Lord Evolution: Starting With SS-rank Skills

Morning arrived swiftly, and the gentle sun resumed its position in the sky as usual, casting a serene glow over Winterseed.

The village was tranquil.

Calmer than it had been yesterday and the day before.

There were no midnight cries, no signs of death, and therefore no need for the villagers to gather at the village square to bury any loved ones.

One after another, the villagers stepped out of their houses, exchanging cautious glances with their neighbors, trying to discern if any tragedy had occurred overnight.

They couldn't ask such a question directly, so they studied the expressions of those around them.

After some time, they discovered the good news and couldn't help but recite appreciative prayers to their ancestors.

It was a few minutes past dawn.

Blaze and Rowan strolled along the southern border, where they had gone to check on the livestock.

They walked through the streets, observing every action of the people.

"No deaths?" Rowan murmured, a bit bewildered.

Death among his villagers had almost become a norm in the past two days.

"Has the dark creature finally decided to leave the village?" he wondered aloud, even more perplexed.

Some of the villagers greeted him with warm smiles.

A few young women even approached Blaze, giving him affectionate pats.

No one wore an expression of sadness, confirming Rowan and Blaze's speculation that no deaths had occurred in the village.

Rowan shut his eyes briefly and heaved a sigh of relief.

'I wish the village continues to be this peaceful henceforth,'

Today, he wouldn't have to wrack his brain giving emotional speeches, and the weight lifted from his shoulders made him feel genuinely happy.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He began strolling back home.

Blaze complained he was tired, so Rowan sent him back into the Divine Beast Plain.

"Very soon, I'll have another divine beast in the Divine Plain," he said to himself, "and Blaze won't have to be lonely in there."

---

Back at home, Rowan met with Riela and shared his experience with her.

He was about to head out to meet with the merchants from Cold-gin Village when the air outside suddenly became tense. In the next moment, Dragun and Vishirk appeared.

"Rowan, we're back," Dragun announced with a smile.

Vishirk nodded beside him, his eyes gleaming.

"Were you able to obtain the potion?" Rowan asked after greeting them.

Dragun's smile widened as he produced a bottle containing the awakening potion.

As the potion was revealed, a system tab quickly opened, providing a brief description:

[Awakening Potion (87.8% Pure): A special potion utilized for the unnatural awakening of the mana core. The chances of awakening interesting affinity and core quality depend on the purity of the potion.]

Rowan read the description while gazing at the shimmering liquid.

"You are very lucky; we managed to purchase the potion at a price far cheaper than we budgeted," Vishirk revealed with a grin.

"I used part of the money to acquire everything else required for your awakening. It will take me about four hours to set it up, so be prepared to undergo your awakening this afternoon," Dragun added.

Rowan listened attentively and nodded.

Dragun and Vishirk then brought out the spells they had purchased for Riela and handed them over to her.

They also distributed the mana stones they had purchased to Rowan, who stored them in his inventory.

Vishirk, ever the talkative one, seized the opportunity to recount their adventures at the black market and in Yellow River City. He didn't miss the chance to embarrass Dragun by sharing how an automaton had scammed him.

Rowan, eager to prepare for his awakening, found it hard to focus on Vishirk's tales. He politely excused himself and headed to the meeting house.

On his way, he encountered Roland and two other captains, who offered to escort him to meet Obi and his company.

As they walked, Roland and the others expressed their relief that none of the villagers had lost their lives last night.

From their voices and words, Rowan could tell that the hope of survival in their hearts had grown stronger.

Rowan hoped the same—he didn't want to expend all his resources searching and trying to capture the evil being wreaking havoc on his territory and people.

He informed the captains about the arrival of visitors from another village. Though he didn't disclose the purpose of their visit, he assured them that these newcomers weren't enemies, hoping to prevent any unnecessary hostility.

They agreed and continued walking with Rowan.

After a few minutes, they arrived at the meeting hall.

However, upon arrival, they saw several men standing at the entrance of the meeting hall, while more than seven soldiers pointed their swords at them with hostile expressions.

Obi tried to explain to the soldiers that they weren't spies, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Rowan couldn't help but smile at the sight—it showcased how much his soldiers had improved, not just in strength and skill but also in vigilance.

"Oh look, he's here already," Obi's mood lifted when he saw Rowan and the captains approaching.

The soldiers holding them hostage turned to Rowan and saluted.

"Lord Rowan, we found these people coming out of the meeting hall. They claim they have met you already and are here on good terms," they explained.

"Let them go; they are not spies," Rowan instructed firmly.

Only with Rowan's assurance did the soldiers lower their weapons.

They were still curious about the strangers' business in the village.

Winterseed hadn't had any visitors in the past few years who weren't hostile, so it was difficult to trust anyone claiming to be peaceful.

Unable to contain their curiosity, they asked Rowan what the men had come for.

Rowan explained the situation, and their eyes widened in surprise.

"That's great!"

"We'll be able to interact and meet new people who aren't hostile towards us from now on."

"Our village is definitely going to become really rich under Lord Rowan's supervision. He will make us great again."

The soldiers reacted enthusiastically, excited about the development.

They apologized to the men from Cold-gin Village and departed.

Only Roland and George remained with Rowan.

Together, they settled the trade.

Rowan helped move the sewing machines to the carriage parked at the eastern border.

Upon reaching the border, the men handed over the gold coins to Rowan, finalizing the trade.

"We would have purchased more, but sadly, the sewing machines took up all the money we budgeted," Obi said to Rowan with a wry smile.

They shared a brief discussion before the men set off on their way.

After they were gone, Rowan heaved a sigh and made his way to the village square, where his awakening would take place.