Chapter 121: While Staying in the Capital (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: While Staying in the Capital (5)
It was a leisurely afternoon. Count Castro sat on a sunlit terrace, enjoying a cup of tea with a guest.
"So, you failed completely?"
"Don't even get me started. I offered them gold, silver, treasures—even noble titles—but not a single one of them so much as blinked."
The man sitting across from him was Count Fabius. Having run himself ragged since the day before, he could only lament his lack of results.
"No matter how much I think about it, I just don't understand. It's not like I asked them to betray Roman Dmitry right away. Since he's bound to join the Noble Faction eventually, I was just telling them to score some points with us beforehand. To think they rejected it so flatly! This is why I hate dealing with commoners. True nobles can calculate their moves just by reading the room, but these fellows can't even feed themselves when a path to success is laid right in front of them."
"Calm yourself, Count. Those of low birth are naturally incapable of seeing even an inch ahead."
As members of the Noble Faction, the two counts had formed a strong bond. Their similar personalities meant they grew close quickly, and private meetings like this were a frequent occurrence.
Count Castro spoke. "But is Roman Dmitry truly that remarkable? I know he's no ordinary man based on his recent actions, but I don't quite understand why you're making such a fuss just to recruit his subordinates, Count."
"Remarkable? Words simply cannot do him justice."
The rumors circulating in public were wild. As always, people assumed the tales from the battlefield were heavily exaggerated. However, those who had actually been on the front lines—including Count Fabius—asserted that the rumors were, if anything, an understatement.
"This war... honestly, it wouldn't have been surprising if Cairo had raised the white flag. Hector captured our rear base in less than a day, and once the Warp Gate was seized, we had absolutely no way to win. The one who overturned all of that was Roman Dmitry. He infiltrated the enemy camp alone, defeated Butler, and opened the castle gates... Sigh, you really can't comprehend how incredible it was unless you saw it with your own eyes. And his subordinates were the ones who achieved brilliant exploits right alongside him."
"Is he truly that exceptional?"
"Yes. Do you think Marquis Benedict would risk so much to recruit Roman Dmitry for no reason? I'm only telling you this because we're close, Count Castro, but there are even rumors that the Marquis might take Roman Dmitry as his son-in-law."
"My word."
Count Castro was genuinely impressed. Marquis Benedict was a man who treasured his daughter like a priceless gem. If he was actually considering a political marriage, Roman's value was beyond question.
Taking a sip of his tea and savoring its sweet taste, Count Castro smiled. "I must meet Roman Dmitry in person sometime. If he is destined to become an influential figure in the Central Government, it wouldn't hurt to score some points with him in advance. If the opportunity arises, please arrange a meeting."
"Of course, hahaha."
The atmosphere was warm and friendly. In the world of the nobility, networking was crucial. Casual exchanges like this would eventually build a relationship where they could pull strings for one another.
Right then, the sound of a knock echoed from the door. Count Castro turned his gaze.
"What is it?"
The door opened. Before the guard could announce the arrival, a familiar face pushed past him and burst inside.
"Father!"
It was none other than William Castro.
* * *
At first, the Count couldn't quite grasp the situation.
His son looked absolutely furious. But the man who followed him inside was instantly recognizable as Roman Dmitry, whom he had seen at the social party.
Why is Roman Dmitry here?
He looked at his son with a questioning gaze. Then, William Castro spoke, his voice boiling with rage.
"Father! Do you know what that bastard Roman Dmitry did to me? He grabbed my face and threatened to kill me! Look at this. Can't you see the handprints? Roman Dmitry... that damn bastard tried to crush my jaw!"
Instantly, the atmosphere turned ice-cold.
It wasn't out of anger directed at Roman, however. As he listened to his son, Count Castro could not hide his sheer bewilderment.
Oh, no.
Just moments ago, he had heard from Count Fabius how incredibly valuable Roman was. Even if Roman hailed from the fringes of the kingdom, they needed to win his favor by any means necessary. Yet, his only son had just dropped an absolute bombshell.
He felt dizzy. Normally, he would never forgive anyone who laid a hand on his son, but if the opponent was Roman Dmitry, it was a completely different story.
"Right now, Roman Dmitry should—"
"Shut up!" Count Castro cut him off sharply.
William Castro looked at his father in shock. His father had never once raised his voice at him; he had never expected to see him this furious.
"...Father."
"William! Do you have any idea who you just crossed? Lord Roman Dmitry is the hero who saved Cairo! Treating him with the utmost respect wouldn't even be enough, yet how dare you spout such nonsense! Apologize to him this instant! If you don't want your jaw crushed by your own father's hands, apologize right now!"
This was completely unexpected. William Castro stood there, utterly dazed.
Seeing his son standing slack-jawed and speechless, Count Castro grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and dragged him forward.
And then—Thud!—he threw him down in front of Roman.
It was a highly exaggerated display. Having deliberately tossed his son to the floor for show, he looked at Roman and said, "I am truly sorry. My foolish son has caused trouble for Lord Roman Dmitry. I do not know the full circumstances, but I will punish him severely to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. So please, appease your anger. If you have the time, would you care to join me for a cup of tea?"
He subtly tried to change the subject. Since he had gone this far, surely Roman wouldn't reject the apology. Believing this was actually a blessing in disguise to finally form a connection with Roman, Count Castro put on a hypocritical smile.
However, Roman responded to his hospitality with a cold expression.
"What do you think you are doing? Whether I accept this apology or not is for me to decide, not you."
* * *
Silence filled the room. Count Castro looked flustered, while Count Fabius watched the situation unfold from a distance, holding his breath.
He had thought Roman would naturally accept Count Castro's apology. Yet, even though a noble of the Central Government had bowed his head first, Roman Dmitry spoke in an even more aggressive tone.
"This issue stems from the mistake committed by your son, William Castro. William has been bullying my younger brother for no reason. If it had been minor teasing, I wouldn't have interfered in children's squabbles. But today, right in front of my eyes, he threatened to break Lauren Dmitry's arm. What would you do in my position? If someone threatened to break your son's arm, would you just stand by and watch?"
Count Castro was left speechless. He had never imagined his son would cross Roman Dmitry's brother. Unable to come up with a quick reply, he broke out in a cold sweat.
"Words carry weight the moment they are spoken," Roman continued. "William was about to put his words into action, and I cannot overlook what I witnessed."
"...So, what is it you want me to do? Surely you cannot break my son's arm in return. If we are to maintain a good relationship in the future, let us reach a reasonable compromise."
Count Castro showed signs of slight irritation. His son's mistake? He admitted it. Since the opponent was Roman Dmitry, he was certainly willing to apologize.
However, Count Castro's temper began to flare at Roman's overly aggressive attitude toward a noble of the Central Government. Had he not already apologized multiple times? Normally, Roman should have backed down out of respect for his dignity by now, but Roman Dmitry was acting as if he wanted to push this to the bitter end.
He spoke. "Go on, then. What is it you want me to do?"
Roman smiled. Like father, like son. While that wasn't true for everyone, he could at least tell exactly where William Castro's character had originated.
"William must go to my brother, kneel, and apologize. In front of everyone, he must confess exactly what he did wrong and beg for forgiveness. And then, he must immediately withdraw from the Royal Academy. I do not wish for trash like William to share the same space as my brother."
That was crossing the line. But just as Count Castro's anger was about to explode, Roman crossed the line once more.
"If you refuse, I am prepared to go to war. Either wage war against my family, or request a Great Warrior Battle right now. The choice is yours, Count Castro."
* * *
Count Castro's mind went blank. Swept up in a violent tempest of emotions, he doubted whether what he had just heard was real.
He wants to go to war with Castro right now?
The Castro family was a core part of the Central Government. As a family with enough power to hold their heads high in the capital, they rarely encountered such blatant hostility. Moreover, the opponent was the Dmitry family. No matter how much Roman Dmitry was hailed as a war hero, it was utterly absurd for a family from the fringes to look down on Castro.
Count Castro spoke. "This is why lowborn bastards always cause trouble. Roman Dmitry, do you think you've become someone great just because you caught Marquis Benedict's eye? Far from it! You are merely the eldest son of the Dmitry family. No matter how much of a ranked swordsman you are for defeating Butler, in a clash between families, you don't even reach Castro's ankles. Being part of the Central Government carries that kind of power."
His attitude had completely shifted. The opponent had crossed the line entirely. No matter how much he had initially intended to build a favorable relationship, holding back in a situation like this was out of the question.
It was a matter of noble pride. And he firmly believed that Marquis Benedict, with whom he shared a much longer history, would side with him over Roman.
"Count Fabius. Since you have watched this situation unfold from beginning to end, I must ask a favor of you. If Roman Dmitry is harmed here today, please explain to Marquis Benedict how things transpired. Tell him that Roman Dmitry crossed the line, and that I merely meted out the appropriate punishment."
In the world of the nobility, justification was everything. The opponent was someone Marquis Benedict was interested in. Crushing him wouldn't be difficult, but he needed to prepare for the aftermath.
Count Fabius was the perfect witness. Not only did his words carry weight, but the two of them also shared a close relationship.
However...
"Ahem."
Count Fabius averted his gaze. Clearing his throat a few times, he spoke in a troubled voice.
"From what I've seen, this is clearly William's fault. To ask me to be your witness... Count Castro, that is simply not right. If your son did wrong, the natural order of things is to have him face his punishment, not cover up his shame. I support Lord Roman Dmitry's stance."
Instantly, his heart sank.
Count Castro stared at Count Fabius in utter bewilderment, but the other man firmly avoided his gaze.
What on earth...
This was a development he had truly never anticipated.