Watching the enthusiastic attitude of the host, Ronald also cracked a joke:
"Such a pity that places like the administrative hall don't allow visitors to stay."
"Ha ha ha, sir, you really are witty," the host naturally responded. "Even when important guests visit, they have to stay at the foreign guest hotel, which isn't open to others."
Thus, they apparently chatted casually for a bit.
Eventually, the host recommended a local specialty for breakfast to Ronald and then informed him that the hotel lobby provided the latest newspaper free of charge every day.
Holding a hard bread filled with pickled meat.
Ronald leisurely strolled over to the lobby to pick up a newspaper.
Although the content of Entrorode's newspapers might not be entirely truthful, in this era, this was the most direct source of information.
— Think of Grid.
— Even in the most technologically advanced countries in the world, radio had just been invented.
"Crime lord successfully captured in North Quik, to be sent to Waterfall City for a justice trial today… General Muir speaks on civilian issues near Yizi Forest, urging people to stay away… Prominent male star Alphen discovered yesterday, secretly maintaining ambiguous relationships with several young girls… Former royal family members still missing, Torrent Court expresses readiness to provide them safety…"
Reading the content of the newspaper.
Ronald leisurely walked away from the hotel.
The newspaper in his hand was called "The Source", one of the largest newspapers in Entrorode, blending entertainment, political, and sports competition news. It was currently the most suitable newspaper for Ronald to read.
While strolling, Ronald also memorized the surroundings of the hotel.
Though Waterfall City was the capital of Entrorode, its development was distinctly inferior to Springs, comparable at best to the standard of Berenwich a year ago.
On the streets of this city.
Ronald saw no electrical equipment; gas lamps and similar facilities dominated absolutely, and many artisan shops could be seen along the streets.
"Eva, come back!"
"People living over there are dangerous; they might kidnap you."
A shout drew Ronald's attention.
It was a child chasing towards the hotel's direction, playfully pursued by a mother immediately scaring them not to proceed further.
"…"
Ronald silently turned his head to look.
The mother definitely put some artistic spin on her warnings.
Because the direction the children were chasing was precisely where he was arranged to stay by Rallaye…
"Rallaye… that guy couldn't possibly be doing this on purpose, right?"
Muttering under his breath the name of a certain spy leader, Ronald continued his casual stroll on the streets of Waterfall City.
On such a sufficiently cold day.
Much of the morning had passed.
By the time Ronald returned to the hotel from outside, he had broadly understood the condition of the district where he was located.
Being the capital of the entire country and a city of prime concern for the new government, Waterfall City's civilian issues were much better than what Ronald had witnessed in twice-transferred locations.
Even though military and police still enjoyed extremely high special privileges in this city.
But ordinary people at least had a stable life.
Ronald had just reached the hotel lobby when Costate, who had finished tidying the room, came down:
"Sir, how do you feel today?"
Ronald casually shrugged:
"Compared to other cities, it's actually not bad here."
Greeting him, Ronald handed over an extra breakfast he had picked up when he left, giving it to Costate who had no dietary habits:
"But speaking of which, Rallaye said he was going to discuss the issue of the 'originals' with others, how much time do you think they'll need?"
"Sir, this might differ from your expectations."
Costate, completely in line with Ronald's wishes, tried the Entrorode's special breakfast and then said somewhat unclearly:
"Grid, in this world, stands for the highest efficiency."
"Now in Entrorode, such matters probably take days."
"I suggest you prepare in advance."
"..."
It turned out that Costate was indeed a local of this world.
She had assessed the government agency's efficiency quite accurately.
Since the first day Ronald and she checked into the inn, they had not seen Ralaye at all.
The head spy of Entrode.
It seemed as though he had forgotten about them being here!
So on the third evening in Waterfall City, Ronald walked to the balcony of the inn and then waved upstairs:
"Friend, do you have time to come down?"
"..."
The air upstairs was very quiet.
There wasn't even a faint sound of breathing.
However, Ronald waited a few seconds, and someone upstairs finally spoke:
"Mr. Ronald, please wait a moment."
Soon, a young man jumped down from upstairs.
He was the full-time agent Ralaye had arranged to watch Ronald and his companion, probably quite confident in his own hiding skills, so his expression was still a bit unnatural when he came down.
— Ralaye had previously instructed that this was a very powerful Caster.
— But he hadn't detected any Magic Fluctuation.
— He didn't understand how Ronald had discovered him!
Maintaining caution and basic respect, the young agent bowed slightly and asked Ronald:
"May I help you with something?"
Ronald responded with a smile:
"I just wanted to ask when Ralaye will be able to resolve the issue. I've been invited here by him to Waterfall City for three days already, and I haven't received any news at all."
The young man looked clearly startled.
"This... haven't you only been staying here for three days?"
Seeing the surprised expression on the agent's face, Ronald immediately remembered Costate's reminder.
A foreboding feeling arose in his heart:
"In Entrode, does it take this long to discuss an issue?"
The young agent thought for a few seconds.
This kind of thing was common knowledge, with no need for secrecy.
So, he began to explain:
"Mr. Ronald, aside from military and political events, other domestic issues are discussed by the Rapid Court every weekend, and the conclusions from each session are aggregated at the end of the month for final processing."
"If everything goes as planned, you'll still have to wait a while."
"..."
"?"
A bunch of question marks popped up in Ronald's mind.
Is this a normal operation a real political regime could pull off?
The world he had traveled to, wasn't it like a "Civilization"-type turn-based strategy game, where players make decisions to control civilization once a month and then enjoy developing a nation's civilization?
The young agent noticed the undisguised confusion on Ronald's face.
Then he continued:
"Mr. Ronald, that's how things are."
"If you really have a concern, do you want me to notify Mr. Ralaye?"
Ronald displayed a wry smile:
"No need."
"Let me just calm down for a bit."
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