Chapter 636 - 538: Repayment and a Closed Loop

Chapter 636: Chapter 538: Repayment and a Closed Loop

Roland took the coin pouch, drew out two Golden Crowns that shimmered with an alluring luster under the light, and presented them to Vanessa.

"This one..."

He pointed to one of them, his voice steady and sincere.

"Is the payment I promised for the treatment. Thank you for your help and for taking the risk."

Then, he gently pushed the other Golden Crown forward.

"And this one... how about we consider it payment for room and board for the next few days while we’re imposing on you?"

"We won’t disturb your research. We just need a corner to shelter us from the elements."

The two brilliant gold coins lay in Roland’s palm. In the somewhat dim light of the Potion shop, they seemed to emit a warm glow of their own.

Vanessa’s eyes widened instantly, the reflection of the Gold Coins clearly visible in her violet pupils.

All her previous hesitation, awkwardness, and even her wariness toward strangers were overwhelmed and shaken by a more direct, more tangible radiance.

Her gaze darted back and forth between the Gold Coins and Roland’s calm face, her breathing unconsciously quickening.

For a young, reclusive Apprentice Witch with no stable source of income and in clear financial distress, the significance of this sum was self-evident.

It not only meant she could replenish her scarce research materials, but it also represented a precious period of time where she could focus on her studies without worrying about her livelihood.

Her struggle lasted for less than two heartbeats.

"O-Okay!"

Vanessa nodded vigorously as if afraid he would take back his offer, her fair cheeks flushing slightly with excitement.

She reached out, cautious yet eager, her fingertips gently brushing against the Gold Coins.

After confirming they were real, she quickly and securely swept the two Golden Crowns into her hand, clutching them tightly.

"I-I’ll go get your rooms ready right now! There’s a small room in the back we used for storage, and an attic my master used to rest in sometimes. They’re a bit messy, but they should be habitable after I clean up!"

She finished in a rapid-fire burst of words, as if suddenly injected with boundless energy. She turned and trotted toward the back of the Potion shop, to an area separated by a simple cloth curtain, the tips of her deep purple hair tracing a cheerful arc through the air.

As for Holland, who was still performing the "Praise of Dawn," he seemed to have been selectively forgotten.

Just as Vanessa’s figure disappeared behind the curtain, a somewhat hesitant voice sounded softly.

"L-Lady Vanessa?"

Seeing that she didn’t stop or seem to hear him, Allen scratched his head in embarrassment.

He turned to Roland, who had looked over at the sound of his voice, and gave an awkward smile. He then took a few steps forward and gently placed the old cloth bag he had been clutching onto a cleared corner of the workbench.

"Mr. Rudolph."

Allen’s voice was clear again, tinged with the relief of having completed his task, but a hint of lingering melancholy remained in his eyes.

"Could you... when it’s convenient for you later, please help me pass this on to Lady Vanessa? This is what Mr. Qiaosen specifically instructed me to deliver into her hands before he passed away."

"I... I have other things I must do, so I’m afraid I can’t stay long."

Hearing this, Roland’s gaze fell on the simple cloth bag, and he nodded lightly.

"I can."

As he spoke, his eyes returned to Allen’s face, holding a subtle, probing look.

’From what I know, the Collins family, from which Dalko hails, has its domain, the Black Water Territory, within the Golden Valley Kingdom.’

’And the Golden Valley Kingdom...’

’...is far away on another continent, separated from the Aiselon Continent, where we are now, by a vast ocean.’

’So, why would an ancestor of the Collins family have appeared in Gray Rock City on the Aiselon Continent? And why does this descendant of his seem to be a lone, ordinary young man with no noble retinue?’

As these questions surfaced in his mind, Roland asked directly, his tone as casual as if making small talk.

"Allen, if you don’t mind my asking, what is your status? What brings you to Gray Rock City, and what are you doing here?"

Allen seemed surprised by Roland’s sudden question. He froze for a moment, but then a frank smile spread across his face.

It was a bright smile, full of the directness of a young man not yet worn down by the ways of the world.

"My status?"

He blinked his blue eyes, a hint of self-mockery in them.

"Right now... I guess I’m just an ordinary Adventurer, wandering around and looking for opportunities? Hmm, back home... I learned some Swordsmanship and basic knowledge of medicinal herbs, but you couldn’t call it any kind of formal training."

He paused, his fingers unconsciously stroking the simple leather sword belt at his waist, and continued.

"As for why I came to Gray Rock City... it was more or less aimless, really."

"Back home... some things happened, and I couldn’t stay there any longer. I heard Gray Rock City is a gathering place for Adventurers and Mercenaries, with lots of opportunities and fewer rules, so I thought I’d come try my luck. See if I could find some suitable work, or... join a reliable adventuring party and see more of the world."

His gaze drifted to the Potion shop’s heavy, closed wooden door, as if he could see through it to the bustling and dangerous streets of Gray Rock City outside.

His eyes held a bit of uncertainty about the future, but also a longing, typical of his age, to not be content with the status quo.

"Escorting Mr. Qiaosen’s Relic... I guess you could call that my first official ’commission.’"

Allen pulled his gaze back and looked at Roland, his smile now tinged with sincere gratitude.

"Although the process was a bit... uh, complicated, it’s finally done. Next, I plan to head to the Mercenary Guild in the city or check out some of the big taverns to see if there are any quests suitable for a newcomer."