The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live a Normal Life

Chapter 187: Counterattack (2)

During the meeting, if Flora Lawrence had positive emotions then Rodwell had confused ones.

‘…that person is Roman Dmitry?’

The commander of the kingdom’s army. When he appeared, the soldiers of the Western Front opened the road on both sides and let out cheers. Roman Dmitry was a symbol of hope. His arrival on the Western Front in just three days meant that Cairo was no longer in danger of being attacked by the Kronos Empire.

Even though they didn’t know much about Roman Dmitry, his actions in the past of defeating the Hector Kingdom, becoming the greatest sword in Cairo, and even taking down Marquis Benedict, caused the people to have complete faith in him.

It was an overwhelming sight. Rodwell Dmitry, who went into battle despite his injured body, looked at the scene with trembling eyes. It made no sense. The existence that was looked up to by the people was different from the Roman Dmitry he knew.

And then the meeting that followed. It was one surprise after another. Seeing him press on the captains and asking them to do their best made him recall his memories.

‘The Roman Dmitry I remember is a drunkard. He lived a life far from the sword and it was common for him to be dragged out of a bar by guards. There isn’t that much of a difference between then and now, so how can a person change so much in such a short amount of time?’

Common sense would say it was impossible. While listening to the rumors, he was always curious as to how the existence in his mind had risen to 5-stars.

It was Roman Dmitry’s voice and face. He was sure of it. Even though his appearance was a lot better, the marks on his face proved he was indeed Roman.

Actually, he had come to accept this reality to some extent. Even if the rumors were just half true, Roman Dmitry would no longer be called the trash of Dmitry.

And during the entire meeting, he looked at Roman Dmitry. As he listened to everything he was saying, he was getting more confused.

Soon, the meeting ended. Breathing in the night air, Rodwell Dmitri looked up at the sky.

‘… I lived with the single thought of raising my family’s name on the Western Front. But Roman Dmitry made all of my achievements here worthless. Is this the difference in our talent? Everyone called me the future of the Dmitry estate, but I am nothing more than a mess.’

He accepted it. Roman Dmitry, it was clear that his brother was better. Even calling the man who had lived like trash his brother made his stomach churn, so he worked hard, but now it felt like the difference between them was collapsing.

His left eye was sore. As a reward for defeating an existence that was nothing compared to the opponents Roman Dmitry had defeated, Rodwell lost his left eye.

It was a disaster. What had he been striving for?

And it was then…

“Rodwell.”

He heard a familiar voice, and all the hair on his body stood up. When Rodwell Dmitry turned his head, he looked at the older brother in his memory staring at him.

A clear face and a manly voice—it was Roman Dmitry. Unlike his face, which reminded him of the past, Roman gave off the atmosphere of not wanting people to touch him.

“I heard your eye isn’t in the best condition.”

Hearing that, Rodwell looked shocked. Roman, who had pretended like Rodwell didn’t exist since he had stepped foot on the Western Front, was now asking him this.

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

“With your sacrifice, they were able to deal with the war magicians of the Kronos Empire. You did well. If you hadn’t carried out that plan, the Western Front wouldn’t have held on until I arrived.”

Rodwell kept his mouth shut. It was awkward. This conversation and this situation. Roman Dmitry, who appeared in front of him as his older brother, felt so unfamiliar.

And it was the same with Roman. However, he spoke first.

‘Rodwell Dmitry, my flesh and blood.’

Last year, his father told him the same thing over and over again. Rodwell has been self-assured since he was a child and has always tried to get things done in his own way, but in the end, he was still in his 20s. So he hoped Roman would take care of him.

He knew that the relationship between the brothers wasn’t the best given the issue of succession, but from his father’s point of view, they were both his precious children.

The word ‘blood’ wasn’t a pleasant topic for Roman Dmitry, no, Baek Joong-hyuk. He was forced to compete because he was the son of the Heavenly Demon, and he had to rise to the top.

But this life was different because Roman Dmitry accepted new relationships. Those who remembered the existence of Dmitry’s trash looked at him with prejudiced eyes, but they never rejected his new self.

One by one, he made connections in his current life—Hans, Chris, Kevin, and even Flora Lawrence.

And then he met Rodwell Dmitry. The stories he heard had proven that he hated Roman, but he didn’t care.

‘When I started this new life, Hans gave me blind feelings for just one reason: I am Roman Dmitry. I could have rejected and hated myself like everyone else, but thanks to Hans’s approach, I was able to adapt quickly to this world. The same goes for my relationship with Rodwell Dmitry. There is no reason for me to unconditionally wait for the other person to approach me. I need to renew my relationship with him, just as I have forged new relationships with the ties I had in my present life.’

Dmitry’s second son.

He looked at his younger brother. Whatever he was thinking about him, Roman Dmitry wanted to approach him first. It wasn’t because of their father’s request. There was only one reason: Rodwell was his younger sibling. And for that alone, Rodwell Dmitry deserved to get inside his own walls.

Unlike in his previous life, where he and his siblings had to kill each other, he accepted them as a family in his current life.

Roman said,

“I am not going to be kind anymore, but keep one thing in mind.”

He looked into Rodwell’s eyes. Even though he didn’t show it, Rodwell lost an eye when he was still in his early 20s. And it wasn’t something to be ignored. Even if he was reacting calmly now, the bitterness of losing his eye would sink in.

“You are my younger brother. If you follow me into the battlefield, I will show you what it means to live as a Dmitry. In exchange for Roman Dmitry’s younger brother losing his eye, the Kronos Empire will have to sacrifice countless lives.”

At that moment, Rodwell’s eyes twitched. He didn’t expect any of it—Roman talking to him first and saying those words.

Just as Hans accepted him, Roman was going to embrace Rodwell too.

“So remember. The fact that you and I are brothers.”

A night full of stars. The two brothers reunited like that.

At that time, the Kronos Empire was in a dire situation.

[… Benedict’s rebellion was a complete failure. Now that Roman Dmitry and the kingdom’s troops have arrived on the Western Front, the Kronos Empire has no reason to waste any more time. I think it would be better for us to return.]

It was Baron Charlton, who belonged to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He was as annoyed as Count Fabio. He couldn’t let the troops retreat.

“Fucking bugs. We will attack the Western Front, and it should collapse in a day. Baron Charlton. It isn’t that I do not understand the reason for the retreat call, but we have suffered huge damage in the past few days. Does it make sense to run away without doing anything? Just give me a day. Before that, I will make sure to show them what an empire is compared to them.”

It wasn’t a matter of winning or losing. Right after the Battle of Great Warriors, and watching the magicians get annihilated by the magic traps, Count Fabio knew they fell into a trap. He couldn’t blame the opponent.

The Cairo Kingdom sent out their warrior, and it was a fair battle. It was because of the empire’s actions that they lost their magicians.

And that was why he hated it. When he thought that his actions were what got them into this mess, he felt horrible. Just once, he wanted to get revenge. Aside from the practical benefits, it was a matter of pride.

[I am aware of Count Fabio’s feelings. However, the opponent is Roman Dmitry and his army. The man is quite an odd character, and if we do anything wrong, we might end up with more damage. Count Fabio, the empire is focusing on the conflict with the Kingdoms’ Alliance. If Count Fabio loses his troops, the aftermath is inevitably going to affect the South. Think carefully, should we continue this war?]

“… Uhm.”

Count Fabio showed an expression that said he wasn’t fine with it. He wasn’t wrong. They fought with the troops on the Western Front in this war.

If they suffered great damage in the war with the Cairo Kingdom, they would have no choice but to bring in troops from other places to handle the situation, and the responsibility of that couldn’t be avoided. Their defeat against the Cairo Kingdom was not enough, and the Kingdoms’ Alliance would not let it pass.

“Damn it. I understand. As soon as the sun rises tomorrow, we will recall the troops.”

Count Fabio accepted it. His stomach churned in rage, but what could he do? There was no other way.

[You made the right decision.]

And that was the end. Count Fabio cut off the communication.

On the next day, the Kronos Empire chose to retreat. They organized their camps early in the morning and chose to retreat before the sun rose in the middle of the sky.

“Commander, I will leave the scouts behind, just in case something happens.”

“There is no need for that.”

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous? If the Cairo Kingdom sends us a pursuit team, we might end up having our tails bitten.”

The man’s advice was correct. They needed to leave some scouts behind to see how the enemy was moving instead of just withdrawing.

Normally, Count Fabio would have listened. However, having spent a frustrating time last night, he looked angry.

“Do you think that a nation like Cairo will send someone to pursue the Kronos Empire? The reason the enemies were able to deal with us is because of their wall. If they open their gates and send a team after us like what you said, we can just defeat the Western Front.”

In the wide lands, there was no place to protect themselves. In a situation where they would have to collide head-on, there was no way Kronos would be defeated.

Rather, he wanted them to come out. If Cairo made that mistake, they would pay the price for their complacency.

“I understand.”

The lieutenant withdrew. He also agreed with his words. Leaving the scouts behind was a precaution, but there was no way that they could threaten Kronos.

Was that why? The reason why the Kronos Empire also decided to call back all of their troops?

Usually, in preparation for enemy attacks, they would move in formation as close to each other as possible, but now they just formed a long procession line. The moment they would get attacked, there was a risk that they would be cut off in the middle. However, despite knowing that, the Kronos Empire made a bold move.

‘Cairo Kingdom. It may seem that the world is yours now as you clean up the rebellion, but it is just a matter of time before you become a vassal state of the empire. Cairo is a starting bridge for us to conquer the continent. The moment Kronos appears on the Western Front again, it will be unstoppable.’

Count Fabio grinned. It was a little comforting to know that their revenge would take place in the future. Trudging along the path, he pictured the future of Cairo in his mind.

How long was it? Just as the sun had risen in the middle of the sky and shone, the lieutenant who withdrew earlier, ran up with a pale face.

“Commander! Enemies have appeared! Enemies are attacking the rear!”

“What?!”

At that moment, Count Fabio doubted his ears. Enemies attacked from the rear. Did that mean that they opened their gates?

“Right. The people of Cairo made a stupid mistake.”

Clench.

Neigh!

He pulled the reins of his horse. If the enemies have come out….

“Order the soldiers. Kill every worm of Cairo!”

… Count Fabio judged that this was the golden chance.