The Heavenly Demon Can't Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 434

Just an hour before, Edwin Hector visited Roman Dimitri.

Edwin Hector bowed respectfully to Roman Dimitri before speaking, making a statement that shocked everyone watching.

“Your Imperial Majesty, please grant magicians the opportunity to participate in the upcoming Ranking Match.”

Ranking Match!

It was the center of everyone’s attention.

In a situation where opinions were divided on who would win, Edwin Hector’s declaration of participation was entirely unexpected.

In fact, they had discussed the unified ranking before.

Since ranking brought honor, it had always been for swordsmen only.

Back then, the magicians’ plan fell through.

It wasn’t due to opposing opinions, but rather a result of the magicians’ characteristics.

Magicians were strong in large-scale battles.

The wider the battlefield, the more geographical advantages they secured, the more overwhelming the magicians’ explosive magical power appeared on the battlefield. In large battles, magicians could unleash storms of fire or walls of ice, changing the course of war. But the Ranking Match…

However, the Ranking Match was different from a typical battlefield.

The Ranking Match was held in a closed arena, very different from the open battlefields magicians were used to. Since they had to engage in close combat with swordsmen in a limited space, magicians with the limitation of casting clearly had restrictions.

Of course, the top magicians showed skills that surpassed these restrictions, but the prevailing opinion was that there was no need to harm their reputation and diminish the status of magicians.

Roman Dimitri said.

“Is there a particular reason?”

Edwin Hector replied.

“Your Majesty, this Ranking Match is a great chance for everyone to show what they can do. I believe that opportunity should also be given to magicians. Combat in a limited space is not advantageous for magicians, but magicians are not weaker than swordsmen, Your Majesty. We just fight differently. Let us prove it. If you agree, this Ranking Match will be bigger than ever. It won’t just be about finding the best swordsman. It will be about finding the strongest person in the Empire, after you, of course.”

Roman Dimitri understood Edwin Hector’s intention immediately.

The reason he was willing to risk the Ranking Match was that the actions of the Hector Kingdom after the war proved it.

Hector had absorbed the Sky Magic Tower.

Not only was Edwin Hector himself a great magician, but as he became a figure symbolizing magicians, a significant number of magicians who had been based in the Chronos Empire headed to Hector.

This happened because magicians trusted him.

Since the Sky Magic Tower Master, who had led the disappearance of magicians as a servant of Alexander, was defeated by Edwin Hector, they believed that he would guarantee the safety and future of magicians.

And indeed, he did.

As Edwin Hector started making changes to help magicians, he received their enthusiastic support. For example, Edwin Hector allowed magicians to practice magic freely and gave them important positions in his kingdom. Magicians felt safe and respected in Hector.

The situation changed rapidly.

The Hector Kingdom’s magical power grew rapidly, and people soon called Hector a magical kingdom.

Every country was watching the Ranking Match. Some countries were ignoring Dimitri and trying to become stronger. They were all waiting to see what would happen. Edwin knew that if Hector did well in the Ranking Match, it would show everyone how powerful Hector had become. Hector, once weak, could become a major power again, thanks to its magic.

He had made the Ranking Match even more important for everyone.

Knowing Edwin Hector’s intentions, he asked about his purpose, and Edwin Hector also clearly stated his purpose as Roman Dimitri intended.

This was a fight for a new landscape, to prove himself, to prove how valuable Hector is to the future of the Dimitri Empire.

It was interesting.

Even if his intentions were blatant, Roman Dimitri highly valued Edwin Hector’s spirit of challenge.

Therefore, Roman Dimitri said.

“Prince Edwin Hector, I accept your request.”

He made the event even more exciting.

News travels fast.

The rumor spread quickly.

With the rumor that the Ranking Match would be unified, people gathered in small groups and talked about the Ranking Match.

“Wow, magicians are participating,”

“What do you think? Can magicians rise to the top ranks?”

“…Hmm. I don’t know if it will be easy. It’s not that I’m ignoring the power of magicians, but all the famous swordsmen on the continent will be challenging, so how can they handle that? Magicians are incredibly powerful in big battles. They can destroy entire armies, but that doesn’t mean they can beat a swordsman in a one-on-one fight. In a limited space, their weakness will be even clearer.”

“Still, Edwin Hector is different. He has a record of blocking the Valhalla Empire’s attack.”

The atmosphere was buzzing with energy as people predicted the future of the Ranking Match with flushed faces.

What was certain was that the participation of magicians had a huge impact on the success of the event.

What kind of confrontation will magicians and swordsmen show, and to what extent will Edwin Hector, currently considered the best magician on the continent, rank?

Attention was focused.

Everywhere they went, people were talking about the continental ranking, and they started talking about something else.

“Which country will produce the most top rankers?”

The result was decided.

The first place was Dimitri’s, but people’s interest was in the power of other countries opposing Dimitri.

Even if only half of the top 10 were from countries other than Dimitri, those countries with such strong individuals would gain considerable fame.

The participation of magicians was just an element to make the competition more interesting.

In fact, the reason people were initially interested in this stage was the confrontation between Dimitri and other countries.

Attention was focused.

As people talked, time passed quickly, and the day of the Ranking Match was only a few days away.

Around that time, as much as people were interested, other countries were falling into a feeling of tense quiet before something big happens.

In Chronos, Emperor Joelson Kroyt gathered his leaders.

The leader said.

“According to the information we have currently gathered, all countries, including Chronos, have prepared their strongest forces. The Ranking Match now has a different meaning than in the past. In the past, the Ranking Match was a system created by Alexander for Chronos, but now people see it as a stage of competition to prove the value of the country. Therefore, Chronos must do well in this Ranking Match.”

Everyone nodded.

Just as Hector was undergoing changes, the Chronos Empire also needed a new opportunity for its future.

The Chronos Emperor said.

“Chronos is a country that started the war. Due to that war, the empire was badly damaged, and we are still in a dangerous situation every day because we cannot completely recover from that damage. In order for Chronos to rise again, success in this competition is necessary. Chronos has not yet collapsed, and Chronos is a country of sufficient value in the future that Dimitri will move forward. If we cannot prove ourselves, we will disappear and be forgotten forever.”

Reality had changed.

Chronos, once the ruler of the continent, looked weak and unstable.

Huge damage and huge payments for the war damage.

Fortunately, Roman Dimitri showed mercy, so we were able to prevent the country from collapsing, but now it was at a level that was embarrassing to even call it an empire.

That’s why the Ranking Match was even more special.

Not only Edwin Hector, but Chronos also risked their lives for this day.

“How are our representatives doing?”

“Perfect.”

Count Bellatro, from the Kroyt family.

In the grand hall of Chronos, torches flickered, casting long shadows on the stone walls. The air smelled of iron and anticipation. Lord Valerius, leader of Chronos, stood tall before his assembled warriors. He spoke, his voice booming through the hall.

“Chronos lost much in the war, but our empire will not fall easily. This war has made some of us stronger. Mendes, for example, was already a skilled warrior. Now, he has become even greater, a Six-Star swordsman! We expect him to bring us victory.”

Mendes stood a little straighter as he heard his name.

Yes, he was Chronos’s new hope, their rising star.

His skills were recognized, but that didn’t mean they could relax.

“Remember, Chronos is not the only one who sees this tournament as an opportunity. Defeat them all. Risk everything. We will use this tournament as a stepping stone to create a new future for the Chronos Empire.”

“As you command.”

The voice echoed loudly.

That day was a day of hope for the Chronos Empire.

And in every country, the same thing was happening as the tournament approached.

The day of the final battle arrived.

The rules of this tournament were simple.

Dmitri, Cairo, Hector, Umberto, Redford, Frank, Chronos, and Valhalla—eight countries in total—were participating, and each country was promised 16 slots.

Each country would choose 16 fighters, whether they were swordsmen or mages. The overall ranking of 128th place would be decided based on the results of the matches.

At first, Dmitri, as the host country, was going to have more than half of the slots.

However, people thought this was unfair, so the first ranking match gave everyone an equal chance.

It was only the first time anyway.

Once the ranking of 128th place was set, they would freely fight to win or lose rankings for the next year.

And when the next ranking match was held.

Instead of giving fixed slots to each country, the fighters in the top 128 would compete to be the winner.

People flocked to Dmitri for the first tournament.

There were so many people that the representatives of Chronos looked around in amazement.

“Everyone looks strong.”

“Yes, you can tell everyone is serious about this tournament. It will probably be a difficult fight from the first round, but we can’t back down.”

Everyone nodded.

Their leader was Mendes.

Mendes, the Six-Star swordsman who brought new hope to Chronos, trained very hard for the ranking match.

He only acknowledged the other countries in words. He was confident he would win.

No matter who he fought, he strongly believed that he would be in the top ranks.

However.

“The problem is that we can’t meet Dmitri too early……”

Dmitri’s 16 fighters included Chris and Kevin.

Although famous people like Fernando didn’t participate so they could focus on other things, Dmitri’s representatives were known to be strong.

That was the only thing he was worried about.

If they met a representative of Dmitri in the first round, Mendes might be in the lower ranks, no matter how strong he was.

That was absolutely unacceptable.

He had to restore Chronos’s honor. He would win somehow, even if he met a representative from Dmitri.

‘I will use this chance to show everyone that Chronos is reborn, stronger than ever. Chronos will be in the top 16, I swear it.’

It was then.

The match schedule was announced.

The match schedule was decided by a random draw, and the process was fair.

Names were called out. Some cheered, some sighed, and finally, Mendes’s name was called.

“Match 18: Mendes of the Chronos Empire.”

And.

“Kevin of the Dmitri Empire.”

The moment he heard that name.

Mendes felt like the sky was falling.

After the announcement of the match schedule.

Mendes couldn’t believe it.

The thought of facing Kevin made him lose all confidence.

‘……Why Kevin of all people?’

Before and after the Continental War.

Kevin’s position had completely changed.

He had been known as a dangerous person for some time with the nickname ‘Dmitri’s Fiend,’ but people were shocked by the rumor that he had defeated Ares and dragged him around.

Ares was a monster who had destroyed Valhalla all by himself.

Yet, Dmitri’s Fiend had defeated such a monster.

For that reason.

Everyone hoped they wouldn’t meet those two.

They believed that if they didn’t meet Kevin and Chris in the early rounds, they might have a chance to do something.

“Participant 18, enter.”

Finally.

The order was called. A high-ranking nobleman of Chronos looked at Mendes’s tense face and said.

“Mendes, I won’t tell you to beat Dmitri’s Fiend. Of course, winning would be great, but even if you lose, show everyone that you are not an easy opponent. And I promise you, if you win, your life will be completely changed.”

“……Understood.”

He nodded.

It was a fight he couldn’t avoid.

Therefore, he didn’t want to hurt Chronos’s reputation by acting cowardly.

In fact, his thoughts about Kevin were just rumors.

He hadn’t faced him directly, and rumors in the battlefield were often exaggerated.

Maybe the story of defeating Ares wasn’t all his doing.

Even if all the rumors were true, Mendes, who had reached a new level, had confidence in himself.

“I will return victorious.”

He moved forward.

With a sharpened sword in hand, he stepped onto the stage as countless people watched.

Then.