Chapter 1531: Chapter 1525: When the Dust Settles
Ronald, just leaving the scene of the fire, suddenly halted.
Though the movement was subtle, the Saintly Priest beside him, who had just escaped from tension but retained their vigilance, noticed:
"Ronald, what happened?"
"Nothing." Ronald instinctively shook his head in denial but quickly changed his words, "Just that doppelganger behind us mentioned something interesting earlier."
Martha immediately caught on:
"Is it Orel’s doppelganger?"
Ronald nodded:
"Yes, he gave Water the final command before fading away. If I’m not mistaken, that should have been his actual will descending, rather than a mechanical puppet reaction."
With hearing beyond common sense, Ronald heard Orel’s doppelganger’s last command before dissipating.
This is quite an interesting thing.
To connect with such a moment, giving Water the final command.
There are two possibilities for this matter.
——Orel is still observing this city.
——Or he has long predicted everything that happened.
As for the former possibility, Ronald and his team used various spells for verification and have ruled it out.
The correct answer can only be the latter——Orel had anticipated everything happening in the city.
Thus, new questions arise one after another.
Why does Orel know the city will experience unrest?
Especially with such precise timing control?
The causal logic of this question isn’t difficult to analyze. Following Ronald’s hint, Martha also became aware of the key within:
"Those who initiated the attack on the palace, could they possibly be left by Orel himself?"
"Even if it’s not one hundred percent, there’s a seventy to eighty percent probability."
"He has no reason to leave such a calamity for his own city!"
"Perhaps in Orel’s eyes, this isn’t a disaster, but a way to propel the orcs forward?"
"...If he truly thinks that way, then staying to lead the people forward would be more reasonable and efficient. Leaving such a problem and choosing to depart, the orcs of this world have a higher chance of misstepping into a fatal conclusion amidst conflicts of power and mutual strife!"
"Everything has two sides. Losing the right to be led also means they gain the right to forge their own path. No one can guarantee whether the orcs will create a path that truly belongs to them during contentious disagreements."
"Those... unguided lambs are more likely to stray from the flock and be hunted by wolves."
"Can you be certain they won’t find a new pasture, free from shepherds and live freely?"
"..."
On their way back, Ronald and Martha exchanged their viewpoints.
Ronald’s principles differed from those of the clergy, but their verbal clashes didn’t escalate into a larger conflict.
Because both knew well.
The path ahead of them was equally fraught with difficulties, concerning everything outside.
Discussion remained just that—discussion.
After some time, Ronald and Martha returned to the library.
Having sensed Ronald’s spell activation in the city, the loyal maid had long set aside her book and awaited her master’s return at the door.
When her gaze caught sight of Ronald from the end of the street.
Costate’s expression grew excited, even eager to run up and greet him. But the maid glanced over, recalling Ronald’s instructions before he left, and restrained her impulse, never leaving her post at the library.
As Ronald and Martha were met by her and entered the house, Costate finally spoke:
"Sir, you’re back!"
"I sensed signs of you using magic, what upheaval occurred in the city?"
Ronald nodded slightly.
"Orel left a minor trouble behind."
"Although the target wasn’t us, it still caused some issues."
Upon hearing Orel’s issue brought trouble to Ronald.
Costate’s gaze turned cold instantly:
"Next time I encounter that guy, I’ll definitely make him pay!"
"Haha, it’s not that serious." Ronald hurriedly waved his hand, "Actually, even if I don’t intervene. Hmm... there shouldn’t be too much trouble. On second thought, maybe this trouble was my own doing?"
Reflecting carefully, it was indeed so.
With the orc official Water’s cautious attitude, he wouldn’t possibly broadcast the news of Orel being a fake immediately; there would surely be follow-up actions.
In this way, the orc official wouldn’t affect the entire ritual.
Looking at the rebels and guards in the palace.
Though their numbers seem vastly different, their individual training levels are entirely different, and their overall strength isn’t divergent.
Given the premise of being in the scene of the fire, this battle might end tonight.
But the immense impact on the entire city won’t possibly erupt before the ceremony concludes.
So as long as Ronald and the others quietly observe by the side, letting everything naturally develop, they can still wait for the ceremony to complete and successfully enter the sealed holy city.
Yet Costate seemed unwilling to accept this statement; she even stubbornly interjected:
"Sir, I feel this is an affront to you!"
"It’s okay, it’s okay."
Looking at the maid’s indignant appearance, Ronald hurriedly stepped forward to grasp Costate’s wrist, then quickly headed to the second floor.
Consequently, Costate bowed her head, saying not a word.
"..."
Walking last, Martha, watching the two ahead, felt an indescribable sensation within her heart.
As the three ascended to the second floor, the songs flowing through the city continued.
Seated by the window on the second floor, gazing towards the direction of the palace in the city—after the afternoon and half-night’s effort, the firelight had gradually faded from that direction.
The time was night—
The festive atmosphere, adorned with lights and streamers, covered up the danger.
The street where Ronald and the others were remained as cheerful as in previous days.
But at the same time.
Deep underground, unseen by the people, close to the world’s edge of [Song Forest].
Guided by ritual rules, the city’s songs gradually converged, accumulated, and overflowed.
The enormous flow of songs merged into a massive torrent, like a constant river surging incessantly in the depths, forming a colossal ritual cycle.
After seven days and nights of accumulation, the momentum of the entire ceremony has reached its peak!
As dawn was about to arrive.
The sky over [Song Forest] suddenly went silent.
The gentle female voice that sang throughout the night disappeared, replaced by a sound resembling paper torn nearby.
Noticing this change.
Ronald, who had been waiting in the library for a long time, stood up and looked energetically at his two companions:
"The ceremony is complete, the gate is opening."
"Time for us to set out!"
