The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 461

They walked to a quieter part of the garden.

As they strolled through the garden, where roses climbed over stone arches, their scent sweet in the air. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the path ahead. Kevin hesitated, his heart beating a little faster.

“…My Lord,” he began, his voice careful. “May I ask you something?”

“Speak,” Roman Dmitry replied, his gaze steady.

Kevin took a breath. “Three years ago, you defeated the Demon King. It was a victory no one thought possible, a truly historic moment. Now, no one questions your power. We all know what you have done, and the yearly tournament proves it’s not just a legend. But… why do you still train so hard? Even your closest followers are relaxing and enjoying this peaceful time. Why do you still live as fiercely as you did three years ago?”

Kevin knew it as soon as he saw Roman Dmitry.

His eyes burned intensely, his face was covered in sweat, and his training was beyond measure.

Roman Dmitry had improved. Even though Kevin thought Roman Dmitry was already at the peak three years ago, he was now reaching new heights through constant training.

Kevin couldn’t understand it. It wasn’t that he didn’t know Roman Dmitry’s personality, but this was such a peaceful time.

Even if Roman Dmitry didn’t work so hard, the Dmitry Empire would still have absolute power, at least while he was alive.

Why? Why continue to struggle when there are no enemies?

Seeing Kevin’s sincere question, Roman Dmitry stopped walking and looked out over the garden.

“As you said, there is no longer a reason to live so fiercely. But Kevin, that’s not how a leader should think.”

He understood Kevin.

His past life.

The people who followed him in the past had reacted the same way.

Even after he had conquered the world of martial arts (Murim), they had watched him train every day and asked him why.

“The people are welcome to enjoy peace. It is their job to wish for their future and their families’ well-being, not to worry about the safety of the nation. But if the leader also relaxes and enjoys the peace, an unexpected disaster will threaten us all someday. Just a few years ago, did people expect the Demon King to appear? Did they expect that I, from the less important Dmitry family, would become the emperor of the Empire? No. Our lives have never gone as expected, and no one can say for sure what dangers lie ahead.”

It was a time of great peace.

The Heavenly Demon’s presence dominated the Murim.

With his power growing day by day, people didn’t even dare to think about rebelling.

“We must prepare for danger before it appears, so we are not caught off guard. That’s why I am dedicated to my role. I don’t want to make excuses for not knowing the dangers that will come, and I want to take responsibility for the lives of those who died because of my orders. I cannot allow even a little bit of worry.”

In fact, people had no reason to rebel.

Baek Jung-hyuk’s rule was like a dictatorship, but surprisingly, it worked very well.

The problems that people worried about with a dictatorship didn’t really happen under Baek Jung-hyuk’s rule.

As long as people didn’t break the law, he didn’t interfere.

He respected everyone’s life and allowed them to live reasonably.

That’s why, on the day he died in his previous life, the Murim was filled with sadness, no matter which side people were on.

“I am someone who must live this way. I cannot settle for an ordinary life now, or have an ordinary family.”

From the very bottom of life.

From the moment he chose to fight to survive, there was no peace in the Heavenly Demon’s life.

He walked ahead again.

Watching his back, Kevin couldn’t say a word.

Now he understood.

Roman Dmitry. The burden carried by the most powerful person.

Kevin returned to his room. It felt vast and empty, mirroring the hollowness in his chest. The expensive furniture seemed cold and meaningless.

“…What am I living for?”

Years ago, when Kevin first met Roman Dmitry, he wanted to live an ordinary life like everyone else.

So, he risked his life.

He worked hard and even cut off his own arm, because he envied the lives of the common people he saw in the slums.

And now that he had achieved everything, Kevin was confused.

He had wanted this life, but Kevin didn’t feel like doing anything.

Until a few days ago, he didn’t know why.

But after meeting Roman Dmitry, Kevin understood his true feelings.

‘I can’t be ordinary anymore.’

His life had been full of hardship.

He had always longed for something.

From the moment he started living like a human, his admiration for Roman Dmitry turned into feeling inferior to his rivals.

It wasn’t a normal feeling. While others found happiness in ordinary lives, Kevin found his worth somewhere else.

It was a peaceful time.

Roman Dmitry was not in danger, and Kevin, who only knew how to fight, became useless.

He had become lazy.

Peaceful days.

Kevin was wasting away.

Because he was losing his purpose, he spent more time alone.

Just now, he had asked about Chris’s recent activities.

Chris had won the ranking match every year, but even after being badly defeated by Roman Dmitry, he was still working hard to prepare for the next tournament.

His goal was to be the best on the continent.

Even though he knew that Roman Dmitry was an impossible opponent, he still worked towards his goal and didn’t give up.

‘…My Lord is right. Not everyone can live an ordinary life. Marie was lucky to have an ordinary life, but seeing her happy family didn’t give me what I was looking for.’

He got up.

Some people said Dimitri was bad, even evil. They were scared of his power. But Kevin did not care what others thought. For Kevin, Dimitri was not scary.

I need to be stronger, Kevin thought. One day, someone might try to hurt Dimitri. I have to be strong enough to stop them. Dimitri gave me everything. My life is for him. Even if I die, I will die happy, knowing I served my lord.

Dimitri was everything to Kevin. Before Dimitri, Kevin’s life had been empty, like a dark room. Dimitri had brought light and purpose.

Kevin’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. He ran to the training ground. He remembered always losing to Chris in practice fights. Not anymore, he thought. I will become stronger.

Meanwhile, far away from the training ground… In a grand room, filled with expensive furniture and paintings, a group of men were talking seriously.

“This is the fourth time we’ve tried,” one man said. “I don’t think we can change his mind.”

“Don’t say ‘impossible’!” another man snapped. “We need ideas! Solutions!”

The air in the room felt thick with worry. At the head of the long table sat a man with a face like stone. Marquis Valentino. Everyone around him could feel his anger growing. They rushed to offer ideas.

“He already has everything,” one man said. “We’ve offered him things anyone else would want. Maybe we need a different plan. What about… beautiful women? We could find the most beautiful women in the world and try to win him over.”

“Yes!” another man agreed. “Everyone likes beautiful women!”

“No,” a third man argued. “He’s not that kind of person. He has big goals. And women already like him! It won’t work.”

“What about his teacher?” someone suggested. “I heard they are very close.”

“No! That’s too dangerous!” another man exclaimed. “If we make his teacher angry, we’ll be in serious trouble!”

The voices in the room grew louder and more frantic. For a whole year, they had tried to talk to Chris. Every time, he had said no. But they couldn’t give up. He was the only one they could talk to.

Valentino, their leader, wanted this. And until Valentino gave up, they had to find a way.

“Maybe,” one man said, “we’re offering the wrong things. Maybe we should just ask him what he wants. We can offer him anything. Valentino is the richest merchant in the world. If Marquis Valentino says he wants something, people listen.”

Valentino listened to all the ideas. Then, he looked around the table, his voice serious.

“You all know what I want,” Valentino said. “Chris’s sword. First No-Name. It’s more than just a sword. It’s a legend. Chris and Kevin fought for it! It’s a piece of history. And Dimitri isn’t making any more swords now. I must have it. For a collector like me, it’s priceless.”

Valentino had worked his whole life to become the most powerful merchant in the world. He was used to getting what he wanted. And he wanted First No-Name.

Valentino had planned everything. He was ready to meet Chris again. He knew people thought he had everything. But for Valentino, it was never enough. He always wanted more. “I will try a new way,” he said. “I will offer Chris everything. He won’t be able to say no to that. Even if it costs me a lot, Valentino will still be on top.”

“Yes, Marquis Valentino,” his men said. They knew better than to argue. Valentino’s desire was their command. This time, they believed, Chris would finally agree.

The next day, Valentino waited for Chris near the training grounds. “Chris,” Valentino said, his face serious. “We’ve talked three times already. You always say no. I know that sword from Dimitri is special. But sometimes, you have to let go of even the things you love most.”

Chris sighed, rolling his eyes. “Marquis Valentino,” he said, sounding tired. Three times? he thought. It feels like he’s been bothering me about this sword for months. Chris knew Valentino was famous for wanting rare things. He understood why Valentino wanted First No-Name. But Chris would never give it up. It was unique. And… Chris felt a little insulted that Valentino came to him first, not Kevin.

Chris opened his mouth to say no, to end this once and for all. But Valentino held out his hand. “Please,” Valentino said softly. “Just take this.” He placed something in Chris’s hand. A blank piece of paper.

Chris stared at the blank paper, confused. Then Valentino spoke, his voice low and intense. “This is a blank paper, Chris. Write anything you want on it. Anything at all. And I, Valentino, promise to give it to you. Anything. The only thing I ask for…”

Chris looked down at his sword. First No-Name. Valentino’s eyes followed his gaze, burning with desire. “Give me the sword, Chris,” Valentino said, his voice almost a whisper. “And I will give you… everything.”