Hughes had told Ronald that the ti consumption was not an issue.
When he arrived at his destination by carriage, the elapsed ti was exactly sixteen minutes.
Thanks to the incentive of money, the driver’s bold driving skills, and technical assurance, a few minutes were saved for Ronald.
"Sir, thank you very much."
He turned his head to pay the fare to the carriage owner and then Ronald entered the Lilac Path Garden.
Twenty minutes ago, the entity using the na "Lumy" had been in this place.
With the dual assurances from his royal identity and his friend Claudia, Ronald trusted the accuracy of the Prophetic Spell imnsely.
So is this guy still here now...
With full caution and prudence, Ronald began his search.
During this season, there were plenty of decorative green plants around the Lilac Path Garden, and they were ticulously maintained.
Flowers such as primroses or crabapples, which bloom early in spring, could often be seen here.
In a city like Springs, having such a refreshing and pleasant environnt, it was only natural for people to enjoy spending ti here.
As far as Ronald could directly observe, there were at least a dozen noblewon and young ladies strolling through the garden.
—It truly lives up to its reputation as a genuine affluent area.
So taking advantage of the mont when no one noticed him upon entering, Ronald began to recite softly,
"Volu eleven, page two hundred sixty, section six."
"Its na is Styx.
The dark water flows downwards, reaching the dim and daunting cliffs below.
..."
After activating the spells "Fury" and the lie detector, Ronald then continued deeper into the garden.
With the ability to perceive emotions enveloping him and the discernnt of a lie detector at his disposal, he could conduct his search with very high precision.
So striding boldly, Ronald walked through the garden, not minding in the least that the young ladies in the garden cast their glances towards him.
But in fact, this was Ronald’s intent.
Ronald was well aware of the utility of his own face and the kind of emotional fluctuations ordinary young ladies would exhibit upon seeing it.
Should soone in the Lilac Path Garden see him and feel fear,
That person would most likely be Lumy in disguise.
Only this individual would have an emotional reaction like that due to their encounter on Black Mountain.
Even if the other party managed to control their emotions quickly, Ronald was confident he could catch that fleeting mont.
However, reality proved sowhat disappointing.
Maintaining the ability to perceive emotions, Ronald toured the Lilac Path Garden as quickly as possible but, even though many young ladies cast admiring looks at him, none of them showed even a brief flicker of fear.
As expected, Ronald sighed inwardly.
Perhaps he had arrived one step too late.
Ronald didn’t believe that there had been a leak of information, so Lumy’s departure was either a coincidence or the other party also had so efficient detection thods and had sensed his arrival in advance.
Which one could it be...
"Exc... excuse , sir, may I disturb you for a mont?"
As Ronald pondered over the matter, a demurely dressed young lady ca up to him, encouraged by her friends.
Ronald nodded slightly,
"What can I do for you?"
Standing sowhat awkwardly in front of Ronald, the young lady took a deep breath before speaking, lifting her handkerchief and curtseying,
"Well..."
"Sir, I see the weather is nice today. May I ask if you would like to join for an afternoon tea?"
"Uh..."
Faced with the young lady’s invitation, Ronald’s expression faltered.
After traveling through ti, he had cramd a lot of lessons, including a section on noble etiquette.
At this mont, the way the young lady clutched her handkerchief as she curtsied, as well as her invitation to have tea, were clear indications.
This young lady, undoubtedly, wished to develop a romantic relationship with Ronald.
It seed that today, not only had he failed to find Lumière, but he also had to decline the young lady’s invitation...
With these thoughts in mind, Ronald imdiately assud an apologetic deanor,
"Miss, I am terribly..."
"..."
"Sir, may I please finish speaking!"
Ronald had barely begun to speak when the young lady, long accustod to the social circles, sensed his impending refusal.
Thus, she interrupted him anxiously, almost pleading,
"I am Clare, the daughter of Count Elmos!"
"If you are willing to share this afternoon tea with , I believe we will have a far more pleasant ti together afterward!"
"..."
Ronald was montarily at a loss for words.
This girl... she was bold and forthright indeed.
In addition to her clear invitation to Ronald, she was now even directly ntioning her advantageous family background in hopes of swaying him.
Such initiative and openness...
Ronald did not actually dislike it.
It was just unfortunate that he had no intention of entering into a romance with the young lady, as there were things he needed to do.
He quickly formulated a potentially helpful excuse in his mind.
Ronald then shook his head with an expression of regret,
"Lady, I’m really sorry."
"The reason I ca here was actually to assist a friend in searching for a young lady. Approximately twenty minutes ago, he encountered a beautiful woman here, but it seed she had so urgent matter and left the area in haste. My friend was unable to follow her due to waiting for ."
"It was after discussing this matter at the entrance that I made my way to the Lilac Path Garden."
"After all, if there is a destiny between them, it’s better not to be disrupted for such reasons as waiting for ."
"..."
"Ah, is that so?"
Upon hearing Ronald’s explanation, the young lady’s face showed initial astonishnt.
After carefully observing the man’s face and deciding that he indeed had his own difficulties, she shook her head with a complex expression,
"Sir, you really are kind-hearted."
"But if that’s the case, you could wait a mont for ."
"If possible, maybe my friends and I could discuss the matter and offer you so help."
This was an unexpected boon.
Ronald’s initial plan was to deal with the young lady and then ask around the garden by himself.
But if it went as the young lady suggested, letting her and her friends discuss it...
It was blatantly obvious which thod would be more effective—strangers’ inquiries or acquaintances sharing information.
Therefore, with utmost sincerity in his voice, Ronald nodded gratefully,
"If that’s really possible, then I’d be much obliged."
"..."
Facing Ronald’s thanks, the young lady smiled faintly,
"Then, sir, do you mind telling your na now?"
Ronald replied without hesitation,
"Ronald, Ronald Adler."
"Just call Ronald."
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