Elizabeth's apology caught Roland off guard. Given her arrogant attitude last time, she did not seem like someone who would apologize so easily.
However, Roland did not know that after their previous meeting, Elizabeth had become extremely curious about him. The gap in status between Leslie and Roland was enormous, yet Leslie valued him so highly. There had to be an important reason for it. So afterward, she immediately mobilized the Black Knight Pirates' intelligence agents in Highland City to conduct a preliminary investigation into Roland.
However, Highland City was Oroko Family territory. The Black Knight Pirates' intelligence agents only discovered that Roland was an apothecary who supplied Leslie with Intermediate Potions.
Even so, Elizabeth was greatly shocked. She understood very well what it meant for someone barely in his twenties to become an Intermediate Apothecary.
That was why she had unusually chosen to apologize to Roland on behalf of her subordinate today.
As Elizabeth's apology fell, the captain's cabin sank into a brief silence.
No matter what Elizabeth's reasons were for apologizing, Roland had no intention of accepting it. If apologies were useful, what would laws be for? Since Scarface Henry had dared to attack so recklessly, he had to bear the corresponding consequences. Even if it was not today, Roland believed that, given his potential, that day would come sooner or later.
Whether it was the Solomon Family before or Scarface Henry today, Roland would never forget the humiliation they had inflicted upon him. He held grudges deeply.
However, circumstances were stronger than people. Roland currently lacked the strength to defend his dignity, so after giving Elizabeth a deep look, he suddenly replied in a relaxed tone, "It was just a misunderstanding. It was nothing."
Roland's answer made Elizabeth smile brightly. She walked slowly to the table with light steps, her slender waist leaning slightly against its edge. Her arms crossed naturally before her chest as a trace of heat gradually appeared in her eyes while she looked at Roland.
Looking at Elizabeth, who exuded a lazy yet carefree air, Roland froze. His gaze became slightly unfocused again. He had to admit that in terms of beauty, Elizabeth was no less stunning than the girls of the Elf race, and her temperament was even more exceptional.
To Roland, who had an intense interest in women, this was an irresistible temptation.
Elizabeth was already accustomed to Roland's infatuated expression. She knew very well how lethal her beauty was to men.
"That is good. I hope this misunderstanding will not affect our cooperation." "I also hope something like this will not happen again," Roland replied. "It certainly will not. I guarantee it in the name of the Black Knight Pirates."
Under Elizabeth's relatively sincere attitude, the expression on Roland's face gradually eased.
Seeing this, Elizabeth immediately asked again, "I heard that you can provide Leslie with Intermediate Potions?"
Elizabeth's abrupt question made Roland tense up again just as his expression had eased. He asked somewhat displeasedly, "What does that have to do with our cooperation?"
When she saw that Roland did not deny it, Elizabeth's eyes immediately lit up.
"Roland, this is extremely important to our cooperation. Compared to Leslie, our Black Knight Pirates are actually more suitable to be your potion trading partner."
"Once you choose to become our trading partner, the Black Knight Pirates can directly provide you with an island of more than one hundred square kilometers as your territory. You should know what that means."
"Furthermore, we will strengthen our protection of you. We can even dispatch warships to provide all-around protection for your territory, ensuring your safety in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands completely," Elizabeth said confidently.
As Elizabeth's words fell, Roland finally understood why her attitude had changed so drastically today. Just like Leslie, she wanted to recruit him.
However, the terms Elizabeth offered truly tempted Roland. He nearly agreed on the spot.
After all, an island of one hundred square kilometers would directly establish the most important foundation for Roland's path to becoming a noble.
In the Terra Kingdom, the first requirement for a Pioneer Knight to advance to baron was to occupy more than one hundred square kilometers of land beyond the territory held by humans, develop it to maturity, and hold it firmly for three years.
Of all those requirements, the first two were the most difficult: a mature territory of one hundred square kilometers and five thousand subjects.
The Sea of Ten Thousand Islands was vast, but most of its islands were small, less than thirty square kilometers in area. An island of one hundred square kilometers could already be considered a medium-sized island. Even the Black Knight Pirates did not possess many such islands.
This was enough to show Elizabeth's sincerity. Once Roland agreed, all he would need to do afterward was make up the number of subjects in his territory. It would undoubtedly move him a huge step closer to becoming a noble.
However, once Roland calmed down, there was no way he could agree. Elizabeth's offer sounded wonderful, but once he agreed, he would essentially be completely bound to the Black Knight Pirates. They would ostensibly send warships to protect his safety, but in truth, they would be imprisoning him on that medium-sized island.
They called it cooperation, but it was actually vassalage. Roland believed that the medium-sized island Elizabeth offered had to be near Double Gate Island, the Black Knight Pirates' lair.
Therefore, even when faced with conditions that could greatly accelerate his path to nobility, Roland could not agree.
Moreover, agreeing would be equivalent to betraying Leslie. Roland would instantly lose Highland City as a route of retreat, and the makeshift team he had just assembled would immediately fall apart. Leslie's previous gifts would undoubtedly be taken away by James, Artur, and Fili.
Most importantly, Roland was not foolish enough to offend the long-established Oroko Family, an earl's family of the Terra Kingdom with countless ties to the various powers of the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, for the sake of the Black Knight Pirates.
Having weighed the pros and cons, Roland had already made up his mind. However, he could not refuse directly, because he still needed their protection. After organizing his words, he slowly replied, "Your terms truly make it impossible for me to refuse."
Roland's answer immediately made a gleam flash through Elizabeth's eyes. However, Roland continued with great difficulty the next moment, "It is just that Leslie has some leverage over me. If he submits that evidence to the royal capital, my status as a Pioneer Knight will be revoked immediately. So I have no choice but to cooperate with him."
"Leverage? What leverage?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously.
Roland knew he had to give Elizabeth an explanation now. Otherwise, if they fell out, his future situation would certainly not be pleasant.
However, since Roland had come up with this excuse, he had obviously already prepared the details. He continued, "When I was competing to become a Pioneer Knight, I had a rival. His qualifications were superior to mine in every way, so Leslie helped me get rid of him. However, Leslie recorded the entire process with a Recording Crystal."
"Later, under his coercion, I had no choice but to brew potions for him." As Roland spoke, his face cooperatively took on a teeth-gritting expression, one that looked utterly convincing.
Sure enough, when Elizabeth saw Roland's expression, she did not become overly suspicious. Instead, she revealed a trace of disdain.
"You noble descendants are even filthier than us pirates. Revolting." "Hehe, Miss Elizabeth, you flatter me," Roland said with an awkward smile.
"..."
However, a highly talented apothecary was still a temptation she could not refuse. She continued, "So if I can retrieve the leverage Leslie has over you, you will be willing to cooperate with me?"
"Of course. It would be my honor to serve a lady as beautiful as you," Roland continued spouting nonsense.
Elizabeth was quite satisfied with Roland's attitude. However, a thoughtful look soon appeared in her eyes. Perhaps she was considering how to snatch Roland's leverage back from Leslie.
Seeing Elizabeth's expression, Roland immediately sighed in relief. He could not afford to offend Elizabeth, and he could not afford to offend Leslie either. It would be better to stay out of it and watch the two fight.
No matter who won or lost, it would not have much to do with Roland. Whether Elizabeth could seize it or Leslie could protect his trade route with Roland, those were their own problems. They could not possibly blame Roland for it.
Elizabeth did not ponder for long. She apparently could not think of any good method for the moment.
"Roland, I believe that before long, we will become the closest of partners."
"I look forward to it," Roland said with feigned anticipation. Then his expression changed, and greed appeared in his eyes.
"Miss Elizabeth, could you perhaps advance payment for that one-hundred-square-kilometer island first?"
"..."
Although Elizabeth was inexperienced in the world, she was not stupid.
"Roland, that island will be yours sooner or later. There is no need to rush." Elizabeth's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and faint anger appeared on her exquisite face.
Seeing that Elizabeth had not taken the bait, Roland could only reply helplessly, "Then I will await your good news."
"Rest assured." After speaking, Elizabeth seemed to lose interest in continuing the conversation with Roland. She directly said to Scarface Henry beside him, "Captain Henry, you will lead Roland to his territory next."
Scarface Henry immediately patted his chest and replied, "Rest assured, Miss. I will safely deliver Apothecary Roland there."
"Remember, Roland is my honored guest. Tell your subordinates to show more respect," Elizabeth said sternly.
"Yes, Miss. There will absolutely be no more misunderstandings," Scarface Henry hurriedly promised.
Before you continue