“That’s why I came,” Elio said. “ you ventured outside the border, you've seen many things around the world. Also you are the oldest person i know,so you have more experienc with life, if anybody can give me proper advice it's you.”

  Robertson gnced at him, then gave a small chuckle, shaking his head. “Advice, huh? Elio… it’s your life. You decide how to live it. No one else can do that for you not your father, not your elders ,not even me.”

  Elio let out a long sigh and leaned forward. “Was there anything my grandfather ever regretted? Back when you two used to drink here , did he ever talk about that?”

  Robertson’s smile faded slightly. For a moment, it looked like he was lost in thought.

  “your grandfather, Even thought i was called one of the strongest man in the country but i was never a brave person.

  He was the bravest man I’ve ever known,” he said slowly. “Tossing away royalty for love that’s not something just anybody can do.”

  He paused, eyes on the horizon as the sun begining to hide under the forest.

  “You know your great-grandfather was a scientist,” he continued. “Back in those days, that meant being looked down on. Science was seen as beneath the noble arts . magic, swordsmanship, alchemy… and then science, far at the bottom. A curiosity, not a calling, some church even called them heretic. But your grandfather? He gave up his title, his inheritance as heir to a dukedom… all for your grandmother and pursue the way of science.”

  Elio’s brows rose slightly. He had heard it from his grandmother , but never from another perspective.

  “He didn’t just walk away from politics or power,” Robertson said, voice steady with respect. “He gave up everything. The ducal house gave him some condition,he has to stop using family art. So he stopped practicing the swordsmanship his family trained him in from his youth. Stopped using magic passed down through generations. He started from scratch diving into science, exploring magic from a fresh perspective. He spent his life working under your grate grandfather Trying to understand the world through a different lens.”

  He paused, sipping his wine slowly.

  “Now, science is respected. It holds real weight in society, thanks to people like him. But back then?” Robertson shook his head. “He was ahead of his time. More talented than even me. If he’d stayed on his course, he could’ve been a Sword Saint. And the dukedom… it would’ve been his. But he didn’t care.”

  He looked over at Elio.

  “And he never regretted it. Not once. He lived the way he liked,Except” he stopped for a breath, the wind gently brushed at the edge of his cloak. “He once told me… the only thing he truly wished he’d done more of was travel. He wanted to see the world. Every corner of it. But family, duty, the path he chose it kept him tied here for years. He saw a few countries once his children were grown, but not like he dreamed. That was the only thing he wished he’d done differently.”

  Elio fell silent, eyes heavy with thought.

  “I, on the other hand,” Robertson said, settling deeper into his chair, “traveled across the whole world in my youth. Every kingdom, every forgotten ruin, every wild shore. This country? It’s just a sliver of what’s out there. The world’s vast, full of things you can’t even imagine. The whole world is a vast ocean and this pce is like a small gss of water.”

  He gnced at Elio, noticing the stillness in his eyes.

  “If you really want advice,” Robertson said gently, “then here it is: go. See it for yourself. Don’t rush into danger. You don’t have to py the hero. Just… see it. Explore. Learn. Meet people. Find what life looks like beyond these hills and cities. You’ll know what you’re looking for when you find it.”

  Elio remained quiet, staring at the stars that just beginning to appear above them.

  Robertson leaned forward slightly, a knowing smile forming on his lips. “Don’t look so serious. You don’t need to have everything figured out tonight. And you don’t have to take risks to prove anything. You can keep it safe, simple — just go and see the world for what it is.”

  After a long pause, Elio finally nodded, his voice soft. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  Robertson raised his gss in farewell. “You know where to find me. I’m always here for you, boy.”

  Elio stood, brushing off his coat. As he turned to leave, Robertson called after him with a grin. “And bring more bottles tomorrow! One isn’t enough!”

  Elio gnced over his shoulder and smiled, raising a hand in acknowledgment. “You got it, old man.”