Several centuries ago...
In the Kingdom of Aznar, during the reign of the ancient King Vladimir...
Xerxes was nothing more than an ordinary citizen. He was the son of a knight who faithfully served the king.
Although noble blood flowed through his veins, Xerxes had never been blessed with any extraordinary abilities.
"Mother, hasn't Father come home yet?" the young Xerxes asked.
"He is probably still busy at the palace," his mother replied with a gentle smile.
Neither of them knew that Xerxes' father had fallen deep into gambling and was drowning in debt.
One evening, while the family was having dinner, Xerxes' father suddenly burst through the door.
His entire body trembled with fear.
"Father? Is something wrong?" Xerxes asked anxiously.
"R-Run...! Both of you, run!" his father shouted.
Xerxes and his mother exchanged confused glances.
Moments later, loud noises erupted outside the house.
Xerxes hurried to the window.
Several counts had arrived, accompanied by numerous knights.
They were the very nobles to whom his father owed an enormous debt.
"Father... why are they here?" Xerxes asked.
"Son... take your mother and escape!" his father pleaded.
Before anyone could move—
The front door exploded inward.
"There he is!" one of the counts shouted.
"RUN!" Xerxes' father roared.
Xerxes could only watch in horror as the nobles mercilessly slaughtered both of his parents.
He wanted to help...
But he was powerless.
With tears streaming down his face, he fled.
He wandered endlessly through the night.
His body was covered in blood.
His strength slowly faded with every step.
As a vampire, he desperately needed blood to recover, but there was none to be found.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him.
He collapsed in the middle of an unfamiliar road.
His vision gradually blurred.
Then...
He heard the distant sound of galloping horses.
A carriage was approaching.
.
The carriage came to a halt.
A handsome young noble stepped out.
It was Lord Kan Vasilescu.
He quietly observed the unconscious boy lying on the road.
"Bring him inside," Kan ordered.
His attendants carefully carried Xerxes into the carriage.
.
.
When Xerxes finally awoke, he found himself inside a luxurious bedroom.
His eyes wandered around the room until they settled on a large portrait of a young man hanging on the wall.
"So... you're finally awake."
A calm voice echoed from the shadows.
Xerxes turned his head.
A man slowly stepped out of the dim corner of the room.
"W-Who are you?" Xerxes asked cautiously.
"My name is Kan Vasilescu. I found you unconscious in the middle of the road," Kan replied.
The moment Xerxes remembered what had happened...
His tears began to fall.
"What happened to you?" Kan asked gently.
"They murdered my father and mother..." his trembling voice soon became filled with rage. "They're all going to pay."
Kan remained silent for a moment. "Do you truly believe revenge is the right path?"
Xerxes looked at him. "Then what else am I supposed to do? I don't have a family anymore. I have nowhere left to return to."
Kan quietly walked toward the window.
"Stay here for now. Train under me. When you've become stronger... Think carefully about whether revenge is truly the answer," after saying those words, Kan quietly left the room.
.
.
The following morning, Xerxes walked downstairs after hearing voices from the mansion's grand hall.
There, he found Kan speaking cheerfully with none other than King Vladimir himself.
The two turned as they sensed his presence.
"So... This is the boy you wish to appoint as your new knight?" Vladimir asked.
Kan nodded. "Yes. His name is Xerxes."
The king smiled warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Xerxes."
.
.
Days turned into months... And into years.
Xerxes continued living at Kan's mansion.
Every day, Kan personally trained him to become a powerful knight.
Whenever Kan accepted a mission, Xerxes accompanied him as his loyal knight, fighting by his side without hesitation.
One day...
"Your Majesty," Kan greeted.
King Vladimir faced him with an unusually solemn expression. "The gates of Hell have finally been opened..."
Kan's face grew serious. "What is your plan?"
"We will confront Leviathan," Vladimir said.
Kan bowed. "I understand. I'll gather as many soldiers as possible."
.
.
"Are you certain about this?" Xerxes asked.
"Leviathan is an incredibly dangerous opponent. The king needs me," Kan answered.
"Then I'll go with you," Xerxes said.
Kan shook his head. "No. The demons we'll face are beyond anything you've encountered. It would be safer for you to remain here."
"Tsk," Xerxes clenched his fists. "I am your knight. From the day you took me in and trained me... I swore to myself that I would serve you. I would protect you. I will never leave your side...Master."
Kan stared at him in surprise.
A smile slowly appeared on his face. "Very well. Come with me."
.
.
The battlefield was a living nightmare.
Vampires and demons clashed beneath a blood-red sky.
"Xerxes! There are too many of them! Get out of here!" Kan shouted.
"I can't leave you behind!" Xerxes yelled back.
Before Kan could respond—
A massive shadow descended before them.
Leviathan.
With terrifying speed, the Demon King seized Xerxes by the throat.
"Let him go!" Kan roared.
Leviathan laughed.
"Ahahaha... I wonder... What will a master do...when his loyal knight becomes a demon?" his sinister grin widened.
"Don't you dare touch him!" Kan shouted.
Kan immediately charged forward.
But countless demons blocked his path.
Before he could break through...
Leviathan sank his fangs into Xerxes.
"NOOOOO!!"
Kan's desperate scream echoed across the battlefield.
Xerxes cried out in unbearable agony.
His body began to mutate.
Dark fur spread across his skin.
His limbs twisted.
Within moments, he transformed into a gigantic wolf demon.
An overwhelming wave of freezing power erupted from his body, covering the battlefield in ice.
Kan stood frozen in despair.
His most loyal knight...
Had become a demon.
.
.
.....
Xerxes let out a quiet sigh as the memories faded.
"I never imagined I would one day meet Master's son," he murmured.
Mist smiled warmly.