Ragunna City, Montelli Quarter.
A seemingly ordinary block, yet hiding profound secrets behind it. After Carlotta completed multiple verifications—password, fingerprint, iris, and more—the retrieval record finally appeared before her eyes.
[Item Name: Wedge-Lamp Shaped Terminal.]
[Access Level: S+]
[Retrieval Record: ...Retrieved 4 days ago, Reason: Unknown. Deposited 2 days ago.]
"Two days ago... wasn't that exactly when Bennett died?"
Carlotta hurriedly took out the item numbered MLCL190468, only to see a terminal lacking its internal core components.
A chill crept inch by inch from her tailbone up to the top of her head. Emotions of grief, anger, and disbelief nearly overwhelmed her:
"The core components contain all the technology for the Montelli Family to manufacture private terminals. This technology is the foundation of the Montellis..."
If the development technology for private terminals leaked or even became public, the Montellis would no longer have the capital to contend with the Order.
Moreover, judging from Capollo's previous report to the Order about Red Velvet, the reason he took the core components was precisely to pledge allegiance to the Order!
This was undoubtedly handing the Sword of Damocles that could kill them over to the enemy with his own hands.
"With this, all the doubts make sense."
Noah helped Carlotta analyze:
"Clearly, Bennett discovered that your uncle took out the core components with intent to leak the technology, so your uncle silenced him. Before dying, he sent you the heavily encrypted message."
"I don't understand what benefit this brings Uncle."
Carlotta clenched her teeth tightly, her brows furrowed into a knot:
"No matter what, we must first recover the lost core components."
As she made up her mind, a communication came into Carlotta's terminal. Connecting it, an anxious and uneasy low roar came through:
Capollo: "Carlotta, where are you right now!"
"..."
Carlotta fell silent for a long while, her mind in chaos, unsure how to face this relative she had regarded as closest kin for so many years.
"Uncle, please answer one question for me first... What situation are you in right now? Has someone done something to you? Who threatened you, forcing you to do these things?"
The brief questioning instantly made the other side of the terminal realize that Carlotta had investigated to the deepest level.
Capollo slammed the table heavily, sweeping everything on the desk in front of him to the floor. Amid the shattering sounds of numerous valuable artworks, he stood up, tugged at his tie, breathing heavily:
"Listen, no matter what you've found out or how much you know, as long as you stop here, we can still be like before—let bygones be bygones, close as family."
"Like this, Carlotta—there's a batch of goods heading to Septimont that's had issues. I order you, as the next head, to go resolve it."
"See, I'm giving you a reason to stop the investigation. As long as you obediently listen, we'll pretend nothing ever happened."
Listening to Capollo's carrot-and-stick tactics, Carlotta's expression gradually turned cold, her brilliant eyes gradually reflecting a blade-like chill:
"No, I refuse."
As the words fell, a furious roar came from the terminal:
"What did you say!"
"I said, I refuse. I cannot pretend nothing happened, nor accept a family member dying unclearly, and even less allow something as important as the core components to remain outside!"
"Carlotta, why must you be so stubborn and unenlightened? The family's ambitions require the price of blood and tears. We could clearly choose an easier path, like seeking the Order's protection."
Capollo panted heavily, extremely furious:
"Why do you have to tear everything open? Doing this—what will Grandfather Francesco think? How will others view our Montellis? Have you thought about that?"
Carlotta quietly listened to Capollo's roar, the frosty resolve in her gaze growing even firmer:
"A verbal dispute where neither can convince the other is meaningless. I will stop you—Mr. Capollo."
The communication on the terminal ended there. Carlotta let out a long breath, looking as if she had instantly become much more exhausted:
"Sorry for letting you see this side of the family."
"Cheer up, Little Potato."
Noah patted Carlotta's shoulder, comforting her:
"No one is perfect, so we all grow slowly. But the urgent matter now is still recovering the core components."
Mentioning the core components, Carlotta forced herself to rally and perk up:
"Right, every second the core components remain outside increases the threat to the family by one more point. But... where exactly would Capollo have placed something like this?"
As she pondered, another communication came in—
"It's Carlotta, right? It's me, Old Duncan. I found Bennett's terminal!"
===✧✦✧===
Time raced against the clock.
"Second Miss, following your instructions, we've recovered the preliminary information from this damaged terminal."
A black-clothed Montelli member imported the messages from one terminal into Carlotta's, continuing:
"This terminal is severely damaged; a lot of missing information can't be retrieved. If you want a thorough repair, I suggest contacting Mr. Pierre."
"Hm, contact him in my name."
After a brief exchange with her subordinate, Carlotta began gradually searching for clues in the terminal.
"According to the location data from Bennett's relic terminal, before he died, his life was very regular—moving routinely between the restaurant, home, and vault."
Soon, the calmed Carlotta spotted the anomaly from the limited information. She pointed to two points on the map:
"The only suspicious part is that before he died, he went to the free square and a waterfront dock. We've been to the free square, but this waterfront dock remains to be investigated."
Saying this, Carlotta suddenly looked at Noah:
"Tall Chestnut, this dock might be where the core components are, or there could be other clues left by Bennett. I'm preparing to go investigate."
"But I'm worried Capollo will send people to destroy Bennett's terminal. If he really does that, the family members can't stop him."
"I can only trust you. Please watch this terminal the whole time until Mr. Pierre finishes repairing it."
Noah clenched his fist forcefully, struck a few bodybuilding poses, and smiled at Carlotta:
"With me here, rest assured. If Capollo dares come, he'll get what's coming to him."
"Haha, with you here, I'm relieved."
Carlotta was amused into a puff of laughter, said no more, and quickly dashed toward the dock.
Noah didn't wait long before the previous black-clothed Montelli member returned with the damaged terminal:
"Mr. Pierre says he's near the Ragunna bank right now and happens to be free."
"Good, I'll go find him."
Taking the damaged terminal, Noah finally set off, strolling leisurely toward the bank's location.
According to the original plot, Carlotta heading to the dock this time would get trapped in the stained-glass mirror trap Capollo had set up long ago, but no big deal—Carlotta wouldn't be in danger.
"This Companion Story is finally advancing to the end."
Noah strolled leisurely while organizing his thoughts:
"After finishing Carlotta's Companion Story and the Carnevale, Cantarella should be back, right? Finally entering the Tower of Ascension mainline."
But... during the Carnevale, will Phrolova appear like in the game plot?
Whatever. If she dares show up, start with Time power—Phrolova has an immortal body, so what? Stab her with a sword first, then imprison her.
Sensing an inexplicable gaze, Noah suddenly slowed his steps, turned his head, and looked toward the source of that gaze.
Seeing the figure with simple blue twin ponytails sitting on a nearby bench, Noah suddenly called out in surprised delight:
"Eh! Confidant!"