Catherine left just like that.

After bidding farewell to Ronald and leaving a final warning, she turned and stepped out of the tavern door.

The whole process was without any sign or preparation.

Yet watching her leave, Ronald didn't feel it was abrupt.

Though Catherine had always displayed arrogance and willfulness, the rules and bottom lines hidden within her always existed and were unwavering.

She was aware of the war crisis facing the world, especially since it was the result of her actions.

Catherine couldn't be indifferent and surely wouldn't be inactive.

It was Catherine's final hint before leaving that made Ronald alert.

According to the Astrology Tower Master.

She once used spells to calculate that someone in the [Nine Commandments' Secret Meeting] posed a threat to Ronald's safety, and he would inevitably run into them.

If Ronald wasn't careful enough, defeat and death would be the final outcome.

In such a situation, Catherine originally intended to calculate in detail;

But alas, lacking information, the results of [Psychological History] only offered these few words.

"…"

Sitting in the tavern, Ronald pondered his future, occasionally thinking of the departed Catherine.

Upon reflection, although he traveled with Catherine for just a few days, even half a month together was a stretch.

Moreover, their personalities and habits were markedly different, and they often clashed.

Yet despite this, Ronald already considered Catherine his close friend.

He placed this arrogant and tempestuous individual, who could engage in brawls over momentary emotions in [Four Directions Sky] and often bickered with him, in a very special position.

"Whew—"

Despite the sorrow of parting, Ronald chuckled.

Then he paid for Catherine's drinks and got up to leave the tavern.

Behind Ronald, Costate hurried to follow.

Once the two returned to 'solitude,' she asked Ronald:

"Sir, Catherine just left like that?"

Ronald nodded: "That's right. Costate, it's just the two of us now."

"But we're one person short," the maid expressed her concern.

"It doesn't affect the plan." Ronald was quite optimistic about it, not too concerned about the change in personnel, "Wait for the time, and act according to plan tonight."

"Our identities are fake, after all. Now being one person short merely alters something in the fake aspect, without any essential difference."

After Ronald's response, he noticed Costate hesitated, seemingly wanting to ask something.

Yet Ronald didn't intervene.

He pretended not to notice, waiting for Costate to decide on her own.

Thus, the two walked a distance on the island.

After circling the last curve on the hillside, Costate couldn't help but speak:

"Sir, I'm a bit curious." Once she began to inquire, the maid no longer hid her intentions, continuing with clear purpose, "What do you think about Catherine's actions?"

Ronald carefully chose his words before speaking:

"Catherine is a rare... brave person."

"She seems to act willfully with her abilities, just like any ordinary person with power. But deeper down, she possesses something most people lack. I respect such people."

Costate thought seriously for a while, then asked her second question:

"What about your danger?"

"Since it's confirmed that [Nine Commandments' Secret Meeting] will threaten you. From a rational standpoint, we should wait for Claudia's plan to succeed. Then, when both sides start fighting, you could greatly reduce your own danger."

Costate's consideration fully stemmed from Ronald's safety.

Ronald was, of course, very pleased with this, but he shook his head:

"Costate, danger is ahead no matter what choice is made."

"If it were those unrelated to us, it wouldn't matter. But these people from [Greed], we couldn't use them as a shield against our own risk."

Previously, Costate might have continued to worry for Ronald.

But now, she could clearly understand Ronald's choice, so she nodded in understanding:

"Sir, I understand."

"Then we'll adjust our identities slightly, and tonight's..."

Suddenly, a voice called ahead:

"You two, please stop."

Looking ahead, Ronald saw a heavily made-up woman blocking their path, shamelessly examining him. Although her figure and appearance were fine, such demeanor didn't appeal to Ronald.

Ronald raised his eyebrow:

"May I ask—?"

The woman confidently stepped forward, speaking in a voice she considered low enough:

"Young man, I smell Phil's scent on you. You just met him, didn't you?"

Phil—wasn't this the name of the King of the South Sea?

Upon hearing this, Ronald was somewhat intrigued, yet he maintained a cold demeanor:

"Whom I meet is none of your concern."

"Please move, we need to go through."

Having said this, Ronald led Costate forward, ignoring the woman.

Seeing Ronald's attitude, the woman naturally became anxious.

She could no longer keep up her facade of confidence and hastily followed:

"I... I have a very urgent matter!"

"Do you know Porta? He is the best friend of the King of the South Sea and my fiancé. He went to see Phil this morning, saying he'd be back soon..."

The woman desperately explained the situation, and Ronald understood it clearly.

The woman in front of him, the King of the South Sea, and the deceased Porta were once close friends, though something changed their relationships.

This time the woman and Porta came hoping to persuade their former friend not to take further risks.

After half a day had passed, Porta, who went to negotiate with Phil, hadn't returned.

Wisely, the woman didn't approach herself but hovered near the castle. Finally, she intercepted Ronald, who bore the scent of the castle but obviously wasn't one of the King of the South Sea's men.

An interesting opportunity emerged.

Ronald instantly sensed room for maneuver, yet outwardly maintained his refusal:

"If you have business, you should go find him yourself."

Upon Ronald's repeated rejection, the woman's mood plummeted.

But in her deepest despair, a voice audible only to her whispered in her ear:

"Madam, I can tell you the whole story."

"But we should find a suitable place to discuss the details first."