Highland

Saint Nor Human Calendar, 4339. Autumn.

An old man and a young man, master and servant, a battered carriage, and two weathered old horses crossed over a thousand miles. After fourteen days, they finally reached their destination: Highland, a coastal city hailed as the brightest pearl of Terra Kingdom's eastern sea.

The entire city had been built along the coast. The ever-flowing Grannen River ran through the city and emptied into the sea, while hundreds of ships sprawled across the enormous harbor like winding dragons over the shimmering blue waters, forming a magnificent sight.

Highland truly lived up to its reputation. Not only did it possess a complete maritime trade system and an enormous combined water-and-land transportation network, its exceptional navigation and shipbuilding techniques were renowned throughout the kingdom.

This city was one of Terra Kingdom's most important hubs connecting it to the ocean, as well as its primary link to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands. Such an important position had brought endless prosperity to the city. Its trade in handicrafts and slaves ranked first in the nation, and nearly every Pioneer Knight seeking to enter the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands and carve out a territory set out from here.

Although the Oroko Family only held the title of count, the wealth they possessed surpassed that of every other family in the kingdom. Even the kingdom's dukes fell somewhat short when it came to financial strength alone.

Today, outside Highland City's gates, a battered carriage slowly approached.

Roland, seated in the carriage, carefully studied the prosperous city before him.

In truth, according to his predecessor's plans, reaching Highland City marked the end of everything.

His purpose in becoming a Pioneer Knight had been to escape his family's control. Yet as for how a Pioneer Knight was supposed to pioneer and develop his own territory, he knew absolutely nothing. Even his choice of the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands had merely been an attempt to get as far away from his family as possible.

So from this point onward, everything depended on Roland himself.

"Nuwa, scan my current physical condition and create a three-dimensional visual model."

"Received. Beginning scan."

Strength: 1.2

Constitution: 1.1

Agility: 1.3

Mental Power: 6.2/6.2

Mana: 6/6

Level: Level-4 Mage

"No damage detected in any bodily functions. You are in excellent health."

Roland nodded slightly as he looked over the Chip's scan results.

Although his strength had not improved much over the past half month, all of his injuries had healed completely and would no longer affect his upcoming plans.

Over the past half month, Roland had witnessed the wonders of magic for the first time. Originally, he had believed that after the effects of the Level-3 Recovery Potion wore off, the broken ribs in his chest would still need at least two or three months to recover.

But as Roland's Mental Power recovered, the Mana within his body became increasingly active. It continuously healed the injuries in his chest, and in less than ten days, the three ribs that had been broken were restored to perfect condition under Mana's repair.

The carriage slowly merged into the stream of people entering the city. After inspection by the guards at the gate, they only had to pay two Copper Coins as an entry fee because they carried no goods. They were also given a simple map of Highland City.

Roland and Old Nob entered Highland City, the city known as the eastern pearl of Terra Kingdom.

After entering the city, Roland left the somewhat cramped carriage and sat beside Old Nob. Half a month had not only allowed his injuries to recover, but had also enabled him to fully absorb the memories left behind by his predecessor. Thus, he no longer resisted interacting with Old Nob.

Looking around, he saw the city bustling with voices and noise. Street stalls filled both sides of the broad, clean avenues, selling all kinds of handmade goods. Magic Materials and Weapons and Equipment could even be seen from time to time.

Compared to the cities Roland had seen along the way, Highland City clearly had the strongest commercial atmosphere. Judging from the clothing and bearing of the pedestrians around them, the number of professionals here far exceeded that of other cities. It was clear that the Oroko Family, which controlled this city, had put great effort into this area.

Roland was clearly very interested in this lively and prosperous city, but he did not have much time to explore it in detail.

It had already been twenty-eight days since he left the royal capital, and only two days remained before the final registration deadline for Pioneer Knights. His most urgent task was to reach Highland City Hall and collect his Pioneer Knight badge. Otherwise, he would be placed on the kingdom's wanted list, perhaps even that of the entire Human Alliance. With Roland's current strength, that consequence was practically no different from death.

The carriage traveled straight down the broad avenue toward the center of the city. Thanks to Roland's Mage Robe, they encountered no trouble along the way.

Although a mere Intermediate Mage was like an ant before the enormous Solomon Family, out in the world, the status of an Intermediate Mage was enough to spare him much trouble.

Following the map's directions, the carriage steadily headed toward its destination under Old Nob's guidance.

After crossing three full avenues, Roland arrived before a solemn white building. Its style somewhat resembled that of medieval Europe from his previous life. Exquisite stone reliefs were carved into its outer walls, depicting knights at war, mages casting spells, and nobles standing high above all others.

Compared to the rest of the city, the area before City Hall was undoubtedly much quieter. Roland's carriage appeared rather conspicuous beside the luxurious carriages coming and going, but after seeing Roland's Mage Robe, the onlookers around them all withdrew their gazes.

This clearly displayed Highland's style: profit came first. It was not that they could not afford to offend an Intermediate Mage, but that they would not offend anyone when there was no conflict of interest.

After settling the carriage, Roland nodded to Old Nob and headed toward City Hall alone.

After all, the towering and somewhat steep steps before City Hall symbolized that not just anyone could enter.

Roland's expression remained calm as he walked forward, silently observing everything around him. Having only arrived in this world half a month ago, he could not hide his curiosity toward everything it contained.

After undergoing an even stricter inspection, Roland entered City Hall.

The entire hall was magnificent, spacious, and bright. Standing within it made one feel especially relaxed and comfortable—or at least, Roland felt that way.

Just as Roland silently searched for the kingdom's administrative office, a tall young man dressed in luxurious clothing stormed in from outside City Hall. He angrily shoved aside the guards at the entrance and led a group of fully equipped warriors carrying sharp blades straight toward the office on the left side of the hall, where the sign for the Highland Trade Administration hung.

The officials behind the office counter immediately changed expression when they saw the aggressive young man barging in. Yet their first reaction was not to call for guards.

Instead, led by a middle-aged official, they hurried forward and bowed respectfully to the hostile young man.

"Young Master Leslie, may I ask what brings you here? Jem is willing to serve you." The middle-aged official bowed and scraped, wearing a fawning smile as he spoke cautiously.

"Jem, you've got some nerve. What gave you the courage to issue an order barring my merchant ships from entering the harbor?" Leslie roared in anger, paying no attention to the gazes of those around him in City Hall.

"Th-this... Young Master Leslie, could we go upstairs and rest for a moment? Let this humble official explain slowly." Jem trembled beneath the young man's questioning and pleaded in a low voice.

"Rest? My two merchant ships are still drifting at sea! Do you know how much I'll lose because of such a delay?"

"Now. Immediately. Sign the harbor entry order and let my two merchant ships dock and unload. Otherwise, I'll make you repay every last bit of the losses from your own body." Leslie's eyes gleamed viciously as he threatened him.

Jem, the leading official, broke out in a cold sweat beneath Leslie's pressure and nearly collapsed onto the ground.

Even so, he did not agree. Forcing himself to remain standing, he shuffled a few steps forward and leaned close to Leslie, pleading in a low voice, "Young Master Leslie, the key issue is not with me. I received orders from above. Even if you kill me, I still cannot sign this harbor entry order."

Upon hearing this, a dark and dangerous light appeared in Leslie's eyes. He suddenly seized Jem by the throat and dragged him close.

"Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

"Cough... cough... Young Master Leslie... spare me." Jem did not dare resist while being choked. He could only beg in terror.

As the force in Leslie's hand grew stronger, Jem's face turned red. In the end, he could no longer make a sound and could only whimper helplessly.

"Leslie, do you intend to kill someone in City Hall? And kill an official belonging to the Oroko Family, no less?"

At that moment of extreme tension, a stern rebuke rang out. An old man with Silver hair descended from upstairs, anger on his dignified face as his gaze locked onto Leslie.

The instant Leslie saw the old man, his anger vanished. He released Jem, who was already on the verge of suffocation, then turned and gave the newly arrived elder a standard noble's salute.

"Of course not, respected Mister Andre. I was merely teaching a small lesson to some blind fools who do not know their place."

The old man glanced at Jem, who had fallen unconscious on the floor, and snorted heavily. Then he said to Leslie, "Come with me."

"As you command." Leslie bowed slightly again, elegant in manner and exceptional in bearing, like a noble who had stepped out of a book. There was none of his earlier arrogance or ruthless readiness to kill at the slightest disagreement.

As Leslie and the old man departed, the fully armed guards under Leslie's command also quietly withdrew from City Hall.