1

“What did Captain Brant tell you about this task?”

Said Rosemary with a worrying voice. It was not hard to guess what made her concerned; Cantarella’s skill for the mind game was flawless – she proved it countless times.

“Nothing. Just as I thought, he accepted the request immediately.”

While Rosemary was not familiar with reading other people’s minds or the true meaning of actions, she spent a lot of time with the Bane; she could sense her intentions easily.

There are always reasons beneath her decisions. To Rosemary, the Captain seemed a bit too silly, too frivolous; she, however, delayed her judgement since she had little information about him.

“I always trust your decision as the head, but could he deliver the result as well as we expect him to?”

“Dear Rosemary, I’m certain that Captain Brant is the right and proper candidate to handle this task.”

She couldn’t understand her assessment; her head tilted. Cantarella was talking about points which she was not aware of.

“He is an actor, Rosemary. I mean, THE actor. He is always full of confidence, full of unbreakable determination; those rare talents suffice to be my trustworthy hands.”

The Captain had so many secrets in his pockets. Of course, there are countless rumors about his past and recent actions – but rumors are rumors, so they couldn’t be trusted. Some people living outside the main district of Rinascita still consider the Troupe of Fools a legend. It wasn’t strange; information is not distributed everywhere, and not everybody saw their appearance in the carnevale.

“What do you think of him in person?”

Cantarella spared her words for a moment. She was observing recent changes everywhere in Rinascita – especially the ones which the Rover and the Troupe of Fools delivered. 

The order tended to care about bigger situations. They were worrying about the Laureate being beyond their control; unsatisfied how their influence and power are decreasing. In her view, however, those weren't really what they had to be worried about.

There are still plenty of people keeping faith in the order. So the bishops will likely still firmly believe that there is still a chance to ‘set things right’ – and they seemed to be acting and thinking based on that belief. 

However, people in Rinascita believe the beauty inside of the scripture, not the priests who make sermons about it. The illusion was still occupying their minds. It kept getting bigger and bigger, with no sign of diminishing. The more she watched them, the more pitiful they became.

The man always introduces himself as the foolest person around the world, but Cantarella didn’t want to agree with him. In some sense, He was the person who most clearly suggested the future path of the church.

“He is not a giddy person as we can see from the outside. His exaggerated actions and smiles contain several meanings. I’m sure he is an optimistic, positive person – but he has thoughts at the same time. I prefer stereoscopic people, and I love stereoscopic people who know how to look flat.”

Rosemary rolled eyes, with no other words. The Bane seemed to know a lot of hidden facts about the Captain. They wouldn't form an alliance for nothing – There must have been compelling reasons.

“It is a nice strategy to exaggerate actions when someone needs to hide their intentions and thoughts. Whether he is intentional or not, that is a pretty good tactic.”
“You seemed quite interested in Captain Brant.”
“He had a charm to delve into. Why does he make such actions, what are they for, what he thinks inside his deepest, most secluded heart… I might have to admit that my heart boils to make him confess everything by himself.”

She licked her lips as if tasting something. Even though Rosemary was one of the closest people to Cantarella, motions like that occasionally made her shiver. However she knew well about the Bane; she didn’t need to worry at all. 

“Are people in the Montellis aware of this alliance?”

Cantarella nodded with no hesitation; she seemed to be indifferent.

“I think so. The troupe of Fools, however, has no reason to be involved in this tiny game. They are not the ally of the Fisalia family, but the ally of mine. I think our carlotta will be capable of recognizing that.”

Even though they were not in an amicable relationship, she considered Carlotta Montelli a remarkable woman. It was astonishing when thinking how both families were enemies of each other. 

Perhaps then was the perfect time to clear up the emotional rift and resentment that has built up between the two families. It really was to Rosemary, at least. Although the history of Rinascita is far from clear, the families kept fighting against each other generations ago. 

This worthless cycle will have to be broken someday. Someone had to break it. It is already too late, but it is certainly better than nothing; the sooner, the better.

“I heard we had few conflicts with the Montellis. Perhaps you are controlling the situation like that, sister?”

“I’m sure it is stupid to convey hatred to future generations. Even apart from that, however, the Montellis are the best when surveilling the church; let's let them do what they do best.”

Of course, the term ‘ending the conflict’ will not be used in the same sense as ‘being intimate’. Even though they shared the love for their hometown and had the same goal of making it prosper, the two families had different designs in their minds for the way to achieve it. They might be able to gather their strength, but gathering their hearts will be a long way off.

Still, that was enough for Rosemary. Who knows, he might come up with a solution from a completely unexpected direction. Because he does not belong to either interest.

2

“My dear sister, does something bother you?”

Roccia was folding her arms tight.

“I think this is a valid complaint, Brant. She is Cantarella Fisalia; the Bane, the Head of the Fisalia family. It means she is a very dangerous person. We can’t give her much trust.”

Her sister wasn’t wrong. Regardless of his personal interests, communications with her should be approached with a careful, proper plan. A simple mistake could push the entire relationship to unexpected danger.

Brant didn’t consider Cantarella ‘safe’. He never did, not even a single moment. She was not just dangerous – she was fatal. Not because she is the head, nor her seductive, unpredictable behaviors, but because of her eyes. There were no such things that made him fear more than her eyes; so deep and dark that he couldn't even see a glimpse inside them.

He remembered a story about a witch who called people to dive into the sea with no safety, thus leading them to die; it was the exact description for Cantarella Fisalia. How could someone feel comfortable when confronting her? He just knew he needed to see things from a different point of view.

“You give me a clear and sharp epiphany as always, Roccia. Your advice has helped me to do better things countless times. However, this time, I can assure you that we should be careful with this cooperation, not avoid it.”

Roccia seemed not to agree with him fully, but didn't continue her objection. She was a reasonable person, so she reached a conclusion that he is right as well. Brant knew his sister cared about the Troupe just like he does; he has a duty to relieve her – as the Captain, and a brother.

“The Troupe was expelled from Rinascita more than years ago, due to the trickeries of the Order, however our love for the homeland stands still. We have our own things to do to make our home ours again.”
“I know that’s true, Brant. I’m just worried about you going into danger alone.”

The captain smiled bitterly. No matter how good a person is at persuasiveness, there are always things that cannot be solved with words. Action is what is needed at such times.
He reached out and gently stroked his sister's head.

“You don’t have to worry. No one could stop the march of Captain Brant! I will be back with no harm, I swear.”

Some people say he overacts. Other people say that he is always full of bravado and has no substance. However, everyone who knows him knows that such assessments are far from the truth.

The captain of this ship knows the names of each and every member of the crew, and even to this day remembers every worry or boast they shared. To him, the Troupe of Fools is a place, a haven that helps people live as they want to live to the fullest – without being swept away by the waves of the world.

He always tries his hardest. They know he is trying. Their steadfast trust comes from there.

“Then, are we lacking the Captain for a while?”

“Hmm, I guess that is a problem I must solve before leaving. I don’t think there will be an urgent or rapid change to the situation, but the seat of the Captain can't be left unoccupied in any situation. Let me see…”

He put a small hat on Roccia’s head. It was smaller than his, but the entire design and concept were identical to it.

“What is this?”

“You are the captain while I’m leaving. The third captain, actually – since the Rover is the second. Ask the former captain for help whenever you need to, okay?”

New captain nodded with confidence. They both knew the Rover would not ignore the Troupe when they needed her.

“Come back with no harm, alright? Never forget that. Pero will beat you when you do.”

“Haha, of course. How can I forget the Captain’s order?”

The most important thing when searching for treasure is not to rush. The more you rush to finish it, the less likely you are to get it.

Cantarella delivered him some interesting things in the parcel. One of them was a short notice that seemed to have been handwritten by one of the bishops. It contained a simple statement:

“I agree with your opinions that we must act quickly to neutralize our enemies to the order and eliminate them – that is the best for all of us.”

Every aspect of it was dangerous. He felt being bombarded; they seemed already crossed the line. He had heard the name of the person who had signed it. He was going to start by investigating it.

“I will be back in a week.”

“Promise me, brother.”

Roccia raised her little finger. He bent his waist slightly and locked his little fingers with hers. As a sailor, he couldn't possibly anger the captain. As a brother, he couldn't possibly disappoint his younger sister.

His shoulder was a bit heavy this time, but his mind was quite the opposite. He inhaled breath with joy, and took a very first step to carry out the operation.