{One month before the incident}
Creak—
Feline opened the door to her house after meeting Lukas in the forest.
"Mom, I'm home—" No one answered. "Mom—?"
Panic rose inside her as she searched every corner of the house. The back door was slightly open. Slowly, she walked toward it.
"Mom!"
Her mother lay stiff on the ground.
Her breathing was still steady, but her body was rigid—like a stroke in the real world, yet slightly different. Without wasting time, Feline rushed her mother to a mage's clinic
.
"After examining her, it seems your mother is afflicted with a rather unique illness."
"Then… can she be cured?"
"For that—" Although the mages of the kingdom of HaulGray were famous for their extraordinary abilities, they were also greedy for money. "You must pay first."
"H-how much?"
"Well… since it's quite a rare illness… two thousand gold."
"T-two thousand gold…?"
The mage nodded. Feline fell silent, thinking about how she could possibly obtain that much money.
The next day, she began taking on numerous quests for her mother's sake.
One week later, she had earned around six hundred gold as a silver-ranked adventurer. Despite overwhelming exhaustion, she remained optimistic and continued taking quests.
The following week, she earned four hundred gold. She took fewer quests—her body was completely drained. She could barely continue, especially as her mother's condition worsened.
The next day, even though she felt unwell, Feline went out to take another quest. On her way, she accidentally noticed a notice board in the middle of the city.
[Anyone who encounters a person with red eyes must immediately report them or bring their head to the church. Reward: five thousand gold. (Signed: King of HaulGray)]
Seeing that, Feline felt a spark of hope.
She remembered Lukas—one of his eyes was red.
Her thoughts became chaotic. Her mother could be saved… but she couldn't bring herself to do that to Lukas.
For weeks, she wrestled with the decision. She couldn't sleep, her feelings torn back and forth. Eventually, she made up her mind to do it for her mother—even though her heart trembled with fear and guilt.
{Back to the present}
Scratch—
Lukas dodged, but caught off guard, the dagger grazed his beside his left eye. His eye patch fell off, blood slowly trickled down.
"What are you doing?!"
Feline remained silent after attacking him. She stared at him with empty eyes, tears streaming down her face.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I won't let you—" Lukas drew his sword. "Argh—" Before he could swing it, a sharp pain shot through his head.
He clutched his head, and Feline instantly attacked again while he was distracted.
Boom—
Feline was thrown back. A tremendous force suddenly erupted from Lukas. A dark, terrifying aura surrounded him as he stood with his hand extended forward.
Zap—
Feline was pulled toward him. His hand wrapped around her neck, cutting off her breath.
She tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her body trembled at the sight of Lukas's expression—his eyes wide, glowing bright red.
His grip tightened. Feline's body went limp. Blood slowly trickled from her left eye.
Just as her breathing reached its final moment, a black-robed figure appeared and struck the back of Lukas's neck. He collapsed.
"Cough… cough…"
Freed from his chokehold, Feline fell weakly to the ground. Slowly, she looked ahead—but Lukas and the robed figure were gone, as if they had vanished into thin air.
Not long after, the mages arrived.
"Where is the demon?"
They looked around, sensing lingering dark
energy in the air.
"Hey, there's someone lying over there."
They approached Feline.
"Hey, wake up! Tell us where the demon is!"
One of them lifted her with magic. Still weak, Feline only shook her head.
"Don't stay silent. Tell us where it is."
"It seems she's trying to hide the demon," said the old mage beside them.
"Then take her. Interrogate her."
Feline was brought to the mages' hall in the village. During the interrogation, she told them everything she knew. She cried in fear, worried about her mother.
"It seems she's telling the truth. Perhaps we should release her."
A young mage standing beside the old one spoke. He appeared dignified and obedient.
"What are you saying, Heza? Have you been enchanted by that demon to feel sympathy so easily?" The old mage patted Heza's back.
"Then, Grandmaster… should I use mind-reading magic on this girl?"
"Heza… why are you so foolish? That would only make you feel sympathy and fall for the demons' tricks."
The old man slowly approached Feline. He smiled and gently stroked her head. Feline stayed silent, terrified.
Ahhh—
Her hair was suddenly yanked. She cried out as the old mage's expression changed.
"WHERE IS THE DEMON?! SPEAK!"
Heza could only turn his face away. The old mage's face loomed menacingly over her.
"I-I don't know…"
She cried, trying to pry his hand away.
Bang—
He threw her to the ground by her hair.
"Execute her—"
Feline froze in shock.
"Oh yes, I heard the woman you call your mother is on the verge of death," the old mage smiled. "I hope she gets to see you executed tomorrow."
Feline screamed hysterically as the old man walked out. Heza escorted her to a room and locked her inside.
(All of this happened since I met that person. Those eyes… those demon eyes ruined my life.)
Her gaze turned empty. She curled up in the corner, motionless.
The next day, villagers and adventurers gathered in front of the mages hall. Feline was led to the execution platform. The execution device bore countless old bloodstains; its blade was large and sharp.
"Whooo!"
"Demon worshipper!"
"Demon worshippers deserve to die!"
The crowd jeered as Feline walked with her head lowered beside a guard.
Her eyes were hollow. She didn't even have the chance to say anything to her mother before her head was placed in the execution device.
"With iron and law, we judge.
With blood, we cleanse.
Those who stray shall return to darkness."
The pastor's prayer echoed, and fear of death consumed her. She thought of her helpless mother. What would happen if she left her alone?
The guard drew his sword, preparing to cut the rope. Feline trembled.
"LUKAAAS!"
Her scream startled the crowd, but the guard swung his blade.
Swoosh—Thud.
The noise of the crowd fell silent.
Slowly, Lukas opened his eyes. A black-robed figure stood nearby, speaking to someone.
"Understood—" the figure turned. "You're awake."
The voice sounded familiar. Lukas tried to see the face clearly.
His eyes widened.
It was Celdric, the guild master.
"Why… why are you here?" Lukas sat up, realizing his eye covering had been removed. He reached for his sword. "What do you want from me—?" His teeth clenched.
"WHAT—IS IT BECAUSE OF THIS EYE?!"
Celdric stared at him calmly and stepped closer.
"Calm down. I only want to confirm something." He placed a hand on Lukas's shoulder.
Lukas's eyes widened as he slashed at him.
Slash—
Celdric stopped the blade with his right hand. Lukas's arm trembled as he pressed forward, but Celdric was far stronger. Blood dripped from Celdric's hand as Lukas's strength gradually faded.
"Kill me… just kill me. I have nothing left. Everyone tries to kill me because of this eye…" Lukas lowered his head. His voice was quiet, tears falling slowly.
"Calm yourself. I didn't bring you here to kill you." Lukas slowly lifted his head. Celdric's expression was serious. "I only want to ask you something—what are your parents' names?"
Lukas lowered his head again.
"Parents? I never knew what that was. Because of this eye… the only one who accepted me was my grandfather."
"Then what is your grandfather's name?"
"Why do you want to know my grandfather's name?" Lukas's eyes widened.
"Because before the current king of HaulGray took the throne, the previous king made a contract with a demon."
"W-what do you mean?" Lukas slowly lowered his sword. "So you're saying…"
"Yes. King Luceran DeGray made a contract with a demon."
"Grandfather… so he's the cause of all this."
Lukas released his sword and fell to his knees.
"ARGHHH!"
He grabbed his hair and bowed to the ground, tears streaming down his face.
"Why… why…" His heart was filled with disappointment and sorrow.
"Your grandfather did not make the contract for power," Celdric said quietly. "He made it to prevent the kingdom's collapse."
Lukas remained silent for several seconds before lifting himself from the ground.
"What do you mean?" Tears were still visible, but his expression shifted to curiosity.
"I cannot tell you the details. I was only a commander when your grandfather was king," Celdric sighed. "But the current King of HaulGray—your grandfather's younger brother—knows the truth."
"But if you attempt to meet the king, you will likely be killed."
"Their relationship was not… harmonious."
"So what should I do?" Lukas looked into Celdric's eyes.
"You must become a knight of the kingdom."
-CONTINUE-