Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength

May 7 morning.

Four visitors who traveled a long way from Black Mountain Town left Ronald's residence in the early morning.

Among them, Patricia and the two investigators appeared light and refreshed after a night of ample rest, but Dominic was the only one with dark circles under his eyes.

His face was so pale it scared people, almost as if he hadn't slept the whole night!

However, even so, as the leader of this group of visitors, Dominic forced himself to stay spirited and bowed courteously to Ronald, who was seeing them off:

"Mr. Ronald, thank you for your hospitality last night."

"Although our time was short, our group felt considerate..."

Just as Dominic was about to continue with pleasantries.

He caught sight of Il from the corner of his eye, who was walking happily out of the village with a basket on her arm.

"Let's go, we're leaving immediately!"

"Mr. Ronald, my apologies."

"The development work of Black Mountain Town cannot be delayed for a moment, I'm pressed for time here!"

Without even finishing his words, Dominic could no longer maintain his aristocratic composure.

While bidding farewell, he hurriedly climbed into the carriage, as if staying outside any longer would lead to an attack by something especially dangerous.

"..."

The three left outside the carriage exchanged bewildered glances.

Finally, Patricia, who was closest to Ronald, turned her head with a puzzled look at Ronald:

"Ronald, what did this guy do in the village before you brought him back last night?"

Faced with Patricia's inquiry, Ronald maintained an innocent expression:

"Patricia, I assure you Mr. Dominic encountered no danger last night; he was just startled by unexpectedly witnessing several casters dealing with issues in the village."

Upon hearing Ronald's reply, Patricia and the others didn't press further. After bidding farewell, they boarded the carriage.

After all, what Ronald said matched what they perceived.

Dominic was in poor spirits, but simultaneously showed no signs of physical distress. Facing a holder of the original template, no one would seek trouble in such circumstances.

Within a mere few minutes.

The carriage, driven by the driver, headed westward.

With Ronald's exceptional hearing, he could even hear Dominic inside the carriage ordering the driver to speed up after it moved a certain distance.

"..."

"Eh? Why did they leave?"

At this moment, Il emerged from the village and approached Ronald.

This fellow's smile was unyielding, and she seemed somewhat resentful as she watched Dominic and the others' carriage depart:

"They promised to support my business, yet left without buying anything."

"Give it a rest!"

Ronald couldn't help but roll his eyes at Il.

For this being, merely resembling a human, Ronald didn't demand humans' value systems from her, merely set limitations on what Il could do.

"Get yourself back to the church right away and help Hopkins save those who took the wrong medicine!"

"If you don't do well on this, there'll be consequences!"

Facing Ronald, Il dared not behave like she did with Hopkins.

Upon hearing Ronald's command, she offered a fawning smile and lifted the basket in her hand:

"I actually came to take care of this!"

"To help those fellows resist the urge, the plants I have weren't sufficient, so I need to gather other items to alter them and achieve the goal."

Ronald widened his eyes:

"Then hurry up! Also, stop doing these things in the future!"

"Yes, yes, I'll listen to you!" Il nodded and agreed submissively, then carried her basket and headed into the Yizi Forest.

...

Seeing Il off to gather herbs, and the departing guests.

Ronald turned and led Costate back into the residence.

Back in his bedroom, he sat down.

Ronald spread out a book collected by the Adler family in front of him, his gaze reflecting deep contemplation.

Seeing this, Costate immediately inquired:

"Sir, do you have something on your mind?"

Ronald nodded in response:

"Indeed, Patricia brought me some news last night."

"Besides the development issues of Black Mountain Town, recently there's preparation underway for a team from Grayed to set sail."

Costate quickly grasped the source of Ronald's contemplations:

"Is the latter related to the mysterious side?"

Costate was entirely correct, as Ronald immediately explained:

"Before the showdown between Springs and Barrier Mountain Wizards, 'Nine Commandments Secret Meeting' revealed possession of a tome that could interpret the original template. To acquire this item, the strong from various world schools organized and embarked on an expedition."

From the beginning, Costate could guess the complexity of this affair:

"Is there additional development post-expedition?"

"Indeed." Ronald confirmed Costate's conjecture, "Previously, due to the world being on one side, information transmission between worlds faced severe difficulties. Now, the news has finally returned."

"'Nine Commandments Secret Meeting' laid a colossal trap on the Southern Continent, capturing casters who went there for the original template. Simultaneously, the original templates possessed by the top-tier casters were lost due to this incident."

"Now information has returned to Grayed, and citing revenge for the deceased, a new and even larger expedition is set to begin."

"Patricia specially came here to inform me of this, also to see if I have intentions to get involved."

Costate probed:

"Sir, what's your stance?"

"I didn't directly answer, but hinted at not planning to leave Curpis for now." Ronald slowly shook his head, "The expedition matters have only completed the process of spreading worldwide. Rather than joining to fight remnants of 'Nine Commandments Secret Meeting,' I prefer staying to await news from Her Lois."

Costate nodded in understanding, then brought forth a result from his considerations.

"Sir, under current circumstances, wouldn't such a grand expedition's aim be beyond mere retaliation against 'Nine Commandments Secret Meeting' or seizing the original template?"

Ronald showed an appreciative expression:

"Indeed!"

"Besides what you mentioned, they likely aim to redefine secure trading routes amidst this complex world setting. For a coastal nation, stable maritime trade conditions are necessary."