The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 301

That evening.

In his private quarters, Scott stared at the ‘magic communicator’ with a grave expression.

“To report, or not to report. To carry out the mission as a spy, or to remain as one of Dimitri’s private soldiers,” he muttered to himself.

The past ten days had been a time of marveling at Dimitri’s potential.

The senior soldiers were incredibly strong. Scott was surprised by their stamina. But he knew he couldn’t forget his mission. His family’s safety depended on it. The pressure from the Chronos Empire was immense.

No matter how impressive Dimitri seemed, Chronos was undeniably the strongest nation.

However, his thoughts had become complicated since starting the mind-body training.

When he began to feel mana in just three hours, he knew this was no ordinary matter.

‘The aura testers had told me I had no talent for aura,’ Scott thought. ‘If I can feel mana in less than a day, then even if it takes time to manifest aura, it’s not impossible. What if Dimitri popularizes aura based on the Asura Mind-Body Art? Dimitri would possess thousands upon thousands of aura swordsmen, and it would only be a matter of time before he had the power to overwhelm the Chronos Empire.’

Dimitri and Chronos. Currently, the difference between the two was clear, but as the years passed, Dimitri would quickly catch up.

It was a revolution. Just as Alexander’s Chronos had gained overwhelming power by creating ‘aura,’ Dimitri would surely lead a new future.

Moreover, if Chris’s words were true, the Asura Mind-Body Art was merely a low-grade martial art. Scott was very worried.

Knowing that Roman Dimitri thoroughly punished his enemies, he wondered if leaking information was truly safe.

The sun set. He ruffled his hair and bit his nails, unable to decide on a matter that concerned his family’s safety.

Finally, Scott made his choice. He pictured his children’s faces, their smiles. Could he really trust the cold Chronos Empire to protect them? They were just pawns to the Empire. But Dimitri… Dimitri was different. Scott remembered seeing Dimitri himself carrying the heavy packs of fallen soldiers, showing respect even in death. Dimitri valued loyalty. If Scott proved his loyalty, wouldn’t Dimitri protect them? He had to believe it.

He wouldn’t betray Dimitri. Instead, he would contact Pike, his old mercenary friend still within the Chronos Empire. He would ask Pike for a different kind of help – not to leak information, but to secretly get his family *out* of Chronos and to Dimitri. That was the only way. A risky plan, but it was his only hope for a future where his family was safe, and he could stand with someone like Dimitri.

Beep.

“Pike, it’s me. As soon as you confirm my communication, secretly smuggle my family out and escape to Dimitri. The future of Dimitri that I have seen here is brilliant. Rather than dedicating myself to the Chronos Empire, which doesn’t care about my safety, I will risk my life for Dimitri’s brilliant future. So, come here with me. Let’s start over in Dimitri, in a country that will value us.”

The communication partner was a mercenary colleague. He had told him to prepare in advance, in case of an emergency.

However…

Beep.

[Scott. Congratulations on becoming an ‘official’ member of Dimitri.]

The voice from beyond the communicator wasn’t Pike’s. Scott dropped the communicator in shock.

Thud.

“W-what is this?”

He stared at the magic communicator, his face blank with disbelief.

At that time, Chris was in his office.

‘Today is the turning point,’ he thought. ‘The spies who have learned the Asura Mind-Body Art will choose their future at the crossroads of choice.’

He had accepted the existence of spies.

Roman Dimitri had revealed the Asura Mind-Body Art, even considering the possibility of it being leaked. It showed a deliberate message: if it was leaked, it would announce Dimitri’s majesty to the world, and at the same time, it would reveal Dimitri’s confidence in dealing with spies.

And those who leaked information would pay the price.

Just because some spies who came forward first were allowed to return alive, didn’t mean that those who remained inside Dimitri and leaked information to the end would be spared.

Roman Dimitri mentioned rewards and punishments. Those classified as spies were put to the test under the surveillance of Hao-moon.

‘My subordinates and I initially suggested blocking the possibility of the Asura Mind-Body Art being leaked from the start, but the Lord did not care about it being leaked,’ Chris mused. ‘From the moment the Asura Mind-Body Art was revealed to ordinary soldiers, leakage was unavoidable. However, he said that the responsibility for the results would be clearly assigned. Although we chose to condone knowing they were spies, there is no reason to keep alive enemies who act on their mission as spies.’

Just now, he received a report on Scott’s situation.

Scott thought he could avoid Dimitri’s gaze by using the magic communicator, but due to the magic interference installed in advance, it was impossible for him to connect the communication to the place he wanted.

If he had contacted the Chronos Empire, the soldiers who burst through the door would have instantly severed his head.

Betrayal would be punished.

It was a pitch-black night. Chris leaned back in his chair, waiting for what would happen next.

Knock knock.

“May I come in?”

A familiar voice was heard from outside the door. The person who came to him at this hour was likely a spy who had made a decision.

“Come in.”

The door opened. The person who entered showed a determined expression, as Chris had expected.

“If it’s not too late, is there a chance for me to sincerely follow Dimitri?”

It was Fred, the knight commander of the Memphis family.

Fred’s story was complicated.

It was true that he left Chronos for the safety of his family, but that wasn’t the whole truth.

Fred said, his voice trembling, “I am originally a man of the Chronos Emperor. Under his orders, I swore allegiance to Marquis Memphis, and I was sent here when Dimitri announced the recruitment of soldiers. Frankly, I had many thoughts while staying here. I was impressed by Roman Dimitri’s decision to openly reveal the concept of the dantian at the swordsmanship presentation, and I truly wanted to live for Dimitri as I watched him genuinely treat people. So I risked my life. Perhaps I may die because of this choice.”

Chris watched him silently.

“The people who came with me to Dimitri are not my real family. They are just actors, and the Chronos Empire is holding my family hostage. If I don’t carry out the orders properly, my family will be tortured to death. So, I beg you. If there is a way to save my family, please take me in, and if not, please send me away as you did with the spies in the fourth test. I will take the Asura Mind-Body Art to the grave. I will only return to Chronos to find a way to save my family, and I will not betray Dimitri.”

He appealed to emotions. He wanted to live for Dimitri, but because he couldn’t solve the problem he faced, he revealed the truth knowing it was a dangerous choice.

If there was no way to save his family, it was the end. The probability of Dimitri naively sending him back to the Chronos Empire was low.

Chris said,

“Fred, we know who you really are. We know the family you brought to Dimitri is not real. If you want to work for Dimitri, you must answer my questions honestly. We know the Chronos Emperor controls people with magic, what we call ‘mind control.’ Have you lost your memory or felt something strange? Tell me the truth, even if it happened just once.”

Chris continued, “We are Hao Mun. We are Dimitri’s information group. We have been studying Chronos very carefully. We found something important. Many people near the Chronos Emperor have the same problem. They lose their memory. They do things they don’t remember doing. This looks like mind control. We think the Emperor is controlling them. We think you, Fred, might be under this mind control without knowing it.”

Fred was shocked. “…Yes, I have,” he whispered. A sudden memory flashed in his mind. He remembered his wife saying she was becoming forgetful before she left for the Empire.

Chris stood up quickly. “Come with me. I will show you how to live.”

They walked to another place. Chris led Fred to a hidden door, and they went down a long staircase. They entered a huge underground room. It was surprisingly bright, like daytime. Many people were working busily at desks filled with papers and strange devices. Fred stared in amazement. He had no idea so many people were working secretly for Dimitri under the city, even in the darkest night.

“This is Hao Mun headquarters,” Chris explained. “Roman Dimitri started this information group with Lucas. It has grown very fast. We needed a big, secret place to handle all the information. Felix and the wizards made this place. Magic cannot get in or out. People say that even when Dimitri’s workshops are dark at night, this place is always working, even when everyone else is sleeping. Hao Mun collects and studies information. It is because of Hao Mun that we learned about the Emperor’s mind control.”

Fred asked, “…Is it safe to bring me here? What if I am mind controlled? Won’t the Emperor get information from my head?”

Chris shook his head. “It’s fine. This place blocks all magic, even teleportation magic and mind links. No magic can get in or out. Even if someone broke through, Dimitri is not afraid.”

They arrived at a small room. Chris sat down across from Fred and spoke seriously. “Let’s talk about what’s most important. If you decide to follow Dimitri, our people in Chronos will rescue your family. It’s dangerous, and I can’t promise we will succeed. But we know where your family is. We have people helping us there. If you are willing to take risks, we have a good chance to save them.”

Fred was amazed. “When did you plan all of this?”

“After the fourth test,” Chris replied. “When everyone went on vacation after the tests, we were already studying you and getting ready for whatever you decided. That vacation was for us to prepare. When you joined Dimitri, we were ready to act, no matter what you chose to do.”

Fred was truly amazed. Dimitri was not just brave, he was also very careful. Even when he seemed to be acting boldly, he was always ready for anything. It was like a strong castle, built to last. Dimitri and his Duchy were building something powerful, like a future empire.

Chris continued, “Spies like you, who are mind controlled, will stay here for a month. We will break the mind control. We have done this before successfully. We use a special training called ‘demon-subduing study.’ It makes your mind strong and free from outside control.”

This was Dimitri’s plan. Alexandre’s mind control was strong, but Dimitri had a way to fight it. The ‘demon-subduing study’ from Shaolin was the best answer. Even the terrible Illusionary Demon, who scared many fighters, could not break through the strong minds of Shaolin masters who used this study. Baek Jong-hyuk destroyed Shaolin and took their martial arts. He didn’t need it much before, but now it was perfect for stopping Alexandre’s mind control. The military recruitment, the sword show – everything was planned perfectly. People thought Dimitri was just brave, but he was always prepared for everything that could happen. Fred was deeply impressed.

Fred’s eyes were wide and a little scared. “…Why are you doing all this?” he asked, his voice shaking. “Do you think I am worth this much trouble? Rescuing my family? Breaking the mind control?”

“No,” Chris said, smiling slightly. Chris was always careful. But he continued, “It’s not about how good a fighter you are, Fred. We are doing this for you because anyone who works directly for Dimitri is important. From the moment you told us the truth and promised to follow Dimitri, Dimitri will never leave you, no matter what happens.”

Suddenly, Fred felt a rush of emotion. He had been worried and unsure for so long in the Chronos Empire. But now, Chris, speaking for Dimitri, showed him how Dimitri cared for his people. They were truly special. Dimitri welcomed everyone, and Fred felt sure they would one day take over the Empire.

Fred said firmly, “I will follow Dimitri. I will risk my life for him from now on.” He spoke with all his heart.

Chris smiled at Fred’s excited face and stood up. “Come with me. If you complete the demon-subduing study in the next month, you will see your family again that day.”

“Thank you,” Fred said, standing up. Fred was now Dimitri’s follower.

As he walked, Fred saw something that made him stop. A man covered in blood was being pulled roughly by soldiers from the other direction. “What…?” Fred gasped. His eyes opened wide in shock. He knew that face. It was the man from the inn, the one who had talked so loudly. Deshan. The spy who had given up in the fourth test. He was being dragged past Fred, and he looked like he was about to die.