"Elijah Baley stubbornly resisted the fear deep within his heart.

This fear has been building for at least two weeks.

No, possibly even longer..."

High above, the chant of spells began to sound steadily.

Between the two, when discussing disguise, of course, Catherine's spell from "Galactic Empire" was more fitting, hailed as the best ability for concealing one's traces.

As magic power faded, the corresponding effects were immediately completed.

Ronald and the others began to descend calmly, with no attempt to conceal.

Yet to others, the sky above the city showed no change at all. Even those lying on rooftops after dinner, engaged in leisure, had no idea that Ronald and the others had landed in the city.

But for Ronald and Catherine, the situation was entirely different.

After landing, instead of clearing up doubts, even more perplexities followed.

The battling sides on the sea were strange and bizarre, and the city wasn't quite normal either.

Even though the city was in the midst of a war, no residents showed any signs of panic—they worked as usual and lived as usual. It seemed everything was normal, while a war was occurring beside them!

Facing the contradictions throughout the city, Catherine couldn't help but furrow her brow:

"Ronald, what do you think?"

Ronald offered his observations from all angles:

"Psychologically, these people aren't controlled or coerced; in terms of actions, they're not displaying any wartime behaviors; it's strange, too strange!"

A heap of questions loomed ahead, yet Catherine chose not to dwell on them. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

With a wave toward Ronald, she started acting decisively:

"Let's get to the point and ask someone about it."

As she spoke, Catherine began searching through the city's streets. She quickly found a few thugs, choosing one that looked pleasing to knock out with a punch. She grabbed him single-handedly and walked with Ronald into an alley.

"Ronald, it's your turn this time."

She placed the guy on the ground, refraining from turning him into a machine.

Ronald promptly approached and gave the man's face a tap to awaken him, then unleashed his power of assertion:

"Now, answer our questions honestly."

"What's going on with the sea warfare, when did it start, why did it become like this? Tell us the details."

The man under the influence had neither magic power nor resistance, he began recounting the situation:

"A month ago, the King of the South Sea mysteriously vanished, plunging the entire South into chaos and conflict..."

Listening to this man's detailed narration.

About fifteen minutes later, Ronald and Catherine left the alley, finally understanding the situation.

More than half a year ago, due to spatial chaos, a group of formidable casters on the southern continent formed a fleet at sea, gradually becoming a hegemonic fleet, called the King of the South Sea.

This was simply a phenomenon under changing world dynamics, not surprising.

But then, a month ago, while tracking a giant sea beast, this King of the South Sea went missing at sea. On oceanic terms, such an event was akin to death, and his subordinates immediately split into factions, contending for marine passage rights over different areas.

Following a normal trajectory, this was just the inevitable trend of splitting and merging.

But a few days ago, a serious and unavoidable question arose.

The chaotic spatial phenomenon that divided and connected the world suddenly vanished!

The marine factions, which had stabilized somewhat, descended into total chaos under this unstoppable force. Meanwhile, the previously vanished King of the South Sea reemerged alone.

According to the King of the South Sea himself, he was trapped on a space-isolated island while battling a sea beast, and only when the world regained order did he escape.

Now, the King of the South Sea wants cities and fleets to reconcile.

But now he's alone, his former subordinates, who have reigned for a month, are far from alignment. Yet some still express loyalty due to his enduring reputation.

The war Ronald and Catherine witnessed mirrored this coexistence of order and chaos.

Due to the King of the South Sea's plea, the warring sides didn't truly engage.

But due to the inherent chaotic state, and the war that began couldn't simplistically end, multiple conditions constrained everything. Ultimately, it evolved into this theatrical battle.

As for the residents in the city.

Living off the sea, how could they not know about this farcical evolution?

Initially, everyone might have been fearful, but after several days, under the influence of this 'war' that never resulted in death, life resumed its normal rhythm.

Once the reasons were clear, Ronald and Catherine returned to the streets.

This time Ronald shot a glance at the girl beside him:

"Catherine, it's your doing again!"

"Huh!" Catherine looked quite disdainful, "What do you mean my doing? If the elemental life of [Four Heavens] arrived, these people wouldn't have such good days now."

Ronald and Catherine bickered on the streets, but their initial tension dissipated.

For the information they gathered contained good news.

For instance, the [Gred] fleet they previously deemed tense, was now completely safe.

This was also due to the King of the South Sea's event.

The route the [Gred] fleet was headed to was cut off by the chaotic situation.

According to information from well-connected merchants.

Notable figures from [Gred] have already intervened in this matter, planning to personally stabilize this chaotic and absurd farce.

Ronald understood Claudia's choices and knew her reasons for deciding.

Because this expedition to confront the [Nine Commandments] wasn't initially the fleet's primary target. Now that a great opportunity to influence southern continental affairs lay ahead, Claudia had no reason, nor was there a chance she'd miss it.

After all, intrinsically her identity, is still the successor to the [Gred] throne.

Regarding the situation, Catherine was curious about Ronald's decision:

"Ronald, do you plan to meet with your companions, or continue south alone? According to that kid's words just now, the [Nine Commandments] dominion zone, from here, takes only three days for a regular person to reach."

Ronald didn't even think twice, making his decision without hesitation:

"I want to go ahead, hopefully swiftly resolving it."

"Though indeed I came with those companions from [Gred], but in the fundamental goal, we notably differ..."

Suddenly, both Ronald and Catherine turned sharply, looking farther away.

Because, from the North, a source of powerful and swift magic power was rapidly approaching the city.

Especially since Ronald recognized the master of this magic source!

His maid—Costate!