Translator: CinderTL
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the window lattice, Roland slowly opened his eyes.
He exhaled deeply and flipped nimbly off the wooden bed.
"This feeling..."
Feeling his unusually clear mind and abundant energy, Roland couldn't help but recall the exhaustion and weakness he had felt after his bloody battle in the forest the previous day.
He thoughtfully stretched his limbs, a smile playing on his lips.
"After reaching the maximum level of the Mithril Body Tempering Technique, it seems not only has my mind become clearer than before, but my stamina recovery rate has also increased significantly. However..."
Feeling the fiery hunger burning in his stomach, Roland shook his head helplessly.
"The hunger pangs are also much more intense than before."
With that thought, Roland dressed, quickly washed up, and pushed open the door.
The humid morning breeze rushed in to greet him.
After his eyes adjusted to the slightly dazzling sunlight, Roland noticed two tall, slender servants standing at the door.
He keenly observed the tiny dewdrops clinging to their hair tips, shimmering faintly in the morning sun, and the damp patches on their collars.
Clearly, they had been standing outside for quite some time.
"Mr. Roland, you're awake," one of the servants said respectfully, bowing deeply.
Before Roland could speak, the servant continued.
"Young Master Darco had intended to come in person, but his injuries are too severe. He specifically sent us to welcome you."
Another servant stepped forward, a tray of exquisite dishes in his hands.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, I presume? Young Master Darco instructed you not to rush. He said it would be perfectly fine to meet him after you've eaten."
Mr. Roland?
This unexpected honorific caused Roland's lips to curve slightly upward.
He stepped aside to make way at the door, his voice calm.
"Very well. I'll have breakfast first, then go see him."
Seeing this, a servant immediately entered the room with the tray and neatly arranged the food on the wooden table.
"Would you like me to stay and serve you?"
When Roland waved him away, the servant bowed respectfully once more.
"Then please enjoy your meal, Mr. Roland."
With that, he withdrew from the room, joining his companion to stand silently on either side of the door, heads bowed like two statues.
The meal was far more lavish than Roland had anticipated.
Soft, snow-white freshly baked bread emitted an enticing wheat aroma, accompanied by a dish of rich, golden butter.
A large slab of roasted venison boasted an inviting caramelized crust, with juices slowly seeping along its grain.
Two perfectly pan-fried river fish had crispy skin, garnished with sprigs of vibrant green herbs.
The most striking dish was the steaming vegetable soup.
Tender, fresh vegetables peeked through the creamy white broth, releasing a fragrant aroma that blended the richness of milk with the sweet freshness of the vegetables.
This breakfast was on par with the best Roland had ever tasted in his past life.
The bland, purely functional food served in apprentice or training halls couldn't even begin to compare.
With the swift movements of knife and fork across the plate, the meal was finished in moments.
The long-missed flavors made Roland savor every bite, even wiping the last drop of soup from his bowl with bread.
"Hah..."
Feeling the lingering fragrance on his palate, Roland sighed contentedly, stood up, and patted his full belly with a satisfied nod.
He then stepped outside and said, "Let's go. Take me to see Young Master Darco."
"Yes, Mr. Roland. Please follow me this way."
As they walked along the winding gravel path of the manor, Roland suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
"Captain John!"
Hearing the call, the veteran slowly turned, revealing bloodshot eyes.
He yawned deeply, dragging his weary steps closer.
"Up so early? Where are you headed?"
"To see Young Master Darco. And you?"
Noticing the undisguised weariness on John's face, Roland asked with concern, "Didn't you get enough rest last night?"
"Rest?" John chuckled bitterly, rubbing his sore eyes. "Lord Baron sent us to search that forest all night. We just got back."
"Did you find anything?"
John curled his lip and nodded his chin to the side. Several guards were struggling to carry a wooden chest toward them. The chest was piled high with broken weapons, shattered armor fragments, and a bloodstained white cloak embroidered with the Blazing Sun Church's solar emblem.
"Besides a forest floor littered with goblin corpses, we only found these scraps," John sneered. "Who knows what the Blazing Sun Church was doing there? Surely they weren't teaching the goblins doctrine, were they? Ha!"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."
"Farewell, Captain John."
Watching John's retreating figure, Roland frowned. The undisguised contempt he had shown toward the Blazing Sun Church was identical to Darco's.
"It seems the Blazing Sun Church isn't popular here."
Making a mental note of this observation, Roland continued on, guided by a servant.
In a moment, a cluster of towering buildings came into view.
This was the first time Roland had truly entered the heart of the noble estate.
Looking up, he saw an exquisite fountain shimmering in the morning light.
A marble statue of the Water God, holding an urn, sent a clear stream of water arcing gracefully through the air.
Behind the fountain, a wide staircase led to the main manor. On either side of the steps stood ancient stone lampposts, their glass shades intricately carved with ornate patterns.
A servant led Roland up the staircase. The heavy oak doors swung inward silently.
The entrance hall was covered in a deep crimson Persian carpet, so soft that his footsteps were barely audible.
Portraits of past family members hung on the walls. Each was framed in gilded wood, depicting figures standing or seated, all with the reserved air typical of nobles.
Beyond the entrance hall lay a long corridor. Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow across the carpet.
On either side of the corridor were displays of various trophies.
Jewel-encrusted swords, exquisitely crafted armor, and even a massive mounted head of a magical beast. Its glass eyes gleamed eerily in the light.
"Please wait here."
The servant stopped before a carved wooden door and knocked gently.
"Lord Baron, Mr. Roland has arrived."
A deep voice answered from within.
The servant opened the door and gestured for Roland to enter.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the reception room, illuminating the dark, solid wood furniture.
Above the fireplace hung a massive family banner, flanked by several ancient artifacts that shimmered with an enigmatic glow in the sunlight.
Baron Forslin sat behind a wide mahogany desk, a composed smile playing on his lips, the hallmark of a noble.
Behind him, Darco stood leaning on an oak cane, his face pale.
"Good day, Mr. Roland," the baron said, his voice warm and magnetic.
"Lord Baron flatters me," Roland replied, taking a step forward and bowing slightly. "Please, call me Roland."
When Roland raised his head, revealing his handsome features, Baron Forslin raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.
Unlike the gaze of commoners, which typically mixed reverence with avoidance, the young man's eyes were clear and calm, neither servile nor arrogant, but marked by a quiet composure.
The calm demeanor in his eyes suggested he saw the Baron not as a superior noble, but as an equal.
This rare attitude left even the seasoned Baron inwardly surprised.
"Darco told me yesterday that you saved his life, but he couldn't explain exactly what happened. So..."
Baron Forslin picked up the porcelain cup beside him and took a slow sip of red tea.
"Would you mind recounting the events for me?"
"Certainly, Lord Baron."
Roland nodded slightly and began to recount his experiences in the forest the previous day, including the entire battle between the Blazing Sun Church and the goblins.
He saw no need to conceal anything about the incident.
First, John had undoubtedly already reported his findings in the forest to Baron Forslin.
Second, given Darco's personality, their relationship, and Roland's current status as a blacksmith apprentice, he and the Baron were essentially on the same side.
If the Baron, upon hearing the story, became more vigilant and prepared, or launched a thorough investigation into the matter, it would hardly be a bad thing for Roland, who currently had limited information.
Of course, Roland omitted the fact that the Blood-Colored Goblins could use fire magic, simply stating that the goblins were powerful and that the Blazing Sun Church warriors had fought them in a fierce, indecisive battle.
"The Blazing Sun Church... and goblins."
Baron Forslin tapped his slender fingers rhythmically on the oak desk, producing crisp, tock-tock sounds.
"You mean they were fighting over something... the remains of a giant creature?"
"Regarding that..."
Roland frowned slightly, recalling the scene from yesterday. After a moment's hesitation, he replied cautiously, "Lord Baron, I was too far away to make out more than what appeared to be a skeleton."
"I see."
Baron Forslin nodded slowly, his brow furrowing deeper.
He lowered his head into deep thought, and the hall fell silent except for the faint sounds of breathing echoing through the vast space.
After a long period of fruitless contemplation, Baron Forslin finally raised his head, a gentle smile returning to his face.
"In any case, Roland, you saved Darco's life."
"As for other rewards, I'm sure Darco won't be stingy. And regarding the promise he made you..."
With that, Baron Forslin opened a desk drawer and retrieved a slightly yellowed parchment scroll.
"This is a copy of the Momentum Slash, a combat technique passed down through our family for centuries."
"I'll give you a month to study it. After that, I hope you'll return it to me in good condition. Of course..."
"I don't want anyone else to see this copy except you. Can you promise me that?"
As the words fell, Roland keenly noticed a nearly imperceptible frown crease Darco's brow.
Though a flicker of curiosity stirred within him, Roland stepped forward and respectfully received the heavy parchment scroll with both hands.
While he had only heard rumors of combat techniques before, the mere legends surrounding them were enough for Roland to understand their immense value.
His rescue of Darco in the forest had been primarily for self-preservation; obtaining a combat technique was a completely unexpected stroke of fortune.
Given his current status and position, he would normally never have been granted access to such a high-level legacy.
Therefore, even ten days of study would be an immeasurable blessing, let alone a full month.
"I shall follow your instructions, Lord Baron."
Seeing only genuine joy in Roland's eyes, without a hint of greed, Baron Forslin nodded approvingly.
"Very well, Roland. In the future, if you need anything else, you can go directly to Darco."
"Understood, Lord Baron."
Though he still wanted to ask Darco about the Adventurer's Guild, Roland sensed the unspoken dismissal in their words and wisely took a step back, bowing respectfully.
"Then, with your permission, I shall take my leave."
With the baron's approval, Roland followed a servant out of the reception hall.
As he departed, a heated argument erupted within the hall.
(End of the Chapter)
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🔓 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 — 13 Series (7 Ongoing) | 14+ New Chapters Daily | 7,200+ FREE