Got it—

In the end, it all comes down to those cult sorcerers.

Learning this from the caster's mouth, Ronald felt like his head instantly got a lot bigger.

If there was anyone in the entire Waterfall City he least wanted to deal with right now, it was definitely the cult sorcerer group led by Xiesita.

From a standpoint.

Ronald certainly had nothing much to say to this group of cult sorcerers.

But the twists and turns of the past few months inevitably tied Ronald to these guys. So, as long as conflicts didn't erupt immediately, he intended to keep a respectful distance, hoping for no further dealings between the two sides.

Who knew something would be dragged back in now?

"Sigh..."

Ronald couldn't help but sigh.

Even though his mood was already at its worst, Nicole's matter still needed to be dealt with properly.

"Tell me more about the Saint's Remains and what exactly is going on with the cult sorcerers."

"The Saint's Remains are said to be an ancient holy corpse left behind a month or so ago from the waterfall, containing very powerful energy that, if used properly, can extend a person's life. Only, those who initially acquired the Saint's Remains had different stances, leading to intense infighting, which ultimately resulted in the information being leaked."

After the caster finished this part, Ronald suddenly interjected with a question:

"What you're describing doesn't sound very related to the cult sorcerers, right?"

"Initially, not much, but those who first got the Saint's Remains started their infighting right next to a cult sorcerer's gathering place. Under the evil and terrifying spells of those cult sorcerers, the infighting group was quickly discovered, and the Saint's Remains naturally revealed themselves as well."

Hearing this, Nicole couldn't help but ask:

"And then? How did things develop afterward?"

The caster on the bed immediately replied:

"Then those casters fought desperately against the cult sorcerers' intrusion, leading to a battle that attracted more and more forces. Eventually, a very severe and vicious war erupted in the southeast of Waterfall City, and it wasn't until an entire district was destroyed by the fighters that the original holder of Entrod came to suppress the chaos."

"..."

With this inquiry, the situation had become quite clear.

The appearance of a treasure led to a mystical side of violent conflict within Waterfall City, ultimately resulting in the scene Ronald saw upon returning—an entire district reduced to ruins.

In the aftermath, the treasure went missing in the chaos.

The cult sorcerers, now lying low, stuck to their habit of stirring up trouble, began spreading news within Waterfall City, gathering those who still harbored greed.

The fight last night was just one link in this chain of events.

Coincidentally, among those lured by profit was a caster of the "Secret of Aogen," which is what led Ronald and company to investigate all the way here.

"If we need to contact those cult sorcerers..."

"Ronald, I can handle the rest myself if necessary."

At this point, Nicole leaned in close to Ronald.

The information they had gathered was sufficient, and in her heart, the young investigator didn't want Ronald to get involved in such dangerous matters.

As an investigator, Nicole knew too well.

Once anything involves cult sorcerers... if not complicated, it's at least disgusting.

"Young man, all these things you're talking about..."

Ronald hadn't yet responded to Nicole when the old doctor beside them suddenly spoke up.

Although much of what the group discussed was unclear to him, the old doctor could perceive from his life experience that these young people seemed poised to plunge into something extremely dangerous.

"I don't understand the details, but I still hope you'll heed a word of caution from me."

"There's nothing more precious in this world than one's life. If you're going to make a very dangerous decision, think it over carefully and don't be blinded by immediate gains or emotions."

"Thank you for the reminder."

Ronald immediately bowed and apologized to the old doctor.

The doctor indeed didn't know the group's abilities. But it was precisely this goodwill and advice from a completely unknown situation that were all the more precious.

"The matters tied to this object aren't trivial, and we made the decision based on our responsibilities and inner judgments."

"..."

He gave the old doctor a very formal response.

Ronald then turned back to the caster on the hospital bed, reinforcing the effects of word magic:

"Listen, you can rest here for a while."

"But during this time, you must not harm this doctor, and once you're rested, leave immediately and forget everything that happened here."

Ronald's enhancement magic was performed with immense effort this time.

The overflowing magic fluctuations even made Nicole widen her eyes.

Under such exaggerated exertion, the caster on the bed was almost entirely suppressed in consciousness by the spell and immediately nodded under the control of the word magic:

"Yes, I understand."

To the two girls, Ronald's taking control of the caster was naturally a standard caster's method.

In the room, however, the old doctor, who only today had a true glimpse of the mystical side, was astonished to the extreme by this very apparent scene:

"You... you're manipulating his memories?"

"Unless it's necessary, I would never interfere with someone's thoughts at will," Ronald explained to the doctor very seriously. "With everything now, making him forget is the best choice."

As he spoke, Ronald gestured at everyone in the room:

"This is the most appropriate course of action for me, for him, and for you."

Ronald then directed the caster back onto the hospital bed.

The three of them completed their inquiry and naturally left the small clinic, ready to continue pursuing the whereabouts of the "Secret of Aogen" caster.

However, just as they exited the first-floor door, a hurried set of footsteps descended from the second to the first floor.

Looking back.

It was the old doctor, following them with a complex look in his eyes:

"Young man, I just heard."

"That item seems to be the culprit behind Derian Street becoming a wasteland. Although this might be an untimely thought..."

"But for something that causes such disaster, I think it should be destroyed as soon as possible."

"..."

Ronald never imagined the old doctor would follow them down just to say that.

He stood there stunned for several seconds before solemnly nodding and promising:

"Alright, I understand."

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