From a Broken Engagement to the Northern Grand Duke's Son-in-Law

At the very moment Louis put on Ram’s Ring, Lancelot and Hans wove through narrow alleyways across the district.

“Ugh!”

This marked their twelfth takedown of what appeared to be common thugs.

Having learned of the Five Gangs’ existence, Lancelot and Hans were dismantling them one by one.

As another gang outpost crumbled, Lancelot scratched his head in frustration.

“What’s wrong with these idiots? Don’t they know anything useful?”

They’d already destroyed two gangs, yet all they’d learned was some vague connection between the “red gems” and the criminal organizations. No other intelligence had surfaced.

At this rate, they’d end up merely cleaning Lovan’s streets without gathering the information they actually needed.

“Hans, did these guys have anything?”

“…Nothing. Clean as a whistle.”

“Damn it, this is driving me insane.”

Lancelot scratched his head furiously.

Their discoveries amounted to little more than gang members’ desire to create these so-called red gems, orchestrated by some shadowy puppetmaster.

He’d held out hope, but apparently these lowlifes were as clueless as everyone else.

“Let’s move to the next gang. The captain will lose his mind if we waste any more time here.”

“Ahaha...”

Hans laughed awkwardly as he stood. Before him lay a gang member whose eyes had rolled back in his head.

Thump.

The thug collapsed to the floor.

Watching this, Lancelot clicked his tongue.

“At least you know how to use truth serum properly. I nearly had to handle all these bastards myself.”

“Haha... we each have our roles.”

“Which is why I said it was lucky.” Lancelot muttered under his breath as he exited the gang’s hideout.

At that moment—

“There they are!”

A group of men charged toward them, shouting.

“What? More enemies?”

Lancelot spoke with annoyance, gripping his spear and channeling his Aura.

But then, the mysterious figures called out among themselves and hurriedly halted their advance.

“Wait! They don’t look like gang members!”

“Huh? Stop!”

They began to approach slowly.

“What the hell?” Lancelot muttered in confusion.

“Are you members of the Five Gangs, by chance?” one of them asked.

“Those bastards are lying unconscious back there.”

“Ah, so you’re not enemies. Then perhaps you’re companions of the Masked Man?”

“Who’s this Masked Man?”

“Guess not.”

The figures whispered among themselves before nodding at Lancelot.

“Sorry about that. We mistook you for gang members.”

“It’s fine, but who exactly are you people?”

“We’re dealing with the gangs at the Masked Man’s request. We were originally gladiators from the arena.”

Oh, this smells familiar.

Lancelot glanced at Hans with narrowed eyes.

Sure enough, Hans was sighing softly while covering his face.

Damn it.

Lancelot let out a hollow laugh. Apparently, this “Masked Man” was their captain.

* * *

After brief introductions, Lancelot, Hans, and the arena fighters exchanged information and headed toward the next outpost.

Only two targets remained. The Five Gangs had become the Two Gangs.

“Planning to hit the main base first?” an arena fighter asked.

“That’s the plan,” Lancelot answered.

He predicted Lady Lea and Kai were on their way to join them. He wanted to resolve most matters before their arrival.

“There it is.”

After walking for some time, the fourth gang’s main base came into view.

Crack.

Lancelot stretched and said, “Don’t kill them all. We need prisoners for interrogation.”

“You’re saying exactly what the Masked Man told us. Don’t worry, we’re experts at taking people alive.”

“Right, I’m counting on you.”

Lancelot sighed softly at another mention of “Masked Man” and nodded. His captain’s nickname was embarrassing.

Just as they prepared to enter the main base, a voice drifted from somewhere nearby.

“Hmm? What are these supposed to be?”

An androgynous voice, playful and mocking, brought Lancelot’s group to a stop.

“What now?”

The arena fighters turned questioningly. Before them stood a figure—an impeccably dressed man in a tailored suit, his long hair flowing.

The man approached with raised eyebrows and casual arrogance.

An arena fighter began to warn him. “Hey there, friend. This place is dangerous, so you should—”

“Get back!” Lancelot shoved him away with a shout.

BOOM!

The fighter didn’t curse Lancelot despite flying backward.

And for good reason.

“What the hell.”

Where the man had been standing, a crater now gouged the earth.

“Impressive. You actually dodged that?” The suited man spoke with amusement.

Watching him, Lancelot bit his lip.

This guy’s a monster.

The man before him was literally inhuman. Even if others couldn’t sense it, Lancelot could feel the sinister killing intent radiating from him, along with the Aura resonance that only came from those beyond Master-level.

Lancelot swallowed hard. Something was definitely about to go very wrong.

* * *

Meanwhile, Roxen wandered the market with Python’s daughter cradled in his arms. 

It had been so long since he’d held a child, the experience felt strangely nostalgic.

If my baby girl were still alive, I could have held her like this.

Roxen clenched his fist and exhaled deeply.

He still missed his daughter terribly, but he had to break free from those haunting thoughts. Only then could he achieve his revenge.

“Mister. Can you buy me that too?” the girl asked.

Roxen quickly shook his head to dispel his dark musings. “Of course. I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

“Yay!” She cheered with pure, bright joy.

To be this happy over simple cotton candy...

Roxen chuckled and approached the street vendor with her. “How much for one?”

“Ten kupe.”

“That’s expensive.”

“If you’re not buying, move along. Luxury goods cost whatever I say they’re worth here.”

The vendor waved dismissively.

Roxen snorted, lost for words. Cotton candy as a luxury item? He couldn’t fathom how this country managed to survive.

“You don’t have to get it, Mister. I actually don’t want it anymore.”

The girl spoke awkwardly, probably thinking he was refusing due to lack of money.

Roxen clicked his tongue and said, “Give me five. Pick the flavors children prefer.”

“You must be loaded, huh?”

Suddenly, the vendor’s eyes filled with naked greed—as if he’d murder Roxen and the girl to steal their money if given the chance.

Should I kill him?

Roxen briefly considered it… but he didn’t want to display such cruelty in front of the girl’s innocent eyes.

Roxen scowled, zeroing in on the vendor with precise, razor-edged killing intent.

The vendor suddenly whimpered, breath catching in his throat, his face draining of color.

Fortunately, the girl was nestled against Roxen’s chest and couldn’t see the vendor’s expression.

Roxen mouthed a silent warning.

Don’t ever try that nonsense again. There won’t be a next time.

The vendor nodded frantically, then quickly wrapped several cotton candies and handed them to Roxen.

“H-here you go! The money’s fine, really!”

“That won’t do.”

Roxen flicked fifty kupe to the vendor. The man fumbled before accepting the coins and sighing in relief.

Roxen took the cotton candy and offered it to the girl. “Go ahead, dig in.”

“You really didn’t have to buy it for me,” the girl said.

Despite her hesitation, though, her eyes kept drifting to the cotton candy—clearly, she’d wanted it desperately.

Roxen shook his head with a chuckle. “Uncle here has plenty of money. Don’t worry about it.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

She studied Roxen’s face intently before finally choosing a cotton candy and taking a bite.

Nom nom.

She quickly devoured a piece with adorable gusto.

Roxen smiled warmly at the sight.

But then, the air shifted—bustling in a different, uneasy way. A disturbing rustle crept in.

What’s this?

Unlike before, someone was definitely tailing them. Roxen held the girl protectively and began scanning the area.

We’ve got followers.

From their movements, their target wasn’t him but Python’s daughter.

That explained why such incompetent fools were attempting surveillance.

“What was your name again, sweetheart?”

“Hena!” The girl answered brightly through her mouthful of cotton candy.

Watching her, Roxen spoke gently. “Hena, can you cover your eyes and ears for just a moment?”

“Um... okay!”

The child nodded and squeezed her eyes shut.

After confirming she wasn’t looking, Roxen drew the sword at his waist and began channeling the Aura cultivation technique Roxha had taught him.

Whoooosh—!

Crimson Aura rippled along Roxen’s blade.

“Wh-what the hell...!”

Surrounding merchants screamed, but Roxen paid no attention and swung his sword.

Slash—!

One, two, three. He cut down ten men in total.

Thud thud.

Roxen shook the blood from his blade and contained his killing intent.

“Y-you fucker...!”

One of the dying men reached toward Roxen, but Roxen stepped on his face.

“The girl will hear.”

Crunch!

Roxen crushed the assailant’s skull and exhaled softly, then glanced at the child.

She’s doing well.

The girl kept her eyes and ears covered exactly as instructed, her mouth pressed firmly shut.

Roxen smiled at the sight.

But just as he prepared to tell her it was safe to look, a voice came from somewhere nearby. 

“Ah, shit. What’s this mess now?”

The sound of chewing gum and a delinquent’s drawl, accompanied by an obnoxiously arrogant stride.

Someone who was obviously a gang member approached them.

“What are you doing with that kid?” The man spoke with irritation.

Then one of the assailants who’d seemed dead grabbed the newcomer’s leg.

“S-save...”

“Ah, what’s this about?”

Crunch.

The man casually stomped, ending the assailant’s life.

Seeing this, Roxen tensed and gripped his sword.

This one’s dangerous.

The man before him—despite his thuggish appearance—seemed remarkably strong. Stronger than Roxen himself.

Roxen stayed on guard, eyes fixed on the man.

If it came to it, he'd be ready to die to protect the girl.

* * *

“Hmm... where should I go first?”

I stood at a crossroads, murmuring to myself with closed eyes.

There were those dealing with the gangs, the smithy where Python worked, and wherever Roxen had gone.

The outcome would likely differ significantly depending on my choice...

“Hmm...”

After drumming my fingers thoughtfully against my thigh, I opened my eyes, having reached a decision.

Yes. That was definitely the place I needed to be.