The next day.

At the entrance of the train station in Waterfall City, Edward was looking at the two people in front of him with a complex expression.

Although he had communicated with Ronald before leaving the Nameless Sea, the attitude of the man in front of him still made him somewhat incredulous:

"Mr. Ronald, you...just let me go like this?"

"What else?" Ronald shrugged his shoulders while his gaze drifted toward the railroad tracks extending from the station. "I'm not a native of Entrode, nor do I care about the condition of these rulers. If you want to stir up something, feel free to join the local resistance here; or if you still want to work for your former loyalists, I don't mind Curpis gaining you as a resident."

"..."

Edward was momentarily at a loss for words.

The years of experience on the Nameless Sea, the bits and pieces of serving Entrode, and the changes in the world after his departure.

So many changes, along with Ronald's current attitude.

They started to brew various emotions in the heart of this not-so-old man.

"All right, stop thinking so much."

"The choices before you are now plentiful; you just have to take responsibility for yourself."

Ronald comforted Edward a bit, and only when he saw the change in the man's expression did he feel relieved. Then he pointed toward the direction of the tracks:

"I can hear the train approaching."

"If you don't want to miss today's train, you better not delay now."

Edward looked in the direction Ronald was pointing.

After waiting a few seconds, he could faintly hear the sound of the train approaching the platform. Although both were mystical Casters, their strengths were truly worlds apart.

So, just before entering the station lastly.

Edward turned around and, with a very solemn attitude, performed the noble Entrode gesture of gratitude to Ronald.

"Mr. Ronald, I'm truly very grateful."

"I hope that when we meet again, you maintain this kind of kindness and goodness."

"..."

The final farewell was over, and Edward no longer hesitated.

He turned and walked into the train station of Waterfall City.

Ronald and Costate watched this man leave and then turned back towards the city.

Neither of them was burdened with miscellaneous matters nor in a hurry to return to the hotel. Thus, they slowly walked towards the hotel, observing the noticeably reduced traffic on the streets.

"Costate, Waterfall City seems to have changed quite a bit compared to when we first arrived," Ronald commented casually.

"You're right, sir," Costate replied in a steady tone:

"The issues of cult conflicts within the city, the impact of high-level decision-making mistakes, and frequent resistance movements in the surrounding areas have all made the current situation of Entrode quite dire. If it weren't for the significant actions on the mystical side caused by environmental changes, the rulers of the surrounding countries would be fully occupied with appeasing and controlling their domestic situations. Given the current state of Entrode, it should have been targeted by now."

"Hmm... yes," Ronald nodded in agreement.

Indeed, it wasn't just Entrode.

According to the information he had seen in the newspapers, even the neighboring Great Reid showed one main characteristic in its recent state—stability.

Investigators were called back in batches, some colonial wars entered a cease-fire period, and economic policies shifted more towards a mixed economic system.

Such operations could only indicate that what Great Reid needed most at the moment was an absolutely stable domestic environment to prepare for the various problems that might arise.

One should know one thing—Great Reid is actually the world's leading superpower!

Dantrian's queen, such a powerful original tome holder as the head of state, had the country's material strength at the highest level.

By comparison, Entrod had only escaped from the chaos of war a few years ago.

At a critical moment when the country most needed rest and recuperation, encountering such an incident only intensified domestic issues, which was unavoidable.

"..."

Costate was one of the very few people with whom Ronald could currently communicate.

As the two walked towards the inn, they also shared the experiences of the past few days, with Ronald mainly guiding and controlling the conversation.

When they were about five minutes away,

Costate finally asked a question of personal interest:

"Sir, you seem very interested in the 'Mirror of Dreaming'?"

"Indeed," Ronald replied without hesitation, "Costate, having seen my memories, you naturally know about Lovecraft's works."

"If those books were turned into original tomes... The Outer Gods and such are fine, as those only exist within the books. But once these original tomes strengthen people's fear of the unknown, stir up their rejection of knowledge, or even impose these ideas on the mysterious side of existence, then real disasters will eventually come."

Costate found Ronald's explanation very interesting.

The maid pondered, head lowered, and after more than ten seconds of serious thought, she continued to inquire:

"But sir, why couldn't it be any other way?"

"I've seen more than that in your experiences."

"The insignificance of oneself can inspire bravery and a fighting spirit, and fear of the unknown can turn into a desire to explore for knowledge. Isn't such overly pessimistic thinking a bit arbitrary?"

Costate was completely different from when they first met.

At this moment, Ronald felt this profoundly in the questions posed by the maid before him.

After pondering for a long time, until the inn came into view,

Ronald finally opened his mouth to respond:

"You are right, such people certainly exist."

"But humanity itself is a group encompassing all facets and filled with possibilities, not to mention that both the best case and the worst case could happen, the uncertainty in between can't be guaranteed either."

"This caution is ultimately just my personal decision."

Ronald's conservative statement, on the contrary, made Costate's mood somewhat complex. The maid carefully recalled all the knowledge she possessed and quickly came to a conclusion:

"Sir, isn't there also Murphy's Law?"

"Since there's a possibility things could get worse, they definitely will."

Ronald acknowledged Costate's mood, then smiled:

"That's just a concept in psychology, more suited for use in safety management and caution, not applicable to the complicated entirety of the real world."

"Costate, I appreciate your kindness."

"However, in discussing issues, a correct attitude is necessary."

"..."

"Mr. Ronald!"

At that moment, a young man guarding the entrance of the inn called out Ronald's name.

He ran towards the two and stopped in front of Ronald, then immediately pulled an envelope from the inner pocket of his jacket, the adhesive part still bearing the clear emblem of Entrod.

"Oh...?"

Ronald took the envelope, and the young man quickly explained:

"This was entrusted by Lord R'lyeh, who instructed me to ensure it reached your hands safely."

""

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