The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 116

Roman thought emotions were strange things.

If Roman Dmitry had simply asked for time, the influential figures of Cairo might have seen him as looking down on them, despite his talent.

However, a public ranking match changed everything.

“…A public ranking match?”

“Yes.”

“A public ranking match is a constant challenge to see how far you can go. You fight until you lose, and where you fall becomes your rank. But it’s not something to take lightly. The battles get intense, and you could die from a stray sword.”

“I am aware.”

Ranking matches were a sensitive issue because strong fighters were battling, and death wasn’t unusual, especially in public matches.

It wasn’t just one fight.

If Roman Dmitry, ranked 100th, beat the 99th ranked fighter, he’d have to fight the next one right away.

Since the point was to fight until you reached your limit, the fighters didn’t hold back. It was natural for them.

No one wants to be just a stepping stone for someone else to get higher in the rankings. That’s why people avoid public ranking matches if they can.

Endless challenges were something to avoid if possible.

But Roman Dmitry’s willingness to do it showed how confident he was.

‘Roman Dmitry beat Butler of the Hector Kingdom. That alone puts him high in the rankings. The fact that he’s doing a public ranking match shows he wants to test himself. He could be rich and famous right now, but he’s giving that up for a new challenge.’ People admired him.

Roman Dmitry was about the same age as Daniel Cairo.

At an age when Daniel hadn’t really seen the world, Roman Dmitry was taking a unique path.

“He truly is the hero of Cairo.”

“You’ve made a great choice. This will shake up the Cairo Kingdom’s rankings. You beat Butler of the Hector Kingdom, so who can stop you? I’m excited to see it.”

The nobles were interested.

Roman had turned down the Royal Knight offer, and now he was going to prove himself. They had no reason to stop him.

And, ‘This will let us really see what Roman Dmitry can do. I can’t just believe the rumors about him beating Butler. Roman is still in his 20s. The public ranking match will show us what he’s really like.’

It wasn’t a bad thing.

The public ranking match would be a way to judge him.

By waiting to give his answer, Roman made them even more curious.

Not only that, the time to prepare for the ranking match would also give them time to try and win him over.

Public competition. Roman used the situation to increase his value and make those who wanted him even more eager.

Roman said, “Soon, I will prove myself to everyone. Then, I will decide what to do next.”

Everyone understood his words in their own way.

Daniel Cairo thought he meant he would join the Royal Knights.

The other three nobles thought his unclear answer about his future meant he was considering their offers.

The truth was none of those.

When the ranking match was over, ‘I will change everything.’

Roman Dmitry would change things, not as someone’s tool, but as himself.

* * *

After the party, Marquis Benedict called Roman.

Marquis Benedict, already a bit drunk, poured him a drink and said, “Fate is funny. I sent you to the Southern Front to be nice, but then the Hector Kingdom declared war. And you stopped them and became Cairo’s hero.”

The glass was full of alcohol. Roman calmly drank it as Marquis Benedict watched.

Clack.

“Thanks to you, I had a good experience.”

“……A good experience?”

“Yes. The war with the Hector Kingdom showed me that the world I knew wasn’t everything. So, I decided to do a public ranking match to see how strong I am in the Cairo Kingdom. When I’m sure no one is better than me, I want to go to the continent and become the best.”

“The best on the continent? That’s a dream for someone your age.”

He drank his alcohol too.

Marquis Benedict had also dreamed of being the best.

But the continent was full of incredibly strong people, and when he realized his own limits, he decided to stay in the Cairo Kingdom.

He gained power by controlling his young nephew. He didn’t live a very honorable life, but that’s why he was a powerful figure in Cairo.

Marquis Benedict said, “I only have one daughter. I wanted a son, but her mother died early, so I couldn’t try again. People tell me to marry again and have a son, like other nobles. But I don’t want to.”

It was a well-known story.

Despite the rumors about him, Marquis Benedict didn’t chase after women, even though he had a lot of power. No matter what people said about him, at home, he was just a father who loved his daughter.

“I will give you my daughter.”

Clack.

He put down his glass. Anyone who knew Marquis Benedict knew that those words were important.

“I told Fabius you weren’t innocent. Seeing what happened then, and you saying you’ll do a public ranking match, reminds me of the monsters I met on the continent when I was young. I’m sure of it. I might not be as talented as them, but I know that Roman Dmitry will become as great as they are.”

“……I was engaged before.”

“I know. Would I offer marriage without knowing that? I’m not forcing you to marry my daughter. But I’m willing to let you meet her, and if you both fall in love, I’ll accept it.”

He drank his alcohol. It was bitter.

Marquis Benedict realized that Roman Dmitry couldn’t be bought with ordinary rewards after he heard that he beat Butler and saw him challenge the public ranking match.

There was only one way: blood ties. Even though nobles valued family more than anything, Marquis Benedict accepted the Dmitry family.

“I’m not saying you have to meet my daughter now. You said you need time to move forward. But remember this: I, Marquis Benedict, am protecting you. If you join me, you can have anything you want, at least in the Cairo Kingdom.”

Marriage with the Benedict family meant inheriting all of Marquis Benedict’s power. That’s how much he wanted Roman.

The drinking party ended like that. Marquis Benedict’s offer made one thing clear: ‘Whoever gets Roman Dmitry will control the Cairo Kingdom.’

He was someone who could change the balance of power. The other forces seemed to think so too, as Roman received calls from Count Gregory and Count Denver.

* * *

The four forces that controlled Cairo were all trying to win him over.

Daniel Cairo offered him the position of Vice Captain of the Royal Knights. Marquis Benedict offered marriage. Count Gregory and Count Denver made offers that were just as good.

“I guarantee it. The Chronos Empire will unite the continent someday. King Daniel and Marquis Benedict can’t give you much. I promise you the power of the Chronos Empire. The moment you accept, the Chronos Empire will change your life completely.”

“Valhalla’s offer is the same as before. I’ll give you a noble title and land, and a chance to enter the Tomb of the Warrior. You know what that means. The Tomb of the Warrior is where the greatest warriors in Valhalla’s history are buried, and their weapons and knowledge are still there. If you want to be the best swordsman on the continent, the Valhalla Empire can guide you.”

Both offers were amazing.

People thought Daniel Cairo’s offer was shocking, but the other three nobles were risking everything.

They really wanted Roman. Butler was near the bottom of the continental rankings, and Roman was the only one in his 20s who could beat him.

His mid-20s meant he had a bright future. Roman Dmitry’s growth was certain, so the powerful figures of Cairo made unusual offers.

If he wanted an easy life, wealth and power would come with any choice. To be clear, Daniel Cairo’s offer wasn’t as good, but the other three forces offered a perfect future.

But Roman wasn’t tempted.

‘I can’t live under someone else.’

In his past life, he had climbed to the top by stepping on those above him.

Many people had made tempting offers, promising everything, but that wasn’t always true.

‘If I wasn’t useful anymore, or if I did something they didn’t like, they would change their minds. The top position I want means I can decide everything. It’s not about being controlled by others, but about being strong no matter what happens around me.’

That was a different kind of comfort.

Now, he was just using them. They expected something in return for their favors, and his life as Chunma Baek Joong-hyuk had been too hard to be fooled by that.

He was thirsty for power.

He was excited about what would happen after the public ranking match.

* * *

Roman’s accommodation in the capital was luxurious. The royal family had taken special care, and the nobles had helped him find a good place to stay.

As soon as he arrived, Hans greeted him.

“Young Master!”

He was always the same. Hans followed him with his short legs, took Roman’s coat, and carefully checked everything.

“I heard you had a hard time on the Southern Front. Are you hurt? I was so worried, Young Master. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“Nothing happened.”

“Is that so?” Hans smiled brightly. He was a good person.

That day, Roman rested well for the first time in a while. Hans had prepared warm water and scented candles in the bathtub, and the foods he liked from Dmitry, so he had a comfortable time.

Rest was as important as training. He cleared his mind and focused on recovering from his wounds.

A few days later, Roman heard something unexpected from Hans.

“……Young Master, I hope I’m not being rude, but would you mind meeting Young Master Lauren?”

Lauren Dmitry. Roman suddenly had a blood relative he didn’t know about.