Generous Gift

After the banquet, the two changed venues and moved to an elegant study.

This time, besides Tim, there was no one else.

Roland knew that it was time to get down to business.

"Roland, the illegitimate son of the Solomon Family patriarch, a graduate of the Noble Mage Academy's 325th cohort, mentored by High-level Mage Theophile, who published several papers on Alchemy during his time at the academy and received commendations. Last year, he participated in the academy's Pioneer Knight assessment and was successfully selected," Leslie said slowly, his eyes calm and devoid of any impurities.

However, Roland's expression changed upon hearing this, his brow furrowed, and a look of vigilance appeared in his eyes as he looked at Leslie.

"You investigated me?"

"Roland, you can tell from my hospitality today that I have no ill intentions. I want to be friends with you," Leslie said very earnestly.

"Be friends? Then your method of making friends is quite peculiar," Roland retorted with dissatisfaction.

Leslie clearly heard Roland's displeasure and said apologetically, "Roland, due to my identity, I cannot always act according to my own will. However, I believe friends should be sincere, so I told you."

Leslie's attitude slightly eased Roland's displeasure, and at the same time, he recalled the news he had heard recently.

Rumor had it that the patriarch of the Oroko Family was aging and it was time to choose an heir.

However, the eldest son of the Oroko Family, Cyril Oroko, had always been mediocre and ordinary in ability. But the second son, Leslie, was highly skilled. His merchant caravans had opened several new trade routes for the Oroko Family, earning substantial profits. Even though his reputation was not good, he had gained the support of many elders in the Oroko Family.

Therefore, the Oroko Family now had the beginnings of a succession struggle, with intense rivalry and escalating tension between the eldest and second sons.

This included Leslie's rampage at City Hall over a month ago, which was rumored to have been orchestrated by the eldest son, Cyril.

Thus, it was natural for Leslie to be wary of Roland's sudden appearance and to investigate him.

With this in mind, Roland's dissatisfaction lessened considerably, but his impression of Leslie still dropped significantly. After all, no one liked having their personal information laid out on someone else's desk.

Leslie, clearly aware of this, continued, "Roland, as far as I know, you are not valued by the Solomon Family patriarch."

Roland gave a wry smile, "Isn't that obvious?"

If he could get Jurut's help, would he have to work so hard day and night refining potions in Highland City? He would have set sail long ago to explore and claim territory.

"But I can help you," Leslie said emphatically.

Compared to others investing in a Pioneer Knight, it was an extremely risky endeavor.

But for Leslie, the second son of the Oroko Family patriarch, it might not be difficult.

Although he did not have the power to help Roland change his identity, as the controller of Highland City, the Oroko Family had intricate connections with various forces in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.

Therefore, even though the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands was extremely dangerous and prone to frequent wars, he was confident in his ability to protect Roland's safety.

Moreover, Roland was currently in a difficult situation, making his assistance even more precious.

"You help me? Why? Aren't you afraid of displeasing the Solomon Family? You should be well aware of their attitude towards me," Roland asked, stunned and somewhat disbelieving.

"The Solomon Family's displeasure?" Leslie shook his head gently. While there was no contempt on his face, there was also no fear.

"Roland, you may have been engrossed in magical experiments for years and may not fully understand the nobles of the Kingdom, especially the great nobles. Although the Solomon Family is powerful, they are already doing their utmost to deal with the threat from the Beastkin Empire. If it weren't for the support from various parties in the Kingdom, do you think the City of Radiance alone could withstand hundreds of thousands of Beastkin troops?"

"This..." This was the first time Roland had heard an outsider's impression of the Solomon Family.

In the memories of his previous life, the power of the Solomon Family had been like a nightmare, casting a shadow over his heart and leaving him no courage to resist.

But in Leslie's words, the Solomon Family's current situation did not seem to be very good.

"Furthermore, although our Oroko Family is only a Count's family, it does not mean I need to yield to the Solomon Family," Leslie said with great confidence.

Roland agreed with this point. Although the Oroko Family's fief was only Highland City, the annual revenue from this single city was comparable to that of a wealthy province in the Terra Kingdom.

On the Saint Nor Continent, gold coins represented power.

However, Roland still had a huge doubt in his heart, prompting him to ask again, "Young Master Leslie, even if the powerful Oroko Family does not fear the Solomon Family, what value do I possess that makes you go to such lengths to befriend me?"

Yes, Roland was very clear about his own position. He was currently only a Level 4 Mage, and although he was a barely passable Intermediate Apothecary, his status as an illegitimate son was deeply despised within noble circles. He did not understand why Leslie was making such a grand gesture of goodwill.

Upon hearing this, Leslie's face immediately filled with an expression of disbelief, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

Seeing Leslie's reaction, Roland felt a bit awkward, unsure if he had said something wrong.

"Roland, you don't seem to be very clear about your future."

"My future?" Roland was even more confused.

"Roland, do you know what it means to become an Intermediate Apothecary at the age of eighteen?" Leslie continued to ask.

"Is it that difficult? And I heard from Butler Tim that you are also an apothecary?" Roland asked cautiously.

Leslie's mouth twitched. He glanced at Tim, who was looking straight ahead, and said with a wry smile, "If the apothecary assessment involves clearly knowing the price, efficacy, and added value of every potion, then I can indeed be considered an apothecary."

"..." Roland was speechless.

"Roland, according to reliable statistics, becoming an Intermediate Apothecary at the age of eighteen means that as long as you don't die, the probability of becoming a High-level Apothecary is over fifty percent, and the probability of becoming a Master Apothecary is over twenty percent. This is your future."

"There are such statistics?" Roland asked curiously.

"Yes, this is information circulated among the great nobles," Leslie nodded, then seemed to recall something and continued, "From this perspective, your relationship with the Solomon Family might be worse than I imagined. It's unbelievable that they would push away a genius apothecary."

"Then do you still want to be friends with me?" Roland asked with interest, without answering directly.

"Why not? A future Master Apothecary is worth a heavy bet," Leslie said very directly. This was perhaps what he considered sincerity.

But this indeed made Roland feel very good. He and Leslie had just met; if not for value, what else could they discuss?

"Alright, Leslie, you've impressed me. I'm willing to be friends with you, though I might not be able to help you much right now," Roland replied seriously after a moment of thought.

Upon receiving Roland's response, Leslie's face finally broke into a brilliant smile.

"Roland, my friend, as long as you continue to progress in alchemy, that's the greatest help you can give me."

"I seem to be quite confident in that regard," Roland replied without false modesty.

After all, with Nuwa's help, refining potions was by no means a difficult task for Roland.

"Haha, your confidence makes me even more optimistic about your future," Leslie said admiringly.

"Future? In just over a month, I'll be heading to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands to establish my territory. It will be fraught with danger, and I might die at the hands of sea monsters or pirates any day. What future is there to speak of?" Roland said with a wry smile.

Seeing an opportunity to gain more help from Leslie, Roland decided to play the poor card with this generous friend who had come knocking.

Faced with Roland's lament, Leslie smiled slightly, clearly prepared. He then took out a document from his desk drawer and handed it to Roland.

"This is a gift from a friend."

Roland was taken aback. Then, under Leslie's expectant gaze, he took the document and opened it.

1. One hundred healthy and strong slaves. 2. Ten tons of rye, two tons of wheat, two tons of barley, and half a ton of various meats. 3. Three hundred sets of various farming tools. 4. A squad of elite intermediate warriors. 5. A year of protection from the Black Knight Pirates.

At this point, Roland finally felt Leslie's sincerity. Everything listed above was a gift from Leslie, requiring no payment from Roland.

Although Roland didn't know the value of the last item, a year of protection from the Black Knight Pirates, the first four items alone were worth over three thousand gold coins, which was exactly what Roland needed to establish his territory.

"My friend, are you satisfied?" Leslie asked confidently, believing no Pioneer Knight could refuse such a gift.

"I am satisfied. I feel the power of gold coins at this moment," Roland replied 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 his smile widened.

"Haha, I'm looking forward to it." Roland finally showed his first smile of the day.

Seeing the smile on Roland's face, Leslie casually pulled another document from his desk drawer and handed it to Roland.

"Roland, this is a trade agreement. If you agree, I'll be your alchemy agent from now on."