Combat Skill: Momentum Slash

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the window lattice, Roland slowly opened his eyes.

He let out a long breath and, with a crisp roll, got out of the wooden bed.

"This feeling."

Feeling his exceptionally clear mind and abundant energy, Roland couldn't help but recall the exhaustion and weakness he'd felt after a bloody battle in the forest yesterday.

He stretched his limbs thoughtfully, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"After reaching max level in the Mithril Body Tempering Method, compared to before, it seems not only has my mind become clearer, but my stamina recovery speed has also increased significantly. However..."

Feeling the burning hunger in his stomach, Roland shook his head helplessly.

"The hunger is also more intense than before."

Thinking this, Roland got dressed, washed up briefly, and then reached out to push open the door.

The moist morning breeze rushed to meet him.

After his eyes adjusted slightly to the somewhat glaring sunlight, Roland noticed two tall, slender servants standing by the door.

He keenly observed that tiny dewdrops still clung to the tips of their hair, glistening in the morning sun, and there were faint damp marks on their collars.

It was clear they had been standing outside for quite some time.

"Mister Roland, you're awake."

One of the servants bowed respectfully.

Before Roland could speak, he continued.

"Young Master Darko wished to come himself, but due to his severe injuries, he specifically sent us to welcome you."

The other servant stepped forward at the opportune moment, a tray with exquisite food held in his hands.

"You must not have had breakfast yet? Young Master Darko specifically instructed that you need not rush; it's not too late to meet him after your meal."

Mister Roland?

This sudden honorific caused Roland's lips to curve slightly upwards.

He stepped aside to clear the doorway and said in a calm tone.

"Alright, I'll have breakfast first before seeing him."

Seeing this, one servant immediately took the tray inside and arranged the food neatly on the wooden table.

"Do you require me to serve you your meal?"

Seeing Roland wave his hand to indicate no, he bowed respectfully again.

"Then please enjoy your meal, Mister Roland."

With that, they exited the room and stood silently outside the door, one on each side, heads bowed, like two silent statues.

The meal was far more lavish than Roland had expected.

Soft, snow-white freshly baked bread exuded an enticing aroma of wheat, with a dish of rich, golden butter placed beside it.

A large piece of roasted venison had an appealing dark brown crust, with juices slowly seeping along the grain.

Two perfectly pan-fried river fish had crispy skin, adorned with a few sprigs of emerald-green herbs.

Most striking was the bowl of steaming vegetable soup.

Tender fresh vegetables were faintly visible in the milky white broth, emitting a scent that blended creaminess with the fresh sweetness of vegetables.

The quality of this breakfast was comparable to anything he'd had in his previous life.

It was leagues beyond the mere sustenance provided in the canteens for apprentices or students.

As the knife and fork moved swiftly across the plates, the dishes were empty in just a moment.

Roland savored every bite of these long-lost delicacies, even using bread to wipe up the last drop of soup.

"Hoo."

Sensing the lingering aroma in his mouth, Roland let out a long breath, stood up, and patted his bulging stomach, nodding with satisfaction.

He then walked to the door and said.

"Let's go, take me to see Young Master Darko."

"Yes, Mister Roland, please follow me this way."

As they walked along the winding gravel path of the manor, Roland suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.

"Captain John!"

Hearing the call, the old soldier slowly turned around, revealing eyes bloodshot from fatigue.

He let out a long yawn and approached with weary steps.

"Up so early? Are you going to..."

"To see Young Master Darko. And you, sir...?"

Noticing the unconcealed weariness on the other man's face, Roland asked with concern.

"Didn't rest well last night?"

"Rest?"

John smiled bitterly, rubbing his tired eyes.

"The Baron sent us to search that forest overnight, and we just got back."

"Anything found?"

John pouted and nodded his chin to the side.

Several guards were struggling to carry a wooden crate.

The crate was filled with broken weapons, shattered armor fragments, and a blood-stained white cloak.

It bore the sun emblem of the Blazing Sun Church.

"Besides piles of goblin corpses, we only found this junk."

John sneered, pulling at the corner of his mouth.

"Who knows why people from the Blazing Sun Church were there? They wouldn't be teaching goblins their doctrine, would they? Ha!"

He waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, I have things to do. I'll be going now."

"Goodbye, Captain John."

Watching John's retreating back, Roland couldn't help but frown.

The undisguised contempt in the man's tone when he spoke of the Blazing Sun Church was identical to Darko's.

"It seems the Blazing Sun Church isn't very popular here."

After silently noting this discovery, Roland continued forward under the servant's guidance.

Before long, grand buildings came into view.

This was his first time truly stepping into the core of this noble estate.

Looking up, an exquisite fountain sparkled in the morning light.

A water god statue carved from marble held a water bottle, and clear water flowed in an elegant arc.

Behind the fountain, a wide staircase led to the main residence. Stone lampposts with ancient designs stood on either side of the steps, their lampshades carved with intricate, ornate lines.

The servant led Roland up the steps, and the heavy oak door swung inward silently.

The floor of the foyer was covered with a dark red Persian carpet, so soft underfoot that footsteps were almost inaudible.

Portraits of past family members hung on the walls.

Each was in a gilded frame, and the figures within, whether standing or sitting, wore expressions of noble reserve.

Passing through the foyer led to a long corridor.

Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the carpet.

The corridor was lined with various trophies.

Jewel-encrusted swords, exquisitely crafted armor, and even a specimen of a giant monster's head.

Its glass eyes gleamed eerily in the light.

"Please wait a moment."

The servant stopped before a carved wooden door and knocked gently.

"My Lord Baron, Mister Roland has arrived."

A deep voice responded from within.

The servant opened the door and gestured for Roland to enter.

Inside the reception room, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the dark solid wood furniture.

A large family banner hung above the fireplace, flanked by several ancient-looking artifacts that gleamed mysteriously in the sun.

Baron Foslin sat behind a large redwood desk, maintaining a noble, composed smile.

Behind him, Darko stood leaning on an oak cane, his face a little pale.

"Hello, Mister Roland."

The Baron's voice was gentle and magnetic.

"You flatter me, my Lord Baron."

Roland stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Just call me Roland."

When Roland looked up, revealing his refined and handsome face, Baron Foslin raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

Unlike the gaze of ordinary commoners, mixed with awe and avoidance, this young man's eyes were clear and calm, neither servile nor arrogant, but filled with a detached serenity.

The composed demeanor in his gaze suggested he was facing not a high-ranking noble, but an equal.

This rare attitude caused even the well-traveled Baron to secretly marvel.

"Darko told me yesterday that you saved his life, but he couldn't quite explain what happened, so..."

Baron Foslin picked up the porcelain cup beside him and took a sip of black tea.

"Could you recount it for me?"

"Of course, my Lord Baron."

Roland nodded slightly and then recounted his experiences in the forest yesterday.

This included the entire process of the Blazing Sun Church's battle with the goblins.

Roland felt there was no need to hide anything about this matter.

Firstly, John had certainly already reported his discoveries in the dense forest to Baron Foslin.

Secondly, given Darko's personality and their relationship, coupled with his current status as a blacksmith's apprentice, he and Baron Foslin were essentially on the same side.

If Baron Foslin could become more vigilant and take precautions, or thoroughly investigate the entire affair after hearing about it, it wouldn't be a bad thing for Roland, who had limited information at the moment.

Of course, Roland still omitted the fact that the Blood Goblins could use fire magic.

He only mentioned that the goblins were powerful and that the Blazing Sun Church's warriors were locked in a fierce struggle with them.

"The Blazing Sun Church. Goblins."

Baron Foslin's long fingers tapped rhythmically on the oak tabletop, making crisp clicking sounds.

"You're saying they were fighting over something—the remains of a giant creature?"

"Regarding that."

Roland frowned slightly, recalling the scene from yesterday. After a brief pause, he replied cautiously.

"My Lord Baron, I was too far away at the time. I could only vaguely make out what seemed to be a skeleton."

"I see."

Baron Foslin nodded slowly, his brow furrowing.

He lowered his head, lost in thought. The reception room fell silent, with only the faint sound of a few people breathing echoing in the spacious hall.

After a long while, the Baron, unable to find an answer, finally looked up, a gentle smile returning to his face.

"Regardless, Roland, you saved Darko's life."

"As for other rewards, I believe Darko will not be stingy. And regarding the promise he made to you..."

As he spoke, Baron Foslin opened a desk drawer and took out a slightly yellowed parchment scroll.

"This is a copy of our family's Combat Skill, Momentum Slash, passed down for hundreds of years."

"I will give you one month to study it. After one month, I hope you can return it intact. Of course..."

"I do not wish for this copy to be seen by anyone other than you. Can you agree to this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Roland keenly noticed Darko's brow twitch almost imperceptibly.

Although he had some doubts, Roland stepped forward and respectfully accepted the heavy parchment scroll with both hands.

Even though he had only heard rumors about Combat Skills before, the mere whispers were enough for Roland to understand the preciousness of such techniques.

Saving Darko in the forest earlier was primarily for self-preservation; receiving a Combat Skill was a pure, unexpected bonus.

Given his current status, he would normally never have access to such a high-level inheritance.

Therefore, let alone a month, even ten days of study time would be an immense gift to him.

"I will obey your command, my Lord Baron."

Seeing only pure joy in Roland's eyes and no hint of greed, Baron Foslin nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, Roland. If there's anything else in the future, you can directly find Darko."

"I understand, my Lord Baron."

Although he still wanted to ask Darko about the Adventurer's Guild, Roland, sensing the intention to dismiss him, wisely took a step back and bowed respectfully.

"Then, please allow me to take my leave."

After receiving the Baron's approval, Roland was led out of the reception room by a servant.

And after he left, a dispute could be heard from within the reception room.