A Change in Attitude

Across the boundless sea, a small fleet of three three-masted merchant ships rode the waves.

Roland stood quietly on the foremost deck, feeling the fresh sea breeze drift over him, carrying the ocean's unique salty tang and leaving him deeply refreshed.

Five days had passed since he left Highland City. The journey had not been entirely smooth, and they had encountered several small pirate vessels along the way. However, upon seeing the Black Knight Pirates' flag flying atop the merchant ships, those vessels had immediately turned around and left, which made Roland breathe a sigh of relief.

He did not fear war. He feared his meager assets suffering losses.

Fortunately, the Black Knight Pirates' reputation still carried considerable intimidation throughout the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, allowing him to reach White Whale Island without incident.

White Whale Island lay at the border between the Mystic Tide Sea Region and the Azure Sea Region of the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands. It was a supply island belonging to the Black Knight Pirates, and it housed one of their small outposts.

Although coming to White Whale Island required taking a detour and wasting three days, Roland had no complaints.

That was because he needed the Black Knight Pirates to lead him before heading to the island he had chosen.

This was an ancient unspoken tradition within the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands. A major local power would guide newcomers and announce to all surrounding forces that those under its protection were being escorted by it.

However, in Roland's understanding, this tradition was really a means for the major powers to declare their sovereignty, implying that any Pioneer Knight who came to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands to establish a territory had to show them respect.

Still, Roland was the beneficiary now. With his position being different, he greatly approved of this tradition.

"Apothecary Roland, that ahead is White Whale Island."

Roland, who had been enjoying the sea breeze and contemplating the situation within the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, was interrupted by Captain Feli's voice behind him.

Hearing this, Roland immediately looked ahead.

There, on the distant horizon, a small island had appeared at some point.

The distance was too great for Roland to make out the island's exact situation, but he could see more than a dozen warships floating on the sea.

As the three merchant ships under Roland's command appeared, they immediately drew the warships' attention. Three warships swiftly broke away and surrounded Roland's vessels.

"Go meet them." Roland lightly waved his hand.

"As you command, Apothecary Roland." Captain Feli showed no concern. As a captain under Leslie, he had known the Black Knight Pirates even earlier than Roland had.

As the two sides drew closer, the Black Knight Pirates saw their own flag flying from the merchant ships and gradually slowed their warships, launching no attack.

Just as the two sides came into contact, a figure suddenly leaped from a warship with a sharp prow. In the blink of an eye, he soared into the air, traced a graceful arc, and crashed toward the merchant ship Roland was aboard.

Bang!

With a deafening crash, the figure landed heavily on the merchant ship's deck. Splinters of wood flew everywhere as his feet sank deeply into the deck.

This immediately drew the attention of everyone on Roland's side. O'Neal and several of his men drew their swords from their waists without a word and pointed them at the newcomer.

However, Fili and Artur remained completely still, clearly having expected this situation.

Yet when Roland saw this, his brows tightened and his face darkened. Still, he said nothing and merely examined the uninvited guest in silence.

The newcomer was tall and powerfully built, only slightly smaller than O'Neal, yet the aura he emitted far surpassed O'Neal's. He was clearly a formidable warrior.

Most striking of all was the long scar running diagonally from the corner of his eye to his chin across his dark face. Like a twisted centipede, it made people shudder.

"You're Roland?" Ignoring the vigilant O'Neal beside him, Scarface walked toward Roland at the center of the crowd.

"Stop." O'Neal immediately stepped in front of Roland.

"Hmph, overestimating yourself." A terrifying killing intent flashed through Scarface's eyes. Scorching crimson battle aura erupted from his body, and with a movement, he appeared before O'Neal in the next instant. He threw a heavy punch, directly breaking through O'Neal's defense and slamming into his broad chest.

Bang!

Another deafening crash rang out. O'Neal, who weighed over three hundred pounds, had no power to resist and was sent flying by Scarface's blow, crashing into the railing at the edge of the deck.

Blood immediately spilled from O'Neal's mouth, and for a moment, he could not get back on his feet.

Seeing their commander sent flying, several members of the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group could no longer hold back. They raised their swords and charged at Scarface. Even though they knew full well that their strength could not pose any threat to him, they could not simply stand by after watching their commander get knocked away.

"Stop, stop! It's a misunderstanding. We're all on the same side, don't act rashly."

At that moment, seeing the conflict about to erupt, Fili hurried forward and blocked the members of the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group.

"Come back. You're no match for him."

With Fili buying them time, O'Neal spoke up as well, calling out to the men Fili had stopped.

Under O'Neal's orders, the mercenaries of the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group finally ceased their movements. With unwilling expressions, they retreated to O'Neal's side, blocking Scarface's path should he try to attack again.

At the same time, the sudden scene on the deck made Roland recall everything he had encountered at the Solomon Family three months ago. It also completely shattered the arrogance that had arisen from how smoothly things had gone for him recently.

After meeting Leslie, Roland's life had suddenly risen to a level far beyond his status. The treatment he received from the Oroko Family's second heir, the extravagant life at the Noble Villa, the elf slave worth five thousand gold coins—every one of these things had constantly influenced Roland's judgment of himself.

But Scarface's strike had utterly shattered all his illusions, making Roland clearly realize that he was merely an insignificant Pioneer Knight. Whether in Leslie's eyes or the Black Knight Pirates' eyes, he was only a pawn.

That damned sense of powerlessness returned, leaving Roland's expression exceedingly grim, as dark as still water.

"You damned bastard, remember this. The next time you meet an Earth Knight, you should show every bit of respect you have." Scarface looked disdainfully at the mercenaries blocking his way and cursed viciously.

After saying that, he turned to Roland again.

"You're Roland?"

Scarface's voice had become extremely rude, brimming with killing intent.

Roland did not answer immediately. He merely stared darkly at Scarface before him as several thoughts flashed through his mind. But after considering the consequences, his expression gradually calmed.

"It's me."

"You drag things out like a woman. Miss is waiting for you. Come with me." Scarface cursed impatiently, then bent his legs slightly and exploded with force, leaping back onto his warship.

"Captain Feli, follow them." Roland's expression was utterly calm, showing no anger at Scarface's provocation, though his voice carried a profound chill.

"Yes, Apothecary Roland." Fili seemed to sense the change in Roland's attitude toward him and hurriedly replied with respect.

But even if he had been given another choice, though he knew it would make Roland dissatisfied, he still would not have confronted Scarface directly. He knew very well what the Black Knight Pirates represented in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.

After giving his orders, Roland walked over to O'Neal.

"Are your injuries serious?"

"I'm fine. My battle aura was scattered for the moment, so I've temporarily lost my ability to fight." O'Neal spoke somewhat shamefully, seemingly ashamed that he had failed to protect Roland.

"Mm, that's good."

Roland said nothing more. He had seen O'Neal's performance, and when the right opportunity came, he would reward his bravery.

Under Fili's control, the three merchant ships slowly followed Scarface's warship into White Whale Island.

They finally stopped beside a warship that was over two hundred feet long. Using a hanging basket, Roland followed Scarface into a simple yet imposing captain's cabin, where he saw Elizabeth once more.

Elizabeth had clearly shed her previous lavish attire. Her long golden hair was lightly tied behind her head, revealing her exquisite face. Her fitted brown leather jacket and trousers perfectly displayed her graceful figure while allowing her to enter battle at any moment.

However, Elizabeth's attitude toward Roland had changed greatly during this meeting.

"Roland, you're also an apothecary?" Elizabeth asked with interest. This was the first time she had truly fixed her gaze on Roland.

"Mm." Roland nodded lightly in acknowledgment.

Because of Scarface's arrogant behavior earlier, he had developed an unfavorable impression of the Black Knight Pirates. Though he greatly admired Elizabeth's beauty, his attitude remained very cold.

Elizabeth seemed to faintly sense Roland's attitude, causing slight furrows to appear between her brows. She seemed to suddenly realize something, and her deep blue eyes immediately shifted to Scarface beside Roland.

Feeling Elizabeth's scrutinizing gaze, Scarface panicked slightly. He seemed to realize that his earlier actions had caused trouble for Miss, and he awkwardly scratched his head, completely lacking his former arrogance.

How could Elizabeth fail to understand the crucial point after seeing his expression? She shot him a fierce, irritated glare.

"Roland, my subordinates are all pirates, so their conduct is inevitably somewhat arrogant. If they offended you in any way, I apologize to you on their behalf." Elizabeth spoke with complete sincerity.