Chapter 7: Blood Fang (3)

Information travels faster than feet.

As soon as the Blood Fang Dmitri branch collapsed, news of the incident was immediately relayed to the headquarters in Lawrence.

"Is that really true?"

"Yes. According to our informants, the Dmitri branch members were all taken down by Roman Dmitri alone. What should we do? The Dmitri Knights are already on the move, and if we do nothing, we might all be in danger."

"Damn it."

Ben Miles.

The leader of Blood Fang, his expression twisted.

"I can't believe it. The Roman Dmitri we know is not that kind of person. The fool of the Dmitri family, who was even rejected from the Royal Sword Academy, took down the entire Dmitri branch? This doesn't make sense."

A few days ago.

When Ben Miles heard that his subordinates had been defeated by Roman, he thought it was a golden opportunity.

Most groups wouldn't dare to seek revenge if their opponent was a noble.

Nobles value honor.

Thinking of how they would rush in for family revenge, it's best to resolve issues with nobles amicably.

This is how Blood Fang gained its notorious reputation.

Despite not being a major force, they dared to terrorize nobles, risking their lives.

This incident was similar.

Ben Miles intended to reignite Blood Fang's declining notoriety by eliminating Roman Dmitri.

The target was just right.

The fool of the Dmitri family.

Though he is the eldest son, according to rumors, Lord Romano supports his other two sons more than Roman.

Roman's death might even be welcomed. After all the calculations, Ben Miles boldly ordered his subordinates to kill Roman right in the heart of Dmitri.

He didn't doubt the failure.

Nobles are human too.

A knife emerging from the shadows would inevitably pierce their bodies, causing them to bleed to death.

However, the outcome was different from what he expected.

Not only did the subordinates who went with Roman suffer, but the entire Blood Fang Dmitri branch was wiped out.

'If we run now, our notoriety will be over.'

The problem was the reputation of the opponent.

Thinking it was easy because Roman was the fool of the Dmitri family, if the news of being defeated by such a person spreads, future activities would become difficult. A decision was needed. Disbanding the members would ensure immediate safety, but maintaining the same notoriety as before would be impossible.

Ben Miles said,

"Where is Roman now?"

"He just left Dmitri. It seems he obtained information from the Morning Dew. Although Roman will likely reach Lawrence first, if he is caught, it will be hard to escape."

"Ultimately, he's alone."

Ben Miles smiled coldly.

It was absurd.

How could Roman dare to attack the headquarters in Lawrence alone, thinking Blood Fang was so easy to handle?

Especially from a distance of several kilometers.

This was a problem that couldn't be ignored.

While he didn't want to clash with the Dmitri Knights, at least the arrogant and unruly brat must be dealt with.

"Immediately gather the troops. Today, we will kill the Dmitri family's brat and once again make Blood Fang's notoriety known."

The leader's decision.

At that moment, Ben Miles was confident in his judgment.

* * *

The Dmitri Knights arrived at the Lawrence territory when the sun, which had been high in the sky, was beginning to set.

It took longer than expected.

The incident occurred during training, causing many delays.

The walls of Lawrence, visible from a distance.

The leading Knight Commander Jonathan announced their purpose.

"I am Knight Commander Jonathan of the Dmitri family! I know that the eldest son, Roman Dmitri, has entered Lawrence! Open the gates immediately! Blood Fang is currently targeting Roman's life!"

Time was of the essence.

He raised his voice, as if ready to break through the walls, but the gates of Lawrence remained unmoved.

On the wall.

A man who appeared to be the guard captain showed his face.

The man with a square jaw and a stern expression did not react to Jonathan's urging.

"I'm sorry, but we cannot open the gates to armed forces. If you wish to enter Lawrence, you must disarm and follow the proper procedures."

"But didn't I just say! Roman is in danger! We need to be armed to save him!"

"Please understand our position. No territory would open its gates to an unannounced armed force. We understand the urgency, but if Roman Dmitri is in danger, we will send our own troops. Please choose. Either turn back or disarm and follow the proper procedures. Those are your only options."

"Ugh!"

Jonathan's face turned red with anger.

Lawrence and Dmitri.

These families are not without interaction.

Despite this, the refusal to open the gates, even after such a plea, made his blood boil.

"Damn brats. If anything happens to Roman while we waste time here, I won't let you off. I am Knight Commander Jonathan of the Dmitri Knights. I will keep my word, and I will remember your faces. Open the gates. Now is not the time to waste on formalities; we need to act quickly to find the young master."

Rumble.

His sword at his waist vibrated.

A 3-star Aura Knight.

Jonathan's aura was not something a mere guard captain could handle.

The guard captain finally realized the seriousness of the situation but could not make a hasty decision.

A tense standoff.

The tension was palpable.

Then,

"Captain! Something's wrong!"

A Lawrence soldier.

He rushed to the guard captain and whispered something inaudible from outside.

The guard captain's face turned pale.

He was shocked.

"Is that true?"

"Yes. The Lawrence square is in chaos right now."

"Oh."

Lawrence.

Something was happening there.

With his heart sinking, Jonathan's patience finally snapped.

"Open the gates, you bastards!"

* * *

Lawrence Square.

Just a few minutes ago, it was peaceful.

A place where daily life unfolded, but the appearance of a man plunged the peace into chaos.

"Ah!"

"What, what is that?"

Squish.

Roman.

He appeared.

Arriving in Lawrence an hour before the Dmitri Knights, he grabbed the hair of a man whose face was covered in blood and dragged him to the center of the square.

People gasped and made way.

The unusual sight drew people to gather around Roman.

"Goodness."

"What's going on?"

"Shouldn't we stop this?"

People were flustered.

But Roman paid no attention.

Instead, he gripped the man's hair more roughly, and the man, with a dry mouth, pleaded desperately.

"Please, please spare me."

The man was Ben Miles.

The leader of Blood Fang.

When he gave the order to eliminate Roman, he never expected this outcome.

The opponent was the fool of the Dmitri family.

He thought a quick and stealthy attack would be enough, but the subsequent events were still hard to believe.

When Roman arrived at Blood Fang's headquarters, the slaughter began.

Despite dozens of members attacking, Roman did not flinch. When his sword flashed, members fell, bleeding.

An overwhelming scene.

Eyes widened.

The boundaries of common sense were shattered.

'Is this the fool of the Dmitri family?'

Even seeing it with his own eyes, it was hard to believe.

Information is the lifeblood of criminal organizations, and he knew well how pitiful and insignificant Roman was.

Revenge was selective.

If Roman were a formidable person, they wouldn't have dared to act.

But reality was different.

The Roman they knew was nothing like this, and Ben Miles was terrified.

'I need to escape.'

But it was too late.

From the moment he showed his face to eliminate Roman, his options were limited.

The result.

Ben Miles ended up like this.

The pain was overwhelming, and the blood flowing from his forehead obscured his vision.

'If this continues, I will die.'

It was instinct.

So he begged.

Clutching Roman's pants, he sobbed.

"I really made a mistake. If you spare my life, I will do anything for you, Young Master Roman. I will hand over the Blood Fang organization and all the wealth I have accumulated. Please, spare me. Think of it as sparing a worthless dog. If you show mercy just once, you will gain a dog willing to lay down his life for you."

He was desperate.

The gazes of the people were unimportant.

He struggled to survive and put everything on the line to live.

Roman stopped.

"For a dog willing to lay down his life for me."

He chuckled.

Standing at the center of the square, Roman looked down at Ben Miles.

"You should have made that decision before baring your teeth at me."

"Y-Young Master, please..."

Crack!

He grabbed Ben Miles' head forcefully.

Then, he addressed the people watching.

"The man I am holding has been extorting innocent citizens through usury as the leader of Blood Fang. You all know how evil and ruthless Blood Fang is."

Murmurs.

The people were agitated.

The conversation between Roman Dmitri and Ben Miles left them stunned.

Their blood boiled.

With the atmosphere heightened, Roman did what he intended to do from the moment he entered Lawrence.

"Blood Fang has extended its reach to Dmitri. They have plunged the citizens of Dmitri into despair and even tried to kill me for interfering. The crimes of Blood Fang are clear. Therefore, I will root out this evil in front of you all."

There was no time to close their eyes.

As soon as he finished speaking,

Thud!

Roman slammed Ben Miles' face into the ground forcefully.

Blood splattered.

His face was mashed, and Ben Miles' pupils dilated.

It was over.

Ben Miles, who had repeatedly begged for his life while being dragged, lay motionless.

People held their breath.

Even in a world where death is common, the scene they witnessed was shocking.

And then,

"Y-Young Master?!"

Jonathan and the Dmitri Knights arrived, shocked.

Outside, where the incident was unfolding,

Flora paced in front of her father's office.

"...Sigh."

She sighed.

After visiting the Dmitri territory.

She had formally announced her intention to break the engagement and returned to Lawrence without telling her father the truth.

Breaking the engagement.

For Lawrence, it was a crisis.

Her father's plan to solve problems with the Dmitri family's capital would be ruined, and as a father who had raised Flora as a precious daughter, he would be deeply disappointed.

She couldn't face her father's disappointed expression.

Even though she had declared the break to take control of her life, the reality of the situation made her fearful.

'Come on, tell him. It's my life. I can't be sold to a man I don't respect, just for a political marriage.'

She steeled her resolve.

Even if it was a political marriage,

She wanted to marry a man she could respect, not someone like the fool of the Dmitri family.

This was the right choice.

As she was about to open the door,

"Lord! Lord!"

A soldier ran up breathlessly.

It seemed something major had happened. He greeted Flora briefly and immediately entered the office.

Flora was confused.

The closed door in front of her made her face show her confusion.

"What's going on?"

She had no idea.

Outside the building,

She had no idea what shocking event Roman, whom she had unilaterally broken the engagement with, had caused.