Free Web NovelChapter 306: Chapter 294: Hidden Malice
"Let’s not talk about that for now..."
Sensing the stares from all around, Roland pushed gently to free himself from Dalko’s embrace, then lightly patted his friend’s shoulder.
"How is Baron Fosling’s health?"
"Father is in great health! But Mr. Hawke is always talking about you, and so are those apprentices of his..."
At this, Dalko shook his head helplessly and gave Roland a half-joking punch on the chest.
"I really don’t get how you’re so popular."
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Dalko’s dejected look reminded Roland of the peaceful days he had spent at Black Water Manor.
Hawke would talk about him, of course, because of their master-student, father-son-like bond.
As for the apprentices...
’It’s probably because they couldn’t find anyone else willing to help out for free.’
At this thought, Roland chuckled and shook his head, then asked:
"What about you? Has anyone been giving you trouble here?"
"Who do you take me for?"
Dalko snorted disdainfully and flexed his arm.
It was nearly a full size thicker than when he was in the Black Water Territory.
"Some idiots tried to use their fancy family names to push me around, but..."
He patted his sturdy arm.
"They quieted down after a few punches. Bunch of softies! And..."
He glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then lowered his voice, unable to hide his pride.
"Leonard... ahem, my master, says I have good talent. In a few more months, I’ll be qualified to practice a Breathing Technique! How about that, brother?"
Dalko raised an eyebrow and bumped Roland’s shoulder, his face screaming, ’Praise me!’
"Jealous?"
"Of course."
Roland’s lips curved into a slight smile as he nodded gently.
"You..."
Seeing Roland’s calm reaction, Dalko lost some of his excitement. He dropped the joking expression, his tone turning more serious.
"Once I officially obtain the Knight’s Breathing Technique, I can go back to the Black Water Territory and inherit my title."
"If things don’t go well for you in the River Domain, come find me, understand?"
"I might not be able to give you what you want, but I can at least make sure you’ll never go hungry."
Looking at the sincere light in his friend’s eyes, a wave of warmth spread through Roland’s heart.
Although this study tour was still shrouded in mystery, reuniting with a friend who hadn’t changed at all finally gave him a rare sense of relief.
Just as he was about to respond, a deep voice suddenly echoed across the field.
"Everyone, back in line."
Following the voice, he saw a burly man in a coarse linen shirt standing in the center of the field. His gaze swept over the students on both sides like a blade, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.
"That’s my master, Leonard..."
Dalko shrank back and whispered to Roland.
"He doesn’t have the best temper. How about... we talk tonight—oh, no, tomorrow night? I still have coursework to finish tonight..."
Roland nodded, and the two quickly returned to their respective lines.
In just a moment, the once noisy field fell into a solemn silence.
Leonard then announced the start of the martial exhibition matches.
Students from the River Domain and the Golden Valley Kingdom took turns entering the field to compete, and Roland was among them.
He deliberately held back most of his strength. In the back-and-forth with his opponents, he controlled the rhythm with ease but without being overly flashy, ultimately winning each match with just the right amount of an advantage.
After finishing his match and handing off to the next student, Roland returned to Master Reggie’s side.
"Master Reggie..."
He caught a glimpse of Duke Anno, who had appeared on the high platform at some point, and quickly averted his gaze, asking in a low voice.
"How did your discussion with the Golden Valley Kingdom go? When can we leave?"
Reggie was intently watching the fights on the field. Noticing that his side was losing more than winning, he couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation.
"It’s all been settled. The original one-month study exchange has been shortened to three days."
He said slowly.
"Today is the martial exhibition, the next two days are for sightseeing. After that, we’ll set off on our return journey."
’Three days...’
Roland let out a soft sigh of relief.
Although he lacked information and couldn’t yet unravel the source of the Golden Valley Kingdom’s strangeness, he figured he wouldn’t get drawn into any trouble as long as they left this place.
"However..."
Reggie’s tone suddenly became hesitant.
"Earlier, when we saw the strange phenomenon of the withered land in the East of Golden Valley, I tactfully suggested we should return early, but the person in charge at the time was exceptionally stubborn..."
"But when I brought it up again this morning, he agreed very readily. I just feel like..."
He stopped mid-sentence and shook his head.
"Maybe it’s just my imagination."
Roland frowned slightly.
But after a moment’s thought, he still couldn’t understand the reason for the person’s sudden change in attitude. In the end, he could only offer a quiet reminder.
"In any case, Master Reggie, we should be cautious until we’re back in the River Domain. I just feel... something isn’t right."
"You’re right."
Reggie nodded solemnly.
The two exchanged a few more brief words, then Roland’s gaze swept quietly around them.
Unlike when the River Domain had to scrape together just over a dozen Transcendents for the expedition against the Land of Mist, the Golden Valley Kingdom had now dispatched dozens of Transcendents to serve as guards for a simple study exchange.
And the relatively common Knights only made up a small portion of them.
Among the remaining Transcendents, Roland could hardly identify their Professions, but he could vaguely sense their immense power from their auras.
The difference in strength between the two kingdoms was plain to see.
And while Roland was observing in secret, the group of nobles on the high platform were also looking down at the scene on the field.
But their gazes were not searching; they were more like...
...a hunter examining prey that had fallen into a trap, filled with a secret, cruel amusement.
"Three days?"
After listening to the report from a middle-aged noble beside him, Anno popped a bright red fruit into his mouth.
"It seems the people the River Domain sent this time aren’t all fools."
"Then, Lord Anno, what should we do next..."
"First, go placate that little fellow Lucius. Tell him everything is proceeding as planned. After this group of lowly fishermen leaves the Royal Capital..."
With a few crisp CRACKS, Anno bit through the fruit, sweet juice trickling down the corner of his mouth.
"...we’ll move to intercept and kill them. As for who will carry it out..."
He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding nobles as he asked in a low voice.
"I hear Earl Auston had a conflict with this group of fishermen yesterday?"
"Yes."
A trace of contempt flashed through the middle-aged noble’s eyes.
"He actually tried to frame those merchants as spies. He’s... an irredeemable fool. He almost ruined your plan."
"No matter."
Anno waved his hand, his tone still gentle.
"Give the task of the ambush to him."
"But..."
The middle-aged noble looked at Auston, who was talking with others not far away, his tone slightly urgent.
"Forgive my bluntness, Lord Anno, but I fear Earl Auston... is not up to the task."
"Relax, Erwin."
Anno patted his shoulder, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The gesture made his amiable face reveal a hint of sinister gloom.
"If he dies at the hands of these fishermen, that would be quite good as well. You see..."
"Even a fool has his uses."
