Dragon Blood (4)
‘When on earth did it happen?’
Shelford and his men all drew their swords and aimed them in that direction.
At the door stood a small old man holding a backpack behind his back.
Next to him, Marty was fidgeting, not knowing what to do.
“Grandfather, if you go in like this all of a sudden… … !”
“Who can control me from going to my own house? Isn’t that right, young man?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Theo nodded calmly as he received the old man’s gaze.
‘Vittorio Romelin… … . The head of Romelin and the president of the floating archipelago. I heard he was originally a man with no presence, but he was such a master?’
Shelford and his party swallowed dry saliva. Cold sweat ran down their backs.
During all the time they were at Romelin’s mansion, they had never seen Vittorio’s face.
It was because of the martial law that there was so much work to do that there was no time to meet other people.
So I wasn’t really paying attention.
This was a completely unexpected situation.
Moreover, the group was clearly on alert, keeping their senses sharp to prevent any intrusion by outsiders.
But I ignored it and walked in naturally, and I heard the whole conversation that we had there.
This is something that is absolutely impossible unless you are a master with skills far superior to theirs.
‘Yongmun Inspector level… … No, maybe even more.’
Then, another question arises here.
Why did someone with such skill just watch the atrocities committed by the Demon Slayers all this time?
Does Theo know something?
Strangely, he showed no sign of being embarrassed.
“I think you were having an interesting conversation, but I wonder if I interrupted you. As you get older, you can’t help but wonder. Hehe.”
“No. Of course, Vittorio is qualified to hear it.”
Theo looked back at Shelford and his party and said:
“Would you please leave your seats for a moment?”
“Theo.”
“I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
“Hmm. Okay, I see.”
Shelford looked between Theo and Vittorio with worried eyes, then left the room with the other two.
The man with the black skull also left the place without a second thought.
“I think it would be good to finish talking. Can I add a spoon?”
Vittorio walked leisurely around the room, carrying his luggage on his back.
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But Theo did not fall for his mood.
‘I have to tell the story well from here on out.’
Theo knew Vittorio well.
A man who, while serving as the president of a wealthy archipelago, rarely revealed his own worth.
The worst leader who caused the floating archipelago to fall into Troyban’s clutches.
This was the evaluation the world gave me in my past life.
He was also the monarch who protected the floating archipelago from Troyban until the end and helped it survive the great war.
No wonder Black Snow Island was more wary of Vittorio than the wealthy islands.
‘His swordsmanship is also at the level of the Laurel Swordsman. He is also a skilled 9-Dragon. He will never be taken lightly.’
So, Vittorio’s cooperation was absolutely necessary to obtain the floating archipelago and the shipping federation.
It was the last remaining obstacle.
Theo slowly opened his mouth as he gathered his thoughts.
“Would that mean that Romelin is willing to join as well?”
“Isn’t that what the great Ragnar is trying to do? If that’s the case, I think it’s better to join him rather than oppose him. Of course.”
Vittorio’s eyes sank deeply for a moment.
“If you try to do something like Troyban, it’ll be a completely different story.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Haha. That’s good. Actually, I had no idea that Ragnar was interested in our floating archipelago. Aren’t you nobles who rarely come out of the north?”
“I think you’re mistaken. The reason I said Ragnar wouldn’t do that is because he really doesn’t know anything about what happened in the Floating Islands.”
“Hmm?”
Vittorio tilted his head, wondering what this meant.
Theo’s smile deepened.
“I am not here to represent Ragnar.”
“… … ?”
“I came purely in my personal capacity.”
“… … That means.”
“This means that all of this is my own doing.”
“… … !”
Vittorio’s eyes widened.
It was ridiculous.
Not only did you remove Troyvan’s clutches, but you also took Krimhild’s mystery, all by yourself, without Ragnar’s support?
“Then what was the one with the balmung?”
“I retrieved it during my mission. Then, with Heukseol’s help, I learned of the incident that had occurred in the floating archipelago, and came here to return it.”
“her!”
It was something that could not be helped by prayer.
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“You… … how old are you?”
“Fifteen this year. I’ll be sixteen in a month.”
“Then you held an opening ceremony?”
“It was this year.”
“That’s nonsense… … .”
Vittorio recalled how he and his granddaughter had been when they were fifteen, when they were called ‘geniuses’.
Wasn’t it just at the level of whether or not to light the sword with the sword?
Moreover, Ragnar first unlocks his magical powers at the age of fifteen.
So you’re saying that you’ve only been holding a sword for a year and you’re showing that level of skill?
No, the performance and dedication shown so far have been impressive, so I wondered if a fifteen-year-old could do it on his own.
This isn’t something that can be categorized as genius or anything like that, right?
‘No. I don’t think so. It might actually make the story work out better.’
Vittorio ran his hand over his face to collect his thoughts.
He has met countless people over the years.
There were many geniuses among them.
And all those geniuses had one thing in common.
That it should not be judged by common sense.
So Vittorio decided that from now on he would treat Theo as an equal trading partner.
“The foundation of the floating archipelago and the financial power of the shipping federation. You need these, don’t you? To become the head of the family.”
“I never said I would become a patriarch.”
“Don’t back down. If someone like you doesn’t have ambition, that makes even less sense. If you won’t reveal your true feelings, I’ll just put my spoon down.”
“No. Let’s continue our conversation.”
Theo inwardly stuck out his tongue at Vittorio’s insight into his will to power with just a few clues.
Vittorio’s eyes shone intensely.
“For the past 400 years, Romelin has established and solidified numerous networks of relationships while conducting intermediary trade not only within the Empire but also around the world. The enormous wealth he has amassed through this goes without saying.”
King of the sea.
That was another nickname the Romelin family had.
“If you put all this in your hands, what can you give us?”
Thump!
Theo could suddenly feel his heart pounding loudly.
Vittorio was asking.
-What is your ‘real’ dream?
If we were simply joining hands to rule the floating archipelago, the deals we had made so far would have been sufficient.
Theo has the foundation of the floating archipelago, the financial power of the Maritime Federation, and the power of the Temple Knights in case of emergency.
Romelin would benefit from complete control of the floating archipelago, a monopoly on maritime trade, and the support of Krimhild’s successor.
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Moreover, Theo was about to leave the floating archipelago, so it was a welcome development for Vittorio as well.
But Vittorio was asking what was ‘behind’ him.
Depending on the answer Theo gives here, the cards that will be shown will also change.
‘This is… … a real deal. Not just a deal where we just take care of each other and end it. A deal where we can share a future together. A deal armed with trust.’
Theo somehow felt like he had learned a trick from Vittorio.
“How about a northern trade monopoly?”
“Hoo.”
“In the future, the eastern part will also be developed, so Romelin’s network will be able to extend deep into the inland beyond the sea.”
“Are you talking as if you’ve already defeated Troyvan?”
“Because I’m in Ragnar.”
“How arrogant.”
“I’ve already won the floating archipelago on my own, so how could war be any different?”
Vittorio seemed to like the still arrogant answer.
“But didn’t you say it with your own mouth? You said you weren’t here to represent Ragnar? How could you make such a promise so carelessly?”
“It is not yet known to the outside world, but the Ceres upper group that currently monopolized the northern trade area has collapsed. You can take its place.”
“But I don’t think the northerners, who are as exclusive as we are, will welcome us?”
“Come with Bacchus. If we move in the form of a joint venture, it won’t be difficult.”
“If it’s Bacchus, isn’t it the Sixth Order? Do you think they will help us obediently?”
“Yes, that would be so. The lord there is my vassal.”
“her!”
You already have the head of the 6th clan as your vassal?
Vittorio was no longer surprised.
Rather, the greed only grows.
‘Was the reason I’ve been hiding all this time to meet this child?’
Vittorio now understood why Marti had said that he would know when he met Theo.
Romelin’s expansion was not only tied to shipping, but also gave him the opportunity to expand into the north, which had been unknown until then, as well as the deep inland eastern regions.
And furthermore, the opportunity to join hands with the powerful man who wants to become the king of the north.
‘Soon a storm will hit the empire. Sometimes the storm will capsize the ships, but sometimes it will guide the merchants to faster and further places.’
Vittorio did not know about the Great War, but he expected that a great turmoil would engulf the empire.
then.
Rather than avoiding the storm, shouldn’t we climb onto it?
But Vittorio only stroked his chin with his hand and gave no answer.
There was something I wanted to check a little more.
“Hey, would you like to do a play with me?”
* * *
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The Dominion Capitol was bustling with lawmakers for the first time in a long time.
It was because of the order to convene a temporary general meeting.
-Hmm! As expected, half of the seats are empty.
-Wasn’t Spinola and Grimal completely destroyed overnight? You must be busy cleaning up after that.
-No, it’s because the temple knights arrested them all. They said they were all put in jail for the crimes of this incident. Everyone, take care of yourselves.
-Since the captain of the guard has been dismissed, no one can stop them. Huh!
-Oh, by the way, didn’t you have dinner with the Grimal family a few days ago?
-Hey, you! You have to bring it up! That’s because you kept begging me to eat it!
-You weren’t asking for a job for your son?
-Where are you nitpicking! I never did anything like that in my name!
The fall of Spinola and Grimal.
Since a significant number of members of the National Assembly had to have some kind of connection with them, they were worried that their noses might be pierced strangely.
The fear was even greater when they heard that even at this very moment, the Knights Templar were roaming the territory with their eyes wide open, firing their weapons.
-By the way, what should we do with Krimhild’s successor?
-I heard you’re an outsider? And I heard you’re Ragnar.
-This is so frustrating. How on earth does the world work? Eww!
-Shouldn’t we start by collecting the balmung?
-Of course! Balmung is originally a sacred relic of our proud Benota and Dominion!
-Yeah! Being a warrior is being a warrior, and this is separate.
– Since the confrontation with Troyvan is inevitable anyway, I think it would be enough to just give him some strength.
-If you think about it, wasn’t it thanks to us that the boy was able to gain that much strength?
It is not for us to bow our heads, but rather for them to bow their heads.
This was the common opinion among the members of parliament about Theo at the moment.
Contrary to public opinion, they were originally part of the privileged class.
It was difficult for them to feel good about Theo, as they instinctively did not want to harm their own interests.
-But what if he’s clearly trying to plot something in collusion with the President?
-Yeah. That’s a problem too… … .
Some have expressed concern.
-They are the only three remaining shipping corporations, and they are practically under the control of the Knights Templar, so they are practically a dictatorship… … .
-Shh! Be quiet. I can hear you.
Some turned their heads to the side, looking at the highest seat in the Capitol.
It was just then.
-The President is entering. All members of the House of Representatives, please stand.
Vittorio entered the Capitol cautiously, supported by Marti.
The sound of swallowing saliva could be heard here and there.
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‘The President… … .’
‘Was he that big?’
During that time, Vittorio had been overshadowed by Spinola and Grimal and had no presence.
Now, all the air in the room was revolving around him.
It was unclear whether this was Vittorio’s true form or the power of the Knights Templar and the Black Skull following him.
-Everyone, please take a seat.
Vittorio sat down in the presidential chair, and the other members of parliament followed suit.
“The reason I asked you all to gather in one place despite your busy schedule is because Krimhild’s successor has finally regained consciousness. I would like to hear testimony about past events and discuss how to establish our future relationship with the floating archipelago. That is why I would like to invite the successor here. Does anyone have any objections?”
It was still quiet.
Instead, the members’ gazes were directed toward the entrance.
“If you don’t have any, I will invite you. Come in.”
Squeak!
The door opened wide and Theo walked in with a confident stride.
With Balmung in one hand and Aegir’s helmet in the other.
How the bastard of the Return Sword Family lives
