Translator: CinderTL
Rudolph.
Roland first heard this name from the dragon he encountered in Mist Creek Town.
Due to his Animal Companion trait, he was mistakenly believed to be a descendant of this mysterious figure, which allowed him to obtain the Dragon Bloodline and trigger the Dragonborn class prompt, leading to a dramatic increase in his strength.
Afterward, Roland attempted to find more information about Rudolph in various ancient texts, but ultimately only glimpsed a brief mention in a fragmented scroll titled Epic of Heroes:
"In Crystal Calendar 497, Rudolph single-handedly repelled the demons invading the mortal realm through the Abyssal Eye, earning him the title of Hero."
Beyond this, no further details were provided.
But how could this be?
The dragons' immense power was vividly documented in nearly all surviving historical records.
And dragonborn, those who carried the Dragon Bloodline, were undoubtedly extraordinary individuals.
Even if such a being had ultimately faded into the river of history, they should have left more traces behind.
Moreover, his ability to single-handedly repel the Abyssal forces' invasion left no doubt about his immense strength.
For such a legendary figure, the historical records should have been far more extensive.
Therefore, Roland remained deeply curious about this hero named Rudolph.
Of course, his curiosity went no further than that.
After all, a hero who had passed away many years ago could have no real impact on his current situation.
Therefore, he never made a deliberate effort to seek out the hero's deeds after that.
But since Galvis seemed to have personally experienced, or at least deeply understood, the First Abyss Invasion—the "Abyssal Eye" incident of the Crystal Era—Roland didn't mind asking a few more questions to satisfy his long-standing curiosity.
"Rudolph?"
Hearing Roland's question, Galvis's quill didn't pause, continuing to scratch across the parchment.
He didn't look up, his tone casual.
"Roland, does this Rudolph you mentioned have any more specific characteristics? You see..."
The bard frowned, as if deep in thought.
"In the ancient tongue, the name 'Rudolph' often symbolizes rebellion, genius, and mysticism, commonly interpreted as 'the rejected rebel who strikes back.'"
"Precisely for this reason... many ancient noble families favored this distinctive name for their heirs."
"The rejected... rebel who strikes back?"
Hearing this somewhat convoluted interpretation, Roland raised an eyebrow slightly, then carefully replied.
"According to my research, during the 'Abyssal Eye' incident in the Crystal Era, he single-handedly repelled the invading demon armies..."
"Wait!"
Before Roland could finish, Galvis urgently interrupted, leaning closer with eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"This... Roland, why are you so interested in him?"
"It's because..."
Considering that his dragon transformation traits had already manifested and Galvis was one of his most trusted companions, Roland decided to be honest and recounted his encounter with the dragon in Mist Creek Town in detail.
"I see, I see!"
After hearing Roland's account, Galvis nearly danced with excitement.
"I never imagined that the hero my teacher wrote about was also a dragonborn! And Roland, you now carry Dragon Blood because of this... What a miraculous fate! I knew choosing you as the protagonist of my Epic of Heroes was absolutely the right decision! No, I must..."
At this point, Galvis abruptly dropped to the ground, completely abandoning his composure. He scribbled furiously with his quill, muttering to himself.
"I need to record this immediately! When my teacher sees this record, he'll be immensely, utterly pleased with my academic progress!"
"Galvis... Galvis!"
Seeing his companion completely lost in his own world, Roland had to raise his voice.
Only when the bard finally looked up did Roland continue, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
"You mentioned... a teacher? Does that mean you know quite a bit about this Rudolph I told you about?"
"Uh... well... I suppose I know him somewhat..."
Realizing he had been a bit carried away, Galvis awkwardly touched his cheek.
"Remember what I said earlier, Roland? Every bard must complete their own story and poem. It's a lifelong endeavor, and also the path to advancement in our profession, though..."
As he spoke, he carefully finished writing the last few lines, then brushed the dust off his knees and stood up.
"I'm not entirely sure how this method will specifically enhance my strength, but..."
Realizing he was getting off-topic, Galvis quickly steered the conversation back on track.
"Anyway, the Rudolph you mentioned is the central figure in the story my teacher recorded."
"So..."
Seeing Galvis was taking too long to get to the point, Roland waved his hand in exasperation.
"What kind of person was this Rudolph, exactly?"
Galvis's eyes lit up immediately at Roland's question.
He cleared his throat, struck a dramatic pose characteristic of bards, and swept his quill through the air in an elegant arc.
"Ah, Rudolph! He was a living legend, the brightest star in the darkest night, the perfect protagonist for any bard's dreams!"
Galvis's voice rose and fell with theatrical flair, brimming with infectious enthusiasm.
"His valor rivaled that of ancient war gods, his wisdom surpassed that of sages from a thousand years past. Every action he took resonated with poetic rhythm, every choice he made shimmered with the light of destiny."
"In my teacher's writings, he was so utterly perfect that any adjective seemed pale and inadequate in his presence..."
Roland listened quietly to this extravagant praise until Galvis paused to catch his breath. Then he calmly pressed for details.
"So, what happened next? What specific deeds did this perfect hero accomplish? What did he look like? What weapons did he wield?"
"Well, that's..."
Galvis's soaring enthusiasm suddenly froze. He scratched his head sheepishly, his voice dropping several notches.
"Actually... my teacher's story isn't finished yet, so I don't know the specific details either..."
Roland's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes.
He had spent time recounting his experiences only to receive a string of empty adjectives in return. He felt like he was wasting his time.
He glanced silently at Galvis, the clear disappointment in his gaze making the bard squirm uncomfortably.
"Hey, don't look at me like that, Roland!" Galvis waved his hands awkwardly, hurrying to explain.
"But I promise you, during my time by your side, I've recorded countless thrilling adventures! I'm about to return to Eversong Forest to have my teacher review my work."
"When I do, I'll definitely ask him everything about Rudolph in detail."
Hearing Galvis's words, Roland paused, instinctively blurting out, "Wait, you're going back to Eversong Forest?"
"Yeah."
Galvis tucked his quill back into the ink bottle at his waist and brushed the dust from his coat.
"It's time I returned to show my teacher what I've learned these past few months."
He suddenly stopped, his keen eyes catching a fleeting emotion in Roland's gaze. A mischievous grin immediately spread across his lips.
"What's this? Our ever-composed hero Roland... could it be you're reluctant to see me leave?"
To his surprise, Roland neither denied the accusation nor offered his usual dismissive response. Instead, he gave a small, honest nod.
Though their acquaintance had been brief, the bard had always seemed boisterous and flighty, often losing himself in his stories, oblivious to his surroundings.
Yet beneath this unreliable facade, Galvis had never failed to rise to the occasion in times of true crisis.
Beneath his seemingly carefree exterior lay sharp observation skills and unwavering loyalty.
Such a companion was indeed worth cherishing.
Seeing Roland's sincere response, a warm light flickered in Galvis's eyes.
He dropped his playful demeanor, stepped forward solemnly, pressed a hand lightly to his chest, and executed an elegant bard's bow.
"Don't worry, my dear friend," he said, his voice unusually gentle and sincere.
"Once I've reported my recent experiences to my teacher, I'll return to your side soon enough. After all..."
He lifted his head, his eyes rekindling with that familiar spark—the insatiable hunger for a captivating story.
"How could I possibly let go of someone destined to become the protagonist of a legendary poem? My tale is far from finished."
Before his words could fully settle, a crisp voice rang out from the side.
"Wait!"
Turning toward the sound, they saw Avril and Theresa approaching with some simple food in their hands.
The once-spirited Galvis immediately shrank back at the sight of the elf girl, his bravado deflating like a punctured balloon. His imposing aura visibly diminished.
Avril handed Roland the rather meager meal—a few slices of coarse bread and a small piece of cheese—and explained with a hint of apology.
"Sorry, Roland. The conditions are limited. Make do with this for now."
Then, her gaze shifted to Galvis, her eyebrow arching slightly.
"I seem to have heard... you mention returning to Eversong Forest?"
"Y-yes," Galvis stammered, his voice dropping several notches, sounding noticeably less confident.
"Perfect."
Avril walked over to him, gently patted his shoulder, and said calmly, "I also have something I need to return for."
"What? Are you out of your mind!" Galvis exclaimed, his voice rising sharply like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his tone filled with disbelief and shock.
"Avril! Even though many years have passed, the council of elders has never rescinded the wanted poster for you! Going back now is like walking straight into a trap!"
Faced with Galvis's vehement reaction, Avril offered no further explanation, simply shaking her head with unwavering resolve.
"There are things I must take care of."
Before Galvis could protest further, she decisively changed the subject, turning her gaze back to Roland, who was quietly eating.
"Roland, what about you? What are your plans?"
(End of the Chapter)
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