CHAPTER 612: CHAPTER 609: ON THE ROAD IN THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE

Compared to the situation with Claudia at the "Study of Books Society,"

the church was distinctly different.

Aside from a prelate priest leading several priests and nuns to the Ocean Palace to accompany the queen on the celebration procession, the other clergy at the church basically maintained their normal work.

Ronald very ordinarily came to the Santinus Monastery, ordinarily startled the monks there, then ordinarily conveyed his message, and finally left the church district just as ordinarily.

The entire process was so smooth that there were no ripples at all.

Everything turned out exactly as Ronald had anticipated when he set out.

So much so that after leaving the church district, Ronald, who was accustomed to dealing with various situations, even felt somewhat unresponsive.

Could it really... go this smoothly?

On the way back along the Wis River to the riverside district, Ronald turned his head to glance at the streets on the opposite bank.

That was probably the last place in Springs with no festive atmosphere at all.

—The slums.

The bright streets were sharply divided from the darkness of the slums.

It was as if the disparity was from another world, not much different from the last time Ronald saw it.

Watching this scene,

Ronald even had an illusion.

After Springs deals with the three Caster attacks come daybreak, perhaps there won’t be any change here at all?

"Sigh..."

Ronald sighed and checked the current time.

Since the riverside district was directly connected to the church district, he had only used just over two hours.

There was still plenty of time before his appointment with Patricia.

With the current situation, Claudia could inform the officials about the situation with the Barrier Mountain wizard, and the church could also make its own notifications.

The two most important forces in the city were now aware of the situation.

Ronald really had nothing urgent to deal with.

So... did he suddenly find himself with free time?

It felt extremely subtle.

Even though a major event was imminent, suddenly getting such a break before the impending storm naturally gave rise to a sense of contradiction.

With such complex emotions,

Ronald continued forward.

However, less than a quarter of an hour had passed.

Patricia, who had already been marked by the "Fury" force, appeared directly within his perception.

Ronald turned his head to look in Patricia’s direction.

An elegant carriage was coming this way on the riverside road.

"Ilke, stop the carriage!"

As expected, Patricia saw Ronald walking along the riverbank; she called for the carriage to stop, instructing the other person to go to the riverside district to take over her duties, and then walked towards Ronald:

"Ronald, how are things on your side?"

Ronald showed a smile on his face and told Patricia about his experience:

"It was the best-case scenario."

"I happened to run into Claudia at the ’Study of Books Society.’ She confirmed my message, and then she rushed off to the Ocean Palace."

"..."

While speaking, Ronald also took the opportunity to size up Patricia in front of him.

Compared to her appearance two hours before, the swordswoman girl could be said to have completely changed her outfit—a set of fitted white swordsman’s garments was worn on her body, with a simple and clean longsword slung at an angle at her side.

Besides that.

No earrings, no rings, no necklaces.

All the jewelry one could think of was absent from Patricia at this moment, only a simple hairband, which tied her platinum blonde hair into a ponytail at the back of her head.

The longsword at her waist had not been drawn,

but merely at the sight of the young girl’s simple yet commanding figure, a sharp aura typical of a swordsman met him head-on.

Especially since Ronald had a very strong perceptive ability,

he realized at a glance that beneath Patricia’s unassuming attire, she displayed a magical aura far surpassing that of her past.

This feeling was not like the pure power of holding an original scripture,

but rather a form of strength accumulated by a person and brimming with uniqueness.

In such a manner, Patricia began speaking with a composed expression,

"If Claudia knows... that truly is good news."

"We still have plenty of time."

"Ronald, would you like to walk with me?"

Ronald promptly nodded in response,

"Of course."

While this was said to be a walk, the two could not truly wander aimlessly on the streets.

Ronald remembered the circumstances of the "Nine Commandments" attack.

Among the total three destruction routes, Ronald was quite clear about the one originating from the Springs Industrial Zone.

Therefore, the industrial zone became their current direction for a walk.

In the Springs’ night, Ronald felt a sudden curiosity and he bluntly asked,

"Patricia, you remember the factory explosion a few months ago, right?"

The girl slightly turned her face,

"Of course, I remember. Is there any issue with that event?"

Ronald put his words in order to pose his question,

"I would like to hear your opinion."

"Concerning the factory explosion, it was a hazardous accident completely unrelated to the mystical side. Everyone saw the reactions of Springs’ elite, or rather, the nobility, on that day. Then what about the actual actions taken?"

...

Patricia fell silent for a few seconds.

After briefly pondering Ronald’s question, she explained methodically,

"I think I know what you’re concerned about."

"However, that incident did not stir up much among the nobility. Neither new nor old aristocrats were focused on it, their attention was on the struggle for the next colony’s development. Only those directly involved took action."

Ronald continued to ask,

"What about those disputes?"

"I remember quite a few incidents arose when trying to ascertain the problems in the industrial area."

Patricia shook her head,

"The only one who truly cared was probably Her Majesty, the Queen."

"Don’t be fooled by those people’s vulgar display; the importance of the caster’s power has long taken deep root in everyone’s mind. The struggles and opposition apparent to the outside world are merely superficial workings made to match people’s impressions."

Hearing this, Ronald furrowed his brows.

Even as Springs was already at the starting point of the industrial revolution, the centuries-old accumulated aspects of the mystical side were still deeply entrenched. The nobles, who didn’t look down upon this in the first place, surprisingly showed very low sensitivity to the changes of the world.

"Can’t feel it at all..."

Seeing Ronald murmuring and falling into contemplation,

Patricia began to offer words of comfort,

"Ronald, this is the current world’s rule of operation."

"Yes," Ronald nodded in agreement. As he turned his head back to look at Patricia, his expression was once again seized by seriousness, "Anyway, thank you for your response."

"Now, let’s focus on the obstacles ahead of us."

...

As the words fell, Ronald turned his head and continued forward.

Patricia gazed at Ronald’s back for a few seconds, then followed suit.