Translator: CinderTL
After hearing Sean's account, Roland frowned slightly.
He had heard rumors of King Monen personally leading his army to repel the northern orc invasion before arriving in the Golden Valley Kingdom, but he hadn't paid much attention to them.
Though he had never witnessed the King's power firsthand, the descriptions and tone of others were enough for Roland to imagine the Old King's formidable strength.
Among all the people he had encountered so far, likely none could match King Monen's might.
Even the Lich he had faced in the Mistland, who possessed nearly limitless magic element by controlling the Demon Capital Gilles, might not be a match for the King.
Yet even such a powerful transcendent professional could become mired in the bog of war, even be brought to the brink by an "internal traitor"?
Roland shook his head slightly, dismissing the thought. He quickly made his decision.
His current identity was that of a student at the Knight Academy of the River Domain Nations, with no ties to the Golden Valley Kingdom.
Therefore, whatever happened here was none of his concern.
His immediate priority was to successfully complete his study exchange mission and leave this troubled land as soon as possible.
With King Monen personally commanding the defense, the Northlands front shouldn't collapse. But the ripple effects of a prolonged war...
Recalling the middle-aged noble's malicious slander, Roland sighed helplessly and turned his gaze back to his old friend.
In their hurried reunion earlier, he hadn't had a chance to truly examine Sean. Now, as he scrutinized him, he couldn't help but be secretly astonished.
When they last parted, Sean had been physically robust but still within the realm of ordinary men. But now...
Roland silently compared them.
The Sean before him was even larger than Graham, the most physically imposing man Roland had ever met, moving like a walking mountain.
Ignoring Roland's own increased muscle density due to attribute bonuses and class traits, Sean's sheer physical presence was undeniably more intimidating.
Is this what innate talent looks like...?
He mused inwardly.
Remembering Sean's unwavering honesty and candor earlier, Roland felt a warmth in his heart.
Whatever had transformed his friend so drastically, his trust and friendship remained unchanged.
Roland clapped Sean on the shoulder and asked directly, "Sean, why are you still lingering here? Shouldn't you be delivering this intelligence to Prince Lucius immediately?"
"Ah..."
Upon hearing this, Sean sighed.
"I already went, but even after emphasizing that this was urgent military intelligence personally conveyed by His Majesty Monen, the attendants there said..."
A complex expression, a mix of astonishment and absurdity, flickered across his face.
"Prince Lucius is still asleep and cannot receive visitors."
"This..." Roland was momentarily speechless.
He knew Sean never lied, yet he couldn't quite process this.
After a moment of silence, he abruptly changed the subject, asking about other matters.
As Sean recounted his recent experiences, Roland couldn't help but marvel at the opportunities and trials the young man had faced.
This ordinary youth from Blackwater Territory, who had served in the Border Legion, had honed himself using the rudimentary Mithril Body Tempering Technique. His repeated battlefield valor earned him the commendation of his superiors, leading to a recommendation that brought him to Gondar's attention.
Thanks to his courageous combat skills and shrewd judgment, Sean was incorporated into Gondar's command within half a year, becoming a captain leading over a hundred soldiers.
Though Roland wasn't familiar with the Golden Valley Kingdom's military structure, commanding a hundred-man unit...
He gazed at the burly man before him, who still wore the same honest smile he remembered, and his expression grew subtly complicated.
Roland gently shook his head.
He had originally intended to invite Sean to leave the Golden Valley Kingdom with him and start a new life in the River Domain Nations.
With Sean's current strength, combined with Roland's friendship with Graham, securing Sean's admission to the Knight Academy for further training would be no difficult task.
Moreover, given Sean's exceptional potential, graduating successfully and obtaining the Knight's Breathing Technique would undoubtedly be within his reach.
This path would undoubtedly be far more stable than seeking merit points and titles through military service in the border wars.
In time, Roland would gain a powerful and reliable ally, while Sean would enjoy a better life.
Yet as the words reached his lips, Roland recalled the wizards who had coveted the magic well before his departure from the River Domain Nations, as well as the various measures Derek, the de facto leader, had taken regarding the well...
He hesitated.
What if he persuaded Sean to return, only for the River Domain Nations to descend into civil war?
With this thought, Roland shook his head again, dismissing the idea.
Instead, he solemnly urged Sean to prioritize his safety, assuring him that if he ever faced danger, he could seek refuge in the River Domain Nations at any time. They agreed to meet again before Roland left the royal capital.
After a hurried farewell, they parted ways.
Upon returning to his lodgings, Roland immediately sought out Reggie and shared everything that had transpired: his plan to evacuate the Golden Valley Kingdom as soon as possible, and all the intelligence he had gathered.
He naturally omitted the detail that Sean was the source of this information.
He also specifically instructed Reggie to keep the matter secret, to protect their dear friend from any repercussions.
Having fought alongside Roland in the past, Instructor Reggie of the Knight Academy already trusted him implicitly.
After only a moment's reflection, Reggie agreed to Roland's proposal to leave as soon as possible. The two carefully discussed the subsequent arrangements before parting ways to carry out their respective tasks.
Back in his room, Roland briefly relayed the conversation to Galvis and Theresa.
Like Reggie, these two companions who had shared life-and-death experiences with Roland raised no objections to his decision.
Seeing that they had no questions, he quickly washed up, changed his clothes, and quietly joined the procession heading toward the royal palace.
As the sun set, it draped the giant stone structures of Golden Grain City in a warm, golden veil.
Roland and his group rode in a carriage sent by the Royal Family, passing through the gradually quieting streets toward the royal palace at the heart of the city.
The carriage wheels rumbled rhythmically over the cobblestone road.
Through the window, Roland could see an increasing number of royal guards lining the route. Their armor gleamed brightly, their expressions solemn, a stark contrast to the border soldiers he had seen earlier in the day.
As they approached the royal palace, the atmosphere grew increasingly solemn and hushed, as if an invisible pressure permeated the air.
Theresa smoothed her skirt, while Galvis awkwardly adjusted his collar.
Though they had changed into formal attire prepared for the banquet, they couldn't help but feel the weight of the palace's imposing presence.
The palace gates, constructed from massive blocks of white stone, were both majestic and ancient.
After their identities were verified, the heavy iron gates slowly rose, and the carriage entered a vast courtyard.
Guided by a court steward in impeccable black livery, they proceeded on foot through a series of arched corridors and grand halls.
The palace interior was brilliantly lit, its walls adorned with colossal tapestries depicting the glorious deeds of past kings. Thick carpets muffled their footsteps on the cold stone floors.
Occasionally, they passed other invited nobles—men and women in opulent attire who cast curious glances their way. Their hushed conversations echoed faintly beneath the towering dome.
Instructor Reggie whispered reminders to his students to maintain proper etiquette and composure.
Finally, they were led to a pair of massive double doors.
The guards silently pushed open the heavy doors, revealing an extraordinarily spacious and magnificent banquet hall.
The banquet hall buzzed with clinking glasses and lively chatter, bathed in the soft glow of countless suspended crystal lamps. The long tables groaned under the weight of lavish dishes and fine wines, their aromas mingling with the scents of spices and burning candles.
A soothing melody drifted from the orchestra, blending with the rich scents of food, spices, and candle wax.
The arrival of Roland and his group caused a ripple of excitement, drawing many curious glances.
The palace steward announced in a booming voice:
"The delegation from the Knight Academy of the River Domain Nations—Instructor Reggie, Lord Roland, and the students—has arrived!"
The host of the banquet, naturally, was Prince Lucius, the crown prince of the Golden Valley Kingdom. He should have stepped forward to greet them.
Roland's gaze swept across the hall, quickly identifying the figure at the center of the crowd—surrounded by nobles and officials—based on their respectful postures and the direction of their attention.
But when he finally saw the prince's face clearly, his pupils constricted slightly in surprise.
This was no vigorous young heir in his twenties or thirties, as he had imagined, nor even a dignified middle-aged man.
Standing before them was a frail, white-haired elder.
His hair, as white as freshly fallen snow, was meticulously combed.
His face was deeply etched with the ravages of time, his skin loose and sagging, betraying his advanced age.
Judging by his appearance, Prince Lucius of the Golden Valley Kingdom was a man nearing seventy, a living relic on the verge of fading away.
(End of the Chapter)
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