Ronald was very successful in the negotiations with the news company.

In the following days, interviews with the relevant personnel took place one by one, and the publication and compilation of the book also got on track.

Meanwhile.

The part Ronald anticipated the most, which was their Arctic expedition news article,

had also been organized by the news company and was then dispatched worldwide to carry out the corresponding publicity work.

The technological level of this world.

Led people to be quite interested in news about exploration and discovery.

So even in this current global context where the world's transformations and the existence of spells were revealed, the feat of humankind successfully reaching the Arctic for the first time would also attract a great deal of attention.

As long as Heloise still paid attention to outside news,

then Ronald believed she would see his name in the news and understand the message Ronald wanted to convey.

Optimistically estimated — they might meet again in a few months.

...

"Ronald, isn't Entrode rather calm these days?"

On the last Thursday afternoon of February,

Nicole, who was staying at the same hotel as Ronald and the others, knocked on their room door, then walked in skillfully and sat down to enjoy the afternoon tea prepared by Costate that noon.

It wasn't until she ate half of the small cake in front of her that Nicole sighed with a fork in hand:

"I originally thought I'd witness something remarkable during these days in Waterfall City!"

Just like the current situation in the room.

In fact, upon returning to Waterfall City, Nicole didn't take the train back to Grid, instead planning to stay here a little while longer.

The reason was simple.

After contacting staff at the Grid embassy stationed in Entrode, they learned of Ronald and the others' successful arrival at the Arctic via radio to inform their country of this news.

Subsequently, the Grid authorities arranged for Nicole to stay by Ronald's side for a while to thoroughly investigate the relevant information.

As an official investigator.

Nicole naturally accepted this task without surprise.

She didn't choose to hide the details from Ronald, instead immediately informing him of this information at the task's commencement so both sides could cooperate openly.

"..."

"Costate, thank you for the afternoon tea."

At this time, the investigator girl raised her teacup and thanked the maid beside Ronald.

She not only liked Costate very much but also highly appreciated the maid's skills, making sure not to miss any meal during this time.

Faced with Nicole's gesture, Costate merely nodded slightly.

She then turned her gaze to Ronald beside her:

"Sir, we have already stayed in Waterfall City for quite some time."

"With the news-related work concluded, we have no other matters requiring our attention here; may I take the liberty to inquire — when do you plan to return to Kurpis?"

"Indeed, it's been some time..."

Upon hearing Costate's question, Ronald's expression remained calm.

"The summoned creatures' issue seems to be handled by Entrode, and other matters are indeed all concluded. So — let's set it for this weekend. We'll take the train from North Quik and head back to Yizi Forest then."

"..."

"Oh! Are you leaving already?"

While Ronald and Costate discussed the upcoming action plan calmly.

Upon hearing these words, Nicole, sitting to the side, looked troubled.

"I thought you were planning to stay in Entrode for some time, why leave so soon?"

"When we return to Grid, Nicole, your task should be handed over to a designated person. Then you'll have the time to better contact the surviving casters of the Secret of Aogen."

Ronald promptly presented the benefits of such an action.

However, witnessing Nicole's subtle expression, he tentatively asked:

"Or is it... Nicole, did something happen to you over here in Entrode, making you want to continue staying a bit longer?"

"You can't hide anything from you..."

With Ronald accurately expressing her thoughts, Nicole didn't bother to conceal it any further. She nodded candidly and replied:

"The truth is, this morning I noticed some interesting runes while wandering outside..."

As she talked, Nicole dipped her fingers in a little water and started writing special runes on the table in front of everyone.

"What is this..."

Ronald's gaze swept over, immediately recognizing those runes.

Because they were identical to the symbols in the spell system Nicole used, and due to his linguistic proficiency, Ronald could clearly discern their meanings—decay, extinguishment.

After a brief contemplation, Ronald quickly grasped why Nicole wanted to stay in Waterfall City:

"Are these traces left by people from your school?"

"That's right." Nicole nodded gently and continued, "I discovered a place where a battle likely took place last night, involving casters of the Secret of Aogen, and look at this rune..."

While speaking, Nicole's fingers traced the still damp watermark:

"This is the application method of constructing vocabulary with runes."

"Even within the Secret of Aogen, only very skilled casters can accomplish such things. If such an important figure from the school is in this city, I wish to establish stable contact with him before leaving Waterfall City."

Ronald nodded to show his understanding:

"I understand."

After all, Nicole was now trying to rebuild the school.

With such an important figure's clue appearing before her, she naturally wouldn't wish to pass up the chance.

But the current situation was that Ronald planned to return to Grid.

Due to her investigator role's duties, Nicole needed to return to the country with Ronald and his companions.

However, if Nicole did so,

even if she returned after completing her task, a few days delay might mean she could forever lose the chance to meet this caster of the Secret of Aogen.

Ronald smiled:

"So—Nicole, you're hoping that Costate and I can stay in Waterfall City for a little longer?"

Nicole felt a bit embarrassed but still nodded back:

"If you have urgent affairs to attend to in Grid, then you don't need to mind my thoughts."

"It's okay. Actually, we..."

Ronald, of course, didn't mind delaying a few days to help Nicole, so he was about to nod and agree.

But at this moment, Costate, who had been standing silently beside him, spoke up:

"Sir, there is an issue we need to address."

"For the upcoming period, our accommodation expenses in Waterfall City need to be paid ourselves, and if we need to continue staying, you must now consider the financial aspect."

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