Chapter 4: Dmitry's Fool (4)

A loud voice came from outside the door.

While Baron Romero's anger was expected, the problem was that the punishment inflicted on Roman was excessively harsh.

This made Roman even more incomprehensible.

If he had revealed that the other party had proposed the annulment, it would have been easier for him, but Roman never mentioned Flora's name.

"Are you really crazy?"

"Maybe. I'm fine, though."

Roman's reaction was calm.

Even as Flora looked up at him, he merely wiped the blood flowing from his head with his sleeve.

The wound on his head was not severe.

Baron Romero had no intention of seriously injuring Roman; it was just a matter of blood trickling from a scraped area.

"Do you even know what you're being tasked with? It's the Blood Gang, the Blood Gang. They're a notorious group in the area, and how do you plan to deal with them without the help of your family?"

The Blood Gang.

Their infamy is not limited to Dmitry.

There were many incidents in Lawrence as well, especially the terrorist attack on a noble, which heightened their notoriety.

"The reason the Blood Gang is scary is that they have nothing to lose. They never encroach on the territory of the nobles unless their own interests are threatened, but if they feel harmed, they will retaliate without hesitation. They are not normal. They even strap magic bombs to their bodies and carry out suicide attacks. Do you think you can handle such people? Just tell the truth, go to the Baron and beg for mercy."

"Why should I?"

"Why? There are plenty of reasons to explain—"

"You're a funny one."

Roman chuckled.

Despite the eyes that could melt the hearts of most men, Roman remained unfazed.

"I understand what you mean. When you proposed the annulment, you didn't consider my situation at all, but now that I've taken full responsibility and promised to resolve the issue, you're worried. But here's the thing. From the moment you mentioned 'annulment' on our first meeting, you lost the right to worry about my situation. That's the relationship between you and me."

Flora.

When Roman met her, he fulfilled his duties as a fiancé.

He doused himself in a foul-smelling perfume to cover the smell of blood, and wore a suffocating formal suit without complaint.

It was to show the minimum courtesy to the other party.

Roman, like Flora, had considered the annulment, but he didn't want to ruin things and hurt the feelings of a woman who had done him no harm from the start.

But Flora was different.

On their first meeting.

The first words she spoke.

They were about the annulment.

Looking at Flora's cold face, Roman realized he didn't need to show her any consideration.

So he accepted the annulment.

He said he would take full responsibility because he didn't want to be entangled with Flora anymore.

"..."

Flora was flustered.

This was a situation she had never experienced.

Most men would positively accept her goodwill, but Roman was overly irritable.

Speechless, Flora.

Roman looked down at her and said coldly,

"We are now strangers. So, I'll handle my own affairs."

He drew a line.

Even if she was a flower admired by many men, her value varied from person to person.

Roman turned away as if she meant nothing, leaving her behind as he walked away.

After the commotion settled,

Baron Romero, alone in his office, drank until the sun set.

"You're drinking too much."

Lihanna Dmitry.

Roman's mother and Baron Romero's wife, she surveyed the surroundings and spoke softly.

The room was a mess.

Items thrown by Baron Romero were scattered on the floor, and the table was filled with empty bottles.

The smell of alcohol alone was enough to make one wrinkle their nose.

Baron Romero, his face flushed from alcohol, looked at Lihanna with a pained expression.

"Lihanna, I used violence against Roman today. I know better than anyone how wrong that was, but when I came to my senses, I saw blood flowing from Roman's head. What a wretched father I am. To think I would resort to violence because my child didn't grow up as I wished."

He ran his hands through his hair in anguish.

Baron Romero was not born into nobility.

Born a commoner, he endured a difficult childhood, beaten to near death by his blacksmith father every day.

Perhaps because of this,

Baron Romero vowed never to pass on such experiences to his own children when he obtained his noble title.

Indeed, his three sons grew up without knowing hardship.

The problem was that blind love was not the right approach, and it was Roman, who had experienced the same hardships as a commoner, who went astray.

The sore thumb.

That was Roman.

Even though Baron Romero had never used violence against Roman, this time he couldn't bear it.

Lihanna approached Baron Romero, hugged him, and stroked his head.

"Violence is not the right action, but when a child goes astray, the only ones who can correct them are their parents. So, don't let guilt overwhelm you. The Romero Dmitry I know is a strong man who wouldn't stand idly by while his son goes astray."

"I'm not as great as you think. Seeing Roman talk about the annulment right after the Lawrence noble's visit, I suspect he received a one-sided annulment. Yet, I vented my anger on him. I knew he couldn't do anything, but I chose an easy target instead of blaming Lawrence."

"I understand your feelings. But there's still a chance to correct the situation."

Lihanna.

She knew what to say.

From the time Baron Romero was a commoner, Lihanna always provided him with wise advice.

"Are you talking about the Blood Gang?"

"Yes. Roman is a proud child. He probably said he would handle the Blood Gang out of anger. But we don't know what might happen if we leave it as it is. So, you need to protect Roman."

"You're right."

Baron Romero nodded.

The Blood Gang.

A notorious group, he didn't think Roman could handle them.

Not knowing what might happen if he stirred the hornet's nest, it was necessary to take precautions for Roman's safety.

Lihanna said,

"What about calling Knight Commander Jonathan? Roman can't handle the situation alone, so he will surely try to persuade the Knight Commander. Then, Jonathan can pretend to give in and handle things as Roman wishes."

"You're right."

Jonathan.

The commander of the Dmitry Knights and a powerful user of a 3-star aura.

He was trustworthy.

Baron Romero called a servant.

"Bring Knight Commander Jonathan here immediately."

"Understood."

However, there was something they overlooked.

Roman Dmitry.

He was not the son they once knew.

He would stand by his word, even at the cost of his life. This was the new Roman they would come to know.

* * *

A few days later.

Roman left the inner city.

With no guards, only Hans followed him, unable to hide his worry.

"Master, it's really dangerous to go out like this. The Blood Gang is a notorious group that has terrorized nobles. They are likely planning to retaliate against you after the last incident. Walking around without guards could lead to anything. Please, please return to the inner city."

Hans was right.

In the past few days,

Roman had investigated the Blood Gang and learned they were as dangerous as rumored.

Roman said,

"You're right, the Blood Gang is a dangerous group. They are a decentralized organization, and no one knows their base or the extent of their power. They can strike anywhere, anytime, which is why people fear them. But tell me, when do you think this group gained such power?"

"…I don't know."

"The incident was a coincidence. The Blood Gang once waged war against a usury group, and their brutal killings earned them a bad reputation. That was the beginning. The bad reputation bred fear, and they realized how efficiently they could handle things by exploiting that fear."

It was a strange statement.

Hans looked at Roman, puzzled.

"Still, it's dangerous, right?"

"Right."

Roman chuckled.

It was true.

The Blood Gang was indeed dangerous.

Their reputation had grown, and they had to act in ways that matched their infamy.

In the martial world, those with nothing to lose were dangerous, but the problem was that Roman was a Heavenly Demon.

A Heavenly Demon.

The pinnacle of the Demon Sect.

What had he gone through to rise to the top from the muck?

Suicide attacks?

They were a daily occurrence.

Assassins targeting Roman numbered in the dozens each day, and the venomous glares of those who cursed him even in death were too numerous to remember.

Roman had overcome such adversities to reach the pinnacle.

He would gouge out the eyes of anyone who dared look him in the eye and tear out the tongues of those who cursed him.

That was Roman.

The Blood Gang's infamy did not instill any fear in him.

"Let's go in there."

"Huh?"

Roman stopped.

Suddenly entering a restaurant, Hans was flustered but hurriedly followed.

The food arrived quickly.

A variety of dishes filled the table, emitting a fragrant aroma, but Roman said calmly to Hans,

"I'll be back after eating."

"What do you mean?"

Hans, who was drooling, was startled.

Going out alone.

That meant becoming prey for the Blood Gang.

"From now on, it's something I have to handle. There's no need for you to risk yourself."

"I can't do that. Even if I'm in danger, I can't let you go alone."

Hans was resolute.

He was ready to run out with a knife if necessary.

Roman smiled.

Hans.

He was a good person.

Beyond the barrier of master and servant, he genuinely cared for Roman's well-being.

Roman said,

"You are my man, right?"

"Of course, I am Master's man."

"Then do what you can for me. I don't want meaningless sacrifices. Doing what you can't do is not for my benefit but for your own desire. So, sit here and enjoy the food as I command. By coming with me, you've done your part."

Roman.

Living a new life, he had set boundaries.

And for the first time, he included Hans within those boundaries.

Status was unimportant.

Roman accepted Hans as his own, and he would never take his life lightly.

"I'll be back soon."

With that, Roman got up.

Hans, left alone,

repeated Roman's words in shock.

"My man."

Master Roman.

He had never heard such words while following him.

Touched by his genuine acceptance, even though he was just a commoner, Hans felt a lump in his throat.

"I have to tell someone."

He couldn't let Master Roman die like this.

Whatever his thoughts, wandering alone outside was likely to lead to trouble.

Hans rushed out.

The Dmitry Knights.

Now was the time to inform them that Master Roman was in danger.

After Hans left,

the food, bereft of its owner, grew cold.