"Approximately one and a half meters in diameter, with uneven edges that are perfect for stepping on or grabbing with your hands."

"Ronald, I think there's no easier well to descend into in this world."

After taking action.

Katrina, the second one of the two to enter the well, gave this assessment.

With no other options, Katrina suggested the idea earlier, and Ronald naturally accepted it without hesitation.

And the actual situation turned out to be even better than they anticipated.

After they went down, they discovered that, although this well appeared ordinary from the outside, its internal structure was surprisingly user-friendly. Moving around was even easier than in a real well.

This was clearly the result of having been custom-modified from "Maze Picture Book."

Its purpose, naturally, was to hide a secret passage leading to another place!

Ronald was in a good mood, and as he looked up to respond to Katrina, his tone revealed this:

"Speaking of which, I've gone underground many times before to find Casters."

"But apart from that one time chasing someone in the sewers, this is my first time hiding in a well!"

Katrina also laughed:

"The sewers, Ronald, you really have a high level of tolerance. If I had to chase someone into a sewer, I'd definitely not go down!"

Ronald explained:

"I didn't want to either, but the situation was urgent back then!"

Katrina began to mock: 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Couldn't you have just waited at the exit? The person you were chasing couldn't possibly stay in the sewer forever!"

"Hmm?!"

Suddenly, Katrina raised her voice, her tone starting to show her unique assertiveness:

"Ronald, we're going down, why are you looking up?"

"Aren't I talking to you?" Ronald immediately defended himself, and he had a good reason, "Besides, you're not wearing a skirt!"

Katrina didn't accept this reason and kicked Ronald right in the face.

"Then don't look up!"

"Now get down quickly, and behave!"

"..."

Katrina's kick, animated by the picture book, felt soft and not painful at all.

So, Ronald wisely chose not to speak further, focusing on continuing down the well.

They descended about seven or eight meters, and the water level at the bottom was not far off. Ronald turned his head to see and, as expected, found a tunnel leading elsewhere here.

"Katrina, there's a tunnel on the left, be careful when you come down!"

After reminding his companion, Ronald took the lead and jumped over. The passage at the bottom of the well was covered with water, where walking was a mix of walking and swimming, almost reaching up to one's thighs.

Ronald walked a few steps when he heard Katrina's inquiry from behind:

"Ronald, is there anything ahead?"

He naturally replied:

"The road here is a straight line, it looks like a secret passage!"

The condition of the tunnel was just as Ronald described.

The road here was straight, with no branches; from one end, it was an unchanging one-way line. With the light refracted from the water's surface, it was easily confirmed.

As they moved forward, the brightness in the tunnel gradually dimmed.

But before Ronald and Katrina needed to be vigilant for this reason, it brightened up again.

Because just ahead of them, the tunnel reached its end.

The end of the one-way path was a vertically upward passage, and the wall structure was exactly the same as when they came down.

In other words, this was also a well.

Except this well didn't go deep underground but instead connected with the well on the square.

Katrina commented on this:

"Such lazy behavior—if there's a drought one year, and the water level drops, they'll die of thirst for sure!"

Ronald thought about Hamono's geography and added:

"Given the actual terrain here, I think it's unlikely to face such a situation."

Arguing as they went, they began climbing out of the well.

This time Ronald was above, Katrina below, and during their climb, Katrina would frequently look up, even whistling at Ronald:

"Ronald, have you ever considered wearing a skirt?"

"..."

Ronald ignored the Astronomy Tower Master's tease.

He quickened his movements and climbed out, greeted by the bright surroundings.

Their choice was right.

This was indeed the interior of the previously inaccessible courtyard, and this well was truly the pathway inside!

Ronald stood in the courtyard, looking around.

Katrina followed from behind, and upon confirming the situation, she smiled:

"Hehe, seems I've got quite a knack for this."

"Next time there's something this interesting, Ronald, you must include me."

Katrina enjoyed the games brought by the "Maze Picture Book."

Ronald nodded in agreement, and the two headed toward the house within the courtyard.

"Alright, let's go in and take a look."

This time, there was no obstruction.

The passage hidden in the well seemed to be the only challenge, as they pushed open the door to enter the house without any locks or military obstacles barring their way.

However, once inside the house, the situation became a bit nuanced.

The hall inside led to two rooms on the left and right; one side had several military personnel from Lin Yin City, who were undoubtedly the commanders based on their appearance.

On the other side, the scene was completely different.

Some ordinary-looking individuals were bound with rope, bundled together and helpless.

"On one side, Lin Yin City's military; on the other, the natives they've captured."

Katrina directly stated the situation in front of them, then turned to Ronald:

"Ronald, what do you suggest?"

Ronald immediately decided:

"I'll deal with those officers; you go talk to the captives."

Katrina had no objections to this.

Each took charge of a side and stepped into the room.

"Hmm? It's the adventurer Ronald."

As Ronald entered the room, the previously motionless officers seemed to spring to life, immediately turning to greet him:

"I know your story, but this is a battlefield now. What brings you here?"

Hearing the question, Ronald engaged:

Asserting his identity as an adventurer, he said:

"I heard there's a treasure of immense value hidden here, guarded by a fearsome monster. Before I venture in, I wanted to hear what others around here have to say."

The seated officer immediately shouted:

"If I were you, I'd obediently go home right now!"

"The ancient city of Hamono once stood here, now completely overshadowed by a gigantic monster."

"Unless you find a way to move it,"

"the hidden treasure here will never see the light of day again, no matter what!"