The discussion with Her Highness the Princess was, you could say, thoroughly enjoyable for both host and guest.
On Claudia's end, she borrowed the map from Ronald, and the conveniences she would gain along the route were self-evident.
In return, Ronald received a promise.
A promise from the First Princess of [Gride], who is also the future Queen.
The knowledge he gained in [Racymont], once compiled into books, would receive support from [Gride] for publication and distribution. In the current global environnt, this was undoubtedly a highly valuable promise.
In good spirits, he descended from the bridge.
On the way, Ronald took a look at the design here and ran into Morick returning from above.
After exchanging a few words with this quite impressive knight, he continued downward.
As Ronald prepared to return to the second ship located in the middle of the fleet, a familiar figure blocked his path.
"Nicole?"
Ronald looked at the pale-haired investigator girl.
Nicole was standing in front of him, her cheeks puffed up, obviously in a bad mood:
"I don't think I've done anything to upset you, right?"
"You did." Nicole denied Ronald's inquiry instantly, then bounced up and used her left hand to hook onto Ronald's neck, hanging almost entirely on him, "And I'm telling you, I'm very angry right now!"
"..."
Nicole's arm around Ronald's neck didn't exert much force; it was just enough to keep herself from falling.
Ronald was completely puzzled by this situation.
"So what did I do?"
"Then I'll tell you!" Nicole hung onto Ronald's neck, speaking in a tone that didn't care about the gazes of others, "The problem is—you did nothing!"
"Ronald, aren't we friends?"
"The fleet's been out at sea for so long, and not once have you taken the ti to hang out with !"
"..."
By the end, Nicole's initially accusing tone had softened.
Ronald wouldn't have guessed that the reason Nicole was confronting him was actually this.
So he imdiately began to plead with the investigator girl:
"Nicole, you know my personality too."
"And during my ti with the fleet, a lot of things have been happening, so cut so slack."
Nicole pondered a bit, then presented her condition:
"Hmm..."
"Forgiving you isn't a problem, but as compensation, you have to agree to do one thing for ."
Ronald asked, "What thing?"
Upon hearing Ronald's question, Nicole reacted quickly, putting more strength into her arm, "Agree first and then I'll tell you!"
"..."
Although Nicole usually likes to cause a little mischief.
When it cos to important matters, she never went down the wrong path.
Ronald understood this part of his friend well, so he spoke:
"Alright, alright, can't I just agree first?"
"Co down already!"
Only then did Nicole, quite satisfied, let go and stand back on the deck:
"That's more like it!"
Ronald continued to ask:
"So what is it exactly?"
Nicole glanced around suspiciously.
After confirming there weren't any suspicious eyes, she leaned in and whispered to Ronald:
"So when you return to the second ship, could you maybe have a word with the investigators there and let handle guard and communication duties at your place?"
"..."
"Huh?"
Ronald was montarily taken aback.
He hadn't expected Nicole to stop him on board and then mysteriously request a shift change just to try it out!
"That's all?"
"Do you think that's a cushy job!" Seeing Ronald's attitude, Nicole reacted vehently, "You have no idea how strict the rules are for investigators! Compared to others, I can't even catch a nap while on duty!"
Ronald couldn't help but retort:
"I guess most people can't nap while working."
At these words, Nicole's expression stiffened.
Then, feeling she couldn't find an excuse, she simply changed the subject:
"Anyway, let take over your job!"
"Think about it—having soone as talented and pretty as as your guard, it's sothing most people wouldn't even dare dream of!"
To talk about slacking like that, Nicole certainly is 'ingenious.'
Ronald already had a decision in mind.
But before agreeing officially, he made a point to ntion:
"But Nicole, I heard Claudia likes you quite a bit."
"So just moving to the second ship like this, is it really okay?"
"..."
Nicole pouted, clearly weighing Ronald's question as one of the few considerations she had.
"About Her Highness, it might… but no, I can't think like that!"
Nicole's expression grew dejected for less than a second before she imdiately found a solution for herself:
"Even if I go to the second ship, I can still make ti to be with Her Highness."
"Besides, I'm not one of those schmucks who want to kiss up to soone all day. I don't need to hang around all the ti."
Ronald nodded and replied:
"Since you don't have a problem with it, I'll go with that."
Hearing Ronald agree, Nicole bead with joy and quickly nodded, saying:
"Alright, alright."
"Let's do it that way, let's do it that way!"
"To be honest with you, I can't stand this oppressive atmosphere; only when I was split between dinsions and tossed to the Arctic depths have I felt this miserable lately."
Ronald laughed and shook his head, then turned around and started chanting, preparing to head back.
"Alright, I'm heading back now."
"I'll let the investigator over there know early, so you can switch over and loaf around sooner."
Smack—
The next second, Nicole yanked on Ronald's clothes.
Under Ronald's bewildered expression, Nicole looked a bit hesitant, her tone slightly bashful:
"Wait a mont, I still have sothing."
"..."
"What else?"
Nicole was aware that repeatedly holding soone up wasn't great, so this ti she got straight to the point:
"I heard that tonight, there will be a massive party thrown by the civilian casters on the third ship. People from not just [Gride], but also Carpen, Entrode, and Nikos will be attending!"
Ronald was full of questions, not even sure what Nicole was trying to convey:
"Well, in that case, just go?"
Nicole imdiately put on a flattery smile, with not a trace of her initial accusatory expression left:
"But the process of changing guard duties is quite complicated, so… Ronald, could you urge the investigators there, and let switch shifts before the evening?"
This person, turns out this is how she acts when she needs sothing?
Ronald found it sowhat amusing but held it in for the sake of their friendship:
"Got it, I'll handle it."
"Just wait patiently."
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