"Sir, welco back."
Upon returning to the inn, Costate showed no concern for Xiesta's whereabouts and imdiately spoke of Ronald:
"I've left a copy of the newspaper that was delivered to the inn for you; it's in your room along with so food. If the weather's cold and you need to rest, hot water has been prepared as well."
Ronald responded with a smile:
"Thank you, Costate."
"I'll just go back to my room to rest; you can chat with anyone around here. It's good for your character developnt."
"Sir, I understand." Costate promptly obeyed the order, nodded, and walked out of the inn.
Ronald then went upstairs alone.
He was pleasantly surprised to find that Costate had altered his food a second ti, adjusting it to his perfect preference.
During their ti together,
Costate, through her role as a maid, had completely figured out Ronald's habits, flawlessly catering to all his needs.
"That's nice..."
Comparing Costate with Xiesta, Ronald imdiately praised the maid's thoughtfulness from the bottom of his heart.
He then enjoyed his al while reading the newspaper on his table.
This local newspaper from North Quik devoted much of its space to boasting about the current governnt's excellent military and work capabilities—especially lauding the military prowess.
In a much smaller section,
Ronald saw so personal notices and hiring advertisents, the focus of the propaganda being blatantly obvious.
Moreover, in the later pages, Ronald read about the 'elimination of criminals.' It ntioned that the army had information about the criminals' leader coming to North Quik and expressed confidence in capturing him.
"Is this kind of content also reported?"
Ronald doubted whether there were systemic issues in North Quik.
anwhile, after finishing his al, he lay down on the bed.
At this mont, Costate was outside talking to the locals, Lulaye was not detected by the Reconnaissance Spell, and Xiesta was conversing with the captives alone.
Ronald reasoned that none of these people would encounter any problems.
He allowed himself to drift into sleep.
"..."
Realistically speaking, the cult sorcerer was no less capable than a suitable companion.
The next day when they prepared to take the train, Ronald and the other two arrived at the station without catching a glimpse of Xiesta.
If Ronald hadn't confird through a spell that Xiesta was rushing toward the station, they might have ended up searching for this unreliable cult sorcerer in the city.
Thus, just as the train was about to depart,
Xiesta finally made it to their luxurious carriage just in ti.
However, the cult sorcerer did not board the train alone; a young girl in a long dress followed behind her.
Ronald imdiately recognized her as the girl previously abducted by Xiesta.
He didn't need to ask, for upon seeing this scene, Lulaye imdiately approached and spoke:
"Xiesta, why have you brought another one?"
"Lulaye, this isn't breaking our agreent, but rather a 'toy' Ronald wanted..."
Xiesta began explaining with a smile but was quickly silenced by Ronald:
"Shut your mouth! This girl was clearly taken by you on your own, don't drag into this!"
Several people around imdiately turned their attention to Ronald.
Ronald continued to explain:
"The other day when I went out with Xiesta, this person suddenly abducted the girl without any direction from !"
Xiesta looked quite indignant:
"Ronald, you have to be reasonable!"
"Weren't you the one always looking at and her? How could you have no intentions?"
Ronald gestured with one hand and magically grabbed Xiesta from mid-air.
Then with a bang, he slamd her onto the ground:
"Now that there are only a few of us in the carriage, I can smash your head into the floor, and soon you won't be seen with the eyes anymore—how do you feel about that?"
Xiesita responded quite quickly:
"So that day, was it because there were no other people in the alley that you saw ?"
"Wait! Ronald, just wait a minute!"
"If my head gets smashed and damages the train, it won't be good; think carefully!"
Ronald's tone didn't fluctuate at all:
"After thinking it over carefully, I also feel that pressing you down now is the most appropriate choice. Do you have any last words to leave behind..."
Clang—
Just then, the train's body suddenly shook.
—The train had started.
Ronald and Xiesita's actions didn't stop because of this, but the people in the carriage all turned their gaze in unison.
Because right at the door.
The girl brought back by Xiesita suddenly collapsed on the ground.
At the sa ti, her body trembling as she stared at Lalaiye, who stood by with an indifferent expression.
She had just heard Lalaiye's na from Xiesita's mouth, and then, combining it with the appearance and posture of the man in front of her, a terrifying thought surfaced in her mind.
—Lalaiye.
—The legendary head of the Entrode spies.
—An absolute devil who had killed countless of his own people and then oppressed others.
A na only heard in mission bulletins.
Its owner was now standing in front of her.
Not to ntion that during the previous day, as a captive, she had fully experienced Xiesita's power.
And such a terrifying existence was related to the devil, Lalaiye.
Thinking further...
Was there really any hope for victory in their rebellion in the land of Entrode?
The train had just left North Quik as this thought crossed her mind.
Through the luxury carriage window, the girl saw the city being replaced by the relentless white of the snow.
It was as if she could feel the cold through the carriage.
"Hey, kid."
"Are you alright?"
In this fleeting mont of thought, the girl's icy gaze was blocked by a concerned figure.
Ronald noticed her condition.
Then he walked over and patted her shoulder.
"I'm really sorry, my companion scared you earlier."
"But I ask you to calm down and listen, we were not the inforrs at that gathering, we just happened to stop by coincidentally."
The girl's thoughts were very chaotic at the mont.
But amidst the chaos, as her thoughts drifted, she sohow understood Ronald's explanation and felt that the man in front of her was not deceiving her.
"Ah... I..."
"Sedir, my na is Sedir."
The girl... or rather, the girl nad Sedir made an effort to speak, and then clung tightly to Ronald in front of her.
"Tell , does hope really exist?"
Ronald was also stunned.
Although the girl's arms were slender, he seed to feel a special strength from the hands gripping him—a final strength from this person's convictions.
He had to answer seriously...
Ronald's heart chilled.
So he nodded solemnly and replied earnestly:
"Yes, there is always hope."
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