"Ronald, did we win?"

"Although the process was somewhat convoluted, it seems we did win indeed."

At the end of this maze chase.

The two of them stood once again on solid ground, engaging in conversation.

Beside them, the world constructed by "The Maze Picture Book" was rapidly disappearing, and the scene before their eyes began to distort.

It only took a few seconds.

The surrounding scene completely reverted from the cartoon world constructed by "The Maze Picture Book" back to reality.

"Phew—"

With a sigh of relief, Ronald felt a weight beneath his feet.

As they stepped onto the real earth again, all constraints on martial actions from a moment before vanished, and all spell-casting abilities instantly returned.

This feeling was somewhat relaxing, yet also slightly wistful.

"..."

"Ronald, have we returned?"

As Ronald was feeling contemplative, Nicole walked up beside him and poked his arm.

The investigator girl seemed somewhat accustomed to the actions in the maze chase world.

Her unique and subtle demeanor made her seem very adorable.

"So, has the Dust Colossus been successfully sealed now?"

"That's right, we've succeeded." Ronald nodded, then retrieved the key he had in his pocket.

Having left the maze chase game, this key followed Ronald back to reality, and the magic fluctuation on it also disappeared. Simply looking at it, it seemed like a finely crafted artifact.

But holding it in his hand, Ronald was utterly certain in his heart.

This was the external symbol of the seal on the Dust Colossus.

As long as the key remained safely in his possession, the seal on Bai Chuan would be foolproof.

Ronald had already made up his mind.

Once matters here concluded, this key would be stored in the ancestral home of the Adler family, ensuring the seal would receive proper management over a long period.

"This key is quite beautiful."

As Ronald pondered, Nicole, observing him displaying the key, also voiced her opinion:

"Honestly, I think even among Berenvegi's craftsmen, few could make something so exquisite."

"Ronald, you must keep it safe. If it was taken by someone thinking it a treasure, it could cause a huge mess!"

"..."

"I will certainly keep it well-protected."

Ronald nodded seriously to Nicole.

In that moment, looking at the expression on the investigator girl's face, he suddenly recalled a conversation they had during their escape through the maze picture book.

Swipe—

The symbol of the original tome on his hand flashed momentarily.

The next moment, Ronald displayed "The Maze Picture Book" in his hand and handed it to Nicole:

"Weren't you quite interested in it before?"

"How about now? We're returning to the northern continent, would you like to try the abilities of this original tome as its holder?"

"Huh?"

Nicole was completely caught off guard by Ronald's generosity.

The investigator girl blinked in place, stunned for a long time before finally reacting, her tone slightly losing control:

"Hey, hey, hey!"

"Ronald, are you kidding me?"

"This is an original tome! Something countless people search for in vain and holders view as their lifeline, and you're just going to hand it over to me?"

Ronald gave an open-handed nod:

"That's right, borrowing the words of a friend of mine—"

"It's just an original tome, my own is sufficient; there's no need to act like a mad dog over it."

"..."

"Your friend must be incredible, introduce me if I get the chance~~"

Nicole remarked with a subtle sense of emotion.

Then, straightforwardly, she went to take the original tome from Ronald's hand.

Yet, the moment before her fingers were about to touch "The Maze Picture Book," the investigator girl's action halted.

Looking at her hand about to contact "The Maze Picture Book," Nicole suddenly lifted her head and directed a serious gaze towards Ronald:

"Ronald, you told me before?"

"The headquarters of the Secret of Aogen in Yuezis Forest was burnt down?"

"That's right." Ronald affirmed Nicole's inquiry and then questioned, "But that matter has nothing to do with this original tome in my hand."

"No, no, no—"

Faced with Ronald's confusion, Nicole shook her head.

At the same time, she raised her palm in a pushing gesture, indicating for Ronald to take back "The Maze Picture Book."

"Even though I don't quite agree with those people's outdated traditions,"

"Ultimately, I was introduced as an apprentice to the Secret of Aogen by my teacher."

"Now that the school has suffered a catastrophic disaster, as someone working with the investigative agency, I should take on the responsibility of reviving the school or at least maintaining the legacy of the Secret of Aogen."

As she articulated her thoughts, Nicole's facial expression became increasingly resolute.

She seemed to recall something, her determination evidently solidified:

"Ronald, it's better if I don't touch this original tome."

"My future research on the mystical side should lean towards the judicial system of the Secret of Aogen, rather than scattering my efforts on these matters."

"..."

At that moment, Ronald fell silent.

In the girl standing before him, he saw something called responsibility.

For Nicole, who held such an understanding, he felt no need to say more. Immediately retracting the maze picture book into his hand, Ronald then continued:

"I have to admit, the downfall of the Secret of Aogen is somewhat related to me."

"If you encounter any trouble in reviving the school in the future, you can find me at Kurpis on the edge of Yuezis Forest."

"I will certainly offer my aid as long as I am able."

"Hey, there's no need for such a heavy tone!" Seeing Ronald's expression turn serious, Nicole instead put on her usual playful smile and even stood on tiptoe to pat Ronald's shoulder. "Ronald, look at my monocle and this brand-new body."

"I have a feeling that I'll become someone remarkable in the future!"

"Maybe you'll be the one seeking my help by then!"

"I'll be watching expectantly." Seeing Nicole's demeanor, Ronald returned the smile. As this smile faded, he recited the incantation from "Astronomy Master": "From the relationship between the entire Earth and sky, our understanding will begin to form..."

The next second, the two of them lifted off from the ground.

Under the influence of [Current Cycle] and [Balanced Cycle], Ronald and Nicole flew towards the northern sky.

Feeling the spell carrying them aloft.

Nicole curiously asked:

"Ronald, are we flying back now?"

"That's right." Ronald nodded and then pointed out the last thing they needed to handle, "The matters inside 'The Maze Picture Book' are linked to reality, so before leaving here, we still have to clean up those predation individuals."

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