The Heavenly Demon Can't Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 422

The days after the war felt strange.

Kevin, like Chris, had a problem. It wasn’t a bad problem, but a confusing one. They had both been offered great rewards for their bravery. Gold? Titles? Many people would dream of such things.

But Kevin didn’t care much about money. He already had a good reward. And becoming a nobleman? Living in a fancy castle? That didn’t excite him either.

Having choices like this – wealth, titles, or anything he desired – was something Kevin could never have imagined when he was wandering the slums.

Back then, he would have chosen wealth and glory without hesitation. But now, Kevin was considered a key figure in Dmitry’s inner circle, and that changed things.

He could choose the life he wanted, as he pleased.

Kevin thought about it for days. Finally, he went to see Roman Dmitry.

“My lord, I don’t need more gold or power. I want to stay by your side in the future.”

“You mean you don’t want a reward?”

“…That’s not it. If it’s possible, I would like a sword just for me. The sword I got before was already more than I deserved, but as a swordsman, I ask this because of my own desire.”

Actually, the most useful reward for a swordsman like Kevin was obvious.

Kevin had learned the Heavenly Demon Sword Technique.

He only knew the first part of that powerful swordsmanship, which was divided into the beginning, middle, and end. Asking to learn the next moves would have been the best choice for a swordsman.

But he didn’t feel like it. After fighting in the war, Kevin felt confident in himself.

He had heard that Chris was making his own path, so he wanted to improve himself and beat Chris.

He was jealous.

Kevin had lost to Chris in a duel and given up the First No-Name.

So he was using the Second No-Name. Even though he knew how good this sword was, he was jealous of Chris.

He was jealous because Chris got an even better sword, the First No-Name.

It bothered him, so he wanted a new sword just for him.

It was what he truly wanted.

Everyone was getting what they wanted. Kevin could live in wealth and glory for the rest of his life if he wanted to.

But that wasn’t the future he wanted.

From the moment he cut off his own arm to become Roman Dmitry’s sword.

For Kevin, life with Roman Dmitry was most important, and that’s why he wanted to stay by his side.

Someday, people die.

If that day came for him, he hoped that he, not Chris, would be remembered in Dmitry’s history as the first person to represent Roman Dmitry.

Some people might not understand Kevin’s feelings.

Roman Dmitry’s reward was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and he was giving it up for just a sword.

In his days wandering the slums.

The feeling he had when he first met Roman Dmitry was more shocking than when believers faced God.

To him, Roman Dmitry was a god.

Kevin bowed his head, waiting for an answer. Roman Dmitry looked calm and gave him his reward.

“I accept your request. But it will take time to make the sword. In a month, I will give you a special sword that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world, a sword only for the swordsman Kevin.”

“Thank you!”

He raised his head quickly.

Kevin’s face was beaming with a smile, as if he had the whole world.

Chris heard about Kevin’s decision too.

He looked at his own sword with a complicated face when he heard that Kevin had asked for a sword he didn’t expect.

“…Was he that jealous of this?”

His thoughts were tangled like messy threads.

When Chris heard that Kevin had visited Roman Dmitry, he thought he might ask for something to help him improve as a swordsman.

Before meeting Roman Dmitry.

Chris had always been a talented swordsman. But Kevin was different. He had grown up in the slums, always worried about food and shelter.

They started in different places.

So Roman Dmitry taught Kevin from the beginning, and told Chris to develop on his own.

The difference between them wasn’t just about skill.

Because Chris had been thinking and improving on his own, he was sure he would never lose, even when he saw Kevin feeling inferior.

But things were different now.

Kevin not only chose to improve himself, but he also proved it by defeating Ares this time.

‘Kevin is getting better every day. As swordsman Kevin, no longer a boy from the slums, I can’t be sure I would win against Kevin as I am now. Kevin defeated Ares when his life was in danger. I can’t be sure I would have done any better.’

Ares was strong.

Chris, who was checking the new soldiers at the time, felt it would be hard to fight him, even though he didn’t use all his strength.

Kevin captured such a strong person and put him on the execution stand.

Seeing Ares beg for his life made Chris feel very confused.

Could he have won if he had fought Ares when his life was in danger?

Kevin’s growth was something Roman Dmitry should be happy about, but that didn’t mean Chris wanted to give up his place to him.

This reward made one thing clear.

Kevin will not give up until he is better than him.

Just as he wanted a new sword because he was jealous of the First No-Name, his strong desire couldn’t be ignored.

He would definitely point his sword at him someday.

Just as he fought to take the First No-Name, Kevin would try his best to take his place.

‘I can never give up my place.’

His competitive spirit grew stronger.

Just thinking about it made Chris’s competitive spirit stronger. He finally understood what he really wanted.

Wealth and glory.

Could a life of riches and fame truly make him happy?

No.

It was impossible.

Even if he wore expensive jewelry like Marquis Fabius and had many women, he could never be happy as a swordsman.

Then he knew what to ask for from the beginning.

He knew it himself, but he couldn’t say it out loud.

Kevin’s existence finally moved Chris.

Chris stood before Roman Dmitry. He looked Roman Dmitry in the eyes and spoke honestly.

“The current ranking system on the continent is very chaotic. We now know the ranking system was Alexander’s plan. Many top fighters have died in the wars, so the rankings don’t matter anymore. But I think the ranking system should continue in the future. Even though it started for a bad reason, the ranking system is now important. It’s a way for swordsmen to compete and show how good they are. In a month, please hold a tournament to decide the new rankings of swordsmen. If someone wins this tournament, please announce to everyone that this person is the best swordsman – your second strongest fighter in the whole continent, after you.”

It was an unexpected request.

Chris wanted a chance to compete.

He wanted to beat people like Kevin and show everyone he was still the second strongest.

Roman Dmitry said,

“That is not a suitable reward. I agree to revive the ranking system, but that is a matter to be discussed at the Imperial Council. Do you have any other requirements besides that?”

“I do.”

“Speak.”

Chris swallowed hard, his hands sweating. He spoke slowly, his voice a little shaky.

Chris expected Roman Dmitry’s reaction.

The revival of the ranking system did not align with the purpose of a reward.

However, the reason he mentioned the ranking system was because his true purpose was related to it.

“My Lord, I was hoping… if it’s possible… that we could have a tournament every year to decide the rankings again. It is not to challenge His Majesty’s authority. The Lord is already recognized as the best swordsman on the continent, so he is the ultimate goal for swordsmen like me. I hope you will understand my sincerity.”

Chris felt a familiar fire in his chest.

His dream was simple, yet enormous: to be better than Roman Dmitry. He wanted to be the greatest swordsman alive. But everyone knew the truth. That title already belonged to Emperor Roman Dmitry. It was a shadow Chris lived under, a challenge he couldn’t ignore.

Kevin?

The other swordsmen?

He didn’t care.

No one in the world would dare to covet his position, and he would prove in the regularly held tournaments that he was the second strongest representing the Dmitry Empire.

Not only that—he raised his head and looked at the sky.

He knew it was a futile and impossible dream, but Chris still wanted to move towards that dream.

It was an opportunity.

To create a place to compete openly with challengers, and at the same time, the only opportunity to challenge Roman Dmitry.

Roman Dmitry was the Emperor of the Empire.

If he did not create a system where he could be challenged, he would surely be dragged away on charges of treason the moment he raised his sword against him in the future.

So, he had to speak now.

He was afraid that his request might be received negatively, so even after speaking, Chris could not hide his nervousness.

His mouth was parched.

Cold sweat trickled down his temples, making his collar damp, but he gritted his teeth to stick to what he had said and waited for Roman Dmitry’s answer.

“Interesting.”

Roman Dmitry smiled.

Chris raised his head, and Roman Dmitry looked down at him and said,

“Chris. I will accept your request.”

A few days later, an international conference was held.

Not only the ranking system that Chris had suggested, but also the fact that important issues had to be discussed, representatives from each country gathered in Dmitry.

With the kings of Chronos, Valhalla, Cairo, Hector, Umberto, Redford, and Frank visiting Dmitry, the people who were moving most busily were their attendants.

Dmitry’s temporary imperial palace was bustling with activity. Servants hurried through the hallways, their footsteps echoing on the marble floors.

Inside that building, a man demanded something with a serious expression.

“Honestly! Have I not made myself perfectly clear? The King of Frank is a very sensitive person, so in order to stay here even for a day, thorough preparations are necessary. The bedding and bed made of the material I mentioned in advance, and the bottled water he enjoys drinking, must also be prepared from Odelia.”

The manager’s line slightly more defensive or stressed, to show the pressure he is under.

“But… I wasn’t told about these special requests. We have so many kings to prepare for…”

William’s eyes widened.

This international conference was scheduled to last for two days, so the kings of each country decided to stay at this imperial palace for one day.

For that reason, he had a lot to prepare.

The King of Frank was not luxurious, but he was more picky than he thought, so William had been preparing for the trip to Dmitry for days.

But he was told that the message had not been delivered.

“Those damn fellows. They can forget anything else, but they forget the work of His Majesty the King.”

Frank was in chaos.

There were many things to sort out after the war ended, and he often had to leave Frank to attend various events.

It seemed that there was confusion inside in the process.

William frowned and sighed deeply, then said to the manager of the Dmitry Imperial Palace,

“Please move some of my luggage first. And there.”

Far away, he could see the figures of passing servants.

Because they looked like ordinary servants, William had no reason to treat them with respect.

“Come here and carry some luggage. Hurry!”

The King’s attendant.

Although he was in charge of errands and all sorts of chores, his status itself was that of a quasi-aristocrat.

In addition, he was a person who could directly influence the King of Frank.

He was only cautious because the other party was the manager of the Dmitry Imperial Palace, but even ordinary nobles treated him carefully within Frank.

Therefore, his attitude of treating servants poorly was natural.

In fact, it was a very natural attitude in aristocratic society, and there was nothing wrong with it for William.

But the expression of the Dmitry manager hardened.

William asked with a puzzled expression at the suddenly chilly atmosphere.

“…Is there a problem?”

“Yes, there is.”

The manager was in charge of coordinating the overall work here, but that did not mean that he was the actual power behind the imperial palace.

A ominous feeling suddenly crept up.

Judging from the circumstances, William’s sensitive instinct knew that the existence of the servant he had just treated poorly was the problem.

As expected, the servant was walking towards them.

He didn’t know when he saw him from afar, but as the shape of his face became clearer, something flashed through William’s mind.

‘Ack?! Could it be.’