"Uncle Peyton!"

Recognizing the man’s face, Roland waved excitedly.

He hadn’t seen Peyton since the village was attacked by Kobolds.

However, when he corresponded with Sean, it was always this old mercenary before him who wrote the letters.

Those letters, in addition to Sean’s caring reminders and updates, were always full of Peyton’s witty remarks and jokes.

So even though they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, the bond between them hadn’t faded in the slightest.

"Celestial Father above..."

He couldn’t see clearly in the twilight, but when the tall figure dismounted and walked closer, Peyton was so shocked that the stalk of wheat he was chewing fell to the ground.

He clearly remembered when they first met six months ago. The boy had been as thin as a reed, looking like he could be snapped by the wind at any moment.

But now...

The old mercenary squinted, looking Roland up and down. Only after confirming the familiar facial features did he clap Roland’s shoulder heavily with a rough hand.

"You kid, did you swallow a Giant’s heart or something? You’ve grown so..."

He gestured at their nearly equal height and shook his head in amazement.

"You’re almost as tall as me!"

Faced with Peyton’s exaggerated words and actions, Roland just offered a gentle smile without explaining further. Instead, he asked a question.

"Uncle Peyton, why were you waiting for me outside of town?"

"Who else but that brat Sean!"

Peyton snatched the reins from Roland’s hand and led him toward the town, complaining nonstop.

"A few days ago, he heard you were coming and forced me to wait here at the town entrance. Said he was afraid you’d get lost, ha!"

He rolled his eyes dramatically.

"I told him, how could a big young man like you possibly get lost? But that little rascal just wouldn’t let it go..."

As he spoke, Peyton did a perfect impression of Sean being a pest, making Roland laugh out loud.

Putting an arm around the old mercenary’s shoulders, Roland asked.

"By the way, where is Sean? Ever since he became one of Lord Beckham’s personal Guards, he’s been bragging about it in every letter. It got so bad that for a while, I didn’t even want to read them."

"That kid?"

Peyton scoffed and shook his head.

"He spends all day at the barracks now. He’d sleep at Lord Beckham’s feet if he could. Anyone who didn’t know better would think the Lord was some peerless beauty!"

Laughing and talking, the two arrived at the town gate.

Unlike the tense atmosphere of Songmu Town, the Guards in Wuxi Town, though on high alert, seemed much more composed.

After a simple inspection, they entered the town.

The streets were paved with neat cobblestones, and the horse’s hooves made a crisp clopping sound.

The roads were lined with well-arranged houses of wood and stone. The protruding windowsills on the second floors were filled with blooming flowers and drying herbs.

The clanging from the Blacksmith Shop mingled with the scent of wheat wafting from the bakery. A bronze sign hanging at the entrance of an inn glinted in the sunlight.

Being close to Black Pine Forest, one could also see some Adventurers and Mercenaries in various gear, but they were mostly sitting quietly in tavern corners or orderly restocking their supplies at the general store.

A few children ran out from an alley, laughing and playing. They nearly crashed into Roland’s horse before scattering at Peyton’s mock-ferocious glare.

Patrolling Guards, their Armor gleaming, strode steadily through the marketplace.

An old woman with a basket of herbs on her back was haggling with the butcher. The air was filled with the scents of smoked meat and fresh rosemary.

’It seems Lord Beckham governs this place well...’

Roland glanced around.

"It’s even more peaceful here than I imagined."

Peyton snorted softly.

"That old codger may be grumpy, but he knows what he’s doing. Come on, I’ll take you to see Gary’s new tavern. That brat Sean should be getting off his shift soon."

With that, Peyton led Roland to a tavern.

An oak sign hung before the tavern, bearing the name ’Breath of the Forest’.

Sunlight filtered through the flowers on the windowsill, casting dappled shadows on the dark brown wooden door.

Two long benches were placed by the door, where a few customers were leisurely drinking ale. Their laughter rose with the smoke curling from the chimney.

After tying Black Wind to a wooden post by the entrance, Peyton strode forward and kicked the tavern door open.

"Gary! Come see who I brought!"

Gary was about to curse him out for kicking the newly replaced door, but his eyes lit up the moment he saw Roland’s face.

"You’re... Roland?"

Although he had only met Roland a few times, the boy had left a deep impression on Gary. He was his own son’s best friend, far more sensible than that little rascal of his, and a youth with the strength to slay a powerful Demon.

"Good kid. You’ve grown so fast."

Unlike Peyton, Gary didn’t comment much on how muscular Roland had become in such a short time.

After a few simple pleasantries, he went outside and hung up a ’Closed’ sign, then turned and went into the back kitchen.

Before long, a tempting aroma drifted out from the kitchen.

While cooking, Gary started ordering Peyton around.

"Peyton, don’t just stand there like an idiot. Come help me with these ingredients!"

"You old fart! I’m not your tavern’s hired help!"

"If you don’t want to work, then get out and earn some money!"

"Then how about you pay me back for helping you renovate the tavern!"

"In your dreams!"

The noisy bickering made Roland smile unconsciously.

Compared to the disciplined life at the manor, this lively and casual atmosphere felt exceptionally relaxing.

Soon, aromatic dishes were brought to the table one after another.

Although the staple food was the usual boiled beans and black bread, the side dish was a stew of tender, flavorful meat. It instantly whetted the appetite of Roland, who had grown tired of the monotonous meals in the manor’s dining hall.

Just as the final dish, a wild vegetable salad, was placed on the table, heavy footsteps were suddenly heard from outside.

"Dad!"

Along with the CREAK of the wooden door, a familiar voice boomed in his ears.

"Dad! Why are you closing so ear— Roland?"

Sean rubbed his eyes hard. With a cry of surprise, he rushed to the table in a few large strides and stared up and down at his long-lost best friend as if he were some rare treasure.

"You... you’re..."

Looking at Roland, who was now even more sturdily built than himself, Sean was too shocked to speak coherently.

After a long moment, the straightforward youth flopped down onto the seat next to Roland and gave his sturdy arm a hard punch.

"Looks like the food for a Blacksmith Apprentice is pretty good!"

He laughed heartily.

"With a build like this, I’d like to see anyone try and bully you now!"

Noticing the look of relief and joy in Sean’s eyes, Roland shook his head with a helpless smile and took a good look at his reunited friend.

Compared to when they last parted, Sean hadn’t changed too drastically, but the details revealed many differences.

He was more muscular, his once fair skin was tanned dark and glowing, and his palms were covered in thick calluses.

The most obvious change was in his expression. His former boyish immaturity was gone, replaced by a look of steady resolve.

"Ha!"

Before Roland could reply, Peyton, who was sitting to the side, chugged a mouthful of ale and let out a satisfied belch.

"With the way this kid looks now, who would dare bully him? We’ll be lucky if he’s not the one bullying others!"

"Damn it, Peyton!"

Gary, seeing the bottle in Peyton’s hand, roared in anguish.

"That’s the most expensive ale in the house!"

"Obviously! Why else would I be drinking it?"

"You scoundrel!"

Watching the two of them bicker, Roland and Sean exchanged a smile.

Dinner concluded in this lively and warm atmosphere.

"Oof!"

Sean let out an exaggerated groan and collapsed heavily onto the bed, while Roland took the opportunity to look around the room.

Compared to the small, cramped room he remembered from the village, Sean’s current living quarters were exceptionally spacious and bright.

"You have no idea..."

Sean said while rubbing his stomach.

"how strict Lord Beckham is with his training..."

Although he was complaining, his eyes shone with unconcealable excitement and pride.

The two chatted for a while longer before finally lying down on the bed side-by-side, just like they used to.

"By the way, Roland..."

Sean suddenly turned on his side.

"How come you had time to visit me? Master Hawke actually let you have time off?"

Before Roland could answer, he continued on his own.

"Then again, with an exceptionally talented apprentice like you, of course the master would give you special treatment."

"Don’t be ridiculous."

Roland gently waved his hand, cutting off Sean’s teasing. He stared at the clean, flat ceiling above and spoke slowly.

"Actually, I came this time... mainly to say goodbye to you..."