Free Citizen (Part 2)

The news that Romon had obtained Free Citizen status spread rapidly throughout Rika Town before he even returned.

A youth still so young, yet already certified as a Second-Level Druid—whether he could obtain Free Citizen status was no longer what people cared about.

Because in everyone's eyes, it was only natural and perfectly legitimate for Romon to become a Free Citizen. What truly interested them was the news that Romon was about to open a potion shop. The news seemed to grow wings as it swiftly spread among the townsfolk and the adventurers who had come to Rika Town.

By the time Romon returned to Motte Inn, quite a few people he knew had gathered there. There were adventurers he had treated, members of the merchant caravan that had taken him to the small city last time, and even some Rika Town residents who had once been close to him before drifting apart.

"Romon, congratulations!" Merchant Barnel was the first to speak when he entered, his plump face full of smiles. "I heard you're opening a potion shop. Is that true?"

Seeing that everyone else was looking at him eagerly as well, Romon smiled. "Yes, I've already received permission to open one."

As he spoke, he took out the document and waved it before everyone.

Cheers immediately erupted throughout the inn. For the residents of this remote little town, most Temple potions were transported into the city by Priest Tennis for profit.

Even Ansen the apothecary could do nothing about that, since he belonged to the Temple.

As for Jefa, he had never considered it.

The hardship of not having a potion shop was simply too great. Even townsfolk who did not go adventuring got headaches and fevers from time to time. Going to a priest over such minor illnesses or injuries was far too expensive for ordinary people, yet leaving them untreated was miserable. Buying medicine in the city meant a long journey. But now, things would be different!

With a potion shop overseen by a druid, everyone could buy potions with peace of mind. Romon had always been fair in business and would not squeeze extra money out of people. The moment they learned the news was true, everyone was delighted.

The atmosphere inside Motte Inn reached a fever pitch. Even unfamiliar adventurers who normally could not exchange a word with Romon began asking about the potion shop.

Unlike the townsfolk, who only occasionally needed potions, these people danced on the edge of a blade and were injured almost every day. Although most of them had brought potions when they came to Rika Town, they could not carry too many, and they had been using them far too often lately. Many had already planned to return to the city to restock. If Romon's potion shop could open, they would be the first to benefit, so they were even happier than the townsfolk.

"Romon, you have no idea how expensive potions are in the city!" one adventurer exclaimed. "And every time you buy medicine, you have to travel such a long way. It's really inconvenient in winter!"

"Exactly, exactly!" the other adventurers echoed.

Romon immediately followed their lead. "The potions here are all made by me, so I only intend to make a little money. Don't worry, my potions will definitely be cheaper than those in the city."

Having received the answer they wanted, the adventurers were even more delighted. After chatting with everyone for a while, Romon used preparations for opening the shop as an excuse and went upstairs.

Back in his room, after shutting the door, Romon threw himself onto the soft bed. Only then did the huge weight hanging over his heart truly fall away.

"Finally free." Though he knew that, before he truly became powerful, this document would not have much practical effect.

Still, he no longer had to worry about his status. From now on, as long as he steadily worked to save money and improve his strength, the future would grow brighter and brighter despite the difficulties ahead.

But would those two let him have his way? The two faces that smiled without warmth surfaced in Romon's mind. His lips twisted, and the pleasure in his heart immediately faded by half.

"Now isn't the time for me to relax... The threat is still there!" Romon murmured. Lying spread-eagled on the bed, he stared at the ceiling. It was impossible to tell whether he was angry or hateful; there was only an added chill in his expression.

Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, it was noon the next day. Remembering Miss Eileen's reminder, Romon, who had still been asleep in bed, sprang up at once.

As his body continued to improve, both his jumping ability and agility had increased greatly. With some satisfaction, Romon waved his now-muscular arm before his eyes, hurriedly dressed, washed up, and went downstairs.

"Romon, heading out?" Mrs. Motte, who was sweeping the floor, turned around and greeted him with a smile.

"Yes, good afternoon, Mrs. Motte." Romon smiled back.

"This child is getting more and more promising," Mrs. Motte muttered to Motte, who was sweeping the entrance as she watched Romon's departing back.

Motte smiled. "Of course. I knew from the first time I saw him that he'd amount to something. Look at him now—only in his teens, and already a Second-Level Druid. Truly impressive."

"But it seems this child offended the tax official, and that potion shop..." Thinking of the tax official's malice, Mrs. Motte could not help worrying about Romon's future shop.

"What do you know? Romon is a Free Citizen now, and he's also a Second-Level Druid. If the tax official wants to make things difficult for him, he'll have to think twice. Besides, many people are looking forward to that potion shop opening. Making trouble for Romon would mean making enemies of everyone. The tax official isn't that foolish..."

"Good morning, Lord Bakar." Suddenly, Mrs. Motte greeted a passerby nearby.

Motte hurriedly stopped speaking as well. In front of his inn stood the tax official Bakar, his face dark and gloomy.

"Morning? It's already noon." Bakar spoke neither warmly nor coldly before walking away.

"My gods, you really can't say bad things about people too much..." Motte stared blankly after Bakar's retreating figure and muttered.

"All right, all right. I told you to talk less, but you wouldn't listen. Now you've been caught, haven't you? Hurry inside..." Mrs. Motte quickly pulled her husband back in.

"Heh... He probably didn't hear..." Motte muttered uneasily as he walked inside.

The tax official Bakar, who had just passed in front of Motte Inn, indeed had not heard Motte's words. At that moment, Bakar was already simmering with rage.

"Damn Romon!" Bakar's face darkened as his anger grew.

Though he had not heard the Mottes' words, how could there be few townsfolk who thought the same way? As he walked, Bakar had caught more than a few such remarks.

Those words filled Bakar with fury, making him hate Romon even more.

If it weren't for him, how could people be laughing at me? As he thought bitterly, he looked up and saw that he had reached the Temple. With a gloomy face, he entered.

This was a small banquet.

It was called small because the attendees consisted only of several prominent town officials and the Temple's leading figures. Altogether, there were only a dozen or so people.

The star of the small banquet was Romon, the gifted youth who had become a Second-Level Druid at the age of sixteen and was currently the talk of Rika Town.

As a Second-Level Priest who could fully represent the lord, Miss Eileen hosted the small banquet that day.

The food was not especially lavish, but it was far better than their usual meals.

Moreover, the purpose of this small banquet was simply to publicly announce Romon's Free Citizen status before the important figures of the town and declare that he would soon open a potion shop.

Whether considering their friendship from working together at the Temple or the significance of the first potion shop opening in Rika Town, no one could find fault with Miss Eileen's actions.

Everyone present had already learned of both pieces of news through various channels, but they still pretended not to know. Once Miss Eileen announced the lord's decision, they offered Romon their blessings.

When the priest and tax official offered their blessings, however, everyone's expressions became somewhat strange.

Even those who had not previously known about their conflict with Romon had learned something during the dispute some time ago.

Thus, seeing the two men wearing dark expressions while forced to pretend nothing was wrong, everyone found it rather bizarre.

Still, although both men looked gloomy, neither caused trouble on the spot. No one could say anything, so they all pretended not to notice and continued chatting and laughing.

During the banquet that followed, both the priest and tax official remained gloomy and silent. They merely lowered their heads to eat, and when their eyes occasionally met, something unreadable flickered between them.

As their opponent, even while eating, drinking, laughing, and talking with others, Romon kept his attention fixed on the two of them.

Those two really can't be let out of my sight...

"Romon, congratulations." At the end of the banquet, Miss Eileen smiled and spoke to Romon again. If yesterday's blessing had been offered from the perspective of personal friendship, today's was entirely official.

Romon responded with equal courtesy. The banquet had ended, and everyone began returning to their respective places. Watching the tax official and priest brush past him with gloomy faces, Romon's expression darkened as well.

"Romon..." A crisp voice called from behind him.

Romon quickly put on a smile and turned around. "Miss Eileen..."

"Romon, be careful from now on!" After saying that, the outwardly serene and quiet girl looked at him for a moment before leaving.

After she departed, Romon's face darkened again.

"It seems they have no intention of reconciling. Then don't blame me for being ruthless." At that moment, a flash of killing intent passed through Romon.

He had always been somewhat hesitant before, but now he truly felt the urge to kill.

Those two absolutely could not be allowed to remain. Whether or not they would cause trouble for him in the future, if he had the chance, he would get rid of them. He could not raise tigers only to invite disaster...

Votes, dear recommendation votes! Readers who have finished reading, send them in! I corrected an error—it wasn't a fake update.