CHAPTER 609: CHAPTER 606 TONIGHT’S BARBECUE

"In the evening, I calculated the most precise timing," he said.

"On the night of Harvest Day, even before the festivities have ended, they will arrive at Springs from the setting sun over the Sea of Dusk."

Patricia fell silent.

Her gaze was fixed intently on Ronald, making her feelings about his response quite evident.

The air grew quiet for a few seconds.

Until at last, Patricia did not question Ronald’s response.

Instead, she enunciated a piece of highly confidential information with significant emphasis:

"Based on the top-tier Prophetic Spell predictions from the research institute, there will only be two waves of attacks during today’s Harvest Festival. The first, a sneak attack from the ’Nine Commandments’ cult; the second, actions by heretical magicians."

Ronald replied in an undaunted tone:

"The ’Ultimate Council’ and the heretical magicians will definitely come, and I also know that Bapulor, that cult leader, won’t have a chance to show up here."

Patricia pressed, "Where did you get this information?"

Ronald did not intend to answer at all. Instead, he used the previous two statements as a preface, continuing within the context of the conversation:

"The wizards of Barrier Mountain possess very strong anti-prophecy capabilities. Even the most powerful wizard I have encountered in my life could not penetrate their anti-prophecy cover."

Naturally, Ronald was talking about Catherine.

He vividly remembered when Catherine had predicted the Barrier Mountain plan would fail.

In terms of anti-prophecy abilities.

Barrier Mountain was undoubtedly the most formidable he had ever known.

Patricia gleaned his implication.

She did not proceed to question the truth further, nor did she seek the source of Ronald’s information.

She simply took two steps back to the edge of the balcony.

Her tone was equally meticulous:

"Ronald, continue," she said.

"If I’m not mistaken, the story you just told is only the beginning, and there’s much more to it."

Saying goodbye to those merchants, I then went to Barrier Mountain and met a young man named Sinovia. Through her introduction, I was able to enter Barrier Mountain smoothly and start contacts with the Great Wizards there..."

Ronald recounted without any personal bias.

He shared everything he had learned about the wizards of Barrier Mountain and the circumstances of various hierarchies within each "Infinite Negative Domain" with Patricia, who stood before him without holding anything back.

Ronald finished his narrative.

After a minute of silence had passed, Patricia spoke again:

"Those are very detailed specifics, far different from the fabricated adventure stories of the nobility. Analyzed from a personal standpoint, I’m entirely inclined to believe it’s true."

Ronald’s response was even simpler.

With a flash of the mark on his right hand, the original text of "Origin of Species" appeared in his hand.

"This is what I seized from the wizards of Barrier Mountain."

Patricia recognized the authenticity of the original with just one look.

It wasn’t her first time seeing such an item, and she could immediately discern the key aspects.

By presenting a completely unfamiliar original text before her, Ronald’s previous words gained even more persuasive power.

After scrutinizing the cover of "Origin of Species" for a few seconds, Patricia changed the subject when she continued to speak:

"Ronald, can you guarantee the accuracy of the timing?"

Ronald nodded:

"Absolutely."

Patricia took a deep breath, this time her own.

She tried to calm her emotions, and then, leaning back, she suddenly let out a wry smile:

"It’s such a shame."

"The Research Institute is considered the most trusted institution by His Majesty, and once they have that information, the plan they come up with is hardly subject to change. Unless someone of the level of Grand Knight comes forward, then there might be a possibility for a change..."

Ronald heard the deep helplessness in Patricia’s words.

The young girl in front of him had already believed everything he said.

But because of the deep-rooted class system in this city, even with the truth in hand, there was no chance of finding a hopeful option within such a short time.

It was at that moment, something neither of them expected happened.

A worker on the deck of a boat on the Wis River spotted Ronald and Patricia.

The boat was moored at the bank.

Perhaps under the influence of alcohol and the festivities, the worker hoisted the roasted meat to the top of the high riverbank and then threw it at them with all his might:

"Sir, Miss, happy festival!"

"You must enjoy the day—"

Ronald saw the trajectory of the roasted meat in the air and guessed the outcome that it wouldn’t reach the third floor.

But on a whim, he quietly activated the Spell "Supreme Angel."

The roasted meat, which would have fallen directly to the ground, instead made an arc up to the third floor and was caught deftly by Patricia.

By then, the worker had clambered back onto the boat and began boasting to his friends:

"Hehehe!"

"Look, how strong am I?"

"That couple on the third floor is eating roasted meat like us now!"

The other workers immediately praised him:

"Old Johnny, you’re something else!"

"With such a great skill, you wouldn’t be afraid of sea monsters!"

Amidst the noise, someone turned their head toward the apartment and shouted:

"Sir, Miss, happy festival!"

"I wish you happiness!"

"..."

Patricia, holding the roasted meat, waved back at the boat.

Then she simply split it into two, handing the larger piece to Ronald:

"Do you want some?"

Ronald took the roasted meat and also waved back at the boat:

"Thank you for the hospitality!"

"..."

The balcony fell silent again.

But this silence was not because Ronald and Patricia had nothing to say.

Without any verbal exchange, their actions synchronized as they began to eat the roasted meat in their hands.

To be fair, the meat wasn’t well-cooked.

It was greasy, overly seasoned, and parts of the edge were charred.

But at that moment, Ronald found the taste acceptable.

Even... there was a unique, wonderful flavor hidden within it...

Ronald ate the roasted meat in silence.

Looking up again, he saw Patricia’s disheveled appearance.

The normally elegant and pure face now shone with grease and the black marks of roasted meat, and if someone didn’t know her, they would never guess that she was the strongest young Swordsman of the Nicholas family.

At that moment, Ronald saw Patricia staring at his face, then a teasing smile appeared on her lips.

Ronald realized.

His own face was probably not much better at that point.

With one hand, he grabbed two towels from inside the room, and they flew in front of them.

Together they vigorously wiped the stains from their faces.

Their voices blended with the action:

"I’ve been thinking, it might not be very effective, but it’s still better to take action."

"I’ve thought about it too, and my thoughts are probably similar to yours."