The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 229

Baron Paulo realized he had taken a step back.

His face turned red with shame.

As a warrior who became a lord, he felt it was shameful to be pushed back by someone’s power alone.

But even if Valhalla was a closed-off country with racial discrimination, everyone was expected to accept the result of a duel.

“I accept defeat,” he said, swallowing his anger. “As promised, I will forget what happened earlier and take you directly to the capital.”

He ignored the orders from his superiors.

They had fought the duel as they both wanted, and since he had lost, he believed it was right to accept the outcome.

Baron Paulo glanced at his men.

The ordinary soldiers then stepped forward and carried away the unconscious wild men.

‘To knock down those wild men so mercilessly… Roman Dmitry might be more than I thought.’

Before this fight, people were sure Barbosa would win.

No matter how famous Roman Dmitry had become recently, Barbosa had been a well-known figure on the continent for over a decade.

So, everyone was surprised that Roman Dmitry had agreed to the duel.

Valhalla had openly shown they wanted revenge, but Roman Dmitry had boldly chosen not to back down.

Roman Dmitry was like Valhalla itself – strong and proud.

It was strange for someone from a weak country to have such a strong spirit.

Baron Paulo spoke.

“First, let me take you to your new rooms. While we check the schedule for the warp gate that goes directly to the capital, please rest comfortably. As soon as the schedule is available, I will send someone to let you know. And, I apologize again for my disgraceful behavior. As Roman Dmitry said, Valhalla is a country with racial discrimination. However, if you knew Valhalla’s history, I hope you would understand why we feel this way.”

A long time ago, when Valhalla was called the ‘Barbarians of the South,’ people from other countries invaded Valhalla to steal resources from the jungle.

The situation changed when it became clear that Valhalla had considerable power, but the painful memories of their ancestors created a dislike for other races.

Now, the Valhalla Imperial Family is trying to make a big change by accepting talented people from other countries, but not everyone agrees with the Imperial Family.

They know it’s necessary for the country’s power, but the general public still believes that it’s better to develop ‘Valhalla natives’ than to rely on outside talent.

Some people in Valhalla, the conservatives, wanted to keep things the same.

They believed only Valhalla people should be in power.

But others, the progressives, wanted change.

They thought Valhalla should accept talented people from other countries to become stronger.

That was the reality of Valhalla.

Roman Dmitry didn’t say anything to Paulo’s changed attitude as he walked ahead.

For Roman Dmitry, settling problems with a fight and accepting the winner was normal.

This was how things were done in the Demonic Cult where he came from.

Baron Paulo kept his word.

He took them to rooms that were much better than the simple inn, and Roman Dmitry told his soldiers to rest.

Inside the large room, Roman Dmitry lay down on the sofa.

Then, he carefully thought about the Valhalla Empire.

‘Unlike Chronos, Valhalla is a country that hides its true feelings. Chronos openly shows its desire to conquer the continent, while Valhalla seems happy with the way things are, with warriors at its center. The problem is that what they show on the outside is different from what’s on the inside. Valhalla clearly also wants to become a powerful empire like Chronos.’

Looking at their history, Valhalla’s actions had a clear pattern.

While always seeming to criticize Chronos, they did not try to stop the wars happening across the continent.

They also hoped that other countries besides Valhalla would destroy themselves.

In fact, Valhalla’s ambition was quite natural.

Some people pride themselves on being a country of warriors, but to build an empire from a group once called the ‘Barbarians of the South’ takes clever planning and dealing with secret plots.

In fact, Valhalla was good at making secret plans.

That’s why they planted their spy, ‘Count Denver,’ inside Cairo, and although they did not openly try to conquer the continent, they were always looking for an opportunity.

And this incident shows it.

To get revenge for Count Denver, they chose a smart plan to challenge him to a duel instead of secretly killing him.

‘Valhalla chose a way to test me before the main challenge. If I defeat Barbosa, will they accept the result? The conservatives will accept it, but the progressives are currently leading Valhalla. So, no matter what happens, the journey in Valhalla will be dangerous.’

From the moment he stepped into Paulo, danger was unavoidable.

This place was a death trap, and from now on, nothing that happened would be surprising.

The Empire and those with power don’t need excuses.

Even if people criticized them for harming Roman Dmitry, it was something that would be forgotten as time passed.

‘It’s just like my past life.’

He was used to the life of the weak.

A man named Baek Jung-hyuk risked danger and seized power in an environment even worse than now.

That’s why it didn’t matter what Valhalla’s intentions were.

The more actively they responded, the more impressive his final victory would be.

The next day, Baron Paulo sent a man.

“I am Sanchez. I will take you to the capital,” he said.

Sanchez, a man with a serious face and a soldier’s posture, looked to be in his mid-thirties.

His skin was tanned bronze from the sun, and his rough, dark hair was pulled back tightly, revealing sharp eyes that studied Roman Dmitry with a soldier’s directness.

He said that they must first go to a nearby city with a warp gate.

All the horses for Roman Dmitry’s party were ready.

Following Sanchez, they left Paulo, and as they traveled, the long, dull journey led them to start a conversation.

People in Valhalla have been talking about Roman Dmitry a lot. Even though he is still young, just in his twenties, he did amazing things. They say he beat Butler, who was a famous fighter from another land. And then, he defeated Count Nicholas and changed everything in the city of Cairo. It’s said he went from being ranked 100th to much higher! When I heard these stories, I was very impressed. Even though he is not from Valhalla, it felt like a great warrior from our past had come back to life.

Sanchez talked and talked.

At first, Sanchez seemed respectful. But as they traveled longer, he started asking questions that were a bit rude and personal.

“…But is it really true you beat Knight Commander Gustavo all by yourself? People always make stories bigger than they are, so I find it hard to believe. We’re talking about Knight Commander Gustavo! To beat him in the middle of so many Chronos Empire soldiers… does that even make sense? In old stories, heroes can split the ground and cut the sky with their swords, but Roman Dmitry, you’re just a normal person, right?”

There was something strange in his voice. It was like he was trying to make Roman Dmitry angry.

Chris frowned, his hand moving towards his sword.

“Watch your mouth.”

“It’s alright. Sanchez, was it? It seems you have something you want to say to me, so get to the point.”

When Roman Dmitry spoke, Chris stopped himself from getting angry.

Valhalla had shown no respect for guests at all.

Sanchez smirked. He had actually asked to be Roman Dmitry’s guide himself, even though someone else was supposed to do it first.

“Since we’re on the topic, let me be frank. Roman Dmitry. What qualifications do you have to be chosen as Barbossa’s opponent?”

Sanchez’s words and angry tone showed that there was something important about Valhalla that Roman Dmitry didn’t know.

To understand why Sanchez was so angry, you needed to know his story.

*** Sanchez was a student of Morales, who was ranked 12th in Valhalla. Morales and Barbossa were famous rivals in Valhalla. They grew up in the same area and had been competing since they were children. But Barbossa was always seen as more talented than Morales. It wasn’t that Morales was bad. He was also very talented, a genius in Valhalla. But Barbossa’s talent was just on another level.

About six months ago, Morales was chosen to fight in the festival. This festival was to honor dead warriors. People said that if you died there, you would go to Valhalla, no matter if you won or lost. Morales was happy to go. And when he heard his opponent was Barbossa, he thought it was perfect. He felt like the god of warriors had made this moment just for him. If he beat Barbossa, he could finally end their long rivalry. Even if he died, it would be a good death for Valhalla.

But then Roman Dmitry showed up and ruined everything. Morales was very angry about the leaders of Valhalla’s decision, but they wouldn’t change their minds.

“Roman Dmitry, this chance you got is what every fighter in Valhalla wants. But what makes you good enough to be on that stage? The leaders of Valhalla say you are good because you became famous in other lands. But I don’t believe those stories. It’s crazy! Even my teacher, Morales, wasn’t this good when he was young. Not even the best swordsman in the world was. You haven’t really proven yourself, but you took the spot we all want.”

Because he felt his chance was stolen, Morales was very upset. Seeing Morales like this made Sanchez hate Roman Dmitry even more.

“You don’t understand how important this fight is. Many fighters in Valhalla would die just to stand on that stage. Tell me, do you think you are good enough to fight Barbossa instead of Morales? If Barbossa beats you with just one hit and you die, what about all the Valhalla fighters who have been waiting for this day and will be so disappointed?”

His words showed exactly what Valhalla thought. They were sure Barbossa would win. Just like they spread stories about Roman Dmitry, they had been thinking he was weak all along.

Then, Roman Dmitry suddenly stopped his horse, pulling hard on the reins. A small, cold smile touched his lips.

*** He had not liked Valhalla’s attitude from the start. People who wouldn’t admit when they were beaten. People who said Valhalla was the best. They were foolish. Was that really the right way to be? In a world where only the strong survive, it’s normal to admit defeat and bow your head. If a sheep, so small and weak, tried to bite a tiger, no one would call it brave. They would call it stupid. But the people of Valhalla seemed to think dying was no big deal, almost like they were being silly about it.

Valhalla… He wasn’t even sure if it was a real place. But because Sanchez doubted him, Roman Dmitry spoke.

“Sanchez,” Roman Dmitry said, his voice calm but firm. “What makes you think you can judge me?”

He remembered his past life as the son of the Heavenly Demon. He never let anyone look down on him, even if he had to show his power. In a world where only the strong survive, being seen as weak meant the end. Valhalla’s attitude, Sanchez’s words, and the way the Valhalla people were disappointed in him – it all annoyed Roman Dmitry.

Sanchez said.

“…There is no need for a separate basis. The reputation you have built is only at that level.”

“Is that what you think?” Roman Dmitry asked, a fierce smile appearing on his face. “If everyone doubts me, I will show you that I am just as strong here in Valhalla as I was in Cairo. We still have a few days before the fight with Barbossa. Tell all the fighters in Valhalla, including Morales. If any warrior wants to challenge me before then, I will gladly fight them and bet my place in the festival. What do you say? You can even challenge me yourself right now. If you draw your sword, I will fight you here.”

At those words. Sanchez felt as if his mind had stopped for a moment.