Ronald's peculiar action naturally caught everyone's eyes on the deck.

It wasn't long.

A caster returning to the steamship from Capen noticed Ronald sitting in the rain enjoying lunch alone and approached him to greet:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ronald."

"I've heard that Her Highness the Princess, along with many people on the ship, have gone to the banquet organized in Capen. Did you come back early?"

"..."

"Ah?"

Ronald, who was still enjoying this beautiful lunch all by himself, while admiring the stormy and beautiful scenery near the deck.

Was suddenly interrupted by this greeting, and he couldn't help but be startled.

Who is this guy?

Do I know him?

The person who suddenly greeted Ronald was a young man he had never met before. Judging by the other's clothing and decorations, he seemed to be a Grede.

But even after Ronald searched through his memories, including those from his work life in Burenwich, he still couldn't recall knowing such a person!

"..."

"Ah, it's my presumptuous interruption!"

While Ronald looked confused, the young man casually pulled out the chair from under the dining table and sat across from Ronald:

"I am Morrek Dierlong, a guard knight from the Royal Knights."

The young knight introduced himself to Ronald.

Thanks to the protective range of the 'Rain Mist Divine Hammer', Morrek put away his umbrella and leaned it against the dining table, then continued to smile at Ronald:

"Everyone who knows me says I'm a bit overly enthusiastic. Please forgive me—"

"Ah? Ah! So that's it!" Ronald nodded and returned the greeting.

This knight named Morrek had a very enthusiastic attitude when talking to people, but it didn't feel overly awkward. He was obviously quite skilled socially.

For someone who initiates the conversation like this.

Ronald was not so proud as to dismiss him, so he responded to the conversation:

"Actually, I'm eating here not because I've come back from the banquet."

"It's just because I don't really enjoy such lively places like banquets, so I'm hiding on the ship to spend the last day alone."

Morrek's expression showed sudden realization:

"I see!"

"However, people who like quietness are always wise and keen on learning. With such strengths, no wonder you've achieved such impressive accomplishments in spell cultivation at your age."

Hearing Morrek's compliments, Ronald quickly smiled in return:

"You flatter me. My current strength is merely standing on the shoulders of giants. Without the wise and painstaking research of those before me, I wouldn't be who I am today."

"You're still being modest." Morrek immediately followed Ronald's humble response.

"..."

The timings Morrek controlled during social interactions were impeccable.

After a few more exchanges, when Ronald was just beginning to think 'when will this guy leave'.

Morrek himself got up from the chair and picked up the umbrella he had leaned against the table.

Then, the young knight put the chair he had pulled out back under the table.

After handling everything back to its original state, he bent over to bid Ronald farewell:

"Mr. Ronald, please forgive my presumptuous interruption."

"But I'm genuinely pleased to have met someone like you on this voyage."

Ronald politely replied:

"Likewise, meeting you has been a pleasure as well."

As the conversation ended with goodbyes.

Morrek turned around, ready to leave the deck.

But just as Ronald finished the conversation and prepared to continue enjoying his lunch.

The young knight, passing by Ronald, whispered a small reminder that only they could hear:

"Mr. Ronald, there seems to be some undercurrents at Capen's banquet. Based on my observations, it's likely some people have set their sights on you. Please, be extra cautious."

"..."

After saying this, Morrek left the deck without looking back and disembarked.

Ronald watched him leave.

He noticed the young knight hurriedly heading toward the city, the destination being the location of the banquet!

In other words—

The reason Morrek specifically returned to the steamship and had this encounter with Ronald was essentially to warn Ronald to be wary of the casters from Capen City.

As for the reason behind it...

Ronald knew it all too well!

It was certainly because of the matters involving the 'Witches' Society' and the 'Dawn Spell Society'!

Seeing the Grede fleet about to leave Capen.

Those with interests tied to the place surely wouldn't sit still, trying to grasp the last opportunities to do something.

"..."

"Was this reminder something he came back to tell me on his initiative, or was it delivered under Claudia's instruction?"

After all, Morrek was a member of the Royal Knights.

Considering his identity, Ronald couldn't help but ponder along these lines.

Alone in the midst of the rain.

While tasting the delicacies on the table, Ronald began to think about what actions he should take next.

After finishing the meal, he called for the waiter to clear the dishes from his table.

Having completed these actions, he found himself alone on the deck of the steamship, gazing quietly at the city amidst the rain, murmuring:

"Its name is Styx,

the dark water flows down, flowing to the foot of a gloomy and steep cliff..."

With the end of the incantation,

the power of 'Fury,' enhanced by the original magic power extracted by Ronald, unfolded in his hands. Utilizing this greatly enhanced spell effect, Ronald extended his emotional probing ability to the utmost limit.

This moment, the comparison between different city areas also became evident.

If it were a Grede city, like Burenwich or Springs, Ronald, even with all his might, couldn't possibly extend his personal power to surveil an entire city.

But Capen was different.

Though this port city was prosperous, constrained by the scale of the country of Eireni, its occupied area was quite limited, equivalent to just three or four districts of a Grede metropolis.

Ronald projected his reconnaissance spell to the limit.

While it was impossible to encompass the entire city within his surveillance, extending his exploration range precisely from the port to the mansion where the banquet was being held posed no issue!

"..."

"These guys, their emotions are indeed quite agitated..."

In the rain, Ronald quietly observed the flow of people's hearts within this city.

If he truly encountered a situation where he had to take action.

Then for self-preservation...

The promise he made to Mr. Taylor yesterday might just have to be slightly bypassed.