In the following days, Ray had nothing to worry about; all he needed to do was wait peacefully for the concert to begin.
"Leave all the concert preparations to me."
"Just take this time to relax and rest properly."
That's how Carlotta instructed him.
With these unexpected few days of leisure, Ray decided to truly unwind, using the best possible state to face the upcoming mission.
The previous experiences still weighed on his mind, whether the anomalies at sea or the shock from the dragon on the island hadn't fully subsided.
Of course, Ray didn't tell Carlotta about his encounter with the head of the Fisalia family.
At this critical juncture, he didn't want any unnecessary complications.
Moreover, among the various rumors circulating in Ragunna, the Fisalia family was synonymous with ruthlessness and unscrupulous methods. People always spoke of them with fear.
But Ray faintly felt... that head of the family, Cantarella, didn't seem as cruel as the rumors suggested.
In fact, she appeared even more composed and elegant than the Second Young Miss.
Perhaps, all of this was just his misconception.
After all, the Fisalia family today had long been in collusion with the Order of the Deep.
Ray quietly gazed at the sapphire-blue sky, his thoughts drifting.
After a moment, he felt hunger pangs and decided to fill his stomach first, replenish his energy, and then make plans.
Maybe... he'd visit the Cathedral of Mercury, not for pilgrimage of course, but just to see Phoebe and strengthen their friendship.
The positive kind of friendship.
Despite the Order of the Deep's countless, heinous crimes, the saying still held:
'She's different!'
However, Ray was a bit worried. If a devout priest like Phoebe one day discovered the light she believed in was actually a path of suffering paved with violence and blood, would the collapse of her faith take away her will to live?
And not just Phoebe.
Within the Order of the Deep, there were many Sisters and Brothers just as innocent and kind as her.
Unaware of the darkness the Order concealed, they simply acted on pure faith, diligently fulfilling their duties, spreading ideals of love and peace to the world.
Once their faith collapsed, Ragunna's order would be completely changed.
"...Such a headache."
Ray sighed softly, his gaze shifting toward the direction of Trattoria Margherita.
The restaurant was still bustling, business booming, with a long line stretching even outside the door.
"Looks like I'll have to find somewhere else for lunch."
He scratched his head helplessly and was about to turn away when his gaze suddenly fixed on a figure sitting at one of the restaurant's outdoor tables.
The person was sitting alone, elegantly enjoying a slice of Ragunna-style pizza.
The profile looked somewhat familiar.
Ray narrowed his eyes slightly, examining her for a moment before suddenly remembering who she was.
Wasn't that... the distinguished guest he'd met on the Fisalia family's ship?
If he remembered correctly, her name was.... Changli?
Just then, Changli also noticed him in the crowd.
Her hand paused slightly. Then, a gentle smile spread across her lips as she looked at him with interest and lightly waved, signaling him to come over.
...Should he go?
Ray certainly wouldn't refuse.
Mainly because she was genuinely beautiful—
No, that's not the point.
The key was that Changli was from Huanglong and held a prestigious status.
If he could befriend her now, it might be helpful if he ever had the chance to visit Huanglong in the future.
Changli smiled softly. "We meet again."
"Yeah, what a coincidence." Ray tried to keep his tone from sounding too tense.
"No need to be so formal," Changli's gaze was as gentle as water. "Just think of me as an ordinary traveler in Ragunna, and forget about everything before. By the way, we were in a hurry last time; I haven't properly introduced myself."
She spoke softly, extending a hand toward Ray. "I'm Changli."
Ray shook her hand. "Ray."
"Huanglongese?" Changli asked.
Ray somewhat guiltily averted his gaze. "Uh... you could say that."
"Is that so?" Changli picked up her black tea and took a small sip. "It's rare to meet someone from home on foreign soil. I'm new here and not very familiar with Ragunna yet. If you don't mind, could you show me around and introduce me to the local culture?"
She paused briefly before adding with a smile, "Of course, I won't let you do it for free. I'll offer appropriate compensation for your guidance."
She's actually inviting me to be her guide?
Ray felt a stir in his heart.
It wasn't impossible; after all, he had been wondering what to do these past few days.
"Didn't the Fisalia family arrange anything for you?" he asked with a hint of confusion.
Hearing this, Changli turned her gaze toward Ragunna's bustling streets, her tone indifferent. "They have more important matters to handle. Besides, traveling with family members inevitably comes with many restrictions." She smiled slightly. "So I politely declined Cantarella's kind offer."
Then, she looked at him again, a faint smile in her eyes. "So, are you willing?"
Refuse?
Are you kidding?!
He was eager to make progress!
"Of course! If Miss Changli doesn't mind, I can start planning an itinerary for you right now. I guarantee you'll have an unforgettable, memorable experience!"
"There's no need to be so deliberate." Changli gently interrupted him. "I'd prefer... to experience the city in a more relaxed way."
"I see. Miss Changli prefers a more spontaneous approach?" Ray smiled knowingly. "In that case, why don't we visit the Cathedral of Mercury later?"
Changli pondered briefly, a slight curve touching her lips. "That works too. Back in Huanglong, I often heard about the grandeur of that cathedral. Hearing about it a thousand times is not as good as seeing it once."
"Speaking of which, I'm a bit curious," Ray ventured carefully. "I heard on the ship earlier that Miss Changli is Jinzhou's renowned Counselor. What brings you to Ragunna so suddenly?" He paused, then politely added, "If this isn't something you can discuss, just treat it as if I never asked."
Changli looked at him, shaking her head gently with a smile. "It's nothing unspeakable. I do serve as Counselor in Jinzhou, assisting with administrative affairs. Now that things there are stable, I finally have some leisure time. That's why I accepted Cantarella's invitation to visit Ragunna."
"Although there's been quite some discussion about my work," she smiled, her gaze clear, "I don't mind. Whether holding a high position or living among the common folk, as long as I can still contribute something to the people, it's enough."
"Sometimes I wonder, how high does an official have to be to be considered 'high'?"