Chapter 1518: Chapter 1512: After the Departure
When Ronald returned to the second floor, he had neither water nor bread in his hands, only clutching the piece of paper that signified Orel’s departure.
However, his return did not attract the attention of the three church members.
At this moment, the second floor of the library, Martha and the other two were still diligently flipping through materials, highlighting the importance they placed on this event.
Only Costate raised her head first, seeing the expression on Ronald’s face that was both amused and helpless.
"Sir, what happened?" Costate immediately put down her work and walked over to ask with concern.
She was Ronald’s maid, and this loyalty and attention had always been present.
"Two pieces of bad news." Ronald shrugged, addressing Costate and the three church members who had finally paused in their actions, "Firstly, I didn’t bring water and food up for you."
"We have dry rations, no rush for food..." Martha first responded to Ronald’s jest, then suddenly jolted awake, "Wait, where’s Orel? Didn’t you go down to find him?"
Ronald waved the sheet of paper in his hand:
"That’s the second piece of bad news."
"When I went down, he had only left a farewell letter."
"What?!" Martha’s eyes widened, quickly stepping forward to take the paper and started reading its contents. She had spoken quite comfortably with Orel today, completely unable to understand Ronald’s words.
As Martha read the letter, Ronald explained to the others:
"During the long years in the [Song Forest], Orel thought through many things. The final result was his decision to say goodbye to the past." Ronald’s tone paused slightly, "And at this time, is he also saying goodbye to us?"
Costate immediately followed Ronald’s evaluation:
"This guy indeed harbors many secrets, and much of his communication with us is kept hidden. Leaving at a crucial moment for self-preservation is not entirely unexpected."
At this point, the air in the library became heavy.
Ronald didn’t want to dampen spirits too much, so he shifted the conversation:
"Of course, not all is bad news." He continued, "Although Orel has left, he has already provided us with substantial information and left the treasury behind."
As he spoke, Ronald took out the key and placed it in front of Martha, who was still reading the letter.
"As he said, it’s the church’s wealth, also left for you."
"..."
Martha put down the farewell letter, her silent face written with gravity.
She fixated on Ronald’s hand, then took the key, taking a deep breath.
"Whew—"
"I understand the situation now."
The Saintly Priestess spoke slowly and softly, yet her determination remained:
"From now on, plan based on the premise without Mr. Orel."
"The Holy City must not in any case be handed over to the [Nine Commandments Secret Meeting]!"
"Of course." Ronald immediately added, "Although this guy chose to leave, I think this city named after him still warrants investigation."
Martha agreed:
"Time is pressing, let’s begin immediately."
"..."
Orel’s departure was an unexpected situation.
Facing changes, Ronald and his team naturally had to revise the original plan.
Martha instructed the two church members to continue reviewing materials.
She herself, along with Ronald and Costate, walked out from the first floor of the library.
Walking on the street at night, the singing festival from the daytime continued.
This [Song Forest] was built in a magical place, and now revealed before Ronald and his team was a spectacle even surpassing the fantastical scenes of daytime.
On ancient streets, buildings of various shapes lit up, colorful ribbons painted with musical instruments fluttering in the air, with stalls and amusement facilities lined along the street.
Beastmen, dressed in colorful attire and holding instruments, sang happily, with some even dancing spontaneously.
Ronald found this place very interesting.
Ordinarily, he would surely explore and experience it thoroughly. Unfortunately, he had no such leisure now, and could only concentrate on moving forward.
Perhaps Katherine is here...
Would she join in regardless and sing loudly?
Ronald’s scattered thoughts drifted beside him was the focused Costate. The maid was completely uninterested in such festivals, with her eyes solely on her master and the current tasks at hand, finding joy in them.
Among the three of them, only Martha could not enjoy the atmosphere here.
Even though she thought this was a place full of vitality and creativity. But thinking of the current situation, this newly appointed Saintly Priestess could not help but see the gloomy expression hang at the corner of her mouth.
If Ronald were not right beside.
Martha might already be on guard because of the pressure, suspicious toward these festival-enjoying beastmen who posed no threat to them!
This situation persisted for about fifteen minutes.
Clap clap clap—
Martha was suddenly patted on the shoulder by someone.
She turned around to look, it was Ronald.
"Do you see the little guy ahead? Listen to what song he is singing." Ronald pointed forward, his gray eyes directly met Martha’s.
The girl followed his guidance, seeing a beastman child.
This child was enjoying the festival atmosphere, running alone on the street, with a smile on his face. Like the people around him, he was smugly singing tunes he liked.
Even if his pronunciation carried the typical vagueness of a child’s.
But Martha could hear, that it was a song about courage and adventure, with genuinely sincere emotions!
Ronald’s voice rang in Martha’s ear:
"How about it, I think this song suits us well!"
"..."
"I heard it." Costate replied helplessly, "But I think it..."
Martha initially wanted to say we better hurry and leave.
But when the words reached her mouth, it turned into: "I think it’s quite good, I like it."
When the words were spoken, the girl’s demeanor began to change, the previous gloom gradually disappeared.
She walked forward, smiled, and exchanged a few words with the singing child.
Then the Saintly Priestess changed from her slump, walking ahead of the three, leading the way pridefully and carefree.
Following behind, Costate cautiously whispered to Ronald:
"Sir, her mood changes quickly, it’s even somewhat abnormal."
Ronald then gave a reassuring smile:
"Costate, this is [Song Forest]."
"If you think carefully and look around, you’ll understand what’s happening."
Being reminded, the maid turned her gaze to the surroundings. With her wisdom, it didn’t take long to react.
"It’s the influence of the singing!"
"Just like the ceremony that helped us enter the Holy City, even faint singing carries power in this world!"
Ronald nodded.
Just as Costate said, in [Song Forest], the singing is like a spell, able to bring about incredible phenomena.
He even had a bold hypothesis.
The ceremony led by Orel, this citywide singing festival.
Its essence was gathering everyone’s songs, then using the power of the singing to open the entrance to the Holy City for them!
"Song Forest, world of music..."
Watching Martha striding ahead, Ronald’s face again showed a smile;
"This place indeed has many details worth paying attention to..."
