Darko

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Darko Collins
Alias(es)	Young Master Darko
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Collins Family; Blackwater Territory; Golden Valley Kingdom Knight Academy
Occupation/Role	Noble heir; Knight Academy cadet
Status	Active
First Appearance	Mentioned 15; appears on-page 27

Background / History

Darko is the eldest son and only heir of Baron Foslin of the Collins Family. Before entering the Knight Academy, he sought a skilled blacksmith to accompany him as a future knight and took a strong interest in Roland after hearing Hawk praise Roland's forging talent. 27

He invited Roland on a hunt in Black Fir Forest, bringing two guards but ordering them to remain with the horses. Darko’s confidence in his strength and book-learned understanding of monsters led him to charge a goblin formation despite Roland’s warning. He killed several goblins but was wounded and surrounded after his rigid swordsmanship failed to adapt to a coordinated attack. 32 33

The incident changed his view of Roland and of real combat. After Roland covered his retreat and later returned unharmed, Darko showed genuine relief, remorse, and respect. He abandoned formal address and asked Roland to call him “Darko.” 33 34 He also discovered that the manor guards had been killed or had abandoned him, deepening his anger over the security failures around Blackwater Manor. 34

Darko attempted to repay Roland with wealth, women, or access to his family’s combat arts. His promise to offer the family’s techniques without Baron Foslin’s consent resulted in punishment and six months of confinement to the estate. 35 40 Despite this, he continued supporting Roland through gifts, introductions, and practical assistance. 40 44 61

When Blackwater Manor was attacked, Darko overcame his initial hesitation and chose to fight for the Collins Family’s honor. After the battle, he recognized that Roland’s ability far exceeded the role of an accompanying blacksmith or knight squire. 59 60

Following Baron Foslin’s unexplained coma, Darko represented his family among other nobles. He restrained himself when provoked by Marshall, accepting Baron Gavin’s reminder that his conduct reflected on the Collins Family. 66 He later reunited with his recovered father and continued his studies at the Knight Academy. 89 295

Appearance

Darko is a tall, physically strong young noble with dazzling blond hair and amber eyes. His hunting attire includes a dark green cloak, and he favors fine equipment suited to his status. 30 32

• Broad-shouldered and notably strong even before Roland’s advancement as a Warrior. 30
• Usually carries himself with confidence and visible noble pride. 30 295
• Wears practical hunting clothes when leaving the manor, including a jeweled dagger and shortbows. 32
• His physique grew substantially during Knight Academy training; he proudly notes the increase in his arm strength. 296

Personality

Darko is enthusiastic, impulsive, and physically expressive with people he trusts. He quickly grows attached to Roland, frequently throws an arm around his shoulder, and speaks openly about his ambitions to become a knight. 30 73 88

His upbringing gives him an instinctive sense of aristocratic superiority, and he can become cold and intimidating toward retainers who challenge his authority. 32 56 However, he does not treat Roland as an ordinary commoner; he considers him his best friend and repeatedly tries to repay or protect him. 35 40 60

The Black Fir Forest disaster humbles Darko. His recklessness gives way to greater caution, gratitude, and concern for others, while his decision to defend the manor demonstrates that he takes his family’s honor seriously. 34 59

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Physical Training

Darko possesses considerable natural strength and formal noble sword training.

• His swordsmanship is elegant, broad, and precise, allowing him to cut down several goblins in direct combat. 33
• His early fighting style is overly textbook and rigid; he struggles to respond when enemies attack from multiple directions. 33
• He has practiced the Collins Family’s body-tempering secret art. 94
• At the Knight Academy, his instructor considers him talented and expects him to qualify to practice a Breathing Technique within months. 296

Horsemanship and Hunting

Darko is an experienced rider and hunter.

• He rides confidently and demonstrates mounting technique to Roland. 32
• He hunts for adventure, bounties, and recognition, though his first encounter with goblins exposes his lack of real battlefield experience. 33
• He tends to Black Wind at the manor stables and originally gave the black horse to Roland. 44

Equipment / Gifts

• Jeweled dagger — Carried during the Black Fir Forest hunt. 32
• Two shortbows — Fine hunting bows carried during the same expedition. 32
• Family-crest dagger — Given to Roland for protection before Roland’s monster-hunting journey. 44
• Black Wind — A black horse Darko gifted to Roland. 44
• Custom plate armor — Commissioned from Hawk for Roland after the manor attack; it proved too small after Roland’s physique changed. 61

Relationships

• Roland — Best friend. Darko initially wanted Roland as his accompanying blacksmith, but their shared survival in Black Fir Forest turned the relationship into mutual trust and respect. 27 34 40
• Baron Foslin — Father and head of the Collins Family. Darko respects him but clashes with his strict expectations regarding nobility, duty, and Roland’s status. 38 40
• Mason — Friend praised by Darko as exceptionally kind; Mason’s recollection of Darko helps ease his conversation with Roland. 195
• Sean — Roland’s other close friend. Darko and Sean bicker constantly but acknowledge their shared connection to Roland. 365 372
• Hawk — Blackwater’s head blacksmith. Darko first approached Hawk about recruiting Roland as his future accompanying blacksmith. 27
• Baron Gavin — An older noble who advises Darko to represent the Collins Family with restraint outside Blackwater Territory. 66

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment of Roland

Darko identifies Roland as a rare forging talent and seeks to bring him along to the Knight Academy as an accompanying blacksmith. 27

Black Fir Forest Incident

Darko’s hunt becomes a disaster when goblins ambush the party. His recklessness leaves him severely wounded, while Roland protects him, treats his injuries, and helps him escape. 33 34 37

Blackwater Manor Crisis

Darko chooses to fight during the assault on Blackwater Manor and later confronts the reality that Roland has surpassed the role Darko originally envisioned for him. 59 60

Noble Representation and Knight Academy

With his father in a coma, Darko must uphold the Collins Family’s name among hostile nobles. He later trains as a Knight Academy cadet and reunites with Roland after a long separation. 66 295 296

Golden City Conflict

Darko fights alongside Sean during the demonic invasion and witnesses Roland return to the battlefield in dragon form. 365 372

Notable Quotes

“Roland isn't like other commoners; he's my best friend!” 40

“I may never be able to compare to my father, but at the very least, I cannot tarnish the honor of the Collins Family!” 59

Trivia

• Darko slaughtered his own warhorse to provide meat for the Tower apprentices. 15
• He prefers the appearance of pure black armor and hopes to wear armor like Gundar’s after becoming a knight. 88
• He jokingly complains that Roland’s appearance makes Roland look more like a nobleman than Darko himself. 73