Chapter 420
Chapter 420 Winner Takes All (6)
Silence fell.
The crowd gathered below the scaffold couldn’t even breathe properly at the shocking sight.
drip drip
Blood flowed.
The blood that flowed from Ares’ corpse scattered on the floor dripped down the scaffold, drop by drop, following the burnt bloodstain.
People agreed with Roman Dmitry.
No matter what kind of credit Ares had made in the meantime, everyone knew that the act of betraying Dmitri had to be executed.
but.
Fear was different.
People were suffocating at the sight of Roman Dmitri looking down at the world with a bloodstained face.
‘I must be afraid.’
people’s emotions.
delivered intact.
Ares’ execution meant that no indulgences would be granted to anyone present.
So some hoped for a single precedent.
He wanted to be confirmed at least once that there was a way to survive even on the edge of a cliff, even if he was in Ares’ position.
It was a pure human need to survive, and it had complex emotions apart from being loyal to Roman Dmitri.
About this.
Chris had said
Everyone agrees with Roman Dmitri’s opinion, but a firm attitude that does not allow compromise drives people to the edge of a cliff.
if you made any mistake.
If there is even a little room for forgiveness, people will kneel down and ask for forgiveness, but if punishment is waiting unconditionally, there is a high probability of choosing an extreme choice.
It was a complex matter.
I can’t say for sure which one is right, but Roman Dmitry thoroughly ruled out any ambiguity.
‘There are no perfect leaders in the world. People described Murim, which I ruled as the era of peace and prosperity, but there were definitely people who suffered during that time. But I cannot say that the way I acted was either wrong or right.’
past life.
rose to the pinnacle position.
There were numerous people under Baek Jung-hyeok, and a rule that satisfied all of them was impossible from the beginning.
Therefore, a clear criterion was needed.
As Chris advised, the politics of terror that does not allow precedents will frighten some people, but at least they will not feel the irrationality of the ruling that varies from person to person.
Since it is not possible to satisfy everyone, at least a fair standard was set up for everyone.
Moorim of Baek Joong-hyeok.
It was common sense.
Because it was a world within common sense, people felt awe, not simple fear.
‘I can’t be a comfortable existence for the people.’
A leader who had close and deep ties to people did not fit the future that Roman Dmitry hoped for.
We must be uncomfortable with each other. Knowing that a relationship can fall apart at any time, you may not be complacent even in a peaceful era.
its role.
Accepted.
From the moment I made up my mind to climb to the top, I was not allowed to sleep comfortably for a moment.
Shuk.
took the sword
Roman Dmitri shouted, looking down at the people.
“Remember today. Those who violate the laws set by Dmitry will be punished accordingly, regardless of their status. Because they are poor, because they are rich. The standard of punishment will not change. Just as all war criminals were equally decapitated right here, there will be no exceptions in the world you will live in.”
People’s eyes shook.
I was afraid.
My heart was beating like crazy.
But without realizing it, they sincerely welcomed the world that Roman Dmitri spoke of.
Awe.
fear but respect
People were in awe of Roman Dmitry.
It was then.
“His Majesty King Dmitry is coming.”
For the coronation ceremony, King Dmitry appeared in front of the people.
* * *
People got out of the way.
King Dmitri, who was walking under the cover of Knight Commander Jonathan, had a completely different atmosphere from the days when he was once looked down upon as a commoner and aristocrat.
A crown worn on the head and a suit that was moderately splendid but emphasized the dignity of the king.
Its enormous body, one or two heads taller than those of ordinary people, had the power to make those who watched the king’s procession bow their heads.
walked slowly
Accepting people’s gazes naturally, King Dmitri looked at Roman Dmitri.
‘Son.’
above the scaffold.
Roman Dmitry was stained with blood.
The well-equipped clothes were stained with blood during the execution, and the cold and resolute expression of the days when he was a kid was nowhere to be found.
just a few years ago. He is the son of Dmitri who was called a jerk and was a sore finger.
I sincerely hoped that he would grow up well, but I did not want him to rise to the position of emperor and be reborn as a being feared by everyone.
Moderately.
Neither insufficient nor excessive.
I wanted Roman Dmitri to live his life at just that level of being recognized by others.
The reality was different.
Dmitri’s idiot had changed, and his talents were too much to be satisfied with on the outskirts.
Like a tidal wave crashing in. In a rapidly changing environment, Roman Dmitry showed a dazzling performance and developed rapidly.
From the hero of the southern front to the ruler of the northeast, he subdued the rebellion in Cairo and rose to the real world, and he was not enough as a kingdom, but he had the emperor of the empire right in front of him.
It was complicated.
It was certainly something to be pleased with, but King Dmitri had doubts about whether it was the right thing to do for his son’s happiness.
repeated struggle.
A face stained with blood.
and people’s fears.
To live as a human being, Roman Dmitri was increasingly isolated.
a few days ago.
King Dmitry summoned his son.
If you want to put down the burden on your back even now, withdraw the declaration of the empire and say that you should enjoy the wealth and glory as the successor of the kingdom of Dmitri.
It was King Dmitri’s sincerity.
He wanted his son to succeed, but ironically, he did not want to live a lonely life carrying the entire Salamander continent.
at that time.
Roman Dmitry said:
“father. I am not aware that the path I am choosing now is a thorny path. However, the most important value I think is not to be infringed upon by anyone in the future life. I have to deal with it to make that dream come true. Even if some fear me and others frame me, I must not hesitate to stain my hands with blood. This is the life I want. May this Roman Dmitry, my father’s son, rise to the throne and rule the world.”
that day.
King Dmitry accepted his son’s choice.
It was also the father’s responsibility to support his son if he wanted to live a peaceful life.
And because Roman Dmitri’s will is clear. I was convinced that I could take a step back and look ahead.
got up on the scaffold.
There, where all the bodies were removed, King Dmitry took out a handkerchief and wiped his son’s bloody face.
“Son. A lot will change in the future. Even if the whole world changes, the fact that I am your father does not change. If you need help at any time, give up your position as emperor and come to me.”
laughed
King Dmitri turned around and raised his voice to the people who looked up to him.
“From now on, I will declare the birth of the Dmitry Empire and at the same time hold a coronation ceremony for a new emperor!”
* * *
It was a grand ceremony.
A priest from Luna Kingdom opened the door by reading a prayer blessing the birth of the empire, and as the ceremony proceeded one after another, envoys from different countries delivered congratulatory messages.
It was a pleasant place.
Roman Dmitri looked at it from the highest seat and recalled a moment from the past.
‘I finally achieved what I wished for.’
It was like a previous life.
The boy who wanted to rise from the bottom of his life to the peak walked the thorny path and became a being called the heavenly demon.
At the time, he thought his life had finally settled down.
However, his thoughts changed as he looked at the faces of the people who congratulated him and experienced the vacancy of familiar faces and a lonely life afterwards.
that the dream has come true.
It wasn’t just something to be happy about.
Afterwards, Baek Joong-hyeok felt that he was not happy because of the sense of loss and helplessness.
‘Knowing that fact, I achieved the same dream. If anyone asks me if I regret my life as Roman Dmitry, I would say no. Because I can survive only through struggle. Even if the end is empty, I cannot allow myself to compromise properly.’
same life.
same purpose.
But then it felt different.
In Roman Dmitri’s gaze, a different landscape from his previous life was clearly unfolding.
Knight Commander Jonathan.
Hans.
chris.
Kevin.
many others.
The self in the previous life lost many people he met at the beginning of his dream, and felt a tremendous sense of loss when he announced that he had become the Heavenly Demon.
Roman Dmitry did not repeat the same mistake.
It is not that Dmitri did not sacrifice himself in the process of ascending to the throne of the empire, but he did not stand by and watch that his people did not die in vain.
built a fence
He gave them knowledge that they might defend themselves.
He drew a line and punished his people so that he could not touch them, making Dmitry an impregnable fortress.
Although the purpose is the same.
Many things were different.
I lived a life of struggle with my own choices, and I did not repeat the mistakes I regretted in my previous life.
So, I really enjoyed this place.
There was an expectation that he could live a new life as Roman Dmitri from now on, unlike his previous life, when he reached the peak and felt futile.
Dmitry’s empire.
Emperor Dmitry.
It was a new name.
Amidst the cheers of the people, King Dmitry finally decorated the finale of the ceremony.
“Heir to Dmitry. Come forward and wear the crown.”
got up from the seat
I walked forward and stood facing King Dmitry.
Silence fell.
While everyone watched with bated breath, King Dmitri placed the crown on Roman Dmitri’s head with a dignified face.
That moment.
“With this, I declare that my son, Roman Dmitri, has become Emperor of the Dmitri Empire!”
“Waaaaaaa!”
“Roman! Roman! Roman!”
“Roman! Roman! Roman!”
Dmitry Square.
The place was filled with enthusiastic cheers.
* * *
The order is all over.
Roman Dmitry, who ascended the throne, appeared in front of people wearing a crown and spoke.
“In the meantime, the continent has suffered from all sorts of dangers. Alexander, the emperor of the Cronus Empire, was the cause of all the trouble, and he made a dangerous plan to conquer the continent. I want to reveal that fact to you here. There will be no hiding the problems that the entire continent will face in the new world in which you will live.”
People got upset.
Alexander.
It was a being that threw people into confusion.
But they didn’t yet know exactly what danger Alexander’s presence meant.
that fact.
did not hide
The world that Roman Dmitry talks about will close people’s eyes and ears and will not force information.
“Alexander has opened a passage with the demon world. That plan has already been largely worked out, and one day it will strike the world as a tangible danger. I am not saying that you should prepare for a war against the Demon World. You are nervous and aware of the danger, but trust me, Roman Dmitri. As the Emperor of the Dmitri Empire, I will prepare for a war against the Demon World. I will do everything I can to block all dangers so that Alexander’s plans do not affect the world in the slightest.”
It was a huge presence.
Demon World is shocking even with just the word, but people unwittingly showed their faith in Roman Dmitri.
said the emperor.
Recognize the risks, but believe in yourself.
There was a belief that Roman Dmitri, who was born as an heir to the frontier and ascended to the position of emperor, would somehow solve even the existence of the demon world, which could only be found in history books.
It was another look of awe.
People were afraid of Roman Dmitri, so they were sure that he would not fall.
Blindly believed.
A being who will rule this world with their emperor.
People expressed their strong belief in following Roman Dmitri with bright shining eyes.
looking at them like that
Roman Dmitry finished off the ceremony.
“From now on, put off your worries and concerns. I will not allow a single exception for sinners, but I will reward those who have made a contribution to this country enough to consider their sacrifices excessive. Those who are being called from now on, please come forward.