Chapter 113: A Conversation Between Father and Daughter

As soon as little Hawk was out of danger, the three members of the Rolin family finally let go of the fear that had been hanging over them. That very night, in little Hawk’s hospital room, Rolin arranged a lavish feast: first, to celebrate his brother’s recovery; second, to thank Mahler, Victoria, and the others for having kept watch there these past few days. It was holiday time, and they should have gone home long before, but Hawk’s illness had delayed them.

At the table, little Hawk, now somewhat recovered and in better spirits, also took a seat. At first he was a little shy when he saw Mahler and the others, but before long he had become thoroughly at ease with them.

His small mouth was sweet as honey, and he kept calling everyone older brother and older sister, which delighted Mahler, Victoria, and the others to no end.

After the meal, everyone rested for the night inside the church. Early the next morning, after bidding farewell to Rolin, they hurried back to their respective homes.

Karina, who was also from Bosan Town, did not leave in haste. She waited for a while for Rolin and Gejil so they could return together.

From the previous night onward, Rolin had discussed matters with his parents. Because of Hawk’s condition, he would need corrective surgery once every year from now on, so Rolin proposed that the family simply live in the church. In that way, Gejil and his wife could stay here with Hawk and would not need to keep running back and forth.

The Chun Church cooperated fully. With the help of Physician Tiwak, Rolin’s family soon obtained a room of their own for long-term care, and they no longer had to pay any extra fee.

The reason the church was willing to offer such convenience was largely the one million gold coins, and the prospect of another one hundred thousand each year thereafter. Of course, there was also the mediation of Physician Tiwak.

Once the lodging issue was settled, the family discussed things again that day and decided that Rolin and Gejil should return home and sell the three little houses there. The houses were very old; if no one repaired them for several years, they would decay even if left standing.

After making the decision, Rolin and Gejil rode back to Bosan Town on a donkey together with Karina.

After saying goodbye to Karina, Rolin returned home with his father and dealt with the broken, worn-out clocks. Before this, after Rolin had insisted time and again, Gejil had also agreed to stop being a clockmaker, which had exhausted him so much. From now on, Rolin could support the whole family through potion alchemy alone.

As for the other household items, Rolin put them all into his undead space. By then, the house was left empty. Gejil could not help but praise it: this undead space was truly a divine treasure for moving house.

Next, Rolin summoned Arthur, the wealthy merchant who returned to town at the end of every year, and discussed selling the three small houses with him. In truth, the houses could probably sell for no more than five hundred gold coins, but Arthur was generous and directly gave them six hundred.

Finally, Gejil and his son bid farewell to the neighbors around them and to his elder brother. Alva said he would go visit little Hawk in two days. Once everything had been handled, the two of them rode the donkey back to the Chun Church in the imperial capital.

Bosan Town, Karina’s home.

At that moment, Karina and her father, Morey, were seated in the living room talking.

“Father, I came back to Bosan Town with Rolin this time,” Karina said, picking up a piece of fruit from the table and taking a light bite.

“With Rolin? Then Rolin safely returned from the Maya Mountains?” Morey’s eyes lit up.

Karina nodded. “He returned to the academy more than half a year ago already. By the way, this time he came back intending to sell his family’s house, and then the whole family will live in the Chun Church in the imperial capital.”

“Hmm? They were doing fine in that house, so why did they suddenly think of moving to Chun Church?” Morey asked in confusion.

Karina then explained how Rolin’s younger brother had suffered a recurrence of his leg ailment and had gone to live in the church. “By the way, Father, Hawk’s surgery alone will cost a full one million gold coins. But in the end, Rolin paid that enormous sum himself!”

Hearing this, Morey’s eyes widened in shock. “O-one million gold coins? Our entire family fortune is probably only worth two or three hundred thousand. How did that poor boy produce so much money? Didn’t he borrow from you or those rich young masters in your dormitory?”

Karina said carelessly, “At first, a few of us were going to lend him money, but later he took out a spatial ring and put it up for auction. That ring sold for a full one million two hundred thousand gold coins. Oh, and I heard that spatial ring was obtained during his training in the Maya Mountains.”

“Strong in ability, and blessed with great fortune as well. That boy is truly someone remarkable!” Morey praised.

Karina curled her lip. “That’s not all. I heard from Mahler and the others that Rolin is also a potion alchemist, and even the owner of Cervantes Alchemy Shop thinks highly of him. I didn’t expect him to be so good at hiding things. I’d been with him for so long, and I didn’t even know.”

“A potion alchemist? Cervantes holds him in high regard?” At those words, Morey suddenly sprang up from his seat and hurried over to stand before Karina, asking eagerly, “Are you telling the truth?”

Karina was startled by his reaction, then rolled her eyes at him. “Father, why are you making such a fuss? It’s just a potion alchemist. Terry is one too!”

That single sentence made Morey slap his thigh in frustration. “Karina, what do you know! He’s been recognized by Master Cervantes! You should know that Cervantes is the deputy chairman of the Alchemy Guild. If Rolin can get onto that line, what do you think he’ll become in the future? I’m telling you, you cannot let this chance slip away. You must seize it, and quickly!”

Only then did Karina realize that the owner of Cervantes Alchemy Shop had such an impressive background. She nodded and said, “Father, don’t worry. Otherwise, why do you think I came home several days late this time? I was staying at Chun Church to keep his parents company. Oh, right, after Rolin came back from the Maya Mountains this time, he’s been in rather frequent contact with a woman named Victoria. I feel like there may be some ambiguity between them.”

Hearing this, Morey slapped his thigh again. “You little fool! Did he perhaps see you spending time with that Terry fellow all the time? Otherwise, why would this woman Victoria have inserted herself into the picture? I told you long ago to break things off with that Terry, but you simply refused to listen!”

Karina could not help but feel wronged. “Father, I only chat with Terry occasionally, that’s all. Even if he saw it, it wouldn’t mean anything. But from what I can tell, Rolin’s mind is entirely focused on his brother’s leg ailment right now. He isn’t spending much effort on matters of the heart.”

Morey paced back and forth twice, then stopped and said, “No. There are not many boys with this kind of potential in the whole world. If you can’t be with him, it would be a terrible waste. Tomorrow, come with me to Chun Church. His brother has just recovered from a serious illness, and they have only just moved their home to the church. It’s the perfect time to build a closer bond. How could we let such an opportunity pass?”