CHAPTER 715: CHAPTER 710: THE CURRENT SITUATION AT THE CAMP

The elderly caster wore a guarded expression.

Accompanying Ronald and his companions into the building behind them, he did not greet them with the usual standards reserved for guests, but simply took their seats in an ordinary room.

"Mr. Ronald, we can put aside the issue of the mutated life for now, after all, Yizi Forest itself is what’s most important..."

"I came here specifically for that reason."

It was clear that a good conversational attitude would be difficult to achieve between the two parties.

Ronald also interrupted the other party quite directly, and then stated his purpose:

"In Banica, I had already successfully contacted and sealed off a part of the source causing the forest’s changes. My main purpose in coming to Sorato is to investigate the remaining parts."

The old man’s expression became somewhat stern:

"The remaining parts..."

"Mr. Ronald, are you suspecting our Sorato School?"

Ronald responded in an open and honest tone:

"I do not particularly suspect any school. At this moment in Yizi Forest, everyone is under a degree of suspicion."

"..."

The elderly caster’s brow furrowed tightly.

He did not react negatively to Ronald’s straightforward manner of speaking, as sufficient experience and knowledge of the Adler surname made him understand what Ronald’s attitude meant.

After pondering for a few seconds, the elder continued, his gaze fixed on Ronald as he spoke:

"Sorato does not wish to see the forest continue like this and naturally is willing to offer help. But before that, you need to explain the situation in more detail."

Ronald smiled slightly:

"Of course, there’s no problem. The information I know is actually intelligence obtained from Il..."

Next, Ronald focused on the missing parts of the Organic Encyclopedia as he described the situation. After listening to his account, the elderly sorcerer from Sorato indeed nodded in agreement.

"It seems that the humans in Yizi Forest are indeed very suspicious."

"I can represent Sorato in assuring that the casters here are not the masterminds behind the scenes, regarding other aspects..."

The old man’s evasion did not finish.

Because before he could completely refuse, Ronald put on a very serious demeanor in front of him.

If the attitude continued like this.

It was likely that both parties would not be able to sit here and have a discussion.

"..."

This time, the elder fell into a long contemplation.

After a full three minutes, carefully considering the large number of refugees at the headquarters of his school, and the prestige accumulated by the Adler family, he finally sighed and spoke slowly:

"I understand, Mr. Ronald."

"Sorato can offer some help regarding this matter, but I hope you can keep some confidential situations a secret."

Only then did Ronald show a friendly smile:

"Of course, we understand each other."

Getting a reply, the elder stood up slowly.

Before leading Ronald and his companions out, he first shouted loudly outside:

"Bar, notify the people at Leptdon that we have important guests going to the underground chamber."

"..."

After hearing the subordinate’s response from outside, the elder then turned his head and explained to Ronald and his companions:

"It will take some more time to get things ready over there, let’s walk slowly."

The elder led the way with a heavy heart.

Following behind, Ronald’s thoughts drifted.

Indeed, it was underground again...

As an ancient force on the mystical side, Sorato also had the attribute that the mystical side loved the most—burrowing underground.

When it came to matters of great importance to their school,

they earnestly chose the underground environment.

...

Though he had many thoughts in his mind,

Ronald followed the elder and saw for himself the state of Sorato.

The school truly lived up to its description in the documents.

Around many buildings that were clearly not residences, Ronald could see a number of common people without any Magic Fluctuations, most of whom were grateful towards the Sorato school.

Situated in the vast, ever-changing Yizi Forest,

these long-established Casters were not all like Orland, who had directly joined forces with Il; there were also those who offered a helping hand to the vulnerable in times of peril.

Even as Ronald and the others passed by,

there were common folk who put down their lives’ work and hurriedly bowed to the elder leading them, as a gesture of respect and gratitude.

The elder also noticed Ronald looking around,

and with a rather complex tone, said while leading the way:

"In the current Yizi Forest, we Casters have to be extremely cautious just to barely ensure our own safety. And such matters, when they fall upon the common people— it’s really a complete disaster."

Ronald spoke softly:

"Did you just say that you also take in residents from near the forest?"

The elder nodded:

"Indeed, the location of Sorato is close to the northeastern part of the forest. Step out further, and you reach the uninhabitable frozen ground."

"These ordinary people, faced with any slightly dangerous creature from the forest, are helpless, and as for displacement—to the north lies a world of icy snow; to the west, one must travel far to reach Entrod, which until recently was caught in war and chaos; and to the east, the soaring White Ridge Mountains are insurmountable even for birds, let alone these commoners?"

At this point, the elder sighed deeply:

"Ah—"

"If we to the south don’t extend a helping hand, wouldn’t it be letting these people live only to await death?"

...

Ronald fell silent.

He had already witnessed firsthand the difficulties Leyton faced in escorting Helle.

And now, the old Caster of Sorato laid out this situation before him—the powerlessness of the common people in the face of this crisis was strikingly apparent.

Looking at these rare moments of respite for the ordinary people around him,

protected by Sorato, they finally had a chance to catch their breath. Yet, many who were clearly family had permanently lost their loved ones.

This was not a cold statement of ’number of deaths’ in disaster data, it was the tragic reality of ’many lives lost here.’

Ronald felt a mix of emotions.

And just by his side,

Costate, noticing this, immediately spoke up to comfort him:

"Sir, when humans wage war themselves, the number of deaths far exceeds this."

Ronald gave the maid a sharp glance:

"Costate, do you realize you really don’t know how to talk?"

Costate’s tone remained unchanged:

"Sir, you can teach me."

...

Ronald quietly corrected Costate’s ’way of speaking’.

Meanwhile, the elder led them on until they finally reached a very remote corner of the camp.

Moss covered the rocks all around.

Standing on the overgrown ground and wrinkling his nose, he could smell the ancient, damp air.

Taking a short breath on the spot, the old Caster of Sorato walked up to a blue-green rock over two meters high and then made his way around to the back:

"Mr. Ronald, let’s go down."