Prologue

It was evil.

That’s the only thing that I can use to describe such existence standing in front of me.

Scaly bleeding arms, bat-like wings with large bleeding veins, horns on the head, legs the same as a horse’s, and the body is mostly covered in bloodied bony armor-like skin.

However, this evil incarnate wasn’t an actual evil being. After all, it wields a holy sword to eradicate Demons.

Not only that, this creature was someone I know, and he is protecting me.

***

“From today onwards, you’ll be called ‘Axel’.”

As I look at the woman in front of me, she gives me a name that I never had before.

“Axel…” I repeated.

“Yes. Your new name will be Axel. I don’t want you to live the rest of your life as a Number.” She said with a motherly tone.

As she looks at me from the opposite side of the table, she puts an envelope with a wax seal on the table and slides it to me.

“Since I am your guardian, I want you to live a normal life like a normal boy would.” Before continuing, she lets out a dry laugh-like sigh to the side. “Although I said ‘normal’, I can only send you to a military school.”

I pick up the letter and turned it. On the other side, it reads as “Clantara Holy Knights Institute.”

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“Can you read it?” she asked.

“Yes. I was taught how to read and write after I was saved by the Holy Knight Order.” I said with outmost respect.

When I gave her that reply, she makes a gentle smile while resting her chin on her hand. “I see. That’s good.” She said while giving me a warm smile.

I have a few questions, but I am in no position to ask her. After all, she is one of the people that saved me from being a slave to the demons. Making her displeased of my words is the last thing I want to do.

“Just like I said earlier, I want you to be a normal boy. You can ask me questions.” She reprimanded me lightly for being quiet.

Since she has given me permission, I ask her first the most important questions I need to be answered, “Why did you adopt me?”

After asking her that, her eyes widened for a second, then closed while she makes a light chuckle. I may be wrong, but I feel like she expected me to ask this.

“Other than being unable to bear a child, the boy I found in that battlefield looked like the child I want to raise.” She said honestly.

I don’t know her fully yet, but I feel that there’s no lie on her words.

“I don’t care what you are in the past or now, but I do care about your future.” She added. “A soul that tasted the fury of war will be drawn back to it no matter what. So I will raise you to make you strong.”

While saying those, she pulls something from underneath the table. Looking at the item she placed on the table, it seems to be a bracer.

“Since you will be going to a Holy Knight Institute, I’m expecting you to become a Holy Knight.” She said with a stern expression.

I know and understand that she wants me to grow as someone who can be independent as a Holy Knight, but “I’m branded as a Demon.”

“I know.” She answered immediately.

“I’m a Demon. I exist to kill people. I understand what you want me to become, but my existence is solely to kill. I am evil. I cannot be a Holy Knight.”

I didn’t want to be someone who disappoints her in the future. So even if I hate making a decision against her will, I will go against her at least only now.

“You’re wrong.” She said.

Before saying anything, she stands up and walks around the table then stood behind me. When I turned towards her, she puts her palm on my chest while making a sad expression.

“Your Demonic powers as a Branded do not make you a demon, nor does it make you evil.” She then looks at me in the eyes with resolve. “You may have killed some people, but you saved mine. To repay you, I will raise you to someone who would protect, not kill.”

I wanted to say something, but her words weighed heavily on my chest and I couldn’t speak.

“I don’t want that boy I saw on a hill of corpses to forget his past, but instead, overcome it. You are not death incarnate. You’re just a young man. Don’t forget that.”

As she pulls my head down to her bountiful and soft chest and pressed me against it, she caresses my hair lightly while whispering, “Don’t worry, I will take care of you.”

-will be continued-