After the banquet, the two changed locations and came to an elegant study.
This time, aside from Tim, there was no one else.
Roland knew it was time to get to the heart of the matter.
"Roland, the illegitimate son of the Solomon Family patriarch, a graduate of the 325th class of the Noble Mage Academy. His mentor was High-level Mage Theophile. He published several papers on potion-making during his time at the academy and received commendations. Last year, he took part in the academy's Pioneer Knight assessment and was successfully selected." Leslie spoke slowly, his gaze calm and utterly devoid of any impurity.
However, Roland's expression changed at those words. His brows furrowed tightly as wariness appeared in his gaze toward Leslie.
"You investigated me?"
"Roland, you can tell from the way I treated you today that I bear no ill will. I want to be your friend," Leslie said earnestly.
"Friends? That's certainly a peculiar way to make friends." Roland replied with dissatisfaction.
Leslie clearly heard Roland's displeasure and said apologetically, "Roland, because of my status, there are times when I cannot act according to my own wishes. But I believe friends should be honest with each other, so I told you."
Leslie's attitude eased Roland's displeasure somewhat, and he recalled the news he had heard recently.
Rumor had it that the Oroko Family patriarch was gradually growing old and had reached the time to choose an heir.
However, the Oroko Family's eldest son, Cyril Oroko, had always been mediocre and of ordinary ability. The second son, Leslie, on the other hand, was highly capable. His trade caravans had helped the Oroko Family open several new trade routes and earned the family enormous profits. Though his reputation was poor, he had still gained the support of many Oroko Family elders.
Thus, the Oroko Family was now showing signs of a succession struggle. Tension between the eldest and second sons grew more intense by the day.
Even Leslie's disruption at City Hall more than a month ago was said to have involved Cyril's handiwork behind the scenes.
Therefore, it was only natural that Leslie would be wary of Roland, who had suddenly appeared, and investigate him.
Having figured this out, Roland's displeasure faded considerably, but his impression of Leslie still worsened greatly. After all, no one liked having their information laid out on someone else's desk.
Leslie obviously understood this as well. He continued, "Roland, as far as I know, you have not received much attention from the Solomon Family patriarch."
Roland gave a bitter smile. "Isn't that obvious?"
If he could have received Jurut's help, would he still have needed to work day and night making potions in Highland City? He would have long since set sail to claim a territory of his own.
"But I can help you," Leslie said heavily.
For most people, investing in a Pioneer Knight was an extremely risky undertaking.
But for Leslie, the second son of the Oroko Family patriarch, it might not have been difficult at all.
Though he could not help Roland change his identity, as the rulers of Highland City, the Oroko Family had countless connections with the various forces in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.
So even though the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands was incredibly dangerous and wars broke out frequently, he was highly confident that he could protect Roland's safety.
Moreover, Roland was currently in a difficult position, making Leslie's help all the more valuable.
"You want to help me, but why? Aren't you afraid of provoking the Solomon Family's displeasure? You should know very well how the Solomon Family feels about me." Roland was stunned and spoke in disbelief.
"The Solomon Family's displeasure?" Leslie shook his head lightly. There was no contempt on his face, but neither was there any fear.
"Roland, perhaps you have spent too many years immersed in magical experiments and do not know much about the kingdom's nobles, especially the great noble families. The Solomon Family may be powerful, but in order to deal with the threat from the Beastkin Empire, they have already exhausted all their strength. If not for support from all sides of the kingdom, do you think a single City of Radiance could hold back hundreds of thousands of beastkin troops?"
"This..." It was Roland's first time hearing an outsider's impression of the Solomon Family.
In the memories of his former self, the Solomon Family's power had been like a nightmare hanging over his heart, leaving him without even the courage to resist.
But from Leslie's words, it seemed that the Solomon Family's current situation was not very good.
"Besides, although our Oroko Family is merely an earl's family, that does not mean I need to yield to the Solomon Family," Leslie said with immense confidence.
Roland agreed with that. Though the Oroko Family's territory consisted of only Highland City, the annual revenue of Highland City alone rivaled that of a wealthy province in the Terra Kingdom.
On the Saint Nor Continent, gold coins represented power.
Yet Roland still had a huge doubt in his heart and could not help asking again, "Young Master Leslie, even if the powerful Oroko Family does not fear the Solomon Family, what value do I have that makes you go to such lengths to befriend me?"
Yes, Roland understood his own position very clearly. He was merely a Level 4 Mage, and although he could barely be considered an Intermediate Apothecary, his status as an illegitimate child made him deeply despised among nobles. He did not understand why Leslie was going to such lengths to show him favor.
Yet upon hearing this, Leslie's face immediately filled with disbelief, as though he had heard the greatest joke in the world.
Seeing Leslie's reaction, Roland felt a little awkward, unsure whether he had said something wrong.
"Roland, it seems you do not understand your own future very well."
"My future?" Roland was even more puzzled.
"Roland, do you know what it means to become an Intermediate Apothecary at eighteen?" Leslie continued.
"Is that very difficult? And I heard Butler Tim say that you are also an apothecary?" Roland asked cautiously.
Leslie's mouth twitched. He silently glanced at Tim, who stood beside them without shifting his gaze, then said with a bitter smile, "If an apothecary's assessment involved clearly knowing the price, effects, and added value of every potion, then I could indeed be called an apothecary."
"..."
"Roland, reliable statistics show that an eighteen-year-old Intermediate Apothecary has more than a fifty percent chance of becoming an Advanced Apothecary, provided he does not die prematurely, and more than a twenty percent chance of becoming a Master Apothecary. That is your future."
"There are statistics like that?" Roland asked curiously.
"Yes, these are all pieces of information circulated among the great noble families." Leslie nodded, then seemed to think of something and continued, "From this, it seems your relationship with the Solomon Family may be even worse than I imagined. They actually drove a genius apothecary out the door. It is unbelievable."
"Then do you still want to be my friend?" Roland did not answer directly and instead asked with interest.
"Why not? A future Master Apothecary is worth placing a heavy bet on," Leslie said bluntly. Perhaps that was what he considered sincerity.
And Roland truly appreciated that. He and Leslie had only just met—if they did not talk about value, what was there to talk about?
"All right, Leslie, you've moved me. I am willing to be your friend, though perhaps I cannot help you much right now." After pondering for a moment, Roland answered seriously.
After receiving Roland's reply, Leslie finally revealed a radiant smile.
"Roland, my friend, as long as you continue improving in potion-making, that will be the greatest help you can give me."
"I still have quite a bit of confidence in that." Roland replied without any modesty.
After all, with Nuwa's help, potion-making was by no means difficult for Roland.
"Haha, that confidence makes me think even more highly of your future," Leslie said approvingly.
"My future? In a little over a month, I will enter the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands to claim a territory. It will be full of dangers. I might die one day at the hands of sea monsters or pirates. What future is there to speak of?" Roland said with a bitter smile.
Since this fool of a friend had come to him of his own accord and possessed such abundant wealth, Roland naturally had to cry poverty and see whether he could obtain even more help from Leslie.
Faced with Roland's complaint, Leslie smiled faintly. He was clearly prepared. He took a document from the desk drawer and handed it to Roland.
"This is a gift from a friend."
Roland froze, then accepted the document and opened it under Leslie's expectant gaze.
1. One hundred healthy, strong slaves.
2. Ten tons of rye, two tons of wheat, two tons of barley, and half a ton of assorted meat.
3. Three hundred sets of various farming tools.
4. An elite squad of Intermediate Warriors.
5. One year of protection from the Black Knight Pirates.
Only then did Roland truly feel Leslie's sincerity. Everything listed above was Leslie's gift to him, and Roland did not need to pay any price.
Roland did not know how much one year of protection from the Black Knight Pirates was worth, but the first four items alone were worth more than three thousand gold coins. They directly fulfilled everything Roland needed to claim a territory.
"My friend, are you satisfied?" Leslie asked with great confidence. He believed no Pioneer Knight could refuse such a gift.
"Satisfied. At this moment, I have felt the power of gold coins," Roland answered from the bottom of his heart.
"Haha, then you will feel it even more in the future." Roland's answer clearly pleased Leslie even more, and the smile on his face grew brighter.
"Haha, I'm looking forward to it." Roland finally showed his first smile of the day.
After seeing the smile on Roland's face, Leslie casually pulled another document from the desk drawer and handed it to him.
"Roland, this is a trade agreement. If you agree, I will be your potion agent from now on."
Before you continue