CHAPTER 628: CHAPTER 625 NAIVE

Due to the Harvest Day celebration,

the busy streets, which were full of pedestrians, did not actually allow carriages to move too quickly.

Therefore, although the driver had tried to speed up their progress, under the unchangeable reality, Ronald and Patricia were still passively admiring the festival’s splendor.

As the carriage traveled onwards, Ronald also noticed something different.

— Patricia’s expressions.

Although the scenery enjoyed from the carriage was the usual view of the Sprins streets, at this moment, the young swordsman’s demeanor still revealed happiness and delight, and she seemed to be searching for something with her gaze.

Ronald immediately realized the intent behind Patricia’s actions.

— She was looking for the labyrinth that they had passed in the picture book.

While he didn’t react outwardly,

Patricia probably cared a great deal about the labyrinth game she had just experienced—so much so that upon returning to the real world, her eyes lingered on the places they had just passed, hoping to recognize something familiar.

Watching Patricia’s demeanor,

Ronald instantly remembered the words Queen Dantrian had left with him—that despite being raised in the Nicholas family, Patricia was at her core a very innocent child.’

Ronald almost subconsciously asked,

"Patricia, are you very interested in the Complete Technique we just saw?"

"..."

It was almost instantaneous!

The normally serious and diligent young miss of the swordsman blushed.

With a red face, Patricia wanted to deny Ronald’s question. But as the young girl opened her mouth, in the end, she chose not to lie and instead nodded slightly, speaking softly and with a touch of shame,

"The experience just now... was very unique."

"..."

Ronald was deeply shocked.

Patricia’s physique and beauty were one thing, but at this moment, her simple and understated attire further emphasized her youthful purity that belonged to a young girl.

That formidable swordsman who did not fear powerful enemies,

now blushed because she realized she liked a fairy tale-like maze from a picture book!

Ronald sternly reminded himself several times of his relationship with Heloise before finally taking out the original copy of the picture book he had just obtained,

"If you’re interested, would you like to try learning the spells from it?"

"No... there’s no need..."

Patricia seemed to sense a certain atmosphere between them,

and immediately shook her head to refuse Ronald’s offer.

After this brief exchange of words, the atmosphere inside the carriage became quiet.

Both of them sensed something,

but neither spoke.

"..."

The carriage continued forward until they reached the riverside area close to Brooke Bridge, where they were forced to stop by a parade. The driver, leaning over to speak to them, finally broke the silence,

"Sir, Miss, are you two heading to the harbor district to enjoy tonight’s performance?"

Ronald nodded in response,

"Yes, we’ve heard there will be a grand event tonight, so we’re hurrying to enjoy the festivities there."

Having received a response from Ronald,

the driver’s gaze then shifted to the hair of Patricia sitting beside him.

Her beautiful platinum hair was always eye-catching, and as a driver working in Sprins, it didn’t take long for him to recognize Patricia’s identity from her stunning hair.

— A noble.

— A member of the Nicholas family!

The experienced driver pondered meaningfully.

Several seconds later, he gave Ronald an encouraging smile:

"Given that—sir, you might want to consider a restaurant called Battida in the western part of the harbor area. It’s in an excellent location, and it’s a place where you can view the entire festival performance."

Ronald immediately understood the meaning behind that look.

So he nodded with a smile:

"Thank you for the suggestion, I’ll consider it."

"..."

Soon, the parade on the bridge passed by.

The carriage Ronald and his companions were riding in also had to move on.

After this part of the journey, the carriage’s speed truly began to pick up.

Since the festival was a centralized event revolving around the royal family, the areas crowded with people were mostly along the parade routes.

The festival procession entered the commercial district from the riverside area and then continued parading towards the city area in the northwest of Springs, Ronald and his group’s route to the harbor along the Wis River naturally cleared up.

As a driver who had worked in Springs for many years,

The driver, with his years of experience with the festival, quickly found the most suitable route for progression.

With a clear road ahead,

In just half an hour, the carriage reached the entrance of the harbor area.

At this point, the driver slowed down while speaking to Ronald inside the carriage:

"Sir, would you like me to take you further in?"

"No need," Ronald shook his head in reply to the driver, "We will stop here and plan to walk the rest."

The driver then immediately praised:

"Walking at the festival with a beautiful lady is a fine idea!"

"..."

Ronald had a simple plan in mind.

The most troublesome part of the journey was over.

They naturally didn’t need to ostentatiously take the carriage straight into the harbor area. After all, the harbor was the festival’s most important finale location, with many of the event’s arrangements and gathering spots situated there.

In such a complex and chaotic landscape,

Most citizens of Springs or visitors adopted a walking strategy.

If Ronald and Patricia really chose to continue by carriage into this area—under such conspicuous actions, it would be nearly unavoidable to be noticed by those with intent.

They had come to confront the cult magicians.

Such easily avoidable details were better off being treated with extra caution.

"..."

"Then, I wish you both an enjoyable festival."

After receiving the coins from Ronald’s hand, the driver left them with a blessing and drove the carriage away.

Watching the other leave,

Ronald silently sensed the time.

—— 4:40 p.m. and 51 seconds.

—— Location: Springs harbor area.

Thanks to the driver’s excellent route planning, they arrived at the harbor area quite early. There was still an hour to spare before the time Ronald recalled the cult magicians would cause trouble here.

With such ample time at hand,

Ronald naturally thought of the driver’s earlier suggestion.

So he turned to Patricia and invited her directly:

"Patricia, let’s check out that Battida Restaurant."

"It seems, from what the driver said, to be a very suitable place to observe our surroundings."

Patricia nodded in agreement to the invitation:

"Of course, we can."