What Roland didn’t know was that the moment he stepped onto the deck, the young man in green he had specifically instructed was staring daggers at his back, his eyes churning with complex emotions.

It was a look of resentment, yet also of helplessness, which finally melted into profound sorrow.

"Lyon..."

Seeing the lingering hostility in his companion’s eyes, the young noble, Tariel, mistakenly thought he was still indignant on his behalf and gently patted his shoulder to console him.

"Don’t be angry for my sake. This is just how the River Domain is..."

He sighed softly.

"Over there, being a noble doesn’t mean you have some prestigious status. In terms of standing alone, we’re probably not even as respected as the wealthy merchants."

At this, Tariel changed the subject, asking with a hint of confusion.

"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 want to travel all the way to the River Domain? That place... it’s not exactly pleasant."

A hint of envy crept into Tariel’s voice as he mentioned the status of a Golden Valley noble.

Hearing the question, the young man named Lyon’s eyes flickered for a moment before he offered a gentle smile.

"What good is being a noble? I’m not the eldest son, so it’s not like I’ll ever inherit the title. So..."

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze drifting toward the city gates of Distant Harbor. A flicker of longing crossed his eyes, but his expression quickly returned to one of calm.

"...I figured I should get out and see the world while I’m still young. Better than just rotting away in some room."

"Ha! Well said!"

That sentiment clearly resonated with Tariel. He laughed heartily and clapped Lyon hard on the shoulder.

"By the way..."

Although Tariel hadn’t used much force, the sting on his shoulder still made Lyon frown involuntarily. He subtly shifted half a step to the side and asked nonchalantly.

"Tariel, you mentioned before... the Knight Academies in the River Domain. Is it true they don’t have any status restrictions, that anyone can go there to study?"

"Of course!"

Tariel nodded, but then his tone grew hesitant.

"But... you have to pass their entrance exam first."

He shrugged helplessly.

"Maybe it’s because there are no status restrictions that the Knight Academy exams in the River Domain are so brutal. Take me, for example..."

He pointed to himself and sighed heavily.

"I’ve already failed three times. If I don’t pass this year, my father will absolutely kill me..."

The young noble shuddered, as if imagining the scene.

Lyon frowned thoughtfully at his words.

"So, what are the specifics of the exam...?"

Before he could finish his question, Tariel suddenly shouted in excitement.

"Lyon! Look! A new ship is here! Quick, quick! We have to go get a good spot!"

Before the words were even out of his mouth, he grabbed his slender companion and sprinted toward the newly docked ship.

......

......

「Aboard the Black Shell Trading Company ship.」

’Looks like...’

Roland lay on the soft bed, a playful smile on his lips as he mulled over the earlier conversation between Lor and that young noble.

’The so-called co-rule of nobles and merchants in the River Domain isn’t as harmonious as the rumors claim. So now I’ve...’

Recalling his conversation with Colin and the man’s meaningful smile, Roland raised an eyebrow.

’Have I been branded as part of the merchant faction?’

’Getting dragged into a political mess right after arriving in a new place... what a headache.’

Although that’s what he thought, Roland’s expression showed no sign of distress.

After all, compared to the Knight’s Breathing Technique, these so-called political problems were merely trivial matters.

As long as his Power was great enough, neither the merchants nor the nobles could do a thing to him.

’Still, I should be cautious in the early stages. Even with the help of my Professional Panel, mastering the Knight’s Breathing Technique won’t happen overnight...’

With this in mind, Roland opened his Professional Panel. His gaze lingered for a long time on the [Enchanter] entry, and he finally let out a soft sigh.

’The requirements for the High Tier Profession [Enchanter] will be difficult to meet anytime soon. Once I arrive, I’ll have Colin find someone to recommend me to the Blacksmith Guild so I can continue to hone my Basic Forging Skill... As for Magic Theory, I’m afraid that will require a great deal of reading...’

’As for other Basic Professions and Upper-tier Professions...’

In an instant, various possibilities flashed through Roland’s mind.

For example, Crafting Professions like Chef, carpenter, and tailor, or Collection Professions like farmer, Fisherman, and lumberjack.

He had never tried to take up these Life Professions before, mainly because he had been too focused on improving his combat abilities to be distracted.

But once he reached the River Domain, perhaps he would have the time to delve into them properly.

’Even if I manage to unlock these Life Professions, they’re probably just Basic Professions. The Attribute Bonuses and Extra Benefits they provide will have a negligible effect on my strength, but every little bit helps!’

’Once I get to the River Domain, I’ll first get the lay of the land. After I obtain the Knight’s Breathing Technique, I’ll try these professions out one by one...’

As he was lost in thought, a noisy commotion suddenly erupted from outside his cabin.

Roland’s brows furrowed. He shot to his feet, strode to the window, and looked out.

There on the deck, a group of fish-headed, man-bodied Demons had appeared.

Their savage forms looked especially terrifying under the sun. Dark green scales covered their bodies, glistening wetly with a cold sheen.

They were hunched over, their sharp dorsal fins erect like daggers, and their webbed claws tightly gripped rusty fish spears and daggers.

Their crimson eyes gleamed with a predator’s malice, and a foul-smelling slime dripped from between their serrated fangs.

The lead Fishman let out a hoarse growl, the gills on its neck flaring violently as if greedily sniffing the scent of its prey.

Seeing this, the Guards roared and raised their longswords to engage, but the Fishmen’s assault was far more ferocious than they had imagined.

These aquatic monsters leaped across the deck with uncanny agility, their webbed feet leaving slippery tracks on the planks.

A rusty fish spear whistled through the air and pierced a Guard’s chain armor, spraying blood into the sea breeze.

"Hold formation!"

A Guard shouted, but he was quickly tackled to the ground by three Fishmen.

Their sharp teeth tore out his throat, their crimson eyes constricting with bloodthirsty excitement.

From within the cabins, terrified screams rose one after another.

Meanwhile, the Guards on deck were steadily losing ground as the Fishmen grew more frenzied with the fight.

Letting out ear-piercing shrieks, they slit open the Guards’ abdomens with their rusty daggers, spilling entrails across the deck to mingle with the seawater.

A young sailor tried to fight back with a fish spear but was swatted aside by a Fishman. Its sharp teeth tore his face into a bloody pulp.

The battle had become a one-sided slaughter.

Several arrows protruded from the Fishmen’s bodies, but they seemed to feel no pain; the scent of blood only drove them into a greater frenzy.

The Guards’ defensive line was collapsing, and more Fishmen were constantly clambering over the ship’s rails.

And in the direction from which the Fishmen had come, a hundred meters out, the sea was being churned into a boiling vortex by some colossal creature.

A black-robed figure tumbled amidst the waves, dual-wielding daggers that flashed sharply in the sunlight. Each of their strikes sent the attacking tentacles convulsing in retreat.