Free Citizen (Part 2)

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

Whether a young man, still so young yet already certified as a Second-Level Druid, could obtain Free Citizen status was no longer what people cared about most.

To everyone, Romon obtaining Free Citizen status was only natural, reasonable, and lawful. What truly stirred their interest was the news that Romon was about to open a potion shop. Like a message that had sprouted wings, it swiftly spread among the townsfolk and adventurers who had come to Rika Town.

By the time Romon returned to Motte Inn, quite a few people he knew had already 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 gradually drifting apart.

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

Seeing everyone else looking at him with equal enthusiasm, Romon smiled. "Yes, I've already received the permit to open the shop."

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

Cheers immediately erupted throughout the inn. For the residents of this remote little town, most Temple potions were transported by Priest Tennis to the city 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 suffering of having no potion shop was simply too great. Even townsfolk who did not go adventuring got headaches and fevers from time to time. If they sought a priest's treatment over a minor illness or injury, the expensive cost was far beyond what ordinary people could afford. Yet if they did not seek treatment, they suffered terribly. Going to the city to buy medicine meant a long journey. But now, things would be different!

With a Druid overseeing the potion shop, everyone could buy potions with peace of mind. Romon had always charged fair prices in business and would not greedily take more money from people. Once they learned the news was true, everyone became delighted.

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

Unlike 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 this time, first, they could not bring too many, and second, they had been using them far too frequently 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 said with feeling. "And every time we buy medicine, we have to travel so far. It's really inconvenient in winter!"

"Exactly, exactly!" the other adventurers echoed.

Romon immediately followed up on their words. "The potions here are all brewed by me, so I only plan to make a little profit. Don't worry, the potions here 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 excused himself on the grounds that he needed to prepare for opening the shop and went upstairs.

Returning to his room and shutting the door, Romon threw himself onto the soft bed. Only then did the huge stone that had been hanging over his heart truly fall to the ground.

"Finally free." Though he knew that before he truly grew 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 saved money and worked hard to improve his strength, the future would still hold difficulties—but it would grow brighter and brighter.

But would those two let him have his way? The two faces with smiles that did not reach their eyes surfaced in Romon's mind. His lips twitched, and the pleasure in his heart was instantly cut in half.

"Now isn't the time for me to relax... The threat is still there!" Muttering to himself, Romon lay spread-eagled on the bed and stared at the ceiling. It was impossible to tell whether his expression held anger or hatred; it merely carried an added trace of chill.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon the next day. Remembering Miss Eileen's reminder, Romon, still sleeping in bed, sprang up at once.

As his body continued to improve, his jumping ability and agility had increased greatly. Somewhat pleased, he swung his now-solid arm before his eyes, then hurriedly put on his clothes, 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 in return.

"This child is becoming more and more promising." Mrs. Motte watched Romon's retreating back and muttered to Innkeeper Motte, who was sweeping the entrance.

Innkeeper Motte smiled. "Of course. I could tell from the start that this child would amount to something. See? He's only in his teens and already a Second-Level Druid. Truly impressive."

"But it seems this child has offended Lord Tax Officer. That potion shop..." Thinking of the tax officer's malice, Mrs. Motte could not help worrying about the potion shop Romon was about to open.

"What do you know? Romon is a Free Citizen now, and he's also a Second-Level Druid. If Lord Tax Officer wants to make things difficult for him, he'll have to weigh the matter carefully, won't he? Besides, many people are looking forward to this potion shop opening. Making things hard for Romon would be the same as making an enemy of everyone. Lord Tax Officer can't be that foolish..."

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

Innkeeper Motte hurriedly cut himself off as well. In front of his inn stood the tax officer Bakar, his face dark and gloomy.

"Morning? It's already noon, and you call it morning?" Bakar said coldly before walking on.

"My god, bad things really can't be said too often..." Innkeeper Motte stared blankly at Bakar's back and muttered.

"Enough, enough. 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 indoors.

"Heh heh... He probably didn't hear..." As he walked inside, Innkeeper Motte muttered guiltily.

The tax officer Bakar, who had just passed in front of Motte Inn, truly had not heard Innkeeper Motte's words. At that moment, Bakar was already seething with anger.

"Damn Romon!" Bakar's face darkened as his anger grew the more he thought about it.

Though he had not heard the Mottes' words, how could there be few townsfolk who shared their thoughts? Thus, along the way, Bakar had caught quite a few such remarks.

Those words infuriated Bakar beyond measure, making him hate Romon even more.

"If it weren't for him, how could I be mocked?" he thought bitterly. Raising his head, he saw that he had arrived at the Temple. With a gloomy face, he went inside.

It was a small banquet.

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

The main character of the small banquet was Romon, who had recently been the talk of Rika Town—a genius youth who had become a Second-Level Druid at the age of sixteen.

As a Second-Level Priest who could fully represent the lord, Miss Eileen presided over this small banquet.

The banquet dishes were not particularly lavish, but they were still far better than the usual fare.

Moreover, the purpose of today's small banquet was merely to publicly acknowledge Romon's Free Citizen status before Rika Town's prominent figures and announce that he would soon open a potion shop.

Whether in consideration of their friendship from having worked together at the Temple, or the significance of this being the first potion shop in Rika Town, no one could find fault with Miss Eileen's action.

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

When the priest and tax officer gave their blessings, however, everyone's expressions became rather strange.

Even those who had not previously known of the conflict between them and Romon had learned some details during the dispute some time ago.

Thus, seeing their gloomy faces while they had no choice but to pretend nothing was wrong, everyone found it exceedingly odd.

Still, since the two of them, though grim-faced, did not make trouble on the spot, no one could say anything. They all pretended not to know and continued chatting and laughing.

During the banquet that followed, both the priest and tax officer remained gloomy and silent. They merely lowered their heads to eat, and whenever their gazes met, something flickered between them that others could not understand.

As their opponent, even if others did not pay attention to such things, Romon kept his focus on those two while eating, drinking, laughing, and chatting with everyone else.

Those two really couldn't be let down...

"Romon, congratulations." As the small banquet ended, Miss Eileen smiled and spoke to Romon again. If yesterday's blessing had come from a personal standpoint, then today's blessing was entirely official.

Romon responded with great courtesy. The banquet had ended, and every group went their separate ways. Watching the tax officer and priest brush past him with dark faces, Romon's expression darkened as well.

"Romon..." A clear call came from behind him.

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

"Romon, be more careful from now on!" After saying this, the outwardly serene and gentle young woman gazed at him quietly for a moment, then left.

After she departed, Romon's face darkened once more.

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

Before, he had always hesitated somewhat. But now, he had truly developed killing intent.

Those two absolutely could not be allowed to remain. Whether or not they caused him trouble in the future, if he got the chance, he would eliminate them. He absolutely could not raise a tiger only to invite disaster...

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