The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 126

Everyone in Hector looked up to Edwin. They believed he was a hero, the kingdom’s only hope in these dark times.

Maybe that’s why Edwin Hector also believed he would win. He had always been praised, always succeeded. But then he met Roman Dmitry.

Scritch!

Poof.

Blood splattered.

Suddenly, a figure jumped out of the shadows. A quick flash, and Hector’s soldier fell, blood spraying. Then, silence again.

Soldiers screamed, looking for Roman. But as soon as they moved away from their group, they were attacked from the shadows. One by one, soldiers disappeared, their numbers shrinking.

Edwin Hector watched, frozen. He couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. His mind felt distant, like he was watching a terrible play, but it was real, and his soldiers were dying.

Only then did he realize this was a nightmare.

He had to wake up soon, but no matter how hard he struggled, the slaughter before his eyes did not end.

“The problem was Roman Dmitry. I never expected someone like him. Could I have won if I had destroyed the Southern Front? No. It was impossible,” he thought.

Thinking back, Roman Dmitry seemed even stronger when he fought the Great Warrior than when he fought Butler before. Edwin couldn’t understand how someone could become so much stronger so quickly.

Edwin knew one thing for sure: Roman Dmitry’s power seemed endless, like a deep, dark hole. Edwin realized he could never be sure of winning against him.

People said Edwin was the most talented person in the kingdom. Edwin himself was confident, maybe even a little proud. But this one defeat destroyed everything he believed.

“I have ruined everything for the kingdom,” he thought. “If only we hadn’t started this war. Maybe Hector would have been okay for a little longer.”

Edwin felt his hope disappear. The terrible scene of soldiers dying kept playing in his mind. He lost track of time. His spirit broke.

He could not overcome the responsibility of defeat.

Then, something changed. Edwin saw the face of a dead soldier. He recognized him. ‘The royal family gave food to soldiers who joined the war,’ Edwin remembered. ‘That soldier joined to feed his old mother. He wasn’t even a good fighter.’ Edwin felt a sharp pain in his chest. This man had died for *him*.

His heart hurt. He didn’t blame Roman. Roman was just fighting for his side, like Edwin was for his. This pain, this loss, was Edwin’s fault because he had lost.

Suddenly, Edwin felt a spark of strength. Even in this terrible despair, he remembered his duty. ‘Hector Kingdom is in danger, the worst danger,’ he thought. ‘But it’s not over yet. People are still counting on me. I have to find a way to save them.’

Whoosh.

The darkness receded.

Bright light covered his eyes.

Soon.

“How much time has passed?” Edwin Hector opened his eyes.

Edwin woke up. He felt weak, but his mind was clear. ‘How long was I…?’ he wondered. He soon learned it had been about a week. In that week, everything in Hector had changed.

Soldiers who had fought in the war didn’t talk about it, but the news from Cairo spread like wildfire, and despair filled Hector.

People whispered in fear, “Butler is defeated! The devil of Cairo won!” Rumors flew: “Thousands killed! Butler himself was beaten! We never had a chance!” The feeling in Hector was clear: “It’s over. We lost everything.”

Fearful rumors spread everywhere. ‘Roman Dmitry.’ Just the name made people tremble. Stories of his incredible power spread across the land. People said a legendary swordsman had been born in Cairo. But for Hector, this was terrible news. They were the ones who had suffered because of him.

Seeing the kingdom falling apart, Edwin Hector, now fully awake and alert, called for the kingdom’s leaders and went to see his father, the King.

“How is your body?”

“I’m fine.”

“Foolish fellow. I never told you to risk your life. My ability was insufficient, so I burdened you with the royal family’s responsibilities, but I didn’t want you to solve the problem at the cost of your son’s life.”

“I’m sorry.”

Edwin Hector bowed his head. The heart of a father. It was warm. However, Edwin Hector had no time to waste on human emotions.

“Father,” Edwin said, getting straight to the point. “Have you seen Jackson’s report?” The King nodded, his face grim. “Three days ago,” Edwin continued, “something strange happened in a village in Hector. The first village where crops failed. But it’s more than just crop failure. The land… it’s drying up, turning black, crumbling. Even animals are dying. It looks like… a necromancer’s curse.”

Necromancer’s curse. The words hung heavy in the air. Everyone knew what that meant. Dark magic. Death. Edwin’s heart sank when he read Jackson’s report. This was worse than war.

“At first,” Edwin explained, “we thought the bad harvests were just bad luck, maybe a punishment from the gods. But this… this looks like a necromancer’s curse. It’s the same thing. Maybe the bad harvests weren’t natural at all. Maybe someone made them happen, using dark magic. And it’s not just a small curse. It’s affecting all of Hector. Someone planned this for years, and now, after the war, they’ve shown their hand.”

“So,” the King said slowly, “someone wanted us to attack Cairo?”

“Yes,” Edwin said. He couldn’t be certain, but it felt right. “Someone wanted to push Hector to the edge of destruction.”

Edwin had been studying reports and information since he woke up. He had reached a conclusion.

“We were used,” Edwin said, his voice hard. “Both Hector and Cairo. Someone in the shadows made us fight each other, for their own gain. But revenge can wait. Right now, we have to save Hector from this curse. Then we can find out who is behind all of this.”

“We’re out of time,” the King said, his voice heavy.

“I know,” Edwin replied. He knew how serious this was. Even knowing it was a curse didn’t make it easier to fix. If it spread across Hector… they would need powerful magic, maybe even the High Priest. Hector alone couldn’t stop it. They needed something drastic.

“When I was younger,” Edwin said, “the Lord of the Sky Tower made me an offer. If I gave up being a prince and joined the Magic Tower, he would give me great power, knowledge… many things. I will go to the Sky Magic Tower. I will offer them my service.”

“Edwin!” Everyone in the room gasped.

They understood what he was saying. He was giving up his future as king. Everyone started to protest, to argue, but Edwin Hector’s face was set. He had made his decision.

“One year,” Edwin said firmly. “That’s all I need. It’s the only way to save us.” They knew he was right. This was their only hope. Hector Kingdom had to survive.

While the Cairo Kingdom was holding a festival, the Hector Kingdom made the decision to send away its hero.

The war was over. Most people tried to go back to normal life. But McBurney, the former instructor from the Southern Training Center, spent his days in bars in the capital.

“Ugh.” He slammed the bottle on the table. He hadn’t drunk alcohol in months. At the training center, he had to be ready for anything, always alert. But now… now he couldn’t stand being sober.

He had helped win the war. For his service, McBurney was given a lot of money. Enough to live comfortably for the rest of his days, if he was careful. But the money didn’t make him happy.

He remembered his commander’s words: ‘Go back to the battlefield? McBurney, be realistic. People call you a hero because of Roman Dmitry, but you failed at the training center. You lost your men. You’re just a one-armed man now. No one will follow you. Take the money and live quietly. That’s all you’re good for now.’

His commander’s words were harsh, but true. It was the reality he had to face. He didn’t know what he could do anymore. So he drank.

Glug, glug.

He gulped down the alcohol. No matter how much he drank, he didn’t get drunk, and his mind became clearer.

‘I should have died on the battlefield,’ he thought. He had spent ten years fighting. He had seen so many friends die. He had fought to survive, again and again. People called him a seasoned fighter, a talented soldier who had risen up from nothing. But the war had broken something inside him.

The constant fighting had worn him down. He couldn’t fit into normal life anymore. Deep down, he wished he could die in battle, like his friends. That’s what he wanted. But his commanders had refused to send him back. He felt useless, pathetic.

‘Yeah, what can a one-armed man do?’ he thought bitterly. Lately, he had heard stories about Roman. Roman, now called the hero of Cairo, for his victories in the south. They said he was incredibly powerful, even in the fight with the Castro family.

Roman was truly amazing. McBurney had admired him even when Roman was just training soldiers. Now, Roman was so famous, so powerful, McBurney felt he couldn’t even get close to him.

‘I wish I was one of his men,’ McBurney thought suddenly. To serve someone like Roman, to believe in him completely… that’s what he wanted. ‘But Roman already has so many talented people. Why would he want a broken soldier like me? I’m useless now. I have to accept it. I can’t fail again like I did at the training center.’

His throat was dry. He reached for his drink again. But then, *thud*. Someone sat down heavily next to him. ‘Long time no see,’ a voice said. McBurney turned. His breath caught in his throat. It was Roman Dmitry. He must be dreaming.

His heart raced. Roman Dmitry! His hero! Why was he here? McBurney’s thoughts were a jumble. But Roman didn’t waste time.

“I’m building something new, McBurney. I need skilled people. I think you have the kind of skill I need. I have a direct question for you: Will you come with me to Dmitry?”

Instantly, *ba-dump, ba-dump*! His heart hammered in his chest. It was like a miracle. Everything he had secretly wished for, offered to him. He couldn’t believe it. He wanted to say yes immediately.

But he hesitated. “This is… thank you, it’s a great honor,” McBurney stammered. “But… I’m just one-armed now. I lost my sword arm. I’m not a real fighter anymore. What good am I to you, Roman Dmitry? I’m afraid I’ll just slow you down. Even Cairo doesn’t want me anymore.”

“That doesn’t sound like a ‘no’ to me,” Roman said, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Or am I wrong?” McBurney was silent. A new world was opening up. Roman wasn’t looking at what McBurney was *now*, but what he could become.

“Have you ever heard of fighting with your left hand?” Roman asked, his eyes gleaming. A thought sparked in Roman’s mind, a memory from another life, of a master swordsman who had fought with incredible skill using his left hand.