Translator: CinderTL
"However..."
Roland extinguished the flickering electricity at his fingertips and lowered his gaze to his arm.
"The change in skin tone isn't too noticeable; I might be able to explain it away. But..."
He lifted his head, and the silver mirror reflected a pair of inhuman vertical pupils, glowing with a golden light.
Roland unconsciously furrowed his brow.
Even in the relatively liberal River Domain Nations, such a transformation would cause alarm, let alone in the conservative Golden Valley Kingdom.
He was almost certain that if anyone saw him in his current state, he would be branded a heretic and thrown into the dungeon within seconds.
In a nation where even foreign races struggled to gain a foothold, his near-monstrous form would be utterly unacceptable.
"The Veil of Shadows can only conceal my aura, not these eyes... In that case..."
Roland slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and focused his mind inward.
He carefully sensed the blood surging through his veins like a river, attempting to control the dragon's strength within him.
After what felt like an eternity, the turbulent blood flow gradually calmed.
He opened his eyes again and looked into the mirror.
His pupils had returned to normal.
Roland nodded slightly, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
Looking around to confirm that no traces remained from his earlier awakening of the dragon bloodline and ascension to dragonborn, Roland finally relaxed.
Just then, a crisp knock sounded at the door.
"Roland! Are you in there?"
Recognizing the slightly flamboyant voice, Roland straightened his robes and opened the door.
Before he could speak, Galvis deftly slipped through the narrow gap between him and the doorframe.
Seeing this, Roland could only shake his head helplessly and step aside, gesturing to the silver-haired woman standing quietly outside.
"Theresa, please come in."
"Thank you, Mr. Roland."
The two entered and took their seats.
Once the door was fully closed, Galvis dropped his playful demeanor and began to speak.
"That alchemist named Danny was taken as an apprentice by an old master, studied diligently for years, and eventually passed the guild's certification. His record is spotless. If there's anything unusual about him..."
He raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"You'll never guess—that guy's barely in his early twenties!"
"Twenty years old?"
Roland's hand, which had been reaching for his teacup, froze in mid-air.
Remembering Danny's wrinkled, aged face, disbelief flashed in his eyes.
"How is that possible?"
"But it's true, my friend."
Galvis shrugged and nodded toward Theresa, who was helping Roland steady his teacup.
Even the usually aloof Theresa didn't keep him in suspense, giving a serious nod.
Roland thanked her, handed back the teacup, and after a moment's pause, asked, "So... did you find out why he became like that?"
"That remains unclear," Galvis replied, shaking his head slightly. "All we know is that a few years ago, after his mentor passed away, the once docile and unassuming Danny began acting strangely and mysteriously. By the time he reappeared in public... he was already in that state."
Roland nodded slowly, unconsciously tapping his fingers against the table.
The room fell silent, broken only by the rhythmic tapping and the three occupants' breathing.
After a moment, he looked up, his voice steady. "Apart from this, were there any other unusual aspects about Danny?"
"Not really. In fact..."
Perhaps having uncovered Danny's background, or perhaps harboring some admiration for him, the bard's tone had softened considerably when speaking of the alchemist.
"He was highly regarded in this area, both for his character and his skill in potion-making. If not for the devastating loss of his mentor... his future would have been bright."
"I understand," Roland said, stopping his finger tapping.
"In that case, Galvis, I'll trouble you to make another trip. Go to the Alchemist's Guild early tomorrow morning and reveal our identities to him."
"If he's still willing to join us, ask him to pack his belongings as soon as possible and be ready to leave the Golden Valley Kingdom with us at any time."
"Alright, alright... it seems I was born to be a busybody..."
After thoroughly discussing the follow-up arrangements, Roland repeatedly cautioned them to exercise utmost caution in the coming days before seeing them out.
As the door closed behind them, Roland exhaled deeply but didn't pause.
He drew the Mithril Longsword from his waist and resumed his training.
Just as when he had first become a knight, the attribute enhancements gained from awakening his Dragon Bloodline weren't as easily controlled as the innate abilities of other classes.
This strength felt more like an external gift—wild and surging—requiring relentless refinement to fully tame.
Outside the window, the final golden rays of sunset gradually faded into the deep night, only for dawn to break anew, its faint light piercing through the morning mist.
Yet Roland never stopped.
Swinging his sword, throwing punches, repeating the motions endlessly.
He had already informed Reggie that he would no longer participate in the next two days of field studies, and Reggie had agreed.
He immersed himself completely in familiarizing himself with his newfound strength until twilight once again enveloped the sky.
"Huff..."
Roland exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his forehead as the golden vertical pupils in his eyes faded away.
"Compared to when I became a Knight, the enhancements granted by the Dragon Bloodline are far more violent and... primal."
He glanced at the shattered teacup on the table, broken by his uncontrolled power, and slowly sheathed his Mithril Longsword.
"Training alone would likely take too long to fully integrate this power. Perhaps only in all-out combat can I truly master this surge in attributes."
"Once I return to the River Domain Nations, I'll take on some suitable commissions."
Having made up his mind, Roland gazed at the darkening sky outside the window. After a quick wash, he headed out to find Reggie, confirming that today's itinerary remained unchanged before leaving his lodgings and stepping onto the street.
Weaving through the bustling crowds, he followed the familiar route until the sour scent of alcohol drifted into his nostrils, prompting him to gradually slow his pace.
"Hey! Roland! Over here!"
Hearing the call, Roland's lips curved into a slight smile as he turned toward the source of the greeting.
"Well, well, look who's learned to slack off after a trip to the River Domain Nations?"
Unlike the standard academy uniform he'd worn during their previous meeting, Darco had changed into his favorite tight-fitting leather armor, topped with a magnificent cloak.
His golden hair shone even more brilliantly against the deep brown cloak.
The young noble casually draped an arm over Roland's shoulder, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Several female students specifically asked me why you weren't at the sightseeing trip today. Want me to put in a good word for you?"
"Cut it out, Darco..."
Roland chuckled at his friend's exaggerated expression, shaking his head and smoothly changing the subject.
"Didn't you say you'd take me to try Golden Grain City's finest cuisine? But this place..."
He glanced around, his gaze sweeping past the nearby hostel, blacksmith shop, and...
the Adventurer's Guild.
His expression turned slightly awkward.
"You didn't blow all the money Baron Forslin gave you, did you?"
"What are you talking about, buddy?!"
Darco clapped Roland on the shoulder and pointed toward the Adventurer's Guild in the distance.
"The Adventurer's Guild here is unlike any other. The food they serve... tsk tsk! The flavor is simply divine!"
As if recalling a mouthwatering taste, the young noble subconsciously wiped his mouth.
"Even the scions of the most prestigious noble families frequent this place for meals!"
"They say the ingredients are the freshest, and... they have unique specialties you can't find anywhere else."
With that, Darco gently tugged Roland forward, guiding him toward the guild's entrance. Roland chuckled and let himself be led.
The moment they pushed open the door, a cacophony of noise and the enticing aroma of roasted meat washed over them.
Even Roland, who rarely cared much about food, couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"See? I wasn't exaggerating, was I?"
Darco roared with laughter at Roland's reaction, then confidently strode toward the counter to place their order.
Roland, left standing idly, slowly scanned the bustling hall.
His gaze finally settled on a quest notice pinned to the wall:
Quest: Source of Clarity, Discern the Withered Sign
Client: Her Imperial Highness Princess Gloria
Commission Details: Recently, in the eastern region of the Golden Valley Kingdom, from the Verdant Hills to Dewdrop Valley, the land has been suffering from an unexplained erosion and withering. Crops are withering, vitality is waning, and the phenomenon poses a severe threat to the livelihoods of the local populace and the kingdom's grain reserves. Amidst this anomaly, the royal family has obtained several samples of a mysterious liquid from deep within the disaster-stricken area. Its extraordinary properties suggest a connection to the land's transformation.
We are seeking individuals with exceptional insight and profound knowledge, particularly in the domains of alchemy, natural sciences, or the arcane, to conduct a thorough examination and analysis of the provided mysterious liquid and determine its possible origins.
Reward: A second-circle spell Scroll of "Zone of Truth" and permission to study it.
(End of the Chapter)
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