Christopher's New Plan

The former site of Avinoleum Seminary.

Christopher Station Ruins Edge and Chairman's Communication.

"President, I messed up."

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"Oh? You can make mistakes too?"

Christopher ignored the sarcastic question.

"Something unexpected happened. At the last minute, Tsubaki from the Black Shores suddenly appeared and ruined my script."

"Tsubaki." The guild leader chewed on the name for a moment, "How did Black Shores get involved?"

"Not currently known."

Does he also have connections to the Black Shores?

"Still under investigation." Christopher paused, "But I had an unexpected discovery. I encountered the sealed Threnodian, the Aleph-1 Rover."

A slight rustling sound came from the other end of the terminal; the chairman seemed to have sat up straight.

"Go on."

Christopher recounted the story of Aleph-1 and the terms of the deal it proposed.

After he finished speaking, he waited quietly.

"Rover from the future?" The chairman finally spoke, his tone carrying the air of someone appraising a rare artifact. "I am somewhat surprised."

There was another few seconds of silence.

"A deal with it is possible. However, the details of the deal need to be slightly altered."

"President, what do you mean?"

"Isn't it going to take Leviathan?"

"When it reveals itself, we'll capture it. Then we can study its power however we want. Who knows, we might even be able to make the one beneath the Dark Tide work for us."

Christopher's eyes narrowed slightly. He quickly went through the feasibility of the plan in his mind, then nodded.

"The guild master is wise. But how can we capture Leviathan? It and that saintess are currently suspended high in the sky; we may not be her match."

"That's easy," the guild leader chuckled softly. "Isn't that person in Ragunna?"

Christopher's pupils contracted slightly.

"You mean, Rover?"

"Only she can break the saintess's seal, and only she can kill her." The guild leader's voice was calm and resolute. "All we need to do is lure her there."

Christopher's lips slowly curved into a smile.

"The president is right. I've got a good idea."

"Oh?"

"With the carnival just around the corner, we can make some plans."

He explained his ideas one by one, and the chairman listened quietly on the other end, occasionally letting out a soft "hmm" until Christopher finished speaking the last word, at which point he smiled.

"Christopher, you're truly amazing."

"You flatter me, President." Christopher gave a slight bow, though the person on the other end couldn't see the gesture.

"So, this script..."

"Let Phrolova direct," Christopher chimed in, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty. "She'll probably want to meet that Rover too."

"Bring the Scar over too," the guild leader added. "I'll send a clone over to ensure everything goes smoothly."

"Yes."

A stunning transition.

By the time Phoebe chased after her, Kexi had already disappeared.

Her face was still burning.

That pair of white stockings was just stolen like that, and the person even claimed it was "a gift from divine decree"—it's utterly shameless, utterly blasphemous, utterly...

She bit her lip and quickened her pace.

Just as I was about to turn the corner, I bumped into someone.

"Oops."

The other person took a step back and stood firmly on their ground.

Phoebe covered her forehead and looked up to see a woman looking down at her. The woman had white hair, a prosthetic limb made of transparent crystal that refracted shimmering light in the sunlight, a calm expression, and a scrutinizing gaze.

"Miss Phoebe?" The other person's tone was polite, but his gaze lingered on her flushed cheeks for a moment.

Phoebe quickly lowered her hand, straightened her collar, and then put on a dignified and appropriate smile.

Who are you?

"Mornye, the teacher leading the Star Torch Academy's study tour to Ragunna." Mornye nodded slightly. "We should have been in contact before."

Phoebe remembered. There really was such a thing. A group of students from Lahai-Roi were coming here for a study exchange program, and she was in charge of receiving them. She'd just been too busy lately and had forgotten the date.

"It's Professor Mornye, welcome, welcome." Phoebe's smile widened, easily concealing her earlier panic. "You must be tired from your journey."

She glanced behind Mornye. Lynae and Sigrika stood a few steps away, followed by several students in school uniforms, craning their necks to curiously examine the surrounding buildings.

"Is this the Ragunna Order? It's magnificent."

"Is that statue Imperator? It doesn't look quite like the one in the book."

"The garden over there is so beautiful."

The students were chattering excitedly.

Phoebe thought to herself, "I'm not going to catch up with Kexi, and besides those stockings... never mind, I'll deal with that later."

The delegation from the Star Torch Academy has already arrived, and she can't just leave them standing there.

The delegation from Jinzhou should be arriving soon, so there's no time to settle scores with that bastard today.

"Professor Mornye, please come with me. I'll take you to your accommodations to settle in first." Phoebe stepped aside and gestured for you to enter, her smile perfectly composed.

Mornye nodded and led the students to follow Phoebe.

Lynae and Sigrika walked at the back of the group, their eyes never idle.

Lynae was observing the structure and layout of the building, while Sigrika was scrutinizing every passing clergyman, her right hand unconsciously rubbing a rune at her waist.

Phoebe led the group, explaining the history and religious status of the Order as they walked.

Her voice returned to its usual clear and gentle tone, and she described the icons and murals with great familiarity.

Mornye nodded from time to time, occasionally asking a question or two about the building's age; the atmosphere seemed pleasant for both host and guests.

Meanwhile, at the Ragunna.

Jinhsi stood on the deck, the sea breeze blowing her long hair backward.

The harbor was filled with ships of all sizes, their masts standing tall, flags fluttering, and the shouts of workers unloading goods and merchants mingling together, creating an incredibly lively scene.

"So this is Ragunna."

She took a deep breath; the air carried the salty, damp scent of the sea, similar to, yet different from, the port of Jinzhou.

The air here is more humid, and the wind carries an indescribable floral fragrance, probably emanating from the plants on the shore that she doesn't recognize.

"Lord Magistrate, the luggage has been unloaded." The voice of the accompanying official came from behind.

Jinhsi turned around and nodded. "Thank you all for your hard work."

She came mainly to see that person, and also to Order in Ragunna.

Changli set off before her, his destination being Fisalia.

"Your Excellency, the reception staff from Ragunna's side are already waiting." The accompanying official pointed ahead.

Jinhsi looked in the direction indicated and saw several people dressed in formal attire standing at the port exit, waiting. The one in the lead was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties, waving to her with a smile.

She straightened her collar, put on a polite and gentle smile, and strode forward to meet him.

"Prefect of Jinzhou, Jinhsi, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Ragunna welcomes Jinhsi Imishio."