CHAPTER 608: CHAPTER 605: CHATTING ON THE BALCONY

"Ronald, do you still plan to leave afterward?"

On the third floor of the apartment at night, after discussing the changes in Springs, Patricia made her suggestion to Ronald:

"If you’re planning to leave, I suggest you wait another day before leaving."

"To deal with the celebration tomorrow, the city has set up some things now, and it’s not a good time to be on your way alone."

"..."

Ronald nodded slightly to show he understood.

He didn’t directly answer Patricia, but changed the topic:

"Patricia, what’s the situation with this house now?"

"Since Philis has left, I remember my prepaid rent... shouldn’t hold up until now, right?"

Patricia’s expression remained unchanged as she explained a situation Ronald hadn’t expected.

"It’s the ’Ginkgo Biloba Business Alliance.’"

"They paid for the room for two whole years and didn’t arrange for anyone to come stay, you should understand what they mean..."

Ronald showed a complex smile.

He truly hadn’t expected the profit-seeking Ginkgo Biloba Business Group to show such kindness after his disappearance. Although it was essentially a speculative investment, the sentiment was still genuine.

It was at this point that Patricia continued explaining:

"After dawn, I’ll be responsible for the security of this section of the riverbank."

"Two hours before the celebration starts, do you mind if I rest here for a bit?"

"I would be delighted," Ronald nodded slightly and then skillfully walked toward the bedroom, "I’ve been out at sea catching the breeze these past few days, I need to tidy up first."

Click—

Gently closing the bedroom door, Ronald stepped into the bathroom to heat water for a bath.

That was the one good thing about this apartment design.

Even if there were people in the living room, the residents could conveniently take care of personal hygiene.

After half an hour of basic hygiene, Ronald habitually walked up to the wardrobe and opened the cupboard doors.

Before him, the rows of neatly hung clothes were just as tidy as ever.

At that moment, Ronald even felt as though Eloise was still beside him, helping him handle these trivial details.

"Heh—"

Ronald chuckled bitterly and shook his head, then changed into clean, tidy clothes.

Reopening the bedroom door to return to the living room, Patricia stood on the balcony, her body half-turned, silently gazing out at Wis River at night.

Part of her body was illuminated by the firelight from the living room.

The other half was under the slightly dimmer, but still bright, night sky starlight.

Ronald greeted her with a smile, then openly turned around.

The little slips of paper in the crevices of the bookshelf, the gray dust hidden behind the fireplace bricks, the emergency stash of private money...

In front of Patricia, he collected all these things.

Ronald stood up and took a deep breath.

"Hu—"

In his heart, Ronald bid his final farewell to the surroundings.

With the most important things in the house collected, he probably wouldn’t come back to this place again after the harvest celebration ended.

At that moment, Ronald turned his head toward the balcony:

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Water will do."

"It’s exactly as it was before..."

Ronald shook his head, filled with emotion, and then poured two glasses of water and walked to the balcony.

Patricia replied with a smile,

"Alcohol has a bad effect on the body, and I don’t want any issues at tomorrow’s celebration."

Ronald nodded slightly,

"Tomorrow’s celebration..."

To say Patricia never drank was indeed unrealistic. As a member of the old nobility, despite losing many benefits to the new aristocracy, social etiquette was still unavoidable.

He leaned over the balcony railing.

Ronald’s gaze fell on the Wis River and the larger district behind it.

It was still the same Springs, and Ronald had left for less than a month.

But now, as he looked around, there was a strange yet familiar feeling.

"Whew—"

Ronald breathed out softly. "Bradshaw’s Railway Guide" reminded him of the time.

When it was past midnight,

The city would welcome the next day.

In a few more hours of preparation, the Harvest Day celebration would officially begin.

Queen Dantrian would start from the Sea Palace, then follow the prearranged route through every district of Springs, arriving at the church district on time for the religious ceremony at noon, and promptly closing the event at the harbor in the evening.

In this era when entertainment had not yet flourished, this was definitely the biggest entertainment event of the year and also an opportunity for the royal family to demonstrate their authority as rulers.

Look at the Wis River of the past.

Cargo ships, ceaseless in their passage, were decked with festive flags. Crews who hadn’t yet gone to sleep leaned on the decks, and ordinary citizens had even started celebrating the festival early, halting their work temporarily.

Watching this lively scene, Ronald suddenly realized that this was no longer the purely magical world of the "Infinite Negative Realm."

Feeling reflective, Ronald turned to look at Patricia.

Since returning to this room, the young lady hadn’t asked about Ronald’s disappearance, but had considerately described the various changes in Springs during his absence.

Ronald was well aware.

As a top figure of the mystical side, any information could be turned into tangible benefits, and Patricia certainly understood this.

Her not asking yet

Was enough to prove where he stood in her heart compared to interests.

Thus, Ronald took the initiative to say,

"Patricia, would you like to hear about my recent ordeal?"

Patricia smiled,

"Is this you wanting to share your feelings, or are you about to tell me a grand adventure story? At noble parties, many people like to fabricate interesting experiences."

"I suppose so," Ronald returned a smile. His gaze swept around the apartment, he waved to a worker on a Wis River boat who was greeting him, and then he began, unhurried,

"A few months ago in this world, I encountered a cult magician."

"That guy had an original tome but was completely suppressed in battle. In desperation, the cornered cult magician made the tome self-destruct, sending me to an unexpected place..."

Patricia’s expression was calm initially.

But as the topic shifted to Barrier Mountain, the calmness left her face.

She stepped briskly away from the balcony railing.

Patricia took two steps in front of Ronald, her tone incredibly serious as she asked,

"Ronald, are you sure that the person on Barrier Mountain is the wizard who was sealed hundreds of years ago?"

"And if so, how did you escape from there?"

"Tell me, have they also returned!"