"I don’t recall inviting any guests today!"
When she heard the knocking outside, Philis quickly pulled the door open, her gaze unabashedly sizing up the visitor before her.
The man’s appearance had not changed; his unremarkable looks and clean attire were just as Ronald had encountered him in the gift shop.
At that moment, facing the explosive greeting from Philis,
he simply nodded slightly, his face breaking into a polite smile, and his tone was even more filled with warmth.
"It’s indeed a great honor to meet Miss Arilda here."
"If you don’t mind, may I come in and sit?"
Having her former identity as a singer called out by the man before her, Philis showed no hints of guilt or timidity on her face. Instead, she directly shot back:
"Has your study of magic fried your brain? Seeing everyone as if they’re just like you and not quite human?"
Hearing the sarcasm in Philis’s tone, the man smiled and nodded:
"Perhaps that’s the case. I’ll make an appointment with a doctor for brain surgery someday. I hear Entronade has a school specializing in human research; their skills are truly impeccable."
Philis’s gaze darkened, "Then I suggest you go see them sooner rather than later."
As her words fell, the young girl guarding the door finally stepped aside, allowing the heretic magician to walk in.
The man’s behavior and manners were impeccably polite.
After each implicitly taunted the other, he even made a particular gentlemanly bow before stepping inside from the doorway.
His gaze swept through the living room, finally resting on Ronald who was sitting on the sofa.
"Good evening, Mr. Ronald."
"Please, have a seat."
Their gazes intertwined; the visitor completely disregarded Ronald’s guarded look, and after sitting down, he casually picked up a pitcher and poured himself a glass of water.
"Mr. Ronald, it seems the church has already entrusted the Saint’s relic to you, that is truly a matter of congratulation. Hmm..."
As he spoke, the man picked up the freshly poured water and drank it down in one gulp, his expression subtly changing. Without saying another word, he smacked his lips, poured himself another glass, and then his face broke into a hearty smile:
"The tap water in Springs, the quality is really good."
Ronald struggled to control the muscles in his face before replying:
"Mr. Bapulor, it wasn’t easy for you to come all this way, let’s talk business, shall we?"
"You know my name?" The heretic magician named Bapulor raised an eyebrow, but soon relaxed, "It must have been that creature who told you. Even though it’s the body of a monarch, it still personally enters the fray multiple times. No matter how strong the personal capability, such a level of control is not a good sign."
Bapulor spoke in a relaxed tone, fitting his identity as a heretic magician. But Ronald, aware of whose country he was in, naturally couldn’t speak rashly.
"We’re supposed to discuss something else today, aren’t we?"
"No problem talking business..."
Bapulor’s attitude remained calm, but his gaze had already shifted to Philis nearby. The implication was clear—’Are you sure you want a third party present during our discussion?’
Ronald answered without hesitation,
"Philis is someone I absolutely trust, just go ahead and say it."
Bapulor didn’t immediately respond this time.
His gaze wandered back and forth between Ronald and Heloise, and after just over a minute, for the first time since he had entered, a look of helplessness appeared on the face of this cultic magician.
"I shouldn’t say too much about the feelings between young people. Since you insist, let’s start talking."
As soon as he spoke, a faint magic power began to swirl around Bapulor’s fingertips.
Like the master of the room, he moved his hands generously back and forth over the coffee table, with the magic power forming a pale pink path wherever his fingertips passed.
This cultic magician would probably do quite well as a street artist selling paintings. Merely using his fingers, he quickly produced an exquisitely accurate map on the table between them.
Even in the process of drawing, Bapulor conveniently marked the several nodes where he had summoned the Swollen Demon during his rituals.
Having watched the other party finish this map that far surpassed the standards of the era, Ronald couldn’t help but speak out in admiration,
"Your technique is really quite good..."
Hearing Ronald’s praise, Bapulor also subconsciously tilted his head,
"Thank you for your compliment?"
Due to the subconscious dialogue, the atmosphere between them became awkward.
Heloise, seemingly unable to stand the stiff atmosphere, sat down forcefully in the chair Ronald usually favored.
"So by drawing this map, are you planning to introduce us to the city layout of Springs?"
Bapulor shook his head, "What I want to illustrate is this thing."
As he spoke, the cultic magician’s finger pressed down on the map, following the main road from Crown Road all the way to the location of Springs’ largest port.
From the palace to the port area...
This route could imply many things, Ronald listed several possibilities in his mind, but still couldn’t confirm any immediately.
But just then, Heloise’s expression drastically changed, and she even stood up and rushed over!
"Is this the route for the Harvest Day?"
"Cult, you wouldn’t be crazy enough to stir up something in the city!"
At this point, Ronald finally understood the matter the two of them were focused on.
In Springs’ scheduled activities, this autumn’s Harvest Day was a major event related to the whole world, and Queen Dantrian was also preparing to do something very important during this event.
Even the identity of actress Arita that Heloise was playing was specifically for this event in the city of Springs.
Such a significant event indeed coincided with the requirements of the "Nine Commandments sect."
To complete their plans, to declare their presence and goals in front of tens of thousands of ordinary people—this was almost the perfect scenario for those old-time casters to make a comeback.
Almost the moment Ronald figured out the key point, Bapulor indeed shook his head and explained,
"Miss Philis, you really misunderstand, at least I am following the rules properly here. Marking this route is solely because the ’Nine Commandments sect’ is preparing to welcome back their ancestor’s spell ritual, which completely overlaps with this route!"