The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 523

Roman Dmitry arrived. There was no time left to think.

Jo Dal-soo and Moon Tae-joon looked at each other quickly. Then, at the same moment, they dropped to their knees, heads touching the ground.

“We are so sorry! Please, please forgive us this time!”

“We dared to fail to recognize Roman Dmitry and made a mistake. We sincerely repent, and if you would show mercy, we will live a life of repentance forever. We will do anything! We will give you everything we own! Just let us live!”

Their voices were desperate.

As death became a reality, they abandoned their pride and begged for their lives.

They wanted to live.

Roman Dmitry, however, did not even glance at them, seemingly uninterested in their desperate desire to live.

“Park Min-woo, report the current situation.”

“As planned, Geumcheon-gu failed to eliminate the monster wave. Currently, Geumcheon-gu is under attack by monsters, and with the retreat of the Chinese reinforcements, they are on the brink. Jo Dal-soo and Moon Tae-joon, judging that there was no chance of winning, tried to escape, and I anticipated their plan and blocked their retreat.”

“I understand. With the retreat of China and the death of Kim Jung-tae, the war is already over. Before clearing out the remaining enemies, I will first resolve the monster wave to ensure the safety of the citizens.”

His voice was calm and firm as he gave the order.

It was a decision made with the safety of South Korea in mind, but Park Min-woo felt a sense of disappointment.

“…What should we do with these criminals?”

He thought Roman Dmitry would like it.

He thought that if he offered up Jo Dal-soo and Moon Tae-joon, who had acted so arrogantly, Roman Dmitry would be pleased and immediately have their heads chopped off.

But to not even receive a glance? The thought that his gift was not appreciated made Park Min-woo’s emotions cool down as quickly as they had risen.

Roman Dmitry said.

“As soon as the safety of South Korea is secured, a public execution of the war criminals will be held. Jo Dal-soo and Moon Tae-joon will also be held accountable for their crimes at that time.”

“Ah…”

Jo Dal-soo sighed.

Public execution. It was terrible news.

Since Roman Dmitry was not one to take back his words, they could not maintain their sanity from that moment on.

Looking back, this war was caused by Jo Dal-soo and Moon Tae-joon.

If they had recognized Roman Dmitry’s true worth and formed a relationship in advance, or if the central government had shown effort, even belatedly, they might not have faced the same ending.

But regret, no matter how early, is always too late.

By the time they confirmed the shocking truth about Roman Dmitry, Kim Jung-tae’s head had already been blown away, and Roman Dmitry had no intention of forgiving Jo Dal-soo and Moon Tae-joon.

Like Kim Jung-tae.

They were remnants of the past.

For South Korea to move towards a new future, they needed to die.

Roman Dmitry took a step and casually said.

“Well done. If the war criminals had run away as they planned, we would have had problems from the very beginning.”

A simple statement.

Park Min-woo’s eyes widened.

Well done?

Wasn’t he praising him?

Park Min-woo’s eyes widened in surprise and happiness. A smile started to spread across his face.

“Thank you! And I will guide you. I will wipe out the monster wave in an instant.”

Park Min-woo ran off excitedly.

Perhaps getting rid of his past mistakes was not the most important thing to him anymore.

Roman Dmitry quickly dealt with the monster wave in Geumcheon-gu, and the danger was gone. The remaining enemies surrendered upon the death of Kim Jung-tae.

They thought that if they surrendered voluntarily, Roman Dmitry might show mercy, but contrary to their expectations, they were immediately bound and dragged to the execution ground.

Roman Dmitry ordered the local leaders to attend the execution.

The next day, everyone gathered in Yeongdeungpo Square.

Yeongdeungpo Square, the same place where Kim Jung-tae had died, was now prepared for another execution. A simple wooden platform stood in the center, stark against the grey stone of the square.

Among them were Busan Mayor Cha Young-min and Ulsan Mayor Lee Myung-hwan.

Cha Young-min, the Mayor of Busan, shook his head in disbelief. “It’s unbelievable,” he murmured. “When Roman Dmitry first said he would fight the central government with just Incheon’s power, I thought it was crazy. But to achieve this in just days… I still can’t quite believe it.”

Lee Myung-hwan, the Mayor of Ulsan, nodded, his eyes wide. “You’re right. Even with China involved in the war, Roman Dmitry won completely. It’s truly amazing.”

They were impressed.

The local governments believed in Roman Dmitry.

They judged that his power was sufficient to win, but the realm of the absurd inevitably caused anxiety until the results were confirmed.

They stayed in their respective cities, imagining the worst-case scenario.

A picture of Incheon being defeated by the central government and annihilated due to Roman Dmitry’s complacent choice not to mobilize the local governments. At that time, they would be in an irreversible situation.

The central government would not forgive those who had joined the rebellion, and the flames of war would sweep away Busan and Ulsan, which had led the rebellion.

A chill ran down their spines as they imagined the worst.

They couldn’t just sit still.

With their lives hanging on Roman Dmitry, they looked out the window and prayed for his safety.

A wave of relief washed over them when the news of victory arrived.

Upon hearing the news to attend the execution, they felt a sense of relief and, at the same time, a sense of awe towards Roman Dmitry arose.

He was a monster. He possessed an unfathomable power, and the series of events further strengthened their trust in Roman Dmitry.

He was a man who kept his word.

He had saved the local governments from the threat of monsters, and he had proven the sincerity of his absurd plan to overthrow the central government and create a new South Korea by blowing off Kim Jung-tae’s head.

Trust became solidified.

They believed.

They judged that a man who kept his word like gold was worth believing in and building a future with.

Yeongdeungpo Square.

The mayors of each city attended without exception.

In their view, the Seoul council members, once called the symbol of power, were kneeling on the execution platform.

It was an irony of life.

The tables had turned.

Not long ago, these men were in charge. But now, the mayors were watching them, grateful for the change.

Then, the moment arrived.

“It’s Roman Dmitry!” someone shouted. “Clear the way!” others yelled.

Roman Dmitry arrived. He pushed through the crowd, his face set and determined.

This execution was meant to end the war. Roman Dmitry wanted everyone to see the terrible cost of the fighting, clearly and without hiding anything.

“These men knew Kim Jung-tae was wrong. They knew our country was going in the wrong direction. But they held on to their power like leeches, only caring about themselves. By killing them, I am ending this war.”

*Swish*. He lifted his sword high. Roman Dmitry would do this himself. He didn’t want anyone else to have this blood on their hands. The assemblymen panicked.

The assemblyman, with the sword aimed right above his head, screamed with a pale, ghastly face.

“Didn’t you promise to spare us if we gave up?” the assemblyman screamed, his face white. “You’re letting the soldiers live! Why are you doing this to us? If you kill us all, Seoul has no future! Please, have mercy! Think of the future!”

It was a phrase that always followed him.

Cruel, harsh, why do you have to go so far?

In front of the watching people, Roman Dmitry spoke his will.

“A long time ago, there was a powerful leader everyone respected. He was not just strong, but also good. He was kind to enemies who said they were sorry. Most of them changed their lives. They stayed away from him, but one enemy was still angry. He burned down the leader’s house while he slept. The leader died in the fire. That’s why I don’t show mercy in war. No exceptions. Now the war is over, I will spare the soldiers who just followed orders. But leaders must take responsibility. Even if you are truly sorry, it doesn’t matter. I am removing the danger you represent.”

This story of the strong leader was well-known. People thought of him as a hero. But Roman Dmitry saw him as a warning.

“Of course, some people will have a different fate, depending on what they did. Like Investigator Moon Tae-joon. He used his power to hurt people and made many lives miserable.”

Jo Dal-soo and Moon Tae-joon. Roman Dmitry looked at them. They were shaking with terror, knowing they would die. Even though they weren’t leaders, people like Moon Tae-joon, who had done terrible things, were also brought to be executed.

“When you did those terrible things, what did you think? You thought it didn’t matter. You thought you were safe no matter what you did. I am the same now. I have the power, and I will pay the price for killing criminals quickly. So…”

*Gulp*. Someone in the crowd swallowed hard. People felt a heavy weight in the air. This way of thinking was new to them. For those who had always been weak, Roman Dmitry’s words felt like a crushing force.

“Let all the criminals die here!” Roman Dmitry commanded. *Flash* of steel. *Thwack* of the sword.”

Roman Dmitry walked down from the execution platform. Blood covered his face. He didn’t wipe it away as it dripped.

Kim Joon-hyuk came closer and spoke carefully.

“Maybe… maybe if you had let some of the less guilty ones live, the people would be happier.” Just after Kim Jung-tae was killed, people liked Roman Dmitry. But now, even though he spared the soldiers, some citizens were starting to worry. Seeing him kill all the assemblymen was shocking. They had never seen such a harsh leader before.

They knew what Roman Dmitry was trying to say, and they also knew that the criminals had committed wrongs deserving of death, but the sight of the heads of the bound criminals being blown off one after another was visually shocking.

Roman Dmitry answered, “Remember this in the new Republic of Korea. I am a leader who does what is right, not one who tries to be popular. If you do wrong, even if it’s you, I will cut off your head. If I make exceptions for criminals, it will make it easier for others to choose the wrong path later. I am setting a clear rule. It’s natural that some people will think it’s too harsh.”

Two lives he had lived. Both times, he lived with strength. He knew that in a world full of chaos, being too gentle would only cause more pain for everyone.

“Civil war is when people from the same country kill each other. We must take care of those who lost family in this war. Even if they hate me, the government must help those who are left alone.”

“…People might not see that you are trying to be good.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Roman Dmitry said. “Even if our good actions seem fake, it’s important for the government to act like it cares.”

Being a ruler was a lonely path. Roman Dmitry stayed separate from the people. He knew he would be lonely, but his two lives had taught him that this was the only way to bring true peace. That’s why he missed the people from Dmitry even more. Even though some people thought Roman Dmitry was cruel, his friends like Hans, Chris, and Kevin saw his true heart and stayed with him. This life was different from his first life. Before, he was just trying to survive. Now, in his second life, Roman Dmitry could finally think about his choices.

“Mayor Kim Joon-hyuk,” Roman Dmitry said. “If you want Incheon to do well in the new Republic of Korea, you must understand how strong people act. Being weak and always scared of attack is not allowed anymore.”

The world would change. The Republic of Korea would be the most important place. Roman Dmitry stood tall and powerful. “Now,” he said, his voice strong, “bring all the leaders of the Republic of Korea to me, now. I, Roman Dmitry, leader of this country, command it.”

“Yes, sir,” Kim Joon-hyuk replied. He bowed deeply. He felt he had no choice. Right now, Roman Dmitry seemed like a force of nature, impossible to argue with.