This place itself is not too far from the city.

Meeting travelers by the roadside and inviting them over for a chat isn't a dangerous move.

Ronald roughly understood the other party's intentions.

So he returned a smile and led Costate into the camp.

The merchants' attitude seemed more than just superficial warmth.

As soon as Ronald and Costate entered the camp, they were immediately invited to sit with everyone and share the merchants' prepared dinner.

The pitch-black night gradually blanketed the sky.

Conversing with these merchants before and after the meal made the time fly by quickly.

And quite coincidentally, these merchants' destination was the same as Ronald and Costate's.

They also planned to head to the capital of the "Nine Commandments Meeting".

However, traveling along the official road, they would pass through two more cities and make several trades before reaching there.

And so, night fell completely.

The merchants returned to their wagons to rest, but before resting, one of them invited Ronald and Costate:

"It's so late now, and in the middle of nowhere."

"It seems inconvenient for the two of you, why not rest with us?"

Ronald naturally had no reason to refuse, so he nodded immediately:

"Since that's the case, thank you for having us."

This is only a temporary camp, so the merchants naturally slept in their wagons.

The one taking care of Ronald and Costate was obviously very attentive; he even hung a white cloth inside the carriage before bidding goodnight:

"Given the circumstances, this is the best hospitality I can offer."

Ronald replied immediately:

"Don't mention it, we should be thanking you for such hospitality."

"..."

Time passed, and snores gradually echoed through the convoy's camp.

After a day on the road, these ordinary merchants quickly fell asleep to restore physical and mental energy.

But Ronald and Katherine were different.

Their energy was sufficient to sustain high-intensity activities for days, and their usual sleep was more out of habit and for enjoyment.

The environment inside the wagon was obviously not comfortable.

So once the merchants adjacent to them slept, they silently left the wagon and sat by the still-burning campfire.

The Nightwatchman spotted them and immediately asked:

"It's late. Aren't you two going to rest?"

Ronald shook his head slightly:

"Actually, we're both Casters; our spirits are fine."

"Ah, I see." The nightwatchman seemed slightly surprised but not overly so. "Indeed, if it weren't for powerful Casters like you, ordinary people rarely dare to tread the wild this late."

At this point, the Nightwatchman seemed to recall something and shook his head with a soft chuckle:

"Even in a place like this..."

Hearing the unfinished tone, Ronald did not pursue further.

Instead, he began more detailed self-introduction:

"Sir, we just entered this country. Even with just a few days' experience, we find the people here much friendlier than outside."

The merchant laughed immediately:

"Isn't it?"

"Though this country hasn't been established for long, compared to those war-torn places up north, it can be considered a paradise."

Seeing the merchant in a good mood, Ronald continued to advance the conversation:

"Then, sir, could you tell us more about this place?"

"Of course." The merchant replied decisively, "I'm just looking for something to do, and telling stories to someone like you is perfect!"

With that, the merchant began recounting his experiences.

As traveling merchants who sell and transport goods, they are particularly observant and sensitive to society. Yet, such a person honestly acknowledged the rule of the "Nine Commandments Meeting."

According to the merchant, within the territory of the "Nine Commandments Meeting," every class is clearly defined, and the law is strictly enforced. The wealthy and the powerful enjoy life, while even the lowest class can secure a meal.

Compared to other countries of this era, calling it a nation ruled by Saints seems humbly overstated.

Especially since Ronald had activated the reconnaissance magic of the "Divine Comedy - Hell." He knew the merchant before him wasn't speaking out of fear or reverence but really believed so.

The judgment of the "Nine Commandments Meeting" by the "Greed" fleet before they set sail seemed not accurate at all.

Claudia, who is still preparing forces in the north...

To conquer this newly established nation outright seems no longer possible.

...

The sky tonight was clear without a cloud in sight.

The merchant recounted his observations bit by bit until late into the night, marking the shift change for the nightwatch.

He naturally stopped his storytelling.

"Gentlemen, the conversation tonight was pleasant. But it's time for the shift change, so we must part, whether we like it or not."

Ronald showed great respect towards the merchant who had provided so much information.

So he stood up voluntarily, escorting him away from the campfire.

"We are the ones causing trouble. Please go and rest."

"..."

The newly awoken merchant on shift was clearly less spirited than the previous one.

Ronald exchanged a few words with him but didn't wish to deplete his energy, so he fell silent, merely sitting by the fire, observing it.

——What exactly does the "Nine Commandments Meeting" intend to do?

From past inclinations during the Barrier Mountain period, the "Nine Commandments Meeting" displayed contemptuous attitudes, paying no heed to ordinary people, to a remarkably extreme degree.

And such matters don't align at all with the current observations.

Ronald didn't believe this could deceive him since apart from the merchant's account, he saw the images within the city himself.

The things in ordinary life are the hardest to disguise.

So this likely represented the current state of the "Nine Commandments Meeting."

Then the question arises.

What factors could cause such a profound change rooted in organizational doctrine?

Could it be, just as during the "Hamon" era as Demon Rame said?

Could a merely emerging rookie Caster change everyone's mindset, leading the organization in a drastically new direction?

"How could that be possible..."

Ronald murmured softly, then shook his head with a smile.

He didn't deny the existence of such individuals, but achieving such a miracle in mere one year seemed impossible.

To figure things out...

He would have to dig in earnestly, observing firsthand the occurrences on this land.

At that moment, Ronald raised his head, shifting his gaze from the flickering campfire to the sky.

The starry night was dazzling and magnificent.

It felt like wise giants, silently watching over all things on Earth.