They spoke for a long time, but as the hour grew late, it was time to return home, and they reluctantly had to stop.
Zhao Lun had prepared two large bundles for them to take back as gifts.
Beautiful clothing, fruits, local specialties, and plush toys.
At first, they did not want to accept them—out of politeness, and because the items were too many, making it difficult for them to carry on their flying brooms.
"Don't worry about it. You can take the Muggle train back or ride the magical bus."
"Of course, if you prefer, we can offer you a ride, and we'll ensure you're safely returned home."
Zhao Lun offered them practical suggestions, allowing them to choose.
"The Muggle train? No, it's too crowded. The magical bus? I'd rather take the Muggle train than that crazy bus."
They didn't want to take the Muggle train, nor the wild magical bus. The bus was notorious for its chaotic rides—anyone who had taken it once would rarely consider doing so again.
"Seeing how comfortable your car is, we'd prefer it if you could drive us."
They were quite fond of the car Zhao Lun offered, and since he had arranged for them to be driven, they didn't hesitate to accept.
"Feel free," Zhao Lun said, agreeing.
As they prepared to leave, Maria felt a tinge of reluctance. She wasn't sure whether to urge them to stay a little longer or to extend their visit for a few more days. Before she could come to a decision, they had already gotten into the car, and Ada drove them out of the estate.
"Goodbye, Alan. Goodbye, Maria."
"It's a pity that such interesting people are leaving."
Maria gazed wistfully at the person who was waving them off.
As Zhao Lun bid them farewell, his mind wandered to the idea of the Flying Road Network. If it were available here, a single sprinkle of Floo powder could have transported them straight home.
For safety reasons, they had yet to install it.
Once the guests had left, the manor grew quiet.
Everyone's attention shifted back to their original tasks—research continued, training resumed. Unlike before, Nicole and the others had now encountered other wizards and learned that such a magical community truly existed.
This revelation confirmed that there were many more secrets hidden in the world, prompting them to reconsider their future path.
Previously, their goal was simple—to enjoy life, to savor all its beauty, and to live happily forever.
Now that they had glimpsed the unusual side of this world, they had expanded their ambitions. If circumstances allowed, they would explore the mysteries of this magical realm.
To this end, they even began paying attention to the bounty guild, something they had previously overlooked. In their spare time, they would post bounty missions.
The bounty guild was still in its early stages, with few participants and limited power.
The task-posting system primarily relied on the internet. The real-world locations could only be discovered after passing certain tests.
Zhao Lun was the guild's boss, while Nicole and the others handled its management. Their network management relied heavily on their satellites and the assistance of their artificial intelligence, Athena.
Now that Zhao Lun had some free time, he began setting up new expansion plans. His goal was to grow the bounty guild while digesting the benefits he had gained from Hodal's dealings with the Su Empire.
Anton Wanko had returned with some materials, though he was unwilling to part with them. The information he provided was incomplete, and it would take time to unlock its full potential.
If others got their hands on the technology, they'd likely be taken advantage of, but for Zhao Lun, who had a light brain, he could always piece it together as long as there was a clue.
After receiving the payment for the deal, Anton Wanko vanished with his son, disappearing without a trace.
The incomplete information caused the task rating to drop from S-tier to A-tier, meaning the rewards for completing the mission were significantly reduced.
Even so, A-tier rewards were still enough to warrant celebration.
In addition, the new knowledge stored by Athena had been uploaded into the light brain for Zhao Lun to study.
The influx of new knowledge had not ceased and was still ongoing.
At present, Zhao Lun focused on the mysterious forces and how to expand the divine realm.
After absorbing all the energy from the unknown power, several days had passed, and it began seeping outward again. Now, it was filled with wisps of "mist-like" substance.
It seemed that the divine realm had developed an immunity to this substance. Even though it absorbed it again, there were no noticeable changes.
Zhao Lun felt disappointed but had not given up. He planned to remain in place, absorbing more, hoping that quantity would eventually lead to a qualitative change.
Just as they thought the holiday would pass peacefully, an unexpected event occurred.
On the third day after the Wesley brothers left, an explosion was heard in the town.
Upon investigation, it was found that dozens of townspeople had been affected, with some severely injured and rushed to the hospital. Three people died instantly, and five others, after being treated, also succumbed to their injuries on the operating table. The rest of the survivors were still in critical condition.
The attack shocked Great Britain and drew media from all over the world to report on it.
An investigation team sealed off the area and conducted an inquiry, finally confirming that the attack was carried out by terrorists.
The public received the "answer" and strongly condemned the terrorists for their heinous act.
Media outlets around the world broadcast the news, sparking an outcry from global citizens, who also denounced the terrorists.
Soon, a video tape from the "terrorists" surfaced, in which they admitted responsibility for the attack and pledged to take responsibility for the incident.
Western nations condemned the terrorists, with many people participating in protests, demanding that authorities punish those responsible.
Media outlets fueled the fire, expanding the scope of the incident.
In Trissy Town, the site of the attack, people could be seen holding flowers to commemorate the victims.
Some also visited the hospital to check on those still undergoing treatment. Fortunately, those injured later received timely care and were no longer in danger.
Sadly, a total of eight people were killed in the attack, with seven others left permanently disabled.
At the manor.
In the living room, Zhao Lun and the others were watching the television news report.
"This is an unfortunate day. We have been subjected to a despicable terrorist attack. The murderers have assaulted our loved ones, and we will never forget… Let us observe a moment of silence for the victims… At the same time, we will concentrate our efforts to bring these criminals to justice and ensure they receive the punishment they deserve…"
The atmosphere was solemn, and the mournful music filled the air. Everyone appeared affected by the atmosphere, their faces grim as they watched the Prime Minister conduct the memorial service.
Zhao Lun and the others, who were watching from the television, were especially unsettled, with Angela and Nicole visibly disturbed.