Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength-Chapter 1191 - 1185: Invitation to Dine

"Hmm? Gwendolin?"

Bapulor, who had come to greet them, was stunned at the tip of the tower, the smile on his face turning into confusion as Ronald asked directly.

"Ronald, what is that?"

"..."

From the moment Bapulor appeared, Ronald focused most of his attention on this guy.

So he was very aware that the cultist magician was not lying.

Bapulor had never heard of this name and now even appeared completely bewildered.

Snap—

At this moment, Ronald felt a certain restraint in his heart disappear.

The magical contract he made with Gwendolin after meeting her suddenly ceased to exist.

Logically speaking, breaking the contract should cause harm to the party breaching it.

But if it's Gwendolin...

Thinking this, Ronald took a deep breath and hurriedly continued:

"Bapulor, Gwendolin is the name of a strange person. According to what she told me, it should be..."

Ronald described his encounter with Gwendolin as concisely as possible.

Consequently, the worst-case scenario surfaced.

Not only was Bapulor clueless about the matter, but even the high-ranking civil servants behind him were completely unaware.

Gwendolin's revelations to Ronald.

Either they were entirely fabricated lies; or the people involved are among the absent high civil servants.

Which possibility is more likely?

Just then, Bapulor asked with a concerned look:

"Ronald, did you encounter a scammer in the city?"

"Many of my people reported that the local security needs reinforcement, including a key report on fraudulent activities."

Ronald waved his hand, then landed on the tower top with Heloise and Patricia: "For someone to fool me, they'd have to be non-human first. This person claiming to be Gwendolin definitely harbors dangerous secrets."

Bapulor nods indifferently to indicate understanding.

Then, his gaze focused on Heloise behind Ronald, and his expression brightened happily:

"Ah, isn't this Miss Heloise!"

"Since we last met at [Springs], this is the first time we've seen each other. Judging by your appearance, you seem to be doing quite well recently."

Heloise replied with a subtle tone:

"Just because you haven't seen me doesn't mean I haven't seen you."

"Anyone staying in this city for a while is likely to spot you in front of the castle."

"Eh? You've been living at [Joruno] lately?" Bapulor was shocked by this, his emotions instantly turning regretful, "Why didn't you come to see me since you were here?"

"Setting aside our former camaraderie at work. Even for Ronald's sake, I should have entertained you well!"

Perhaps he should not have mentioned this.

The moment Heloise heard his intent to entertain her, she was reminded of the cultist magician's order to the spy organization to track her actions.

Even if it wasn't Bapulor's intention, as the supreme leader of the cultist magician, he couldn't avoid responsibility!

Heloise responded indignantly:

"Better forget your hospitality."

"I'm afraid I'd arrive fine but wouldn't survive to enjoy it!"

Bapulor was just about to explain when suddenly a civil servant jumped onto the tower top.

"Lord Bapulor, we should head down," said the female civil servant, quite dutifully reminding him, "Conversing here—given your status and your guests'—is truly unfitting."

Bapulor's eyes lit up, and he decided not to dwell on the previous issue.

"You're right."

"Ronald, since you're finally here, let's go downstairs and chat."

"I'll tell you, the castle chefs have terrible skills; it took quite the effort to teach them to use more spices in their cooking..."

Ronald was here to discuss matters with Bapulor, so he naturally accepted the invitation.

The group thus descended from the tower top and entered the castle, navigating through its interior.

During this time, Ronald noticed one thing—

These people could view both him and Heloise normally, but not Patricia. From the tower top to their destination, the banquet hall, nobody spoke a word to her.

Patricia's identity as Nicholas was too conspicuous.

The cultist magician leaders who were once active worldwide, now summoned to the [Rune Kingdom]. They might treat ordinary investigators with neutrality, given these are mutual games and battles.

But Nicholas is different.

The dangerous swordsman is only dispatched in special situations, and his presence indicates great danger—danger that even the original text holders can't ensure their own safety against!

This subconscious reaction, accumulated over past experiences, reflected in the present.

None of the cultist magicians present wanted to converse with Patricia.

Even though Ronald and the others were considered honored guests by Bapulor.

And yet, they remained the same.

Thus, led by the cultist magicians, they arrived at the dining hall and took seats according to priority order.

Bapulor evidently valued the conversation with Ronald greatly.

Today's lunch was eclectic, showcasing rare ingredients seldom seen in [Rune Kingdom]. As for himself, he enthusiastically introduced it to the trio:

"Ronald, this is an exquisite local beast from [Rune Kingdom], consuming it can enhance certain bodily functions, you absolutely must try it!"

"Heloise, this is a rare vegetable traded from the South, said to beautify and nourish young ladies!"

"..."

The lunch itself went smoothly.

As the banquet neared its end, Ronald sensed the timing was right and took the initiative to steer the discussion to the main topic:

"Actually, everyone can be assured, I will be leaving soon, so you need not worry about any dangerous actions here."

"Just before departing, I have a matter to resolve."

As the cultist magician leader, Bapulor also set aside his knife and fork.

This highly 'professional' cultist magician, when leading the country, was a man worthy of his position.

So he assumed a rare formal posture, then seriously addressed Ronald:

"Go ahead, Ronald."

"While I was operating in [Joruno], I unexpectedly got some news," Ronald answered, his expression serious, "It's rumored someone intends to summon a great entity in the eastern part of [Rune Kingdom]."

"..."

For a moment, the entire banquet hall fell silent.

Yet Ronald remained unconcerned by the delicate atmosphere, continuing at his own pace to ask:

"What are your views on this matter?"