The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 235

It was truly embarrassing.

Sanchez had wondered if Roman Dmitry should be on stage. But Valhalla Empire had already ignored the festival’s true meaning from the beginning.

Changing the warrior who would represent the festival was a sensitive issue. Yet Valhalla, for political gain, accepted the Cronos Empire’s request and changed their opponent as they pleased.

It was pathetic.

How had this country become like this?

‘This must be why Master didn’t compromise with the Valhalla Imperial Family. Becoming a mouthpiece for those in power would guarantee a comfortable life, but like Barbosa, one would be forced to fight opponents they designated. Now I understand why Master showed such animosity towards those who pursued change. Master didn’t hate change itself. He hated bad people who used change to get rich and powerful.’

Morales wanted Roman Dmitry to stand on the stage.

With his skill, he would defeat Barbosa and show the pride of a warrior.

However, he couldn’t hide the truth.

For Valhalla, limiting one option might be practical, but Morales had provided Roman Dmitry with a way to survive.

Morales had given Roman Dmitry two choices: fight Barbosa, or refuse and leave.

Morales didn’t want to fight the powerful in the same corrupt way.

And so, Sanchez heard the truth.

He spoke the truth on behalf of the deceased and thought Roman Dmitry would naturally choose the safe path.

It was only natural.

Even if Morales’ death had brought Roman Dmitry into the light, there was no reason to risk himself in a distant foreign land for Valhalla’s scheme.

However, Roman Dmitry’s reaction was unexpected.

“I know.”

“…What do you mean? You knew that Valhalla was colluding with Cronos?”

It was shocking.

Roman Dmitry, knowing the truth, had stepped into Valhalla.

Roman Dmitry said.

“The relationship between Cronos and Valhalla is complicated. People think Valhalla is neutral, but that’s not quite right. The recent Cairo rebellion proves it. If Marquis Benedict had succeeded and changed the government, Cronos would have used Cairo to conquer the continent. What good would it do for Valhalla to criticize Cronos then? None. Neutrality doesn’t give them any real advantages. Thinking they can stay safe just by watching is what weak people think, people who have never been in power.”

The relationship between empires sparked a small doubt.

People said the empires saw each other as enemies, but they didn’t really harm each other that much.

It was as if they acknowledged each other’s existence.

“I don’t think Valhalla and Cronos are perfectly allied. They both control large areas, so if they get too close, they’ll have to fight. But until they defeat the surrounding forces, they have a good reason to work together. So, Valhalla’s neutrality isn’t that simple.”

“…What is that supposed to mean?”

Sanchez gasped, his chest tight. It felt like someone had punched him in the stomach, stealing his air. Roman Dmitry spoke in a low, even voice, but Sanchez felt a wave of shock.

*Valhalla?* He was a Valhallan through and through.

He believed in their way – the warrior’s way. They called it conviction, acting on what you believed. Others called them isolated, stubborn.

But Sanchez loved Valhalla. Even if outsiders thought they were ignorant or strange, Valhalla was true to itself. It was the soul of a warrior nation.

If Roman Dmitry’s words were true, and according to Morales’ last words, they were, Sanchez couldn’t hide his dismay.

It was sickening to work with Cronos, whom they had criticized, for the sake of power.

Even if they fought Cronos in the future, it wouldn’t matter to the people of Valhalla.

Cronos valued results, but Valhalla loved the process.

They wanted a valuable defeat, even if it meant losing.

Sanchez said.

“Knowing that, why did you accept Valhalla’s invitation? It’s a plan by Valhalla and Cronos. After the fight with Barbosa, they’ll try to kill you. Are you sure you can handle that? You’re strong, but there are limits. The warp gate to Dmitry will have problems, and you can’t escape the long distance to Dmitry on foot.”

His voice trembled. To the question asking for his sincerity, Roman Dmitry showed a calm expression.

“I accepted it because I know the truth.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Even if the truth is revealed, the reality I face doesn’t change. I have to deal with it anyway. Dmitry and the weak countries must not ignore the fact that Cronos and Valhalla are colluding.”

He set up the worst-case scenario.

Going to Valhalla was dangerous, but he had a reason to accept the invitation.

“I want my actions in the war to give justification. Even if Valhalla traps me and Cronos tries to kill me, what will people think if I defeat the Twelve Swords and return alive? The change starts then. Even if the truth is revealed later, people will have a reason to fight to the end.”

At that moment, Sanchez was speechless.

Roman Dmitry was truly reckless, even the Valhallans would call him crazy.

The conversation ended.

Roman Dmitry did not run away.

Remembering his words about going on stage, Sanchez went outside and looked at the moon hidden in the darkness.

“…Roman Dmitry, you are really crazy.”

His heart was pounding.

From the start, he couldn’t guarantee victory in the fight with Barbosa.

Although he had defeated Morales, Barbosa was six ranks higher, a huge difference.

Even if he took the risk and defeated him, Roman Dmitry would face a dark plot, not cheers.

And yet, he would fight.

He let out a hollow laugh. Even though it was so dangerous, Roman Dmitry gave him hope that he might succeed.

Once, Morales had said this.

“A true warrior doesn’t tolerate any compromise. If you neglect training and compromise with reality, that weakness will make you kneel in a battle of wills. I am not great. I have ignored Barbosa, and that shows my weakness. Sanchez, if you meet a true warrior, learn from him. Even if you can’t be like him, you can learn something for the future.”

A true warrior. He was the one Morales spoke of.

Roman Dmitry seemed like a great figure from Valhalla’s history.

He walked the night road.

As the moonlight disappeared and darkness filled the area, Sanchez made a fist. Morales stood before him, his face serious.

“I still think you are taking a big risk,” Morales said. “But if defeating Barbosa is truly what you want most… I hope you don’t get killed in some trick by the Empire.”

Morales paused, then continued, “Maybe our master wants you to choose this path. He gave you choices, and if you choose to be a warrior, you must give everything to it.”

Sanchez gritted his teeth. *It seemed like…* yes, from now on, life would be a hard test.

The day of the Eve Festival arrived.

People were busy from morning until night.

With Valhalla’s big festival happening tomorrow, there were many things to do today.

That evening, as the sun went down, people went to the festival.

A large crowd gathered around the big stage, all excited.

“I wonder who will win?”

“It’s definitely Gonzales from the Jonathan family. Powerful fighters called ‘Rankers’ are not allowed to compete on the Eve Festival stage, so a 4-star swordsman like Gonzales is almost sure to win. Plus, I heard Gonzales will try to join the Ranking Match soon.”

“Hey, you can’t guess who will win on the Eve Festival stage. It’s not just one person fighting another; there are 30 people on the stage at the same time.”

People talked.

Then, someone mentioned someone interesting.

“What about Dimitri’s Flash?”

“…Hmm. I think he might do well, but he might not be strong enough against the other fighters.”

“Still, I heard Dimitri’s Flash was very strong in the war against the Chronos Empire. They say he is so fast with a sword that people can’t help but think of the word ‘Flash’ when they see him fight, even if they haven’t heard the stories.”

“He’s someone to watch. Roman Dimitri beat Morales, and Chris might be special too.”

Until recently, Chris wasn’t the center of attention.

People saw him as someone who didn’t really belong at the festival, but Roman Dimitri’s actions made people notice him.

He was the only outsider.

Everyone was watching him.

But, no matter how good he was, everyone thought he probably wouldn’t win.

“Still, it will be hard for him to win. No one from another country has ever won on the Eve Festival stage. The fighters from Valhalla will be careful of Chris, whether they show it or not. What would have to happen for Chris to win when 30 fighters are fighting at the same time? He will probably have to defend himself the whole time just to stay alive.”

That’s what people honestly thought about Chris.

The time had come.

The referee called the fighters from each family to come onto the stage.

“Chris from the Dimitri Duchy!”

“Woo-hoo!”

“Chris! Chris!”

“Chris! Chris!”

People cheered.

Even though most people thought Chris would lose, they were not being mean to him.

Roman Dimitri was known as a true warrior.

Just because Chris worked for Roman, the people of Valhalla felt it was worth cheering for him.

Some of the fighters on the stage looked unhappy.

“Tsk tsk, look at them cheering for someone from another country.”

“Even if we die on this stage, we can’t let someone who isn’t from Valhalla win.”

It was just as people had thought.

They hadn’t accepted Roman Dimitri as Barbosa’s opponent.

It was the same for Chris.

Some fighters felt embarrassed that a fighter from another country was on the same stage as them.

Also, they had special orders from their family leaders.

“Winning on the Eve Festival stage would be the greatest happiness, but even if you lose, remember one thing. Chris, the foreigner who follows Roman Dimitri, must be killed no matter what. If you do this, your family will be safe in the future, even if you don’t win.”

They looked at Chris with anger.

Chris was their enemy.

They knew they all wanted the same thing just by looking at each other, and one fighter said quietly.

“That Dimitri’s rat will probably defend himself at first. If he tries to attack against the fighters from Valhalla, he won’t survive. So, how about we spill the foreigner’s blood on the stage right away? Then we can fight each other.”

“I agree.”

“Good. I’ll cut off the foreigner’s head, and then I’ll beat all of you.”

The fighters smiled.

They all agreed.

They knew they would have to fight each other later anyway, but working together now was a good idea.

Finally, the Emperor and other important nobles sat down in the upper seats.

When everything was ready, the referee raised the flag.

Flutter.

“Begin-!”

This was the start of the Eve Festival.

People cheered loudly.

At that moment…

Whoosh.

Someone moved.

It was Chris.

No one expected him to attack, but he charged at the fighters first.

And then…

Flash.

He cut off the head of a fighter who wasn’t ready.

Flash.

He also cut off the head of a fighter who tried to attack him.

Splurt.

He cut open the chest of the fighter next to him.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

People were shocked.

He attacked so fast that people could barely see him.

Right away, three fighters fell, and Chris’s sword was covered in blood.