Chapter 572 - 506: Ogre Bloodroar, Blood Covenant

"A few of the old-timer 'Middlemen' in town have whispered amongst themselves, saying that guy… he's probably a Mage, or maybe a Wizard. Anyway, he's definitely someone who dabbles in… mysterious things."

"Only their kind would be so interested in all sorts of strange and bizarre things."

He snuck a glance at Roland's expression and quickly added.

"That's all I know, My Lord! It's the absolute truth! He's elusive and unpredictable; no one can say when he'll show up next…"

Roland's gaze lingered on Copper Tongue's face for a moment before he asked for a few more details, including the exact location of the abandoned mine's black market, its usual operating hours, and the main powers at play there.

Copper Tongue didn't dare hide a single thing and answered in full detail.

"My Lord, that abandoned mine… it was dug out decades ago. Later, it became a place for all sorts of shady dealings."

"It's located about ten li northwest of town. The terrain is complex and the entrance is hidden. There aren't any fixed 'open' hours. It usually only gets lively when there's a 'big shipment' to be moved, or when people with specific needs gather…"

"The place is a den of vipers. You've got fugitives, smugglers, Black Wizards, Adventurers of unknown origin, and even the occasional Alien Race member showing up. There are no real rules there; Power and Gold Coins are the only law. It's extremely… dangerous. Even a seasoned lone wolf without enough strength or backing might go in and never come out."

He watched Roland's face cautiously and added.

"I'm telling the truth, My Lord! I would never dare lie to you! That place… it's really no good."

Roland carefully analyzed the emotional fluctuations in Copper Tongue's voice and his subtle body language. After confirming the man wasn't lying, he gave a slight wave of his hand.

As if granted a grand pardon, Copper Tongue immediately bowed deeply, his face a mask of relief at having survived the ordeal. He hastily scurried back to the group of thugs undergoing their "labor reform," buried his head in his work, and didn't dare to glance in Roland's direction again.

'A black market, huh...'

Roland's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the recovered Secret Imprisonment Dice as his thoughts rapidly sorted through everything he had seen and experienced since arriving in this "past" point in time.

'The Demons of this era… their Power is generally far greater than in the 'future' I know. If even goblins are this physically powerful and vicious, there are probably even more troublesome beings in the deeper wilds.'

'However, with my current Power, as long as I don't rashly venture into the territories of certain suspected forbidden creatures that only exist in ancient texts, I should be able to protect myself. As for the other humanoid Races...'

His gaze swept over the thugs who, under Holland's supervision, were clumsily but earnestly repairing the tavern.

'The number of Transcendents is truly astonishing, far exceeding the 'future'. If you picked any one of these men at random, their aura's intensity and combat prowess would probably be no weaker than, and perhaps even stronger than, Master Reggie, my instructor back at the River Domain Knight Academy.'

Remembering that Knight instructor, renowned for his strictness and focus on solid fundamentals, a faint trace of emotion flickered in Roland's eyes.

'But times have changed. Back then, I was just an ordinary young man who had barely crossed the threshold of a Breathing Technique. But now... opponents of this level, even in greater numbers, pose almost no real threat to my life.'

'In that case, as long as I act with caution, the risk of going to that chaotic black market in the abandoned mine Copper Tongue mentioned to search for that mysterious merchant should be manageable.'

'That means there is only one matter left to deal with right now.'

At this thought, Roland slowly turned his head, his calm gaze falling upon Ogre, who was still slumped against the corner of the wall, his severed arm dangling uselessly, his face ashen.

The other lackeys, having been taught a lesson and now under Holland's "supervised compensation," wouldn't dare cause any more trouble for the time being.

But this Half-beastman leader was vicious by nature and vengeful over the slightest grievance. After suffering such a humiliating and grievous wound today, leaving him be would surely create a hidden danger for the future.

Roland was not in the habit of leaving loose ends.

Ogre keenly caught the fleeting, ice-cold killing intent in Roland's eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed with a difficult swallow, forcing down saliva that tasted of rust.

The Beastman blood flowing in his veins gave him a powerful physique and a violent temper, but that didn't mean he was a complete idiot.

On the contrary, to have established a foothold in this border town, he possessed a beast's instinct for survival and the cunning to assess a situation.

The overwhelming crush of Power from moments ago had long since shattered all his ferocity and any shred of hope.

Facing this unfathomable black-haired young man, he couldn't muster the slightest thought of resistance. All that remained was the most primal fear and submission one feels before a powerful predator.

Therefore, upon sensing Roland's intention, the Half-beastman's survival instinct overrode everything else.

"W-wait! My Lord!"

Ogre fought through the excruciating pain from his severed arm and what felt like a shattered body, struggling to prop himself up with his good left hand. He turned toward Roland and, in an extremely awkward yet desperate posture, half-knelt and half-crawled onto the floor.

"I… I am willing to form a 'Blood Covenant' with you! I beg you… spare my life!"

He looked up, his bloodshot eyes filled with pleading, his voice hoarse and urgent.

"Blood Covenant?"

Hearing this term, the murderous aura faintly rising from Roland suddenly froze for an instant.

This was not the first time he had heard of it.

While traveling through the River Domain, he had learned from Beastman Freddy about some of the ancient customs of Beastmen and their related mixed-blood Races.