Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength-Chapter 1230 - 1224: Map

"Since you know Lord Helbes, why didn’t you say so earlier!"

After Ronald mentioned the name ’Helbes’ and explained his past adventures with him.

Just like the mermaids of the Nameless Sea.

The hostility on the face of the mermaid subdued by Ronald vanished instantly.

She didn’t even mind being pinned down by Ronald; instead, she excitedly grabbed his hand as though he were some sort of precious treasure.

"..."

"Let’s... talk after we stand up."

Ronald offered a hand to the mermaid on the ground.

When Ronald first encountered Helbes on the island, he faintly visualized a specific image in his mind.

Although it seemed like he might be taking advantage of the situation.

Dealing with these mermaids, it was indeed more appropriate to come with some status.

Otherwise, take the mermaid in front of him as an example.

Her previous attitude was clearly the reaction of an explorer visiting a primitive tribe, only to be captured by cannibals.

Communicating smoothly under such circumstances was indeed rather difficult.

"..."

"Oh, I was really scared just now."

"I thought I’d be finished in this adventure!"

At this point, the mermaid who had risen again sighed with relief.

Knowing her form was rather unique, she immediately reverted to her disguised human form, though maintaining her beautiful mermaid features instead of the previous male appearance.

"Hmm?" Ronald noticed something crucial.

When the mermaid disguised herself with human features, the human perception effect from his "Divine Comedy" spell worked perfectly.

But once she reverted to her mermaid form, the detection disappeared.

This indicated one issue.

The mermaid’s disguise spell was either a bodily transformation level ability to briefly turn into a human; or some high-priority spell, even capable of confusing the determination of archetypal spells!

"Hello, let’s introduce ourselves again."

As Ronald pondered, the mermaid composed herself and began to introduce:

"I’m Lulu, an explorer on an expedition!"

Ronald followed suit, introducing himself:

"Ronald, just an ordinary human?"

Mermaid Lulu didn’t believe Ronald’s self-introduction at all:

"Come on, no ordinary person could be so amazing, even adventure with Lord Helbes!"

This mermaid showed great enthusiasm for identifying with others.

Thus, after expressing disbelief with a wave of her hand, Lulu dove into a subject Ronald was interested in:

"Ronald, with such a big commotion, you must have a special purpose, right?"

"Tell me, maybe I can even help out somehow."

Ronald was about to reconfigure spells to encircle the nearly cornered pirates.

But as Mermaid addressed him, Ronald made sure to explain his purpose:

"Here’s the situation, I entered a sealed world before, where I encountered the ancient Wizard..."

Ronald calmly shared his circumstances with Lulu.

During this, his efforts to encircle the pirates went exceptionally well, and within half an hour, those reconvened escapees would likely be driven back.

However, a small episode was unfolding simultaneously.

Seeing the situation in the plaza nearing resolution, Heloise and Patricia naturally approached.

However, Mermaid Lulu showed no liking for the two girls.

Even without openly expressing her emotions, Ronald sensed Lulu viewed other humans like ordinary people observing monkeys in a park.

Ronald had no good solution for such a situation.

Or rather, if he hadn’t happened across Helbes before, communication with Lulu the mermaid might not have been possible.

The gap between different species couldn’t be easily bridged.

...

Meanwhile, after hearing Ronald’s information, Lulu offered assistance proactively.

The straightforward natured mermaid said:

"Ronald, according to your description, what that person named Catherine left behind is certainly not simple."

"Among my findings... oh! There actually is one."

As she spoke, Lulu unfastened her expedition backpack.

Then reached inside to rummage twice, eventually taking out a glowing blue cylinder.

"What’s this?" Heloise couldn’t recognize what the mermaid had taken out.

"This, it’s a map!" Patricia recognized the item due to her experience and immediately looked at Ronald, "Ronald, this is the kind of map you gave to His Highness!"

"..."

Ronald accepted the item from Lulu.

Holding it in his hand, he naturally recognized it as a map of the current world, identical to the one given by Catherine.

If there weren’t any wear differences between the two items.

Even if Ronald treated this as the original map, it wouldn’t be impossible!

Ronald started to ponder:

"Why would Catherine leave a map at Barrier Mountain? Is it specifically for me?"

The importance of the map was undoubtedly significant.

Yet practically speaking, there was no reason for Catherine to give him another one.

Unless through [psychological historiography], she confirmed he would lose...

Wait! The lost map!

Ronald suddenly realized a possibility.

Recently, to ensure smooth navigation of the fleet across Sunset Ocean, Ronald had indeed handed his map over to the fleet leader Claudia.

Consequently, with this map, the fleet of [Greed] vanished entirely upon entering the area near Barrier Mountain.

In other words――

This map might be the key to unveiling the secret.

The reason Catherine left this item at Barrier Mountain was likely foreseen that Ronald wouldn’t have the map then; hence, creating an extra one!

Ronald promptly commenced scrutinizing the map in hand.

But regardless of method, the map exhibited no peculiar aspects. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

It almost felt like a simple map, silently mocking Ronald’s failed hypothesis.

Not ready to abandon it, Ronald turned toward Mermaid Lulu, discovering the map:

"Lulu, where did you get this?"

With fondness toward Ronald, Lulu replied without hesitation:

"I found it in a storage room centered on the mountain. If you wish, I can guide you there right now!"

With Lulu so eager, Ronald immediately made up his mind:

"Alright, let’s go check it out!"