Meeting Roland Again

Elizabeth's apology caught Roland a bit off guard. Given her arrogant attitude last time, he wouldn't have expected her to apologize so readily.

However, Roland didn't know that after their last meeting, Elizabeth had become extremely curious about him. The vast difference in status between Leslie and Roland, yet Leslie's evident regard for him, suggested a significant underlying reason. Thus, she immediately mobilized the Black Knight Pirates' intelligence network in Highland City to conduct a preliminary investigation into Roland.

But Highland City was Oroko Family territory, and the Black Knight Pirates' informants could only uncover that Roland was an apothecary who supplied Intermediate Potions to Leslie.

Even so, Elizabeth was greatly shocked. She understood perfectly what it meant for someone just over twenty years old to become an Intermediate Apothecary.

This was why she had rarely, if ever, apologized on behalf of her subordinates to Roland today.

As Elizabeth's apology echoed in the captain's cabin, a brief silence fell.

Regardless of the reason behind Elizabeth's apology, Roland had no intention of accepting it. If apologies were useful, what need would there be for laws? Since Scarface dared to attack him so recklessly, he had to face the consequences. Even if not today, Roland believed that with his potential, it was only a matter of time.

Whether it was the Solomon Family before or Scarface today, Roland would never forget the humiliation they had inflicted upon him. On this point, he held grudges.

However, the current situation was beyond his control. Roland lacked the strength to defend his dignity at the moment. After giving Elizabeth a deep look, he replied with a relaxed tone, "It was a misunderstanding, it's nothing."

Roland's response brought a smile to Elizabeth's face. She walked gracefully to the table, leaning her slender waist slightly against its edge. Her arms crossed naturally over her chest, and a hint of fervor gradually appeared in her eyes as she looked at Roland.

Gazing at Elizabeth, who exuded a lazy and unrestrained aura, Roland was momentarily stunned, his eyes becoming somewhat dazed again. He had to admit that in terms of beauty, Elizabeth was in no way inferior to a maiden from the Elf race, and perhaps even surpassed them in temperament.

For Roland, who possessed a strong interest and focus on the opposite sex, this was an irresistible temptation.

Seeing Roland's infatuated expression, Elizabeth was already accustomed to it. She knew all too well the devastating effect her appearance had on men.

"That's good. I hope this misunderstanding won't affect our cooperation."

"I also hope such a thing doesn't happen again," Roland replied.

"Absolutely. I give you my word as the Black Knight Pirates."

Under Elizabeth's relatively sincere attitude, Roland's expression gradually softened.

Seeing this, Elizabeth immediately asked again, "I heard you can supply Intermediate Potions to Leslie?"

Elizabeth's abrupt question caused Roland's recently eased expression to tighten again. He retorted with some displeasure, "Does this have anything to do with our cooperation?"

Upon seeing that Roland did not deny it, Elizabeth's eyes lit up.

"Roland, this is very important for our cooperation. And compared to Leslie, we, the Black Knight Pirates, are actually more suitable as your potion trading partner."

"If you choose to become our trading partner, the Black Knight Pirates can directly provide you with an island exceeding one hundred square kilometers as your territory. You should know what that means."

"Furthermore, we will increase our protection for you, even dispatching warships to provide comprehensive defense for your territory, ensuring your safety in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands is completely guaranteed," Elizabeth said with great confidence.

As Elizabeth finished speaking, Roland finally understood why her attitude had changed so drastically today. It turned out she, like Leslie, was trying to win him over.

However, the conditions offered by Elizabeth were indeed very tempting to Roland, making him almost agree on the spot.

After all, an island of one hundred square kilometers could be considered the most crucial step for Roland to become a Noble.

In the Terra Kingdom, the first criterion for a Pioneer Knight to be promoted to Baron was to possess land exceeding one hundred square kilometers outside of human-controlled territories, develop it maturely, and hold it firmly for three years.

Among these standards, the first two were the most difficult: a mature land of one hundred square kilometers and five thousand residents.

The Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, though vast, consisted mostly of small islands less than thirty square kilometers in area. An island of one hundred square kilometers could be considered a medium-sized island, and such islands were not even abundant in the hands of the Black Knight Pirates.

This demonstrated Elizabeth's sincerity. If Roland agreed, he would only need to supplement the residents within the territory in the following period, undoubtedly taking a significant step forward on his path to becoming a Noble.

However, Roland, having calmed down, could not possibly agree. Even if Elizabeth spoke eloquently, if Roland agreed, his situation would essentially be completely tied to the Black Knight Pirates. While they would nominally dispatch warships to protect him, in reality, they would be imprisoning him on that medium-sized island.

It was cooperation in name only, but subjugation in practice. Roland believed that the medium-sized island Elizabeth offered would undoubtedly be near the Black Knight Pirates' stronghold, Double Gate Island.

Therefore, even faced with conditions that could greatly accelerate his path to becoming a Noble, Roland absolutely could not agree.

Moreover, agreeing would be equivalent to betraying Leslie, instantly losing his fallback option of Highland City. Roland's newly formed ragtag group would also immediately fall apart, and Leslie's previous gifts would inevitably be taken away by James, Arthur, and Philip.

Most importantly, offending the long-standing Count of the Terra Kingdom, the Oroko Family, who had intricate connections with various forces in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, for the sake of the Black Knight Pirates was not something Roland was foolish enough to do.

Having weighed the pros and cons, Roland had made up his mind. However, he could not refuse outright, as he still needed their protection. Thus, after organizing his thoughts, he slowly began to speak, "Your conditions are indeed difficult for me to refuse."

Roland's reply made a spark flash in Elizabeth's eyes. However, Roland continued with a troubled expression, "It's just that I have a weakness that Leslie holds over me. If he submits this material to the Royal Capital, my Pioneer Knight status will be directly revoked, so I have no choice but to cooperate with him."

"A weakness? What weakness?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously.

Roland knew he had to give Elizabeth an explanation at this point, otherwise, if they fell out, his future situation would certainly not be good.

However, when Roland fabricated this reason, he had clearly prepared his story. He continued, "When I was running for Pioneer Knight, I had a competitor who was superior to me in all aspects. So, Leslie helped me eliminate him. However, Leslie recorded the entire process using a Recording Crystal."

"Later, under his coercion, I was forced to refine potions for him." As he spoke, Roland's face convincingly displayed a gritted-teeth expression.

Indeed, upon seeing Roland's expression, Elizabeth did not doubt him further. Instead, a hint of disdain appeared on her face.

"You descendants of Nobles are truly dirtier than us pirates. It's disgusting."

"Heh heh, Miss Elizabeth flatters me," Roland replied with a slightly awkward smile.

"?" Elizabeth was somewhat speechless.

However, a highly talented apothecary was still a temptation she could not refuse. She continued, "So, if I can retrieve your weakness from Leslie, you'll be willing to cooperate with me?"

"Of course, serving a beautiful lady like you is my honor," Roland continued to fabricate.

Elizabeth was quite satisfied with Roland's attitude, but then a thoughtful look appeared in her eyes. Perhaps she was mentally planning how to snatch Roland's weakness from Leslie.

Seeing Elizabeth's expression, Roland breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't afford to offend Elizabeth, nor could he afford to offend Leslie. It was better to stay out of it and watch the two of them contend.

Regardless of who won or lost, it would have little bearing on Roland. Whether Elizabeth could succeed in snatching it, or if Leslie could protect Roland's trade route, were their own problems. They couldn't blame Roland for it, could they?

Elizabeth didn't ponder for too long, seemingly unable to come up with a good solution in the moment.

"Roland, I believe it won't be long before we become the closest of partners."

"I'll look forward to it," Roland said with feigned anticipation. However, his expression quickly shifted, a hint of greed appearing in his eyes.

"Miss Elizabeth, might I ask if you could perhaps pre-pay for that hundred-square-kilometer island?"

"..."

Although Elizabeth was inexperienced, she wasn't foolish.

"Roland, that island will be yours sooner or later, there's no need to rush," Elizabeth said, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, a hint of displeasure appearing on her exquisite face.

Seeing that Elizabeth wasn't falling for his ploy, Roland could only reply helplessly, "Then I'll look forward to your good news."

"Don't worry," Elizabeth said. She then seemed to lose interest in continuing the conversation with Roland and turned directly to the scarred man beside him. "Captain Henry, you will escort Roland to his territory next."

The scarred man immediately patted his chest and replied, "Don't worry, Miss, I will safely deliver Apothecary Roland."

"Remember, Roland is my honored guest. Tell your subordinates to be respectful," Elizabeth said sternly.

"As you command, Miss. There will absolutely be no further misunderstandings," Scarface Henry quickly assured her.