"Kill them."
The youth didn't even open his eyes.
As if to him, this was merely a trivial matter.
"As you command."
A pitch-black shadow writhed, yet no one noticed.
Just one minute later, One returned to the shadow.
"I have fulfilled your command, Master."
Roland finally opened his eyes. His dark gold eyes peered through the glass of the magic-guided train, as if capable of seeing through the nature of all things. Everything outside was normal; not even the slightest noise had been heard. The people on the train had no idea they had just survived a life-threatening danger.
In the original plot, the train coming from the north indeed suffered an attack.
Quite a few people lost their lives as a result.
This was a premeditated attack, and Roland happened to know who was behind it. Pity for them—with him around, it was doomed to fail.
"Although the target wasn't me..." Roland toyed with the ring on his left ring finger, then raised his eyes to look further off. "Being attacked for no reason makes me quite displeased. Offending the majesty of the King of Pride isn't something you can just walk away from whenever you feel like it. We'll see about this."
At that moment, far away in the Imperial Capital, a certain unfortunate soul:
"My lord, the spell array was destroyed, and our forces were completely wiped out."
"Didn't you say it was foolproof?" The man frowned, angrily slamming the wine glass on the table onto the ground. "The operation already carried a risk of being discovered, but now... we didn't even get any results! Who was it? Do you know?"
The black-robed man shook his head.
"Useless! A bunch of useless fools!"
...
Terminal Station · Romanvia.
Stepping off the train, Roland looked around. It had to be said that this place was indeed built far grander than Lucifiel. After all, it was the imperial capital. Passengers from other carriages were also disembarking, and at the same time, Aixi Winster stepped out of another carriage and walked over to them.
"I have plans with a friend, so bye-bye for now!"
The girl waved goodbye to the two of them.
"Alright."
"No problem."
Philip was also a bit at a loss at the moment. The exchange meet was to be held tomorrow evening. He asked Roland, "Where are we going now?"
Roland checked the time, then looked up at the sky. As twilight fell, he said, "Let's find a place to eat first."
Romanvia was huge, far larger than Lucifiel, and equally much more prosperous. At least, Lucifiel didn't have such a rich nightlife. Once evening arrived there, snowflakes would drop uninvited, and the temperature would plunge rapidly, so few people ever went out at night.
As for Romanvia, it was vastly different.
Whether by day or by night, it was bustling with excitement.
"I remember my father bringing me here a few times when I was little, but it's been nearly ten years. The changes here really are huge," Philip muttered, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Roland said, "It's normal. After all, it's the imperial capital. All kinds of advanced things are introduced here first—whether trendy architectural styles, newly developed magic-guided tools, or large-scale spell arrays."
They found a restaurant that looked exceptionally luxurious.
"Hello, guests! What would you like to order?"
Roland took the menu and ordered one of every signature dish listed on it.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Philip leaned back contentedly in his chair, patted his visibly swollen belly, and said, "I have a few friends here in Romanvia. Want to go hang out with them for a bit?"
"No."
Roland rejected the offer flatly.
Hanging out with those shallow people would only lower the style of the King of Pride.
"Alright then, I'll head off first?"
"Go ahead," Roland replied casually. "Where are we gathering tomorrow?"
Speaking of this, Philip acted as if he had just remembered: "I almost forgot to tell you—this exchange meet is being held at the Grand Duke of the Eastern Territory's mansion. Supposedly, it's because the Second Princess is attending that Clyde Norman took the initiative to host it. Six o'clock in the afternoon, don't forget! I'm heading out first."
"Fine."
After Philip left, Roland wandered around aimlessly by himself.
Apparently because today was the day students for St. Romanvia Imperial Academy were arriving, the entire city was noticeably lively. Young people were strolling everywhere along the streets, especially since this area was close to the train station, and a steady stream of students was continuing to pour into the city.
His white hair and golden eyes were simply too eye-catching, along with his extraordinary temperament and looks. These distinct features, combined with the fame of the Grand Duke of the Northern Territory, soon led people to approach and greet him. Their purpose was simple: cozy up to him. Befriending the son of the Grand Duke was a gain no matter what.
"Master Roland, it's been years! You still possess that grand aura!"
Someone said flatteringly.
"You're too kind."
"By the way, Master Roland, you'll be attending that exchange meet as well, right?"
"Mm."
"What are your thoughts on the academy's test, Master Roland?"
"I don't need to take the test."
...
Shaking off those annoying fellows, Roland stepped into a dark alley. One's figure gradually emerged from the darkness, radiating an imposing aura without even trying, a powerful pressure enough to make anyone keep their distance. Roland then returned to strolling along the street, with One following a step behind him.
He vaguely remembered that the Lucifiel family had a mansion in Romanvia.
He had lived here for a while when he was young.
Though it was very close to the Imperial Palace.
"Forget it, let's go back," Roland said helplessly. "After all, the King of Pride cannot be reduced to staying in a hotel."
The mansion in Romanvia was not as grand as a palace like the main residence in Lucifiel; instead, it was more of a manor-style villa. Upon entering the gate, numerous gazes turned toward him with curious eyes, each person looking as if they had spotted some rare treasure, giving off the feeling of being put on display.
Roland frowned.
One was also present at his side.
These servants merely watched from afar, not daring to approach.
Soon, a middle-aged man walked over. He was the manager of this mansion. With a smile on his face, he said, "It is Master Roland, isn't it? How many years have passed in a flash! Are the Duke and the young lady keeping well?"
"They're doing very well. Long time no see, Uncle Doran."
The man was the butler here in Romanvia.
When Roland lived here as a child, he had been taken good care of by him.
Just like Scott, he was a Seventh-Rank Sword Saint.
Furthermore, the two were old acquaintances.
"Is Scott still at the Duke's estate?"
Roland nodded.
"Haha, back then he insisted on following His Grace the Duke to the Northern Territory just so he could return to the battlefield and slay enemies, but it seems he was still pinned down in the estate as a butler." After saying that, Doran Chandler laughed heartily, seemingly reminiscing about days gone by. "Ah, as one grows old, it's easy to indulge in useless memories. Master, please follow me."
"White hair and golden eyes... is that Master Roland?"
"Wow, he's way too handsome..."
"I heard our young master is a very gentle person, ten thousand times better than those arrogant nobles."
Whispers drifted from behind.
Virtually every word fell clearly into his ears.
Leading the way up front, Doran said, "You haven't been back for a long time, and the staff gets replaced batch by batch. None of them recognize you yet, so it's natural for them to find it novel. But rest assured, Master, they are all professionally trained and won't be inferior to those back in the Northern Capital. Is your childhood room acceptable?"
"No problem. Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Doran."
"Just doing my duty. And this gentleman is...?"
Doran looked toward One with scrutiny and inquiry in his eyes. He had never seen this burly man before, and the majestic pressure he radiated made even a Seventh-Rank powerhouse like himself feel danger. He surmised this must be a powerhouse no weaker than himself.
"My knight. I will arrange things for him myself."
"Then I shall take my leave first, Master."
Doran bowed politely.
Rate on N.U.
