Patricia finished her consultation with the investigator rather quickly.
The Swollen Demon at the central position of the ritual was killed by Ronald, causing significant impact on other less important nodes within the ritual.
Excluding the fifteen locations previously confessed by the heretical magicians.
Specialized casters in detection were now able to sense at least about ten newly emerged anomalies in Spring City.
It was with this information that a relatively simple action plan was devised.
For the Investigation Bureau, which was already responsible for the mystical side of things,
they would take over the central city districts surrounding Crown Road, such as the Palace District, Organ District, Riverside District, and Business District, where many of the affluent merchants and important figures resided.
The police department, taking advantage of the operational convenience in name, would then be responsible for the coastal areas surrounding the Port District and White Star District, delegating professionals to appropriate areas.
As for the army represented by Patricia...
Their assignment was possibly the most variable and unpredictably dangerous region.
Starting with the Edge Forest District near the inland urban defense belt,
they took on the tasks in the Industrial District and the impoverished areas, which were more distinctive.
And as the individuals directly involved in the discussion and formulation of the plan, Ronald and Heiloi could not simply go home to sleep after the matter concluded. As evident powerful combatants, the two were expressly charged with assisting Patricia in the purge.
The consequence of this...
was that now, sitting in the carriage heading towards the impoverished district, Ronald saw the meticulous expression on Patricia’s face and couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed.
The two had actually reached the boundary of being a boyfriend and girlfriend.
It would take just a word from either party to break through that fragile metaphorical window paper.
Unfortunately, circumstances had changed too rapidly.
After having actual relations with Heiloi, Ronald’s principles did not allow him to engage in any messy affairs; starting a harem was not something a novel protagonist could do casually without any psychological burden.
Probably sensing Ronald’s current thoughts, Heiloi, sitting beside him, gently poked him and also diverted the topic:
"Ronald, we’re almost there. Do you have any specific action plans for afterwards?"
"Plans..." Ronald, preoccupied with matters concerning Patricia, had no time to think about this during the journey. Heiloi had barely spoken when his slightly anxious expression instantly froze.
Meanwhile, Patricia directly stated:
"There are three locations in our assigned district that need dealing with, two of which are in the Edge Forest District and Luya District that can be handled later, with people stationed there. But the Industrial District and Dulu District are different; we need to take action immediately."
"Ronald, I also roughly understand your character."
"If you encounter any problems when it’s time for action, don’t be merciful."
"I understand," Ronald nodded seriously.
The Dulu District mentioned by Patricia was actually the official name for the impoverished district.
Even Mofan Street, where Ronald had once visited with Claudia, was the most ’famous’ among them. It was only natural for him to receive such a reminder at this moment, since he mostly displayed a kind and affable personality while interacting with Patricia.
The atmosphere inside the carriage gradually quieted down.
Before arriving at the impoverished district, all three were preparing for battle in their own way.
Ronald readied all the spells he could prepare, Patricia checked the state of the longsword she carried, Heiloi held Ronald’s arm tightly against her chest...
In short, all three casters were ready.
"Miss Nicholas, we have arrived at our destination."
After a few more minutes had passed, the carriage carrying the three passengers came to a stop at the entrance to a street outside the poor district. The person in another carriage addressed Patricia with utmost respect, "Miss, shall I wait here for you, or do you have other instructions?"
Patricia immediately commanded,
"There are enough of us three here, and the same goes for the industrial area behind us. You take the others to the far-off forest district first. We will handle things on both sides and meet later in Luya District."
The person in the other carriage promptly responded and then quickly drove the carriage toward the north.
This was the fastest route for them.
Taking a detour around the poor district was actually quicker than cutting straight through the middle.
Watching the other carriage leave, Patricia turned to her own carriage driver and spoke, "Polpok, you can take the carriage back; you won’t have any work here tonight."
After issuing directions for her subordinates, Patricia unsheathed her sword before the battle. With a ’clang,’ the sword was drawn, and she, gripping her longsword, walked toward the pitch-black streets of the poor district.
Once inside the city district, Patricia’s and Erois’s beauty naturally attracted covetous glances, and even Ronald, a handsome man, perceived aggressive stares casting toward him.
However, a formally dressed noblewoman with a longsword was leading the way.
A man and a woman followed closely behind with serious expressions.
Such a team composition meant that even in the disorderly poor district, which was starkly different from other parts of the city, no one dared to trouble them.
And to mention Patricia’s platinum blonde hair.
Any person from Spring City or even Greed with a modicum of common sense knew this was the most distinguishing mark of the Nicholas family, and nobody would risk their life on it.
With no one daring to disturb them, the three arrived smoothly at a spot emitting an odd magic power.
It was an unremarkable two-story building with all doors and windows sealed shut.
Simply standing outside, one could sniff the foul odor emanating from within.
At this moment, someone from the poor district, seeing the trio halt there, moved stealthily towards them, intending to say something.
"Good sirs, this place is..."
The next second, the man’s words came to an abrupt halt.
For as he was about to explain, Patricia, who was focused on the building, quickly swung her longsword. A silver arc cut through the darkness and forcefully destroyed the lock on the building’s door, causing the door to crash down weakly in pieces.
Ronald and his companions then filed into the building one after another.
Only Erois, who walked last, quietly turned her head back and made a unique gesture towards the man with a smile.
People from the poor district instantly recognized the meaning of the gesture.
—If you don’t want to die, get lost immediately.
The man from the poor district grimaced and opened his mouth.
After considering the disparity between their statuses, he eventually turned and disappeared into the darkness of the street.