At this moment, the expedition team members are feeling a bit tense.

As ordinary people by nature, facing such a number of soldiers naturally evokes this kind of unavoidable natural emotion.

In the midst of the crowd.

Contrarily, Costate's attitude is extremely calm now.

She completely disregards the greed in the eyes of the small noble in front of her, and the intimidating shouts are ignored as if she didn't hear them at all.

Only when Ronald descends with Koya from the air.

Does the maid's expression finally react, as she proactively walks toward Ronald and Koya.

"..."

"You... what are you doing?"

Just seeing Costate's actions, the others are not so calm.

The noble, who originally felt certain of victory and was expecting a great harvest today, became guarded the moment he saw this scene.

After all, in his eyes, Costate's hand had already demonstrated extraordinary unique power with the Absolute Sea Lantern, and he assumed this beauty also had a mysterious side identity, maintaining the most basic caution.

Watching Costate step aside.

The man's pupils shrink as he finally sees Ronald and Koya appearing in the oasis.

A young and handsome man.

And an... aged and haggard woman?

Where did those two come from?

A series of questions arise in the noble's mind as he quickly glances at Zeno and Shiva, the two city-state patrollers. He confirms that these two have no extra reaction to Ronald and Koya's appearance.

He then quietly takes a metal spike from his folded sleeve and stabs it into his palm.

"Hiss—"

The small noble gasps sharply.

The genuine pain from his hand tells him he's not under any illusion techniques.

But what's happening in front of him.

Is indeed the reality unfolding.

"..."

On the other side, while the noble was caught in self-doubts, Ronald, who noticed all the noble's actions, had a somewhat speechless expression.

When he and Koya descended, they only slightly concealed the magic fluctuation on their bodies, a level so ordinary in the mysterious side, akin to being unnoticed by secret police even when spotted on the street.

Yet even such an action!

Was sufficient to prevent the noble from recognizing their identity as casters!

So much so that due to this lack of ability, the noble even thought he was under an illusion technique, and used a prepared tool on himself.

This...

To be fair, the noble of Lire Sannia has a decent level of vigilance, but as a caster, his level is truly subpar.

As Ronald scrutinized the noble.

Costate nonchalantly stepped forward and reported in her usual bland tone:

"Sir, no one in the expedition team was injured, everything here is proceeding smoothly."

The maid's declaration of work was indeed factual.

Though the Lire Sannia pioneers had cornered the expedition team in the corner of the oasis, they indeed hadn't made any direct threats to the team's life safety.

In such a situation.

Costate judged the situation to be absolutely safe.

She successfully accomplished the task Ronald had given, protecting the expedition team members.

"..."

Looking at Costate's calm demeanor.

Ronald can guess what the maid is thinking now.

He wanted to explain in detail to Costate that protection doesn't just mean ensuring their life safety, the situation of being surrounded already constitutes a threat.

But considering the maid's ongoing personality construction.

Ronald decided not to bring this up now.

After all, it's best that Costate recognize some human behavioral aspects herself and come to conclusions.

"Ah, Miss Costate!"

Ronald stayed silent, but the elderly Koya beside him was indeed very excited.

Upon seeing the maid come forward and bow to Ronald, the elder excitedly stepped forward and performed an ancient ceremonial gesture to Costate.

"You... are as strong and beautiful as when we met years ago!"

"I truly didn't expect, in this nearing decaying age, to have the chance to see such a dazzling person like you again."

"..."

Costate stood there blinking.

Ancient understanding gesture, praise terms so outdated, they're rarely used.

Though the person in front came from a very distant era, and the aged face differed completely from the younger days.

Yet after searching her memory.

Costate quickly identified the person through various comparisons.

After all, in the life-and-death battle during the Dark Age.

Costate saw most of the excellent casters with outstanding abilities in the mysterious side and remembered these people well.

Then...

"Sir, she may pose a danger!"

Now having made a judgment, Costate swiftly moved beside Ronald, simultaneously warning with her mouth:

"This lady is a caster who participated in the war during the Dark Age, based on her school's spell ability, I don't believe she could maintain her life and be alive today."

Koya never expected such a result after meeting each other.

She stood there dumbfounded, understanding the meaning behind Costate's actions and immediately looking at Ronald, her aged face with somewhat pleading eyes.

She can comprehend Costate's reaction without any resentment.

But this situation is definitely not what she wishes to see.

"..."

Faced with such circumstances, Ronald gave Koya an apologetic smile.

Then he turned to Costate and asked:

"Costate, did you know this lady before?"

"Yes, sir." Costate admitted without surprise, "This is the Sanctuary Guardian of the Polar School—Koya Bolainen."

"According to information I received. At the end of the Dark Age, a rising figure in the Polar School, Cold Wave, clashed with conservative forces within the school due to differing ideas. In the end, at the sanctuary of the Base School, Miss Koya should have perished with that Cold Wave."

Ronald nodded slightly.

Costate's account aligned with what he had seen, which also supported Koya's previous narrative.

He then asked Costate:

"So, do you know where their sanctuary is?"

Costate shook her head honestly:

"Sir, I don't know."

"The Polar School's confidentiality regarding their sanctuary is extremely strict, and after both old and new faction leaders perished, it appears they completely sealed the school's sanctuary for some special reason, no news has come out from there since."

Old and new faction leaders, huh...

At this point, Ronald looked back at Koya, previous doubts now judged.

It seems the Polar School didn't fail to find Koya within the seal, but more power struggle issues were involved.

After all, with old and new faction leaders gone, leaving one in power's hands. If someone saw their former superior sealed in thin ice by a spell...

Assuming he wishes to maintain his own authority.

Sealing the sanctuary and choosing not to awaken them is the most appropriate action.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.