"I shall take my leave first."
"The people of Nigar actually left behind such a hidden danger?"
"This... is a matter of great importance, I must discuss it thoroughly with my colleagues in the sect."
After Ronald recounted his experiences in Twin Streams City, the Casters of Entrode in the air all reacted differently.
Some of them were already on high alert, even beginning to look at others with subtle changes in their eyes; yet some did not care at all about such news and left after expressing their perfunctory concerns.
Less than a quarter of an hour had passed.
After people had declared their positions, only a handful of Casters remained.
Ronald, Ralaye, the three from the palace, and two other Casters from different locations were the last who stayed.
At this point, Ralaye gently smiled at everyone around:
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's go down first and then proceed with follow-up actions."
"Floating up here in the sky, who knows, some 'friends' with ulterior motives might just be watching us from below."
Ralaye's sensible suggestion was readily accepted by everyone.
The group flew downwards, naturally heading for the palace of Waterfall City, which now served as Entrode's administrative court.
Ronald wasn't sure who among these Casters held the highest rank.
But under the lead of a Caster who seemed to have even more clout than Ralaye, they passed through the governing court and finally arrived at a well-secured room, also guarded by spells.
There was hardly a need for much talk.
The Casters in the room merely exchanged glances, and then Ralaye made a final confirmation with Ronald:
"Mr. Ronald, since he is your captive..."
"He shouldn't be of any use anymore, should he?"
Ronald, of course, had no objections:
"You can deal with him as you like, I have no problems with that."
A modest smile appeared on Ralaye's face. Then, with one hand, he grabbed the jaw of the controlled Caster on the floor and lifted it to his face, speaking in a gentle and amiable tone:
"Mr. Shurafril, given your mixed-blood physique, I assume you have a stronger resistance to spells and Magic Potions, so I regret to use some... slightly dangerous methods."
"You wouldn't mind, would you?"
The half-blood couldn't utter a word.
Completely deprived of control over his body, he couldn't even move a finger, and could only watch helplessly as Ralaye placed his hand on his head. Then a dark, sinister Magic Power began to flow into his body...
The other onlookers saw everything very clearly.
After the special spell activated by Ralaye intervened, the half-blood soon started to roll back his eyes, and his body, which should have been completely immobile, convulsed violently under the spell.
The process lasted a full three minutes.
As Ralaye completed the spell and released his hand, Ronald also sensed his control over the Caster dissipate completely.
The spell Ralaye had just cast.
It seemed to have induced some sort of special physical change in the man.
"Start talking now, and tell us if there was anything incorrect in what Mr. Ronald just stated," Ralaye promptly spoke again.
Hearing this question, the just-breathed half-blood glared in anger.
Of course, he who was willing to sacrifice his life would not answer anything...
"Our infiltration in Entrode is not limited to the upper echelons of society. With the innate advantage brought about by bloodlines, we have successfully planted our people in schools of all sizes across this land."
The response was clear and methodical, with crisp enunciation.
Even after the answer was given, it took a moment for the half-blood to realize what he had done under the fluent speed of the conversation.
His eyes filled with panic.
The guy finally noticed that although he could feel his breathing, heartbeat, and touch, he was not able to control them to any extent. This feeling... it was as though he had become a marionette, able to move only at someone else's whims!
'R'lyeh, what have you done to me?'
The half-blood desperately wanted to question R'lyeh before him in his mind.
However, he lacked even the power to control the opening of his mouth, he could only feel like an observer trapped in his own body, as if a stranger controlled it, and continued to say:
"The self-immolation spell just now served as a warning. The comrades within Waterfall City who witnessed that scene may not understand the situation here, but they have become aware of the 'extremely dangerous events taking place within the city.'
"Hmph—" Another Caster heard this and immediately let out a cold snort, "The early warning isn't bad, but this is Entrode after all!"
"R'lyeh, you continue to extract information here, I'll go gather the action team members. After the list is sorted out, I'll take people to sweep up all these fanciful trash in one fell swoop!" ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽
The Caster who spoke was very angry.
As he spoke, the Spell on his body meant to enhance his physique began to fluctuate, signaling his intense emotion.
"No problem." R'lyeh had no issues with such a colleague and quickly replied, "Wait for me at the south gate, I'll be done soon."
At the same time, another Caster began to question the half-blood:
"List the names of those you know who have infiltrated, along with their identities, backgrounds, and possible assignments. Not one detail can be omitted."
You handle these situations...
And yet you skip the monthly meetings and conferences?
Watching the Entrode higher-ups start to take charge of their respective duties, Ronald couldn't help but snark inwardly.
In the face of someone outsider like him cracking the original texts, these guys could slowly and leisurely proceed with meetings according to protocol. However, when dealing with events threatening their rule and security, their capacity for action was frighteningly swift.
Entrode as a nation...
Was indeed very pragmatic.
"Since you've started handling this matter, I won't disturb you any further."
Gently shaking his head, Ronald prepared to leave, intending to bid farewell. Major events like these were not for lone wolves like him to handle; with the state machinery now in motion, it was natural for Ronald to step back.
One must do what corresponds to one's abilities.
Ronald had always been aware of this principle.
For issues like the infiltration of otherworldly creatures, it was far more appropriate for a nation like Entrode to inform other powers than for him to act alone.
"Ronald, wait a moment."
But before Ronald could leave the room, R'lyeh, who was still gathering intelligence, called out to him.
Ronald paused mid-step and turned his head to ask:
"Is there something else?"
"Regarding these half-bloods' issue, it seems I can't be of much help anymore?"
R'lyeh showed Ronald a subtle smile:
"It's unrelated to this matter; I'm simply recommending a place to you."
"At the east side of the pub below the Waterfall, you should go take a look."