[ Proposal that Roman give to Viscount Barco where both horrible.
Viscount Barco knew he couldn't move according to his opponent's intentions, however Roman wouldn't allow him do as he wishes. ]
Roman said, "I clearly gave you two options. There are no exceptions. If you don't choose the former option here today, as soon as I return to Dmitry, I will tell my father and tell him how was I was threatened by your son, Anthony Barco. Obviously, after that, there will be no way you will be able to avoid a war with Dmitry. Anthony Barco's atrocities have already given me good cause to wage war on Barco, and the Dmitry family will not back down until Barco clearly shows their repentance."
Roman had blocked any way of Viscount Barco to get out of this situation.
For a while Viscount Barco wanted to deny the reality in front of him, but after a will he realized that he couldn't do that.
' I can never even dare to choose the second choice Roman gave to me. '
If there was an actual war with Dmitry, the side that would obtain victory and the side that would be defeated were clear as crystal. Even if Viscount Barco ignored losing the war against Lawrence despite borrowing money from the Golden Bank, Barco wasn't so stupid that he would take the risk to wage war against the wealthiest man in the North East region of Cairo.
If Viscount Barco did that, it was evident that he would be defeated by an overwhelming margin. And even if it wasn't that, if the Dmitry family attacked Barco after they fell into the abyss, Viscount Barco was sure that Barco family would go extinct then.
In the end, there was only one option left. Obviously, Roman was aware of this as well, and that was exactly why he had presented those two choices to Barco in first place.
What Roman wants is for people to know that someone from Dmitry barged into Barco's estate by himself, and despite that, he got Viscount Barco on his knees.
To barge in Barco estate and punish the eldest child of Barco, Anthony Barco, in his own estate, will surely cause a huge commotion within the nobles of the North East.
Barco's defeat in the war has already led their reputation to being fall to the lowest, and this incidents will completely destroy there chance to recover it in future.
Furthermore, the worst thing was that the current situation was taking place in front of Barco's last hope which where noble present in the meeting hall. Roman was practically mocking him in his own estate.
'I can't believe he was so cruel.'
This was like disembowelment suicide for Viscount Barco. Nevertheless, the only difference was that Roman was the one who held the hilt of sword and the sword was aimed toward him.
Finally, Viscount Barco let go of his pride and put his head down. He decided to take responsibility for his defeat and bring out his eldest child so that he would get his punishment. He didn't say those words, but everyone around him understood this, by the meaning of his actions.
Viscount Barco eyebrow trembled, who once boasted unrivaled power in the North East of Cairo, was a prideful man, he couldn't simply bow down to a young man and completely let go of the pride he had built over many years.
And there is only way to protect his pride, by preparing for the destruction of the Barco family by executing Roman, who fearlessly dare barge in Barco estate.
However, he couldn't do it, because he still want to live longer.
Viscount Barco's strong desire for life eventually made him accepted the reality which was front of him, which he did not want to accept before.
" Due to Anthony Barco's conflict should not rise between two family. I will tell Anthony Barco to apologize directly. are you done now? By making the eldest son of the Barco kneel down myself, your anger should have been resolved!"
Viscount Barco shouted while holding back his anger, he had completely lost the chance to revive Barco.
However he was stunned by Roman reply.
"When did I tell Anthony Barco to get down on his knees?"
" What do you mean by that?"
"How he is going to be punished is in my hands. That choice obviously lies with me. Who in the world tells the perpetrator to choose the method of punishment for themself?"
Roman's voice was unbelievably cold. Even after he had driven Viscount Barco to the edge of the cliff, as if he wasn't satisfied, he revealed his ferocious side and said, "I want a Daejeon battle with Anthony Barco."
Daejeon battle hearing those words, Viscount Barco's expression stiff instantly. Daejeon battle wasn't a common thing. It was equivalent to public execution of a person, a way for one to atone for their sins with blood and death by placing the wrongdoer at the crossroads of life and death.
If Anthony had a Daejeon battle with Roman, his chances of surviving against Roman were extremely slim.
Viscount Barco thought 'Did he want to kill Barco's eldest son in front of me?'
' No it can not happen, if that happens, I will not let Roman to survive either. '
Viscount Barco thought Roman simply wanted expressed his intention that Anthony Barco could not forgive by only kneeling, and he may have to be prepared to be crippled if he accepts the Daejeon battle.
Roman was truly a cruel guy
Even though he gave up his pride and bowed his head in front of him, Roman hoped that Barco would actually receive a 'price for Anthony sins'.
Viscount Barco felt Dizzy, what Roman was saying was clear.
Will he risk the fate of the Barco family or will he abandon his own son?
The answer was already out there for him.
Even though Anthony Barco was the eldest son and the successor of Barco, if he could avoid a war with Dmitry in exchange for a pair of his arms, it was a deal that he had no choice but to accept.
Viscount Barco shut his eyes tight.
After losing the war with Lawrence, and in a situation where the debt to repay was piled up like a mountain, he couldn't not make a choice to get his eldest son crippled but he had made his decision.
After thinking for a long time, Viscount Barco said that he would accept Roman's offer and left the conference room.
He told his son, who could not grab the reality in front of him.
"Ah, Father!"
" I'm sorry. "
"Never, absolutely not! Isn't Roman Dmitry the swordsman who won even against Homer? Are you really going to put the life of the eldest son of the Barco family in the hands of others? Please decline Roman Dmitry's offer. He will kill me."
Anthony Barco got down on his knees.
Weeping profusely with a terrified look on his face, he grabbed Viscount Barco's leg and begged desperately.
He knew it too even if he survives the Daejeon battle, he will not have his body intact.
Barco's eldest son, who he thought was brought up with dignity, begged for his life like a three-year-old child.
Looking at his son, Viscount Barco said in a stern voice.
"Calm your mind. You are Barco's eldest son. From the moment you decide to be the heir of the Barco family, you became a being that had to do anything for the good of the family. Even if it would put your life in jeopardy. Roman will not kill you. If he had intended to kill you, if he had come here to kill you he would have at least bring his soldier with him. So accept the reality. Be strong look straight into the face of Roman Dmitry, and never forget this disgrace in order to get revenge on him in the future."
"Father, please !"
"Anthony!"
Viscount Barco was adamant.
Only then did Anthony Barco realized he couldn't avoid the Daejeon battle.
Anthony Barco, who sat down on his seat, looked up at the sky with a pale face.
'Oh God.'
From now on all he could do was hope that Roman would show him mercy.
Anthony Barco, He was being judged in front of his father Viscount Barco and the nobles of the northeast area in the Daejeon battle.
His legs trembled, his face was as pale as a corpse, and he was so trembling that people could see his sword shaking.
There was practically no meaning in the duel.
Roman proved his overwhelming strength by defeating Homer, and there was no way Anthony Barco, who could not use an aura would won the duel and survived.
However, he still decided to do this for a reason. He didn't swing his sword to defeat Roman, but tried to appeal to him.
" Ro, Roman. I'm really sorry for what I did to you. There was no malice. You see, I was in love with Flora Lawrence so much, and I was lost for a moment when I find out that she was marrying you."
It was a desperate call from Anthony.
It was clearly showing that despite him not kneeling down, if Roman forgave him today, he would do anything for him in the future.
"We are friends. Even if things got messy because of Lawrence, we still had pretty fun times together. Roman No! Sir Roman, please just let me off this one time. If you forgive me and let this go as if nothing happened, I, Anthony Barco, will never forget your grace and repay you for the rest of my life."
It was really embarrassing side that Barco's eldest son should not show, and the nobles they glanced at Viscount Barco's who showed signs of discomfort, while controlling his anger.
He had already driven his son into giving up his pride, but here, he was begging for his life.
"You will never forget this grace and repay me for the rest of your life?" Roman asked as he slowly walked towards Anthony Barco, who was startled and was holding the sword tightly. He knew he wouldn't be killed, but he didn't want to be crippled, either. His pale face showed how he was not even a little bit ready to accept the reality in front of him
Nevertheless, Roman continued, "How the hell are you going to repay me? Barco family is already over. Even your connections with the Central Government can not help rectify your crimes, and obviously, Barco will lose everything they have just by repaying the money they borrowed from the Golden Bank. So, tell me Why do I have to forgive you? You who ignored me in front of countless others and trapped me for his selfish desire."
At that moment, Viscount Barco had a strange feeling. An intense alarm rang in his head. And just as he was about to rush in and stop the duel, Roman looked straight into Viscount Barco's eyes and swung his sword.
"That's right. There is no need for me to forgive you."
Slashhh!
The wind blew, the feeling of something being cut apart from his life, Viscount Barco's was stained with the blood that splattered in the air and he had a expression which showed his despair.
Onetime in Moorim in his past life.
Baek Jung-hyeok had a bloody battle.
He withstood the threats of his brothers who attempted to assassinate him each night, but he would kill each of assassin every night .
Then one day, in a situation in which Baek Jung-hyuk's finished fighting his enemy, the eldest son, a powerful heir of the sect.
"Junghyuk. Do you know what your problem is? That is, that you didn't make any compromise. The moment you recognised your opponent as an enemy, and unconditionally drive them to there end. It will catch your ankle someday. Even beings weaker than you do not know what they will do if they are in a corner, but you do not allow any leeway to your opponent. That is your fatal problem."
The eldest son, Baek Ho-yeol, he was strong
Beyond simply possessing great force, he showed the tolerance of accepting enemies one by one that threatened his place and position.
He was truly a great human being.
As Baek Joong-hyeok, he had no choice but to acknowledge Baek Ho-yeol, but that didn't mean he agreed with what he said.
Baek Jung-hyuk looked up at Baek Ho-yeol and said.
"As you said, compromise is necessary. But if it's been hostile to me, I think the only way I'll survive is by completely crushing them. So don't stand in my way. I have lived like that from the very bottom of the demonic sect, and I will continue to live like that until I reach the peak."
He had numerous enemies lurking for him.
( If you kill them all, your karma will surely come back, so leaders like Baek Ho-yeol always emphasized the importance of embracing people around him. )
He don't think that's it was necessarily wrong.
People who were actually enemies of Baek Ho-yeol have established themselves as reliable allies after turning to Baek Ho-yeol's side.
However, Baek Joong-hyuk's method was different.
There is no reason to keep the enemy alive.
Death is the only way to block the possibility of a variable, and Baek Jung-hyuk learned how to use fear.
It was no different now for Barco, they thought themselves as a big leader in the northeast region.
Even if he showed mercy, they could always take revenge, so that's why there was no reason for Roman to keep him alive.
Slashhh!
Anthony Barco was directly cut opened.
Viscount Barco face flushed with astonishment.
He looked at Roman with an expression showing his disbelief, and with both hands he hurriedly tried to stopped the blood gushing out like a fountain from Anthony body.
Nobody excepted the death of Anthony Barco.
It was an ending that everyone present there did not expect.