phoebe couldn't resist asking Changli.
"That's right," Changli nodded slightly, patiently explaining to her. "Huanglong consists of one court and six states, each with its own Sentinel. Their forms may have similarities, but there are also differences. It is the place in the world today where the most Sentinels coexist. It is said that Huanglong's Sentinels originated from a single source; they can merge into one, and when separate, each governs a region."
She paused briefly, then offered an example: "For instance, the Sentinel of Jinzhou, Jué manifests in the form of a dragon."
Phoebe listened with rapt attention, almost forgetting she was supposed to be the tour guide.
Meanwhile, Ray followed silently behind them, pondering Changli's earlier words.
Why would mentioning this to others lead to exile?
Although the Order's reasons for exiling people were all sorts of strange, surely they wouldn't exile someone just for a dream... right?
Uh...
Alright.
Considering the Order's level of fanaticism, it was possible.
He stopped walking and looked up at the statue of the Imperator beside him, horse-headed, fish-bodied, its form eerie, as if a whisper from the deep sea had taken shape.
The scene from the vision surfaced again: the dark leviathan surging from the abyss, seizing the heavenly steed, dragging it into endless darkness.
He gazed at the statue, the fragmented images cycling relentlessly through his mind.
So what exactly... did the Sentinel want to convey to him through this?
"Mr. Ray?"
Phoebe's voice came from ahead, gently pulling him from his thoughts. Ray snapped back to the present and quickly caught up with the two.
"Sorry, I was a bit lost in thought just now."
"I see. Miss Changli says she's a bit tired today and would like to go back to rest," Phoebe said, looking at him with a hint of expectation in her eyes. "What about you, Mr. Ray? Would you like to keep exploring?"
Ray had originally intended to decline, but meeting Phoebe's hopeful gaze, the refusal died on his lips.
"Well... alright then, let's walk around a bit more."
...
...
Meanwhile.
The Second Daughter of the Montelli family was still at work.
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Bonus Chapter Alert!
If we cross 100 powerstones, there will be a bonus chapter.
Read advance chapters on [email protected]/lost_moon