Chapter 253: International Conference (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 253: International Conference (1)
People gathered.
Crowds packed the streets, where the aftermath of war still lingered, desperate to confirm Roman Dmitry's safety. They had heard the rumors. While Dmitry had been locked in a fierce struggle against the Kronos Empire, Roman Dmitry had faced even greater peril. With every sporadic piece of news that reached them, the people had prayed for his safe return.
Finally, Roman Dmitry appeared.
His and his soldiers' worn, disheveled appearances were a testament to the hardships they had endured.
Yet, the people's reaction was ecstatic. No matter how battered their heroes looked, the citizens knew exactly what they had achieved.
"You are the pride of Dmitry!"
"Thank you so much for everything!"
"Congratulations on entering the Continental Ranking!"
Barbosa. Roman had taken the head of one of the Twelve Swords of the Continent.
Not only that, but the lineup of those who had fallen by Roman Dmitry's hands on his journey back was nothing short of illustrious. The people of Dmitry swelled with pride. Throughout the continent's history, no one unaffiliated with an empire had ever entered the high ranks, yet Roman Dmitry had slain a top-tier powerhouse. The implications were immense. Even if Dmitry was a weak, newly born nation, its status would completely transform solely because Roman Dmitry existed.
At the sight of their triumphant general, the people went wild.
Accepting their reverent gazes, Roman Dmitry went straight to see his parents.
"I have returned."
"Roman! Are you hurt anywhere?"
His mother, Rihanna Dmitry, rushed over in a flurry the moment she spotted him.
The rumors of her son's exploits had left her riddled with anxiety. Though Rihanna Dmitry was known for her gentle and dignified demeanor, all composure vanished when it came to her child. For a brief moment, they shared a warm reunion. Only after thoroughly examining him and confirming he was unharmed did she step back with a relieved sigh.
Only then did Duke Dmitry speak up.
"You must know what happened in Dmitry, my son. How do you think we should handle this matter?"
This incident could not simply be overlooked. The Kronos Empire had violated Continental Law to attack Dmitry. If they weren't held accountable, it would set a dangerous precedent. Even after repelling the Kronos Empire, Dmitry still had to nurse the wounds of war. A perfect victory did not mean a bloodless one.
For the past few days, Dmitry had been in turmoil. Those who argued for retaliation clashed fiercely against those who questioned how a small nation could possibly oppose an empire.
Ultimately, Duke Dmitry passed the decision to his son.
Looking at Roman Dmitry, he spoke with a resolute expression.
"Ever since Dmitry obtained the title of a Duchy, the affairs of this country, big and small, have fallen under your purview. It does not matter that I am called the master of this land. Roman, keep this in mind: whatever choice you make, I, Romero Dmitry, and the Dmitry Duchy will follow your judgment."
The severe conflict of opinions would be settled by Roman Dmitry's word alone. No matter what he chose, no one would question it. In Dmitry, Roman Dmitry was an absolute existence.
"I understand."
With the conversation concluded, Roman Dmitry took his leave.
* * *
He walked down the hallway.
Lucas strode alongside him, explaining the situation as they moved.
"Dmitry's damage from this war is not light. Even though we made thorough preparations, the enemy mobilized forces that exceeded our expectations. In particular, we suspect the Kronos Empire moved their troops without using a Warp Gate. I will report on this in detail after a thorough investigation."
He stole a glance at Roman Dmitry's expression. He could not predict how his liege would react to what he was about to say next.
"……And the condition of Kevin and Henderson is very poor. While defending Duke Dmitry's residence, they were mortally wounded by a 6-Star Aura Swordsman mobilized by the enemy. Both are currently hovering between life and death. Henderson's condition is especially critical. Yesterday evening, his breathing briefly stopped, but fortunately, the healer responded immediately, allowing him to pass the crisis."
This was the light and shadow of war. Defeating Kronos was a tremendous achievement, but Lucas could not help feeling heavy-hearted for the casualties. Furthermore, Henderson was a comrade who had applied for the private soldier recruitment alongside him. Although Lucas hadn't had much time to mingle while managing the Information Guild, Henderson's affectionate personality had allowed them to form a fairly tight bond.
Now, such a man had fallen. Just hearing about the events of that day from others made Lucas's face flush with hot emotion.
"They are not dead yet, then."
"Yes, sir."
They were currently heading to the infirmary where the wounded were kept.
Ever since he first arrived in Dmitry, Roman Dmitry had maintained an inscrutably calm expression.
Even at the cheers of the people.
Even at the reunion with his parents.
He was perfectly composed.
And that, for some reason, instilled a faint sense of dread in Lucas.
* * *
Kevin and Henderson.
Roman looked down at the two of them lying unconscious in their sickbeds. Even though their bandages had been changed multiple times, the wrappings around their wounds were still soaked a deep, reddish hue.
The healer spoke.
"I am afraid today will be the critical turning point. We are barely holding onto their lifelines with highest-grade potions and the power of priests, but their condition is too dire. Kevin has recovered from much of his physical trauma, but we cannot understand why he won't regain consciousness. Henderson was so severely injured that all his ribs were shattered, making recovery difficult even with the potions. Furthermore, Dark Aura has infiltrated his body, actively hindering the healing process."
Those words meant death. Though the healer had tried to put a hopeful spin on it, he was ultimately admitting that this had surpassed his realm of treatment.
In the end, has it come to this?
Suddenly, a painful memory surfaced.
The four beings who had faithfully followed the Heavenly Demon Baek Joong-hyuk had not all survived to the end to enjoy wealth and glory.
The Mad Demon.
He had died.
In the process of dealing with the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, he had taken charge of a battlefield where Baek Joong-hyuk was absent. Though he fell into a trap, he slaughtered countless enemies and ultimately led the battle to victory. In return, he met his end with weapons impaling his entire body. The conquest of Murim was not paved with only joyful things. Just as sadness follows joy, the being whom the Heavenly Demon Baek Joong-hyuk trusted the most had no choice but to meet death as the price of that trust.
It was a grim reality. The larger the domain one ruled, the more danger one's subordinates had to bear. And those he trusted most were subjected to the greatest perils precisely because of that trust.
Baek Joong-hyuk had been enraged that day.
Though he knew casualties were inevitable in war, he held a Memorial Service because that someone was the Mad Demon. The venue for this Memorial Service was the Nine Great Sects and One Gang. He turned that war into a Mountain of Corpses and a Sea of Blood. From then on, the demoralized martial artists of the Righteous Faction raised white flags one after another, declaring their surrender.
Even if he could turn back time, Roman Dmitry would not reverse his choice. Because he trusted Kevin and Henderson, there were no individuals more suitable to guard the home he had left behind.
This was the price of trust.
They had not betrayed his faith, risking their lives to deliver results.
I have resolved to live this Current Life as the Heavenly Demon as well. Since my life has always been riddled with struggle, a mere change in my surroundings cannot make me the 'Roman Dmitry' that people speak of. Therefore, the death of those who follow me is a natural consequence. The higher I aim, and the more I refuse to tolerate anyone looking down on me, the more dangerous the path I must walk.
He had anticipated their sacrifice.
But in the future he desired, he could not solve every problem himself. In a situation where he could not simply choose one priority over another, Roman Dmitry had chosen to head to Valhalla to face his enemies' threats head-on, simultaneously leaving Dmitry in the hands of those he trusted.
It was a choice made for Dmitry's sake. Dmitry had to prove that it would not fall, even relying solely on its own strength.
The result had been ideal.
They had repelled Kronos. Yet, from the moment Roman Dmitry arrived back home, his emotions had been boiling over passionately.
He was angry.
It was different from his past life. Even then, he had been enraged by the Mad Demon's death, but it had not been as turbulent as this.
His Current Life.
He had accepted many connections.
Rather than his past life where he had ruthlessly pursued the Hegemonic Path, he now valued the human relationships centered around himself a bit more.
Therefore, he could not let them die.
He judged that their ability to hold on until his arrival was proof of their will to live.
"I will personally proceed with the treatment of Kevin and Henderson. Secure a space for me to work."
He handed down the order. The most important matter right now was saving them.
* * *
They changed locations.
Placing Kevin and Henderson on the floor, Roman Dmitry sat cross-legged and placed his hands near their hearts.
Beginning with the source of life, I will contemplate their bodies.
Whoosh.
Mana flared.
The mana rising from Roman Dmitry seeped into their bodies, very slowly caressing their hearts and assimilating with their physical forms. One, two, three. Their hearts beat. While at first his own heart, Kevin's, and Henderson's had beaten at erratic, separate rhythms, from a certain moment, the hearts of all three began to beat in unison, as if perfectly synchronized.
Then, he began to channel his mana in earnest.
The moment Roman Dmitry's mana reached their wounded areas, an excruciating pain flared within him due to the assimilation of their senses.
I must rouse their life force with Primordial Energy.
The treatment method he was practicing now was extremely dangerous.
In his past life, there was an existence known as the Divine Physician, who had gained immense fame for his ability to save even those on the absolute brink of death. But when he met his end in his mid-twenties, people learned the truth. It was not that he possessed some grand, miraculous technique; rather, he saved people by sharing his own life force.
Roman Dmitry chose that exact method.
Primordial Energy was a power one was born with, and its absolute depletion ultimately meant death. He was infusing a portion of that very power into the two bodies before him.
Because Roman Dmitry's Primordial Energy naturally amplified the deeper he stepped into the Realm of Heaven Beyond Heaven, he could willingly give up a portion of his life force for his subordinates. Kevin and Henderson had ended up in this state while following his orders. Even knowing their lifespans might be shortened, they had accepted the sacrifice for a worthy cause.
Just as they had sacrificed for him, Roman Dmitry accepted this sacrifice for them.
As the Primordial Energy stirred, the two bodies naturally regained their vitality, awakening the power of self-regeneration.
It was an arduous task. Roman Dmitry's face turned deathly pale, and as time passed, his entire body became drenched in sweat. Even using Primordial Energy did not guarantee their immediate salvation. He was merely doing his utmost to save them; if heaven did not permit them to live despite such desperate efforts, the two would have no choice but to die.
However, he refused to be the first to give up.
Roman Dmitry fell into a State of Selflessness, devoting himself entirely to treating Kevin and Henderson.
The war with Kronos had left many lingering issues.
From the origin of the war to Valhalla's conspiracy and the existence of black mages, there were countless problems to resolve. Yet, Roman Dmitry pushed all of them aside to focus on the reality before his eyes. This did not mean he was ignoring practical matters. He had simply judged that, in terms of priority, saving their lives came first.
This was the very reason Roman Dmitry sought to rise to the absolute peak.
It was not that he prioritized power at the expense of what truly mattered; rather, he needed absolute power to protect what he valued.
One day, two days.
Time flowed by.
By the time a week had passed, with Roman Dmitry still entirely focused on the treatment, the outside world began to take notice of his actions.