_____
Read till chapter 300 by Joining my patreon...hope u support me meh meh
Patreon/IndifferentVillain
_____
"Old man Francis, Coletta, I leave Laguna in your capable hands."
Rover spoke first. His tone was formal and polite, but as his gaze met Coletta's, there was a profound depth that only the two of them understood.
"Hehe, rest assured and go forth, Rover. The future of Laguna will still require our joint vigilance," Francis replied with a chuckle, his words carrying hidden meaning.
Coletta took a step forward, accepting an exquisite suitcase from an attendant. "Inside are some local specialties from Laguna, as well as some funds you might find useful. It is a long journey, so please be careful."
Her voice was steady, but as she handed the suitcase over, her fingertips briefly touched Rover's hand, carrying a nearly imperceptible trace of lingering attachment.
"Thank you," Rover accepted the suitcase and nodded.
Cantarella gracefully drifted forward at the right moment, presenting a delicate red sandalwood box that emitted a faint, elegant fragrance. "A small parting gift, Rover."
"Inside are some... interesting files regarding several prominent figures in the Senate of the Seven Hills. Perhaps they can help you... take control of the local situation faster." Her blue-purple eyes were misty, and her smile was ambiguous. "Of course, if you ever require a more 'in-depth' understanding, Castello Portovino will always welcome your return."
Her words caused Coletta to frown slightly beside them, but the younger girl didn't lash out.
Rover accepted it calmly: "How thoughtful of you, Cantarella."
Finally, it was Phoebe.
Taking a deep breath, she walked solemnly to Rover under the watchful eyes of everyone present.
She did not produce any material gifts. Instead, she placed her right hand over her chest, bowed slightly, and performed an incredibly standard Convent salute.
"Lord Watcher."
Having confirmed the faith in her heart, Rover's status in Phoebe's mind was naturally elevated to infinity.
Although in private he was her one and only "Lord," in public, for the sake of the Convent's overall situation, she had to remain the devout believer of the Sentinel Imperator. Thus, her address for Rover was appropriately changed to a term that would not overstep her bounds, yet still perfectly expressed the utmost reverence in her heart.
Her voice was clear and firm, echoing across the pier. "May Laguna's sea breeze bless your voyage, and may your wisdom and strength illuminate the path ahead."
"Laguna and the Hidden Sea Convent will be your most steadfast backing. No matter where you go, please..." She raised her head, her gaze burning and devout, "...never forget that Laguna will forever be the harbor watching over you."
Behind this official rhetoric was the absolute loyalty she could not speak aloud in front of the public—she was reminding her "Lord" not to forget his "servant," and vowing to him that she would fiercely guard this foundation that belonged to him.
Rover looked at her deeply, reading all the unspoken words in her eyes: "I will. And you must also remember your duties, Supreme Priest Phoebe."
Just then, the terminal on Rover's waist rang at an inopportune moment. He frowned, but upon seeing the caller ID, he answered the comms immediately.
"Rover, this is an emergency one-way transmission from the Shorekeeper!"
Listening quietly to the contents of the message, Rover's eyes rapidly turned sharp.
"It seems the situation in the Seven Hills is more urgent than we thought." He hung up the comms and spoke softly to the crowd before him. "Monitoring from the Black Shores indicates that the activity of the Black Tide in the southern part of the Seven Hills is surging abnormally, far exceeding all previous records."
"The descent of the 'Roaming Heaven' might happen much faster than anticipated. The Black Shores has already dispatched a professional technical team composed of several guest advisors and an armed fleet to the Seven Hills to assist in building Black Tide defensive fortifications and a Lament early-warning monitoring system."
"Upon my arrival, I must immediately meet with Governor Augusta and the upper echelons of the Senate to jointly discuss countermeasures."
This news sent a ripple of commotion through the crowd seeing him off.
Although it wasn't in Laguna, the threat of the Black Tide from the Seven Hills was incredibly real, far surpassing any internal power games in Laguna.
If they were careless, not only would the Seven Hills be swallowed, but the endless Black Tide would likely sweep across the entirety of Rinascita.
Hearing Rover's account, a flash of worry crossed Coletta's face, and Cantarella's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of deep thought.
Phoebe gripped the holy emblem on her chest even tighter, as if praying for her Lord who was about to travel far away.
"Lupa... Augusta... Yuno..."
Rover murmured these names to himself. He recalled that fiery, passionate Champion Gladiator he hadn't seen in a long time, the Governor of the Seven Hills who had personally awarded the championship badges to him and Lupa, and the Oracle Yuno, who was said to possess the ability to foresee the future and harbored a subtle attitude toward him.
The situation in the Seven Hills was clearly much more complex and critical than in Laguna.
The final moment of parting arrived.
Rover said no more. He nodded to the crowd, his gaze quickly sweeping over the Convent's bureaucrats and the Laguna elites who had voluntarily come to see him off. Finally, he took one last deep look at Coletta, Cantarella, Phoebe, and Xiakong in the distance.
Xiakong was standing at the edge of the crowd, hugging her lute, waving vigorously at him with tears in her eyes but a smile on her face.
After casting his final glance over everyone, he waved his hand in farewell, turned around, and boarded the passenger ship bound for the Seven Hills without hesitation.
The anchor was raised, and the massive vessel slowly sailed out of the port.
The people on the pier bore varying expressions and complex thoughts.
They all gazed in the same direction, watching that figure standing at the bow of the ship gradually blend into the distant horizon where the sea met the sky, along with the massive hull.
Coletta gently rubbed the ring on her finger and whispered, "Cat's Eye... you must come back safely."
Cantarella spun her parasol and turned to leave, her skirt tracing an elegant arc: "The Roaming Heaven? Now that is truly... an enormous challenge."
Phoebe stood in place, gazing for a long time. It wasn't until the ship's silhouette completely vanished that she slowly turned around. Facing the Convent personnel, her tone regained the majesty of the Supreme Priest: "Assemble the lead priests of the Three Preceptories. I am convening an emergency critical meeting."
"You all heard it. We now have a new emergency topic to discuss—the Convent must prepare for the potentially spreading threat of the Black Tide, and... fully assist our Lord Watcher in confronting the formidable enemy that will descend upon the Seven Hills. We will provide all the material and manpower support he requires."
Her voice was calm and powerful; it was clear she had found a brand-new direction and source of strength.
With this, the holiday story in Laguna finally comes to a temporary close. This was but a small harbor in Rover's grand journey, yet it left behind profound bonds.
Ahead, the Seven Hills awaits him with an even more turbulent Black Tide, mysterious prophecies, and an ultimate national war concerning the fate of all Rinascita.
The great voyage has only just begun.
_____
Read till chapter 300 by Joining my patreon...hope u support me meh meh
Patreon/IndifferentVillain