Translator: CinderTL
Unbeknownst to Roland, the moment he stepped onto the deck, the green-robed youth he had specifically instructed was staring intently at his back, a complex mix of emotions churning in his eyes.
It seemed like resentment, yet also resignation, ultimately coalescing into profound sorrow.
"Lyon..."
Seeing the lingering hostility in his companion's eyes, the noble youth Taril mistakenly assumed he was still angry on his behalf. He gently patted Lyon's shoulder to comfort him.
"Don't get upset on my account. That's just how things are in the River Domain Nations..."
He sighed softly.
"Nobility doesn't hold much prestige there. In terms of status, we're probably lower than those wealthy merchants and magnates."
Taril's tone shifted, tinged with a hint of curiosity.
"By the way, I remember you're from the Golden Valley Kingdom, right? Judging by your bearing, you must be of noble birth as well. Why would you choose to travel so far to the River Domain Nations? It's... not exactly a pleasant place."
Mentioning the Golden Valley nobility, a trace of envy involuntarily crept into Taril's voice.
At the question, Lyon's eyes flickered slightly before he offered a gentle smile.
"So what if I'm a noble?" Lyon said, tilting his head slightly and gazing toward the city gates of Far Ocean Port. A hint of longing flickered in his eyes, but it quickly faded, replaced by a calm expression. "...I figured I should travel while I'm young. It's better than rotting away in a room."
"Ha! You're right!"
The words clearly resonated with Taril, who laughed heartily and clapped Lyon on the shoulder with considerable force.
"By the way..."
Though Taril hadn't meant to hit him hard, the sharp pain in his shoulder made Lyon wince. He subtly shifted half a step to the side, asking casually, "Taril, you mentioned earlier... do the Knight Academies of the River Domain Nations really have no restrictions on who can attend? Can anyone enroll?"
"Of course!" Taril nodded, but his voice became hesitant. "But... you have to pass their entrance assessment first." He shrugged helplessly. "Perhaps because they have no social restrictions, the Knight Academies of the River Domain Nations are particularly strict in their assessments. Take me, for example..." He pointed at himself and sighed heavily.
"I've failed the assessment three times already. If I fail again this year, my father will kill me..."
As if reliving the memory, the noble youth shuddered involuntarily.
Lyon frowned thoughtfully. "What exactly does the assessment involve?"
Before he could finish his question, Taril suddenly cried out excitedly.
"Lyon! Look! A new ship has arrived! Hurry, hurry! We need to grab a good spot!"
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed his frail companion and sprinted toward the ship that had just docked at the port.
Onboard the Black Shell Trading Company vessel, Roland lay back on a soft bed, savoring the conversation between Lor and the noble youth. A playful smile curled his lips.
"It seems the so-called noble-merchant co-governance in the River Domain Nations isn't as harmonious as rumors suggest. So now..."
Recalling Colin's meaningful smile during their conversation, Roland raised an eyebrow.
"Have I been branded as belonging to the Merchant Faction?"
"To be caught in a whirlpool right after arriving in a new place... truly troublesome."
Despite his thoughts, Roland showed no sign of distress on his face.
After all, compared to the Knight's Breathing Technique, these so-called political issues were mere trifles.
With sufficient strength, neither merchants nor nobles could pose any threat to him.
"But I'll need to be cautious in the early stages. Even with the Job Panel's assistance, mastering the Knight's Breathing Technique won't happen overnight."
With this thought, Roland opened his Job Panel. His gaze lingered on the [Enchanter] entry for a long moment before he sighed softly.
"The requirements for the advanced class [Enchanter] are likely beyond my reach for now. Once we arrive, I'll have Colin help me find another recommendation to join the Blacksmith's Guild and continue honing my Basic Forging Technique. As for magic theory, I'll probably have to rely on extensive reading."
"And the other basic and high-tier classes..."
In an instant, various possibilities flashed through Roland's mind.
There were crafting professions like chef, carpenter, and tailor, or gathering professions like farmer, fisherman, and lumberjack.
Previously, he hadn't attempted to take on these life professions because he was too focused on improving his combat skills to spare the time.
But once we reach the River Domain Nations, I might finally have time to properly study them.
"Even if I successfully qualify for these life professions, most will likely be basic classes, offering only minor attribute bonuses and additional benefits that won't significantly boost my strength. Still, every little bit helps!"
"Once we reach the River Domain Nations, I'll first assess the local situation. After obtaining the Knight's Breathing Technique, I'll try each one in turn."
As Roland pondered this, a sudden clamor erupted from outside the cabin.
Frowning, he quickly rose and strode to the window, peering out.
On the deck below, a group of fish-headed humanoids had appeared.
Their grotesque forms looked even more terrifying in the sunlight. Dark green scales covered their fish-headed, humanoid bodies, glistening wetly with a cold sheen.
They hunched low, their sharp dorsal fins standing erect like daggers. Webbed claws clutched rusty tridents and daggers.
Crimson eyes flashed with predatory hunger, and foul-smelling slime dripped from their jagged teeth.
The lead fishman let out a raspy growl, its gill slits on its neck opening and closing violently as if greedily sniffing the air for prey.
Seeing this, the guards roared and raised their longswords to meet the attack, but the fishmen's assault was far more ferocious than they had anticipated.
These aquatic monsters leaped onto the deck with uncanny agility, their webbed claws leaving slick trails on the wooden planks.
A rusty harpoon whistled through the air, piercing a guard's chainmail. Blood immediately sprayed into the sea wind.
"Hold the line!"
A guard shouted, but he was quickly tackled to the ground by three fishmen.
Their sharp teeth tore open his throat, their crimson eyes contracting with bloodthirsty excitement.
Inside the ship's cabins, terrified screams echoed.
On deck, the guards retreated step by step, while the fishmen grew increasingly frenzied.
They emitted shrill hisses, their rusty daggers slashing open the guards' bellies. Viscera mixed with seawater flowed across the deck.
A young sailor tried to fight back with a harpoon, but a fishman's claw swept him aside, tearing his face into a bloody mess.
The battle had become a one-sided slaughter.
Several arrows were lodged in the fishmen's bodies, yet they seemed oblivious to the pain, their bloodlust only intensified by the scent of blood.
The guards' defenses were collapsing. More fishmen continued to climb aboard from the ship's sides.
In the direction from which the fishmen were attacking, a massive, unseen creature churned the sea into a boiling vortex a hundred meters away.
A figure cloaked in black tumbled between the waves, dual daggers flashing in the sunlight. Each strike sent the attacking tentacles recoiling in spasms.
(End of the Chapter)
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