The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 178

Benedict felt dizzy. Could this really be happening? Just two weeks ago…

Only two weeks ago, Duke Benedict was all-powerful. Now, he just stared ahead, empty-eyed.

“Tell me a solution!”

“Is there really a solution? It’s already over. Baron Winston’s army has been utterly crushed, and Benedict Castle could fall at any moment. The Imperial Faction stopped talking to us as soon as they heard the news, right? The only way to survive now is to open the gates and surrender!”

“Surrender?!” someone shrieked. “How dare you even say that word?!”

Chaos exploded. Shouts ripped through the room, chairs crashed to the floor, and Baron Elms slammed his fist on the table, making everyone jump. Faces, once pale with fear, now turned red with rage. They glared at each other, spitting insults, forgetting completely that Duke Benedict was even there.

It was a pathetic sight. These were the proud nobles of Cairo, now reduced to squabbling like children in a sandpit.

Just then,

Wham!

“Everyone, stop! This is not the time for this.”

It was Baron Owen.

His action of slamming the table silenced the Noble Faction, though they continued to grumble.

“As you all say, we are cornered. But surrender is absolutely out of the question. We don’t know for sure yet, but news from the northeast says Roman Dmitry destroyed Barco. Moreover, his actions so far have shown that he mercilessly crushes anyone who opposes him. He is not like our weak king who is easy to control. What do you think will happen if we open the gates to him? The common soldiers might be spared, but our leaders will certainly lose their heads.”

“…Then what do you suggest? We’re almost out of mana stones to maintain the magic defense barrier.”

“That’s right. We have, at most, two or three days. Within that time, we must reverse the situation.”

He looked at Duke Benedict.

Gazing at the Duke, who still seemed lost, Baron Owen spoke with a firm voice.

“Duke Benedict, the Imperial Faction is not the only power that can solve our problems. What if we bypass them and deal directly with the Empire?”

“What are you talking about?”

“This is a lost cause anyway. Instead of just waiting to die, we must survive, even if it means becoming a country controlled by another empire. The Chronos Empire would never refuse our offer. They have always wanted to use Cairo as a bridgehead for their continental conquest, and they will surely accept our offer of sacrifice. With the leaders of the Imperial Faction all gone, now is our last chance to persuade the Empire.”

Duke Benedict’s eyes lit up.

Not yet.

With Benedict Castle still standing, this was their last chance to sell their cards at a high price.

He didn’t think about it for long.

Selling out his country was easy for him.

“Contact Chronos immediately. I will personally conduct the negotiations with them.”

The magic communication was connected at once.

When Baron Charlton of the Chronos Foreign Ministry appeared, Duke Benedict cut straight to the point.

“I believe you are already aware of our situation. Save the Noble Faction. If you help us overthrow the Cairo Royal Family, we will become a country controlled by your empire and promise to be loyal to Chronos from now on.”

He was not pretending.

He was not proud at all as he begged for help.

[…Hmm. I regret to inform you, but there is already a faction in the Cairo Kingdom that follows the Chronos Empire. Isn’t it common knowledge that Count Gregory is that man? If we were to choose a puppet to control the Cairo Royal Family, we would have to choose Count Gregory, considering his past efforts, not you, Duke Benedict.]

“Yes, I am aware. But the situation is different now.”

He put strength into his voice.

If he couldn’t persuade them, there was no way to stop the demon of Cairo from descending.

“The Cairo Royal Family has begun a purge, led by Roman Dmitry. They started by capturing Count Gregory and Count Denver, who follow the Empire. Do you think they will be released unharmed? The moment the Noble Faction that follows me collapses, their lives will be as good as over. Roman Dmitry will surely try to completely seize Cairo during this opportunity, and the Empire will not be allowed any room to intervene. So, I suggest we help each other. If Chronos helps us a little, the Noble Faction will make the Cairo Royal Family obey the Empire. When you later declare a continental conquest, the Cairo Kingdom will willingly accept sacrifices for the Chronos Empire.”

Continental conquest.

It was a decision that required sacrifice.

But if Chronos remained the victor, only the soldiers would die, while the leaders could maintain their power.

In the end,

he gambled the kingdom.

For his own survival, Duke Benedict did not hesitate to become a traitor.

“For the Chronos Empire, it doesn’t really matter. Whether it’s Gregory or Benedict, the Empire just needs someone to control Cairo and give them what they want.”

[You certainly have a way with words.]

Baron Charlton grinned.

Duke Benedict saw the essence.

In fact, for the Chronos Empire, who occupied the kingdom, which was only a bridgehead, was not so important.

When needed.

A person who will play the necessary role.

Whether it was Gregory or Benedict, it didn’t matter.

[Actually, we are very unhappy that Count Gregory was captured so easily. We helped him a lot, but he didn’t use his power well. Tell me, what do you want Chronos to do?]

“Attack the Western Front.”

[Heh heh heh, are you asking us to attack your own country?]

“Yes. Not just attacking the first line of defense as you have always done, but going beyond that to send a warning message to the Cairo Royal Family. To prove that the Chronos Empire and the Noble Faction have joined forces. If you show aggressive movements on the Western Front, I will take care of the rest.”

He didn’t ask for much.

The single fact that the Chronos Empire was on the side of the Noble Faction would give Duke Benedict a breather.

First, he would have a justification for bringing back the Imperial Faction, who had ignored the difficulties, and if he threatened the Cairo Royal Family based on this fact, they would not be able to continue attacking Benedict Castle.

If they stood by and watched,

they would think that the troops pushed from the Western Front might capture the royal family.

It was a reasonable proposal.

Even if they were in conflict with the Kingdom Alliance, attacking the Western Front was not that difficult for Chronos.

[I understand. I accept your offer.]

Baron Charlton had the power to decide this himself, from the Foreign Ministry. It was an easy decision for him; he didn’t even need to ask the Emperor.

With one answer from Baron Charlton, Cairo, a mere weak country, fell into great chaos.

Just twelve hours after they thought peace was possible, everything changed.

Chronos had just agreed to talk, but then the Imperial Army attacked the Western Front with terrible force.

There were three lines of defense, but already two had been broken through.

The third line was also in danger, which sent the Cairo Royal Family into great worry.

Simon spoke, his voice steady but urgent.

“Currently, the Chronos Empire is getting ready to attack the third line of defense again. If that falls too, the Chronos Imperial Army will invade Cairo’s territory. Your Majesty, we need your orders. We have to stop the Imperial Army from advancing from the Western Front.”

This attack was a sudden and terrible disaster, and it seemed to have no reason.

The world might criticize it later, but right now, they were facing a tragedy.

Just then, an attendant announced, “Your Majesty, Marquis Benedict wants to speak with you.”

Daniel Cairo knew he couldn’t refuse.

The Empire’s actions likely came from the Noble Faction (nobles in Cairo who opposed the Royal Family), so Daniel Cairo connected the call with a cold face.

Marquis Benedict’s face appeared on the screen.

“[Long time no see, Your Majesty.]” Benedict said with a hint of arrogance.

“What on earth is the meaning of this? Even if we are losing, how dare you bring the Empire into our problems!” Daniel Cairo demanded, his voice filled with anger and confusion.

“[We had no choice. Roman Dmitry has been attacking us again and again, and we are desperate. We had to survive, didn’t we? Listen closely. The Noble Faction has joined with the Chronos Empire. That’s why the Chronos Empire attacked the Western Front. While the Royal Army is busy at Benedict Castle, they will destroy Cairo’s territory.]”

Benedict’s voice was ferocious, his face arrogant and sharp.

“[The Chronos Empire has always wanted to take over Cairo. We gave them a reason to interfere in our problems, and now it’s only a matter of time before Cairo falls. What does it matter if Roman Dmitry captures Benedict Castle? I’ll give you one last chance. If you agree to be our puppet king, like you have been before, we will simply take away your power. We will spare the Royal Knights at least. If you aren’t too greedy, you can live a long life as the King of Cairo. That’s my final offer, thinking of our past.]”

The King’s seat? It was not important to Daniel Cairo.

No matter who was called King, people would think of Marquis Benedict as the real ruler of Cairo.

So, Benedict offered a way out.

Benedict didn’t want to fight Dmitry to the end. He wanted to trick the King into turning against Dmitry. That’s why he offered to let the King live. He was confident that while the King was slow to decide and got confused, Benedict thought he could still win.

“[With the Chronos Empire involved, it’s over. Your Majesty, this is your last chance. Think carefully and make a wise decision.]”

Then, the communication was cut off.

Marquis Benedict’s face disappeared, and Daniel Cairo could not hide his dismay at the one-sided conversation.

The Royal Palace Conference Room became silent.

The silence was heavy, and no one dared to speak quickly or without thinking.

They had a terrible choice. If they fought, the Royal Family might die. If they gave in, Dmitry and his people would be defeated.

It was a matter of choice, and Marquis Benedict cruelly tried to cause division, hoping to survive.

Benedict, a man he once called uncle, a man with the same blood, was now driving him to the edge of a cliff.

‘My fate is truly pathetic,’ Daniel Cairo thought.

The King’s seat? Daniel Cairo had never wanted it.

It was a reality he had to accept because he was born into the Royal Family, and the power he gained at a young age was meaningless.

He was just a puppet king.

He had tried to lead Cairo in the right direction with Roman Dmitry’s help, but Marquis Benedict had brought in a monster he couldn’t handle.

What if he had killed Benedict without giving him a choice?

Even if Chronos cut off his head, Daniel Cairo would have accepted what was happening.

‘If I abandon Dmitry, I can survive,’ he thought.

But what would be the point?

Even if he just stayed alive, his life would be empty, and he would have to do whatever others said.

‘Even if I help Dmitry and defeat the Noble Faction, my power is not guaranteed. Dmitry will become as strong as the Royal Family, and maybe I will remain another puppet. I, Daniel Cairo, am destined to live as a puppet. If that is unavoidable, I want to make a choice for the kingdom, no matter what happens to my life.’

Benedict is a traitor who sold the country.

Rather than living as his puppet, he wanted to support Dmitry’s ideas about the future of the kingdom.

It was a tragic life, and he accepted it.

He knew he wasn’t a strong king, but he wanted to do what he believed was right.

“Simon,” Daniel Cairo said, his voice firm.

“Yes, Your Majesty?” Simon responded.

He made a choice for the Cairo Royal Family.

“Get in touch with Roman Dmitry right away,” he ordered, a look of determination on his face.

Even if he remained a weak and incompetent king, he would not be remembered as a traitor.