Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength

The speed of information transmission among the casters.

Is naturally much faster than a train running on tracks.

So when Ronald got off the train with Costate and Il at Berlevij Station.

On the platform, Patricia and several investigators were already waiting.

Ronald didn't even need to guess, he knew this must be Black Mountain Town's investigation bureau passing the message to Berlevij.

"..."

"Ronald, I'm so glad you could come to Berlevij!"

On the platform welcoming their party, of course, it was Patricia who stepped up to greet him, after all, she was the one with the best relationship with Ronald among them.

Facing his friend.

Of course, Ronald couldn't treat her with indifference.

He returned the smile, and as he moved closer to Patricia's position, Ronald got straight to the point and informed her of his intentions:

"Patricia, I have some matters to handle down south."

"So for this seafaring expedition, I might need to hitch a 'ride'."

Patricia immediately conveyed Berlevij's stance:

"Ronald, we welcome this with great pleasure!"

"..."

Knowing in advance about Ronald's journey to Berlevij meant they wouldn't let someone of his stature feel uncomfortable.

Before the train arrived, all corresponding arrangements were already in place.

So after their mutual greetings, Patricia promptly led Ronald and his companions to the predetermined destination.

During the ride, Patricia sat in the carriage, beginning to disclose the information Ronald hadn't known before. These were details only those confirmed to join the seafaring team were privy to.

"Ronald, for this expedition, the Berlevij port has prepared three ships."

"One of which is managed by the church to carry their personnel, while the other two are entirely provided by Berlevij."

Ronald asked curiously:

"On the two ships from Berlevij's side, there shouldn't be only investigators, right?"

"Of course." Patricia nodded, confirming Ronald's suspicion, "One of these two ships carries casters serving Greed, while the other has a mix of investigators and casters who have shown goodwill towards Greed."

"So I'll be placed on that ship?" Ronald promptly understood his arrangement in this seafaring team.

"In theory, yes, but if you have plans to board another vessel, we certainly won't stand in your way." Patricia continued to nod in agreement, but also revealed Greed's attitude towards Ronald's freedom.

After all, strictly managing someone like Ronald

is practically impossible when considering real-world circumstances.

"..."

Satisfied with this response, Ronald naturally nodded.

Having confirmed his place in the fleet, he shifted the topic to the specific date of departure:

"Patricia, what is the exact departure time of the fleet?"

"The official statement is a week from now." Patricia first gave an official date, but then lowered her voice to inform Ronald, "However, our actual departure date is three days from now, before dawn. Under the cover of night, all participants must be on board before sunrise, ready to set sail from the port."

Ronald chuckled, somewhat noncommittally:

"For an official operation, it's amusing that you have to announce a fake date."

Faced with Ronald's banter, Patricia's expression was also a bit helpless:

"If I were deciding the departure date, there wouldn't be such redundant acts. But that's how the planners from Springs designed this seafaring plan, and others can only follow orders."

Ronald couldn't help but express his thoughts:

"It seems like it's not easy for you either."

"..."

The journey after that was naturally smooth sailing.

However, when Ronald saw the housing arrangements Berlevij had prepared for him, he couldn't help but feel emotional.

—It was Mrs. Hudson's apartment for rent.

Though the stay was just for three days, Berlevij evidently took his feelings into consideration by booking him there.

Especially when the apartment door opened and he saw the landlady, looking seemingly unchanged since last time.

Ronald couldn't contain his emotion, warmly stepping forward to shake her hand:

"Mrs. Hudson, it's been a long time!"

"Indeed, Mr. Ronald. The last time we met was about a year ago."

The landlady obviously hadn't forgotten her tenant despite the time. After greeting Ronald with a smile, she glanced subtly at Costate and Il behind him.

"Furthermore... Mr. Ronald, it seems your experiences over the past year have been quite eventful."

"Not only did Miss Patricia help you rent my apartment, but now you've brought along such charming and energetic young ladies?"

"..."

Patricia's earlier words aside.

When Ronald heard Mrs. Hudson teasing about Costate and Il behind him, his expression admittedly slipped a little.

"Mrs. Hudson, this is really a misunderstanding!"

"They... they both..."

As he spoke up to this point, Ronald's tone was hesitant.

In his mind, this landlady was still the generous elder who wasn't very aware of the mystical matters.

However, considering that wizards were already announcing their presence throughout Greed, Ronald decided to explain directly:

"Mrs. Hudson, you must have heard about the newly emerged wizards recently, right?"

The landlady immediately understood what Ronald meant:

"So, these two lovely ladies are indeed those powerful individuals who can use spells?"

Ronald nodded, then emphasized:

"They're not even human!"

"..."

Even an elder like Mrs. Hudson widened her eyes in response to this revelation.

She looked at Costate and Il with disbelief.

Finally, upon seeing their extraordinary beauty, Mrs. Hudson reluctantly accepted the reality:

"This is... quite astonishing."

"Mr. Ronald, I have other tenants here, so if possible, could you refrain from making too much noise in the coming days?"

"Don't worry, I promise I won't cause any inconvenience to the other guests!" Ronald promptly patted his chest to assure her.

Then he dismissed the investigation bureau personnel who escorted him here.

Returning to his old room with Costate and Il, Ronald sat heavily on his incredibly familiar bed, memories flooding his mind.

Remembering those initial days upon arriving in this world.

It was in this room that he gradually came to know this world, and also met his friends...