The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 406

Chris left the room. He had just spoken with Roman Dmitry, and his face showed he was thinking hard. He walked to a quiet place and sighed deeply. He looked back the way he came, his mind full of thoughts.

‘How can someone live like that?’ Chris thought, shocked. Most people want power for simple reasons: to live comfortably or to control others. Being strong usually means getting nice rewards. But Roman Dmitry wanted something else.

He didn’t want to rule over people. He wanted to be the strongest so no one could attack his land. Chris thought more about it. Roman Dmitry didn’t seem to want anything for himself. From a simple beginning to where he is now, he never lived in luxury or treated his people unfairly.

Everyone agreed with his choices. When he said no to Marquis Memphis, no one argued because they trusted him completely. Why? If he doesn’t like power, why is he trying so hard to be the best?

‘Talking to Roman Dmitry,’ Chris thought, ‘I felt like something was missing in him. Like even being at the top wouldn’t make him happy. What he wants is complicated. It’s not about ruling the world and enjoying it. It’s about building a place where no one can attack, and that’s enough for him. It’s about making sure no one is in danger. That must be what matters most to him.’

It wasn’t just for himself, but not really for others either. Roman Dmitry lived in this unclear space, carrying the loneliness of being a leader for himself and his people. This was natural. Like how people are careful around an emperor, people would always feel uneasy around Roman Dmitry as he became more powerful. Like Roman Dmitry said, because he had power over life and death, people would always see him differently, no matter what he did.

“I was so foolish,” Chris chuckled to himself. People’s fear of Roman Dmitry was something that couldn’t be changed. But Roman Dmitry already knew this. He accepted that people would be afraid and built his kingdom, Dmitry, knowing this.

Chris didn’t know about Roman Dmitry’s past life. A life where he couldn’t accept anyone being in charge of him. That’s why he kept fighting, even though he didn’t want riches or fame. What was clear was that their talk had really affected Chris.

Lately, Chris felt confused. When Kevin beat Ares, Chris felt like Kevin was catching up to him, instead of Chris reaching his own goals. ‘When I first promised to follow Roman Dmitry,’ he thought, ‘it wasn’t because I was very loyal. I planned to leave once I became a great swordsman. And that small boy I met from the poor part of town is now strong enough to challenge me.’

He couldn’t sleep for days. He was angry. They started in different places, but the idea that Kevin might be stronger bothered Chris. But then, he also felt something strange. A feeling of relief. He didn’t understand it at first. But after talking to Roman Dmitry, he knew what it was.

‘It must be relief because I belong here,’ he thought. ‘Even if Kevin is competing with me, if Kevin is strong, it helps Roman Dmitry.’ He realized he was happy that Kevin was getting stronger. Over the years, Chris had changed a lot. He started as just a skilled fighter from a small town. Now, he was famous across the land, not just a swordsman, but a leader responsible for many lives.

As time went on, his goals changed slowly. He still wanted to be stronger than Roman Dmitry. But even if he couldn’t, he wanted to help Roman Dmitry reach his goals. That’s why he felt relieved. Kevin getting stronger meant they were closer to what Roman Dmitry wanted to achieve.

On his way back, he looked ahead, lost in thought. He knew Roman Dmitry was alone in his position, but Chris wasn’t worried about him anymore.

“I was wrong,” he said to himself. “Just because people are afraid of Roman Dmitry doesn’t mean they don’t support him. I will stay with him. I might not be able to take away his burdens, but even when we reach all our goals, I will still be Roman Dmitry’s sword.”

He looked towards the training area. He wanted to practice with his sword. Even though he understood why he felt relieved, Chris still wanted to be the best after Roman Dmitry.

A few days later, in a fortress in eastern Chronos, Baron Ernesto watched the enemy soldiers arrive. The soldiers of the Kingdom Alliance were moving quickly towards them. Ernesto’s face was set with determination. ‘They reached here in less than a month,’ he thought. ‘We probably can’t last more than a few days. We will fall.’

He had heard stories. There were two choices: surrender and live, or fight and be killed. Those who surrendered were spared. But those who fought to the end were all killed quickly. Ernesto actually wanted to give up. But the leaders of Chronos had given orders a few days ago. Ernesto had no choice.

If he surrendered, his family in the capital would be killed. He was warned that everyone connected to him would die. So, he had to stay in the fortress, even though he knew it was like killing himself. He knew what he had to do. He had to be ready to die and do something important, so maybe his family would be safe in Chronos later.

Baron Ernesto called his assistant.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, sir. It’s all done. When the enemy takes the fortress and comes inside, the magic bombs we put everywhere will explode. They will destroy everyone inside. It’s sure to work. We’ve risked everything on this. Even Roman Dmitry won’t escape this time.”

“…I understand,” Ernesto said, nodding slowly.

Death felt close. Ernesto bit his lip so hard he tasted blood, but he tried to look calm. Just then, tap tap tap tap. The enemy stopped. They lined up far away, and like the stories said, someone from Dmitry came out to ask them to surrender.

Then, Ernesto shouted, “Nonsense! I am a noble of Chronos! How dare you think I would surrender to you, people from nowhere! We will fight to the end! I am from the Ernesto family, and I will show you that Chronos will not fall so easily!”

The surrender talk was over. It went as expected. But what happened next was not. Thud thud. Someone walked towards the fortress. Red hair waving in the wind. It was Edwin Hector, not Roman Dmitry.

After Valhalla announced their support, Edwin Hector joined the Allied Forces. Everyone watched him as he walked. He remembered Roman Dmitry’s order: “Chronos is about to fall. If some people still refuse to surrender, even though they know they will lose, they might try to hurt us as a last resort. Before we attack the fortress, use your magic to stop anything unexpected from happening.”

Suddenly, he stopped. The Chronos soldiers quickly tried to attack from far away, but the Phoenix mages used magic to protect Edwin and give him time to cast his spell. Edwin Hector looked straight ahead, his eyes cold and focused. He had learned much at the Phoenix Magic Tower. And by taking in the Sky Tower Master’s power, he had become even stronger.

“Burning,” he said softly. *Whoosh*. *Fwoooosh*. Flames danced around him, making his red hair flicker. His eyes glowed red as he reached the 8th Circle of magic, powered by the Burning effect.

“Volcano!” *Boom! Rumble!* The ground around the fortress exploded. Hot, red lava shot up like a fountain, raining down on the Chronos soldiers. It was a terrible scene. Soldiers raised their shields, but they melted away, shields and all. The fortress walls, protected by magic, broke apart like paper. One spell. Screams filled the air. Edwin Hector didn’t stop. He created a storm of magic and sent it through the fortress. *Sizzle sizzle sizzle-* Inside the fortress…

Edwin Hector felt the magic in the air. The Chronos Empire was trapped. Those who kept fighting would probably use desperate, dangerous attacks.

Just as they thought, they found signs of magic bombs all over the fortress. Edwin Hector lifted his hands, magic energy flowing around him. He spoke a single word, a spell for the whole fortress:

“Blackout.”

*Bzzzt*. The magic bombs went silent, their power gone. Only a wizard stronger than Edwin, someone almost impossible to find, could have stopped this ‘Blackout’ spell. Edwin was incredibly powerful. He couldn’t stop *every* bomb, but most of them were now useless. Baron Ernesto’s plan was ruined.

Suddenly, the ground exploded. *Boom! Rumble!*

“Kraaah!” a soldier screamed. “The walls are breaking!”

Hot air blasted upwards, and a section of the fortress wall crumbled and fell, opening a gap to the outside world. On the remaining walls, the Chronos Empire soldiers, and Baron Ernesto among them, went white with fear. They had come to fight bravely, for their homes and families. They were ready to die for their cause. But this… this felt like their courage was crushed before the battle even began. The real fight was about to start.

Near Edwin Hector, soldiers surged forward, running past him.

“All troops, charge!” someone yelled. “Charge!”

Leading the charge, Chris ran straight towards the enemy lines.

* * * *Thwip, thwip, thwip*. Chris knocked away the arrows flying towards him. The enemy soldiers looked at him with fear and anger. Any hope they had of hurting the attackers vanished as soon as Chris appeared. *Flash! Thwip, thwip, thwip, thwip, thwip*. Blood flew. Chris cut down the first group of soldiers in a heartbeat. Then, he moved forward, cutting through the enemy ranks.

This was not how Chris usually fought. Normally, unlike Kevin who just rushed in, Chris was careful. He watched the whole battlefield and fought with a plan. But not today. Today, he was like a wild horse, charging straight at the enemy. Every soldier who stood in his way fell, cut down in an instant.

“Kill him, the madman!” someone screamed. “Attack!” Chris was surrounded. Enemies were all around him, a sea of soldiers. Even as he fought, more and more enemies rushed in. Chris pushed forward, stepping over fallen bodies, refusing to stop. He didn’t even notice what was happening behind him. His allies were following, fighting fiercely, but Chris was focused only on what was ahead. A powerful feeling drove him forward, a burning need to reach… something.

*Flash!* “Kraaah!” Chris’s sword cut across the chest of a stronger soldier, an aura swordsman. The swordsman yelled, swinging his own sword wildly. But before he could even finish his swing, Chris moved again. *Slash*. The swordsman’s wrist was cut, his sword falling to the ground. It was so fast, the swordsman couldn’t even see it coming. One moment, Chris was attacking his chest, the next, his wrist was bleeding.

More and more of the soldiers Chris faced were aura swordsmen, stronger and more skilled. This meant he was getting closer to someone important. Covered in enemy blood, Chris moved even faster. He slashed left, slashed right, again and again. Important officers of Chronos fell before him, unable to stop him. He was moving faster than even Ares, a powerful warrior, could handle. No one here could stop him. It was like Chris was trying to show everyone, and maybe himself, just how strong he was. To even challenge him, they would need someone as powerful as Castro, who was already dead.

Chris alone was tearing through the enemy lines, pushing them back on both sides. Finally, he reached his target. *Thwack*. The head of the enemy Knights Commander flew into the air. With their last strong defender gone, Baron Ernesto’s legs gave way, and he fell to the ground.

“…Is he really this strong?” he whispered, in shock. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He had heard stories about Roman Dmitry’s incredible power, but Chris seemed just as strong, maybe even stronger. They never had a chance.

Marquis Memphis had ordered them to fight to the end, even though he knew Baron Ernesto and his men couldn’t win. They were meant to slow down the enemy, to give Chronos more time. They were sacrifices in a larger plan. Baron Ernesto felt his hope drain away. He reached up and grabbed his own hair in despair. Rough hands seized him, pulling him to his feet. As he was dragged away, helpless, Chris looked him in the eyes, just for a moment, before raising his sword.

Chris’s eyes met someone else’s in the chaos. ‘Kevin,’ he thought, just for a second. Around him, bodies lay everywhere. Kevin, his own sword dripping blood, stared at Chris, his expression unreadable. Chris grinned, a wild, excited smile. Then, he raised his voice, shouting for all to hear.

“I, Chris, have defeated their commander!”

*Thwack*. He brought his sword down, beheading Baron Ernesto. Blood sprayed out, covering Chris’s face. “Waaah!” the allied soldiers roared. “Chris killed the commander!” “We won!” All eyes turned to Chris. The soldiers cheered, celebrating Chris, the warrior who had won the battle. Watching from the side, Kevin’s eyes narrowed, a new fire burning within them.

* * * Chris was acting differently. Kevin had never seen him like this. He felt confused at first. Then, he understood. Chris was showing off, for him. Chris saw him as a rival, ever since the fight with Ares. A small part of Kevin felt proud. Someone like Chris, someone he used to think was untouchable when Kevin was just a poor kid from the slums, now saw him as an equal. But another feeling was growing stronger, a burning heat in his chest. Kevin’s own competitive spirit flared. “Is that what you want?” Kevin thought, his eyes locked on Chris. “Are you trying to challenge me?” His words were lost in the cheering crowd. They couldn’t speak, but their eyes met, and in that look, they both understood. Kevin smiled, a real, excited smile. Chris had won this battle. He had led the charge, killed the commander, and earned the praise of everyone. Normally, Kevin wouldn’t care about who got the glory. Winning the war for Dmitry was all that mattered. But now, something had changed. “Okay,” Kevin thought, his smile turning into a determined grin. “Let’s do it. Let’s see who is the best in the battles to come.” His face hardened with resolve. The competition had begun. Marquis Memphis could never have guessed this would happen. But this rivalry, this fight between Chris and Kevin, would bring even more fear and destruction to Chronos. It was the start of a new kind of battle, a battle between two powerful warriors.