Translator: CinderTL
After leaving a remark that was both concerned and intriguing, Gondar turned and left the room.
As the door closed softly behind him, Roland didn't immediately turn his attention to the Arc Moon Draw scroll on the table. His thoughts remained fixed on the earlier proposal.
After a moment of silence, he finally shook his head slowly.
Besides the pros and cons he had already weighed, a more fatal obstacle stood in the way of this path to the Knight's Breathing Technique: age.
Baron Forslin was a living example.
From his casual conversations with John, Roland had learned that the baron's failure to cultivate the Knight's Breathing Technique was primarily due to his advanced age at the time.
According to John, practicing the Knight's Breathing Technique was like nurturing a sapling.
Young seedlings were easy to cultivate, but old tree roots were notoriously difficult to regrow.
As one grew older, the effectiveness of the Knight's Breathing Technique diminished, and there was even a risk of backlash from the Secret Art itself.
Although Roland possessed the unique advantage of the Job Panel, he couldn't be certain whether this golden finger could truly bypass the age restrictions of the breathing technique without first understanding the actual situation.
"Forget it," he muttered.
As his thoughts grew increasingly chaotic, the fatigue of the fierce battle washed over him like a tidal wave.
Roland lay on his back on the soft bed, staring blankly at the wood grain on the ceiling.
"At least I've found a way to obtain a breathing technique. As for whether to serve on the border..."
He closed his heavy eyelids, letting exhaustion engulf his consciousness.
"Let me think about it later."
Just as his consciousness was about to sink into darkness, a sharp knock on the door abruptly pulled Roland back from the edge of his dream.
"Mr. Roland, are you resting?"
The familiar voice pierced through the door.
Roland shook his drowsy head and rose to open the door.
"Sorry, Mr. Colin," he said, rubbing his aching temples with a slightly apologetic smile. "I was just resting on the bed and took a while to answer."
"No problem," Colin replied, nodding understandingly as he saw the exhaustion in the young man's eyes. A gentle smile played on his lips. "If you're tired, I can come back another time..."
"Please, stay," Roland said, gently stopping Colin from turning away. He couldn't afford to show the slightest disrespect to such an important figure. "If you have something urgent to discuss, why don't you come in and we can talk?"
"Very well."
Colin didn't stand on ceremony and strode directly into the room.
After gently closing the door, Roland mustered his remaining spirit and poured a glass of water, handing it over.
"Thank you," Colin said, taking the glass and sipping the water with a smile. "I heard from Mr. Darco that you're a blacksmith apprentice under Baron Forslin of Blackwater Territory?"
"That's right," Roland replied curtly.
He wasn't surprised that Colin had inquired about his background through Darco. After his duel with Gondar, curious nobles would inevitably dig into his originsโthere was no stopping it.
As for Darco revealing the information to Colin? With the power this Far Ocean Port magnate wielded, what small noble would dare refuse? Besides, even if Darco had remained silent, Colin had plenty of ways to find outโit would just have taken a little more effort.
Seeing Roland's straightforward response, the smile in Colin's eyes deepened. He pressed on, asking, "I heard you only took three months to..."
As the conversation progressed, the questions gradually touched on more personal matters. Roland naturally didn't reveal everything, answering with the most concise words possible.
Yet the curve of Colin's lips continued to rise with each exchange, and his gaze on the young man before him grew increasingly intense.
Like other nobles in the Golden Valley Kingdom, Colin yearned to recruit exceptionally talented individuals like Roland.
However, his status as a merchant from the River Domain Nations put him at a natural disadvantage in competing for talent from the Golden Valley Kingdom.
He had almost given up when King Monen's inquiry about Roland's background after the martial arts competition rekindled his hope.
This young man... was a commoner!
As a high-ranking official from the River Domain Nations, which had maintained diplomatic relations with the Golden Valley Kingdom for decades, Colin was intimately familiar with the kingdom's affairs, both large and small. He knew the ironclad rule established after the Blood Moon Rebellion over a decade ago.
He understood that a commoner like Roland could only obtain the Knight's Breathing Technique by rising through military merit and earning a noble title.
But that path was long and arduous.
Countless variables could arise along the way. Given Roland's exceptional talent, how could he endure years of wasted time?
As for why he was so certain...
Under the sunlight, Colin narrowed his eyes slightly.
His gaze wasn't that of someone looking at a living person, but rather as if he were assessing a priceless, rare treasure.
Years spent navigating the treacherous currents of the merchant world had taught him that true geniuses, like rare gems, would never allow their brilliance to fade through prolonged waiting.
"Mr. Roland..."
Colin narrowed his eyes, abandoning further inquiries and cutting straight to the point.
"Would you like to acquire the Knight's Breathing Technique?"
The sudden shift in topic startled Roland.
But in the next moment, he understood the deeper meaning behind Colin's words.
Taking a deep breath, Roland suppressed the surge of excitement in his chest. He bowed slightly and spoke cautiously.
"Mr. Colin, do you mean..."
"Mr. Roland, you're a clever man, and I..."
Colin drained his glass of water, a shrewd smile playing on his lips, the trademark expression of a merchant.
"I most enjoy dealing with intelligent people."
"As you suspected, the River Domain Nations, like the Golden Valley Kingdom, allow commoners to acquire the Knight's Breathing Technique through study at a Knight Academy. However, there's a crucial difference..."
He paused deliberately.
Seeing that the young man before him remained composed, a hint of resignation flickered in Colin's eyes. He continued, "In the River Domain Nations, there's no ban on commoners practicing the Knight's Breathing Technique."
Just as I thought.
Though he had anticipated this answer, Roland's breath quickened involuntarily upon hearing it.
"Of course..."
Colin's words weren't finished.
"The Knight's Breathing Techniques of the River Domain Nations are indeed slightly less powerful than the top-tier traditions of the Golden Valley Kingdom. However, I believe..."
His slender fingers unconsciously tapped the table, producing crisp clicks. His tone carried the confidence typical of a merchant.
"For a genius like you, the minor differences between breathing techniques shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Silence fell over the room after he spoke.
Only the distant clamor of the Sea God Festival outside, faintly audible through the window, broke the stillness.
Seeing Roland's hesitation, Colin understood that such a decision couldn't be made quickly. He rose slowly from his wooden chair and gave a graceful bow.
"You're welcome to take your time to consider this matter."
As he spoke, he mirrored Gondar's earlier gesture, producing a badge from his pocket.
Unlike Gondar's metal badge, this one was carved from a translucent crystal, its deep blue base tinged with crimson. The emblem depicted a coin-shaped seashell.
"Once you've made your decision, you can find me at the Sea Pearl Pavilion. I'll be waiting there until you've made up your mind."
Colin straightened up, a polite smile on his face.
"Also... it would be wise to lock your door tonight. I'll arrange for guards to stand watch outside. Should any unforeseen circumstances arise..."
His gaze shifted to the bell he had introduced earlier.
"Simply ring that bell, and someone will attend to you immediately."
(End of the Chapter)
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Translator's Corner
๐Sorry for the delayed chapters. Had a technical issue. To read ahead please go to the site. It is always updated first.
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