"Phil, stay by my side the whole time."

"Don't leave no matter what happens."

Before entering the building, Ronald instructed Phil beside him.

He did not intend to let Phil find a place to hide on his own because the truth was—in such a dangerous environment, being by Ronald's side was the safest place.

Regardless of the aftermath of warfare or the malice of cult sorcerers, Ronald was confident in his ability to protect the child next to him.

"Ronald, I understand." Little Phil nodded seriously with an expression.

After confirming that Phil fully understood his intention, Ronald waved his hand and used a spell to blast away the ruins in front of them.

Boom—

Ronald was very careful with the force when he tossed aside the building debris.

Apart from the deafening sound of timber and soil crashing onto the ground, there were no injuries to anyone hiding around due to the terrible impact.

Meanwhile, at the position where the building originally stood.

The pitch-black ground revealed everything hidden, with the wide-open entrance to the basement immediately visible.

"..."

"Will you come out voluntarily, or should I come in?"

Dust kicked up moved with the wind, carrying a fiery temperature, as Ronald neutrally addressed the cult sorcerers in the basement.

The casters hidden here reacted quickly.

In less than five seconds, an enraged cult sorcerer, accompanied by three followers, dashed out from the basement.

"Foolish mortals, do you even know... hey?"

The aggressive cult sorcerer cut his words short abruptly.

The moment he saw Ronald's appearance, he identified the man before him. Facing someone that even his superior Siesta treated with caution, he quickly put on a welcoming smile.

"Ah-ha! Isn't this Mr. Ronald?"

"What brings you here so late at night? Do you have a message for Miss Siesta? What a pity, she said she had important matters and left Waterfall City a few days ago."

"If you really have..."

"Silence." Seeing the cult sorcerer go on incessantly, Ronald directly ordered him to stop, "I'm not here for Siesta; I have questions for you!"

"..."

Despite Ronald's threatening demeanor, the cult sorcerer didn't take it seriously; instead, he had a fawning smile as he trotted over to Ronald's side.

"Ask away, any question you have, I will definitely answer."

"As long as I know, I can tell you everything!"

"..."

At that moment, Ronald felt Phil tugging his hand.

The little girl observed the cult sorcerer's series of actions and didn't see it as mere servile pleading. Instead, relying on her strong observation and inference abilities, Phil realized he was entirely a lunatic.

Watching him run towards them, Phil naturally felt very nervous.

"Rest assured, I'm here."

Ronald gave Phil a reassuring expression before turning back to the cult sorcerer.

"What I want to ask is quite simple."

"What magic ritual are you currently performing here in Waterfall City? Is it meant to summon something to this world?"

This time was different.

Hearing Ronald's words, the cult sorcerer's expression froze, and his steps halted immediately.

"Mr. Ronald, did you encounter a group of crazy adventurers in the city? I assure you on my honor, whatever they told you is nonsense; we are all friendly—hands up!"

The cult sorcerer's change in demeanor was as quick as flipping a page.

Before he could finish his excuse, he interrupted himself, commanding his associates to attack.

These cult sorcerers were experienced.

So, the moment they received their leader's order, the three following sorcerers quickly readied for battle, odd magic flickering across them instantaneously.

Phil's eyes widened at almost the same instant.

Even unable to sense the magic fluctuation, her keen insight acknowledged the looming crisis.

These guys were going to attack!

"Ronald, they..."

"Kneel—"

Just as Phil was about to warn Ronald, he snorted coldly and issued a frigid command.

Simultaneously, the four cult sorcerers who had been about to attack all fell to their knees as one, like puppets, completely obedient to Ronald's command.

Phil watched the scene in astonished disbelief.

But the thought-enhancing power from the {Angel} awakening still functioned, allowing deductions to continue in her mind.

Reality conditions—

{The enemy wouldn't obey Ronald's commands}; {Their expressions and actions don't suggest surrender}; {Aside from speaking, Ronald didn't make any other moves}; {The enemy unquestioningly knelt down}.

Deduction—

{The movements of the enemy were coerced}; {It must relate to the only action Ronald performed}.

Conclusion—

{Using some ability unperceived by me, Ronald can control people's movements through words}.

The conclusion mechanically deduced in her mind.

When Phil glanced at Ronald with this realization, her own emotions were confoundingly complex.

Then, Ronald displayed a smile at Phil.

It was a warmth entirely distinct from using word spirit magic to control the cult sorcerers.

"As you saw, I'm pretty awesome."

Ronald gently tousled Phil's hair, then continued ahead with the young girl.

To ensure Phil's safety, Ronald extracted original magic power to intensify the spell, controlling these cult sorcerers entirely with the highest level of word spirit magic.

So even those among them with high mana lacked resistance against such word spirit magic in the absence of original magic power augmentation.

After, Ronald applied the same frugal principle, amplifying the extracted magic power onto another word spirit magic spell, issuing a command infused with powerful magic:

"Now, honestly reveal your plans."

"..."

"Ah, ugh..."

The leading cult sorcerer's face showed extreme struggle.

He was less concerned about his own safety than exposing the organization's plans, to the point of self-harm to prevent disclosures.

His determination was indeed effective as he collapsed onto the ground immediately.

But the situation differed for the other three behind him.

The one with the weakest will immediately confessed under the word spirit magic's control:

"Using Waterfall City's war, a massive sacrificial summoning ritual was created, then allowing a great being to descend on a powerful host, leading humanity towards a great future!"

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