Chapter 624 - 533: Apprentice Witch Vanessa

Chapter 624: Chapter 533: Apprentice Witch Vanessa

The blond young man stood in a dimly lit corner of the alley, his sharp silhouette outlined by a faint, distant light.

His skin was a healthy, sun-kissed wheat color. His features were defined and symmetrical, with a straight nose and a sharp jawline.

What was most striking was his short, bright golden hair, which seemed to faintly glow even in the dim light, and his azure eyes, as clear as a lake on a fine autumn day.

Right now, those eyes still held a lingering tension, as well as the sincerity and slight awkwardness of someone facing their saviors.

Roland’s gaze carefully traced the young man’s features—that familiar gold, that similar blue...

The sense of déjà vu he’d felt from a fleeting glimpse during the chaos now became crystal clear upon closer inspection.

’The resemblance is uncanny.’

’The only differences lay in temperament—the easygoing pride and cheerfulness forged by time and experience, the natural, sun-like vitality—which stood in contrast to the young man’s obvious, sharp-edged immaturity and stubbornness...’

’Other than that, it’s as if the face of that young noble from Black Water Territory in my memory has been stripped of its future charisma and ironed onto this tenser, purer visage.’

’And considering the surname...’

’Collins.’

’It isn’t an especially rare name, but combined with that startling resemblance...’

Roland was left with almost no doubt.

Even if he wasn’t Dalko’s direct forefather, this Allen Collins before him must share a very close bloodline with that young noble who would one day become his dear friend—the cheerful, sunny, and unfailingly sincere young man from the Collins family of Black Water Territory. ℯ𝐥.𝒄ℴ𝓶

The floodgates of his memory were quietly pushed ajar by this unexpected encounter.

Dalko Collins.

That guy who always laughed so freely, who smelled of sunshine and old leather, who was proud to his core but would drop all pretense for a friend he accepted...

Vivid, warm fragments of the past drifted quietly through Roland’s mind.

A minuscule, almost imperceptible softness quietly suffused Roland’s usually calm, deep black eyes.

Without even fully realizing it himself, when he looked at Allen again, his gaze held a subtle warmth born of distant memories.

"Allen Collins..."

Roland repeated the name under his breath, as if confirming an anchor point across a vast expanse of time.

Seeing the fleeting, complex expression on Roland’s face—one he couldn’t fully comprehend—Allen raised a hand to scratch his cheek in confusion and spoke hesitantly.

"Sir... is there... something wrong with my name?"

"No."

Roland’s reply was concise and firm. His gaze shifted from Allen to his two companions, his expression returning to its usual calm.

"If we’re going to help, we should see it through to the end. This young man just mentioned he needs to deliver something to... the Silver Star Potion Shop?"

His gaze swept over the old cloth bag Allen still clutched tightly to his chest as he continued.

"In that case, why don’t we escort him? We can make sure his delivery arrives safely. What do you think?"

"I don’t have a problem with that..."

Holland said, crossing his arms. His curious gaze shifted back and forth between Roland and Allen, but he finally nodded.

"The Anvil District, where the Shield and Fire Lizard inn is, happens to be near Alchemy Alley, where the Silver Star Potion Shop is. It’s on our way."

He paused as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he just shrugged.

Ellis, naturally, had no objections to the arrangement. He simply adjusted his position silently, his gaze, as always, scrutinizing his surroundings and the young man who had garnered Roland’s unusual attention.

"Thanks."

Roland gave his two companions a slight nod, then turned back to Allen with a faint but reassuring smile.

"Well then, lead the way, Allen."

Allen blinked, as if he still hadn’t quite processed this sudden act of kindness and the offer to escort him.

But he immediately nodded vigorously, his azure eyes shining brightly.

"Th-thank you all so much! This way, please!"

He thanked them again, this time more formally. Then he turned, looking a little eager but trying to stay composed, and began to lead the way into the deeper, more complex, light-and-shadow-streaked alleyways of Gray Rock City.

Following Allen’s lead, the group left the relatively open main road and turned into Gray Rock City’s more intricate network of alleyways.

The paving underfoot changed from rough stone slabs to packed earth mixed with gravel, and the buildings on either side grew closer together.

Towering, gray-black stone walls cast deep shadows, making the alleys dim even in the daytime.

The smells pervading the air also shifted, from a mixture of sweat, alcohol, and burnt food to a more distinct, more potent scent.

Old parchment, dried herb roots, faintly acidic chemical agents, and the faint, indescribable, lingering scent of residual Magic Power.

The area they were passing through seemed to be neither a bustling commercial district nor a raucous gathering place for Mercenaries.

Occasionally, they would see tightly shut, unmarked wooden doors, or small, dust-covered windows set high in the walls.

Pedestrians were few and far between, and most of them hurried along, dressed in hooded robes or drab, gray-brown clothes. They rarely interacted with each other and seemed highly vigilant.

This seemed to be a quarter of Gray Rock City for those who wished to avoid attention, or a place where dealings best kept out of the public eye were conducted.