"..."
He looked at the dark red petal drifting right down before his eyes.
Roland silently picked it up. Black flames then erupted in his hand, turning the petal to ash. He coughed twice and said, “Talking about others behind their backs is very rude. Do you understand, One?”
“I understand, Master.”
One emerged from the shadows and dropped to one knee.
He did not know why his master had suddenly said this, but there had to be a reason. As a follower of the great King of Pride, he only needed to obey orders. Roland's will was his complete loyalty and life; to One, that was the entire value of his existence.
“Good that you understand.”
...
Soon, six o'clock in the afternoon arrived.
Philip was already waiting outside Duke Norman's estate.
Beside him were several other youths, chatting casually.
Seeing Roland's figure, Philip waved from afar and called out, “Roland! Roland! Over here! I'm over here!”
At the same time, the other youths looked over as well.
Scrutiny or flattery showed in their eyes.
After introductions were made, they quickly grew familiar with one another. They were very tactful, flattering Roland all along the way. Philip had likely already introduced Roland's background to them beforehand, and coupled with his identity as the son of a Grand Duke, he was undoubtedly one of the centerpieces of this exchange meet.
“For Young Master Roland to attend this exchange meet is truly an honor!”
“I didn't expect Young Master Roland to already be a First-Rank Mage and First-Rank Warrior. We admire you greatly.”
“Word is Thomas already had a duel with Young Master Roland and lost completely...”
Such words filled the air.
The young nobles beside him babbled endlessly.
Roland also followed the custom of not striking a smiling face.
They could say whatever they wanted.
The reason he came to this exchange meet was actually to take a look at key characters from the story plot—for instance, the son of the Grand Duke of the Eastern Territory and host of this exchange meet, Clyde Norman, or the Second Princess, Sylvia y Romanvia, who boasted overwhelming stats and popularity alike.
He wanted to see both of them.
Apart from that, he was here to grab a free bite and drink.
After all, no matter how bright they shone, in Roland's eyes now, they posed no threat whatsoever and were hardly worth mentioning. He was merely taking a look based on his past memories.
Inside the banquet hall.
By now, quite a few people were already seated.
Some were engaging in noble socializing.
People who were initially unfamiliar chatted over red wine and pastries about noble affairs—which, of course, was nothing more than boasting and exchanging compliments. At this moment, as Roland and his group entered, the chatter across the entire banquet hall instantly quieted down a notch, and numerous gazes turned toward them.
Among them was Clyde Norman, who was likewise the son of a Grand Duke.
The three individuals with the most distinguished statuses at this banquet were none other than these three.
The first was the host of the banquet, the son of the Grand Duke of the Eastern Territory and eldest son of Duke Norman: Clyde Norman.
The second was the Imperial Princess, the second daughter of the Great Emperor of St. Romanvia, the rising star of the Empire, and a super genius who had reached Second-Rank Mage at a young age: Sylvia y Romanvia.
The third was Roland.
At this moment, only that Imperial Princess had yet to arrive.
“Long time no see, Alan.”
Clyde Norman spoke in a gentle tone and reached out a hand, showing no sign of distance. Indeed, the two had been on good terms during childhood, though they had not seen each other for nearly ten years until now.
“Clyde, long time no see.”
Roland likewise reached out and shook his hand.
Just as the two were exchanging pleasantries, another wave of commotion arose. Looking toward the back, a young girl wearing a gown that faded from black to blue walked over, accompanied by a female knight of similar age. Both bore cold expressions, giving off an aura that warned strangers to stay away. Just stepping near them brought a chilling sensation.
“Go take care of Her Highness first,” Roland said as he looked at the young girl who had existed in his memories for so long. “We'll wander around on our own for a bit.”
“Sure. Drop by the estate for tea when you have time.”
“No problem.”
Roland answered, then found a corner to sit down.
He conveniently picked up a glass of expensive red wine.
He tasted it, his eyes brightening.
This red wine was brewed from rare Flame Roses, carrying a floral sweetness and aiding the cultivation of mages and warriors alike. All in all, it was a good item. Although of little practical use to Roland, it excelled in flavor—worthy of entering the stomach of the King of Pride.
Judging purely by flavor, it was no inferior to Count Wayne's tea.
Looking back at the Princess currently receiving the attentive gazes of everyone present—with smooth golden hair reaching her waist, azure eyes, and a face as if kissed by an angel, she was in every aspect a perfect young girl. Beside her stood the equally beautiful short-haired female knight on guard.
"..."
With just a single glance, Roland withdrew his gaze.
He resumed examining the red wine in his glass.
“The flavor is quite good. It seems I really should come chat with Clyde more often in the future.”
Meanwhile, Clyde was chatting warmly with the Princess.
Sylvia looked toward Roland in the corner, who was conversing with another young noble. Seeming to notice her focus, Clyde followed her gaze and smiled, saying, “At first, I was quite surprised as well. Given Roland's personality, I figured he wouldn't come to an exchange meet like this. But just a few days ago, Philip, a fellow noble from the Northern Capital, suddenly told me he would be attending too.”
“I see.”
Sylvia withdrew her gaze.
“Your Highness, please forgive me for not remaining in your company; I still have some matters to instruct my subordinates on.”
“Alright.”
“Via, Via, over here!”
Aixi Winster called out twice. Sylvia looked over, a trace of softness entering her eyes. She then said to the young female knight beside her, “Let's go, Zena. Looks like we have somewhere to go.”
The exchange meet resumed its lively atmosphere. House maids pushed dining carts loaded with various foods and waited around the periphery. Philip gave a quick greeting before heading off into other noble groups. Although people occasionally came up to chat with Roland, he mostly just humored them.
In Roland's view,
all the nobles in this estate
were less important than this single glass of red wine.
The friend Aixi Winster had made an appointment with after getting off the magic-guided train that day was none other than Sylvia y Romanvia. The two had an exceptionally close relationship, being intimate childhood friends—or besties for short. At this moment, the two were conversing in hushed tones, while the noble Princess had simultaneously shed her cold demeanor.
“Hey, Little Aixi, why did he come as well?”
After saying that, her gaze glanced toward Roland from time to time.
“I don't know. Even though we're both nobles from the Northern Territory, to be honest, aside from those rumors, I rarely ever see him in person. Besides, I don't even live in Lucifiel, and he seldom attends banquets among the nobility.”
Sylvia nodded.
Like Clyde, she had also met Roland in her childhood. In the Princess's memory, back when the Grand Duke of Lucifiel conversed with her father, the young Roland stood right behind him. Those indifferent golden eyes left a deep impression on her even now—for no other reason than that, back then, Roland had refused an invitation from a princess.
Rate on N.U.
