Chapter 465: Epilogue, The Last Outing
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 465: Epilogue, The Last Outing
It was an unexpected visit.
Upon hearing that Roman Dmitry had come to see him, Romero Dmitry welcomed his son with a bright, beaming smile.
"Has everything been well?"
"Everything is as it always is."
"You are the Emperor of the Dmitry Empire. Countless lives depend on your health, so you must always take care of yourself first. And make sure to take the health supplements your mother sent. They are so effective that I feel like I am growing younger myself. Hahaha!"
He laughed heartily.
The Dmitry father and son shared a casual, comfortable conversation.
Romero Dmitry asked endless questions about how Roman had been doing and whether there were any issues, as if unwilling to waste a single second of this rare visit from his son. As the conversation ripened, Romero glanced at his son's expression and asked in a cautious voice:
"...By the way, do you still have no thoughts of marriage?"
Marriage.
It was the Dmitry family's greatest unresolved dilemma.
Although the family was riding a wave of unprecedented success after founding the empire, their worries only deepened because the eldest son, Roman Dmitry, steadfastly refused to marry. The second and youngest sons had already taken partners. Since only Roman Dmitry remained, Romero desperately wanted to know his eldest son's true feelings.
And...
...there was something that weighed heavily on his mind.
"If you lost your desire for marriage because of that canceled engagement... I am truly sorry for what happened back then. I should not have treated you so harshly just because the marriage fell through, but even I could not control my momentary anger. My son, I do not want you to be pushed into marriage. If you ever find someone you truly love, whoever they may be, this father of yours will be genuinely happy. Please introduce them to me anytime."
The broken engagement was a sore spot.
It was a matter that brought heartache just thinking about it.
Fearing that he might have been the one holding his son back, Romero Dmitry chose each word with extreme care.
A father's heart.
Roman understood it.
And he was certainly not avoiding marriage because of what his father worried about.
‘I cannot do something I cannot take responsibility for.’
He could not speak the truth.
Instead, he simply smiled.
Roman Dmitry met his father's gaze and stated the true reason for his visit.
"My decision not to marry is entirely my own choice, Father. Since ascending to the throne as Emperor, I have had much time to look back on my life. Every time I did, the thought that filled my mind was my gratitude toward you. Even when people pointed fingers at me, you always stood by my side and supported whatever I did. Thank you. I am truly grateful that a man named Romero Dmitry was my father."
"..."
Romero choked back his words.
His son was acting differently than usual.
Roman was not one to express his emotions so directly, and hearing him say he was grateful to have him as a father made Romero feel as though tears would burst forth at any moment. It felt as if a heavy boulder had been lifted from his chest. For the past three years, seeing Roman Dmitry distance himself from marriage, Romero's heart had been rotting away with the fear that it was all his fault.
"Thank you, my son."
He was happy.
With that, his son took his leave.
As Romero Dmitry reflected on the conversation, a sudden wave of regret washed over him.
‘I shouldn't have just ended it with a thank you. I should have expressed my true feelings more. Just as my son found the courage to speak, I should have told him how truly grateful I am that he is my son. Even back when he was called the Fool of Dmitry, he was always the son I loved so dearly.’
But it was fine.
This would not be the only opportunity.
Looking out the window, Romero Dmitry felt that the sunlight shining down on him was exceptionally warm.
* * *
After the Hector-Valhalla incident.
Chris was still busy.
Having demonstrated outstanding administrative capabilities as well, he had become an indispensable talent in every field.
That day was no different.
As he was processing paperwork after finishing his morning training, he received an unexpected visitor.
"Your Imperial Majesty!"
"You seem quite busy."
"Not at all. Please, come in."
It was Roman Dmitry.
This was a first.
While Chris would visit Roman whenever there was important business, Roman Dmitry had never taken the initiative to visit him first. It was entirely unexpected. Offering him the seat of honor, Chris looked at him with a puzzled gaze, but Roman Dmitry simply carried on with casual conversation.
Then, suddenly...
...he brought up something strange.
"Chris. The incident with Valhalla and Hector was resolved smoothly thanks to your swift actions. But hypothetically... if I did not exist in this country, do you think you could have prevented their conflict?"
"...What do you mean by that?"
"It is just a hypothetical. I want to hear your thoughts."
It was an abrupt question.
After pondering for a long moment, Chris looked at Roman Dmitry and spoke.
"The reason this world is at peace is because Your Imperial Majesty exists. If you were not here, things would certainly not have been resolved so easily. But that is all. Under your leadership, Dmitry has established a rock-solid foundation. Even without your direct presence, Hector and Valhalla would not dare disobey Dmitry's commands."
"Yes, just as you say."
It was a common misconception.
The misconception that Roman Dmitry was all there was to Dmitry.
The truth was different.
This nation had grown alongside Roman Dmitry, acquiring a power far greater than what the rest of the world realized.
Roman Dmitry spoke.
"This nation is strong. Even without me, it possesses enough national power to rule the entire continent. Chris, you are someone qualified to lead the new era. When we first met, you had lost your way due to an incorrect direction, but your talent was superior to anyone else's. That is why, among all those who received my teachings, you were the only one who had to grow strong through your own strength. You had the ability to do so. You possessed a brilliant talent that allowed you to grow even under such conditions."
Chris's eyes trembled.
A surge of emotion welled up inside him.
It was the first time he had ever heard such words of absolute recognition from Roman Dmitry.
"You may take pride in yourself. As the stage of the Ranking Match proved, you are undeniably the next after me."
"...!"
His eyes widened.
The conversation ended there.
After Roman Dmitry left, Chris stood in place with a blank expression.
A smile kept slipping onto his face, making him wonder if he had always been such a silly person.
‘This was what I truly wanted.’
Only now did he realize it.
He hadn't simply wanted to surpass Roman Dmitry.
Ever since their first meeting, Chris's world had changed drastically.
From the day he faced that insurmountable existence, he had harbored an intense desire to be recognized by Roman Dmitry.
The dream of surpassing him.
Even though he knew it was impossible, the reason he kept challenging him was because he wished for Roman Dmitry to one day acknowledge his growth. That was why he constantly proved himself. Even while pointing his sword and being utterly crushed, he strove and strove again just to hear that single word of recognition.
He couldn't stop smiling.
Looking at the spot where Roman Dmitry had stood, it seemed he wouldn't be able to get any more work done today.
* * *
Thud.
"Huff, puff."
Sprawled on the floor, Kevin breathed heavily.
Ever since meeting Roman Dmitry, he had immersed himself in training like a madman.
Even though the world was at peace, he worked relentlessly to remain someone useful to Roman Dmitry.
It was then.
"You are as diligent as ever."
"...My Lord?!"
He sprang to his feet.
It was Roman Dmitry.
Though he stumbled slightly from rising so quickly, he immediately composed his posture and looked at his liege.
At that sight, Roman Dmitry spoke.
"Kevin. You are already strong enough. Why do you push yourself so hard?"
It was a familiar question.
Several months ago, Kevin had asked the exact same thing.
He had expressed that he could not understand Roman Dmitry's lifestyle, continuing to strive even after defeating the Demon King.
He hesitated for a moment.
Organizing his thoughts, Kevin spoke in an unwavering voice.
"I have had many thoughts since our conversation, My Lord. Even you, whom I dare not even hope to reach, constantly pursue self-improvement. So why was I settling for complacency? The reason was a lack of purpose. A purpose to become strong. I do not want to grow strong only when an enemy exists. From now on, I wish to become an existence capable of resolving any problem that may arise. My Lord, my family, and everyone in Dmitry—no one will ever be able to touch them. I will make sure of it."
It was an intense, burning desire.
Kevin had reclaimed his true self.
If any trouble were to arise in Dmitry, the enemies would have to face the Evil Ghost of Dmitry first.
Roman smiled.
Among those who followed Roman Dmitry, Kevin was not the strongest.
He lost to Chris every time in the Ranking Matches, and with figures like Edwin Hector growing stronger by the day, there was no guarantee that Kevin would always emerge victorious. But putting those facts aside, if asked whom he trusted the most, Roman Dmitry could answer without a single moment of hesitation.
"Kevin. You are the one I trust the most. Because you are here, I do not worry much about the empty space I will leave behind."
The boy he had first met had now grown so much.
Looking at the intense gaze directed at him, Roman Dmitry felt the passage of time.
"In human life, one never knows what will happen and when. If a problem arises that the people of Dmitry cannot handle, I want you to resolve it. What I am about to tell you now is the reward for the burden you must carry in the future."
He was certain.
With Chris and Kevin, Dmitry would endure forever.
"The Heavenly Demon Sword Technique. I will teach you its completed form."
* * *
It was a sunny afternoon.
Roman Dmitry strolled through the city.
Past and present.
Dmitry had undergone many changes.
If sturdy buildings had once adorned the city as a town of blacksmiths, it had now transformed into a splendid metropolis fitting the stature of an empire. No one recognized Roman Dmitry, who had pulled his robe low over his face. People chatted boisterously, enjoying the present moment with faces immersed in daily life.
'When I first walked these streets, I needed to understand this world.'
Roman Dmitry.
It had been an unfamiliar name.
To adapt to this newly changed world, he had gone out into the streets, and there, Roman Dmitry had met an old man in the slums.
He walked toward that place.
The shanties where feet sank into the mud and foul odors lingered no longer bore any trace of the past.
Dmitry had carried out extensive renovations to improve the lives of its people, and at the very least, no slums existed here in the capital of the Dmitry Empire. It had become a memory of the past. Looking at the traces of where the slums once stood, Roman Dmitry recalled the memories of what he had seen and heard here.
Then, by pure chance, he overheard a conversation between people who were reminiscing about the past, just like him.
"It really has changed a lot."
"This is all thanks to His Imperial Majesty, Roman Dmitry. Since he began ruling this world, not a single thing has gotten worse. The people who used to beg on the streets have all found jobs, and the economy has been revitalized as they spend the money they earn. You know, sometimes I think Emperor Roman Dmitry might be a gift from God. If the demons of the Demon Realm had attacked in a world dominated by Kronos and Valhalla, we would never have survived."
"Exactly. People reminisce about the Conquest of the Demon Realm, but none of the common folk had to bear that danger."
Roman Dmitry.
This was the reason he was revered.
He had prevented the crisis from ever feeling like a crisis to them.
Because of his choices as a leader who shouldered the danger himself, the people were deeply grateful that he was the ruler of this world.
He walked past them.
First the streets, then the slums.
From the slums to the forge.
He retraced his memories of the past.
Just as he was about to head to the restaurant he had once visited with Hans, a familiar voice caught his attention.
"Your Imperial Majesty! So this is where you were."
A man came running toward him, completely out of breath.
It was none other than Hans.
* * *
This outing had not been reported.
And even though Roman had his robe pulled low, Hans recognized him instantly.
"How did you know it was me?"
"Of course I would know! I have served Your Imperial Majesty for decades now. I can recognize you instantly just by your silhouette and stride. But why did you go out without a word? Although you are the Emperor and can decide everything for yourself, if you had at least given me a hint, I would have prepared everything so you wouldn't face any inconvenience. And..."
Hans was incredibly talkative.
Perhaps shocked that Roman Dmitry had slipped out unannounced, he chattered on and on.
It was a familiar sight.
Hans walking ahead, and Roman following behind him.
It had been the exact same back then.
When they had headed to the restaurant, Hans had chattered by his side, telling him how dangerous the situation was.
The conflict with Blood Fang.
Even though Hans knew it was dangerous, he had stayed by his side.
When Roman Dmitry left him behind, Hans had run to Knight Commander Jonathan, begging him to protect the young master.
"Hans."
"Yes, My Lord?"
"When I first began living in this world, you were by my side. You always took your duties for granted, saying it was simply your job, but during a time that could have been deeply confusing, your presence allowed me to find stability. That is why there was something I always wanted to tell you one day."
"What do you mean by..."
It was an incomprehensible statement.
'When I first began living in this world?'
Hans had looked after Roman Dmitry since childhood.
Finding the remark too strange to be a mere recollection of childhood, Hans paused and tried to turn back to look at Roman Dmitry.
It was then.
"Meeting you first in this world was a stroke of good fortune for me."
At those words, Hans's heart skipped a beat.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
Hearing himself described as a "stroke of good fortune," Hans was overcome with an indescribable wave of emotion.
It was the same for him.
People thought of Hans as a mere servant.
But Roman Dmitry had never treated him as just a servant.
He was family.
Hans had looked after Roman's life, cared for his family, and simply remained faithful to his duties as a servant, yet he had been granted a noble title. Emotions were never one-sided. Just as Roman Dmitry had once said that emotions are mutual, Hans felt deeply grateful for the affection returned to him in equal measure.
He turned his head.
He wanted to look at Roman Dmitry and convey his own sincere feelings.
But...
"...Your Imperial Majesty?"
He was gone.
Roman Dmitry, who had clearly been following right behind him just a moment ago, was nowhere to be seen.
"Your Imperial Majesty? Your Imperial Majesty!"
Hans scrambled around the area.
He called out desperately, searching for Roman Dmitry.
But no matter how much he called and searched, even as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, Roman Dmitry could not be found.
Not just on that day, but forever after.
* * *
A space of pure white.
A single human stepped into the empty void.
[Roman Dmitry. The time has come.]
For the past three years, Roman Dmitry had been granted a grace period.
Just as initially promised, the deity spoke of the reality that Roman Dmitry had to leave for the sake of this world.
"I know."
It was an unavoidable reality.
If he could have changed reality by slaying the deity, Roman Dmitry would have gladly made the deity his enemy. But he knew that was impossible. The reason Roman Dmitry could not live in this world was due to the Dimensional Laws. If he stubbornly insisted on staying, his very presence would cause rifts, and the world would eventually meet the same end as the Demon Realm.
He could not allow that.
Thus, he accepted reality.
Since he had been prepared for this from the beginning, Roman Dmitry remained calm as he faced the deity's will.
[I have a question. For the past three years, why did you do nothing?]
He knew that one day, he would have to leave.
Yet, he had done nothing out of the ordinary.
He had simply immersed himself in his daily training, preparing for any enemy that Dmitry might not be able to handle. He could have broadcasted his sacrifice to the world to receive ample compensation and praise in his remaining time, yet he had quietly kept to his place.
Why?
The deity could not understand.
Even as a god, it could not peer into the depths of this mere human's heart.
"There is no special reason. Even if I were to live for only a single day, I simply lived like a human in my position."
Roman Dmitry.
Emperor of the Dmitry Empire.
As a leader, he prepared for danger, and he did not make a fuss just because his life had an end.
It was a simple matter.
Even if there were no such ending requiring him to leave this world, Roman Dmitry would have lived his life in the exact same way. It was a choice to leave no regrets. Changing his behavior based on the impending future or abandoning his way of life was not fitting for someone who had fought to the very end.
He had simply accepted reality.
Roman Dmitry was a human whom even a god could not comprehend.
[I ask you one last thing. Have you ever regretted your life, even for a single moment?]
The answer was already decided.
People called his choice a sacrifice.
But Roman Dmitry thought differently.
From beginning to end, the life Roman Dmitry lived was entirely for himself.
"Never. Not for a single moment."
[Is that so.]
Roman Dmitry would never know.
Isabelle believed that Roman Dmitry had refrained from acting out of concern for the Dimensional Rift, but in truth, the deity had actively protected Roman Dmitry's existence. So that he could live fully. So that even though his life had a set end, not even a handful of regret would remain.
Roman Dmitry lived his daily life, and the deity accommodated him.
That was all.
It was the only way the deity could express gratitude to the being who had shouldered all the burdens of humanity.
[Roman Dmitry. Of all the humans I have met, you were the least human, yet at the same time, more human than anyone else.]
Whoosh.
Fwoooosh.
Flames erupted.
Divine power blazed furiously, collapsing the space where Roman Dmitry stood.
[I sincerely bless the new life you will face in the future.]
Flash.
Ruuuumble!
A bursting light swallowed the world whole.
This was not the end.
It was merely the beginning of a new future.
Even if he could no longer live as Roman Dmitry, he would surely live his own life, wherever he might be.
\\- End of Part 1 -