Tales of the Old World Demon Lord

Chapter 16 – Promise me

[Eternum Calendar 1971]

It was only once Morgant had returned to the orphanage that he found out what it truly meant to be terrified. Even his nigh unbreakable façade had started to lose its grip and falter from his face as a sharp and painful cold sweat ran down his back. He had to take a step back to gain some distance between himself and his foe; he had wanted to escape entirely instead but found that there was none.

Cornered by multiple foes and numerous accusing eyes locked on to him, all he could do was silently await his judgment. In a desperate plea for help he shifted his gaze towards his three childhood friends that stood a little back off in the distance but they had all immediately averted their gaze, abandoned. Or rather that’s what they had felt about him today; left behind by Morgant who wandered off somewhere on his own adventure. Suffice it to say a cold shoulder was their way of expressing their dissatisfaction and a suitable punishment.

With a defeated sigh he hesitantly gazed up towards his greatest foe yet and quickly lowered them back in apology.

“I’m very sorry! Miko! Diana!”

It was the first time either Diana or Miko had seen such a flustered Morgant, to the point that they were even wondering if this was genuine. They had to question if this was just a façade because Morgant was a child who had it so well adjusted that even they, the adults, couldn’t fathom what was going through his head. Morgant had always been a boy that went according to his own pace and usually maintained a heightened awareness of himself and his surroundings. Thus he wasn’t really the type to make careless mistakes and if he ever did do anything that could be considered a ‘mistake’ it was most likely done intentionally.

For this reason alone Miko and Diana had to make sure that Morgant really was reflecting on his actions. At the very least they wanted him to understand just how incredibly worried they had been when he disappeared. This time was no exception, they couldn’t just easily let slide the fact that he had wandered off on his own for the entire day only to return once night had long past fallen. Diana crouched down to his eye level and placed a firm grasp on his shoulder whilst lecturing him in a stern but fair voice.

“Morgant… I know that you’re a very capable boy more than anyone else, but you also have to understand how worried we all were. I get that it can be frustrating; that you must feel like you’re being trapped in this small town. However right now there is a strange and dangerous crisis going on in this town so more than ever I need you to be the one that maintains the order around here. It’s becoming very dangerous around here so you can’t be venturing off on your own like this. Please… I want you to promise me that you won’t try to disappear on your own again.”

With the level of sincerity and desperation reflected in Diana’s voice, Morgant was being driven into a mental corner. It wasn’t that he was a person incapable of lying to someone’s face straight out but at this specific moment, with every fiber of his being, he didn’t want to disappoint her. He just couldn’t do it; to the person who he could very easily consider his ‘mother’ of this world… he didn’t want to lie to her.

However this was a promise that he would never be able to keep. He currently had his own sets of plans that were equally as important to the ‘family’ he had here. He felt the erratic beating of his own heart escalating, tightening up and choking him from within as beads of sweat poured from his forehead. He couldn’t lie but he also couldn’t promise her anything.

Yet after once more meeting with Diana’s sincere gaze he just couldn’t help it. Being forced to choose between his family in this orphanage… or his destiny, either choice would be cruel. Nonetheless a choice needed to be made and in this current state he was still more ‘Morgant’ than he was ‘Sovereign’. In his torn desperation he had seriously considered on turning his back on the old world to love peacefully with the people at this orphanage. It would be so easy to keep his promise with Diana and enjoy the rest of his days in a numbed splendor.

To give up everything and experience this world as the normal boy ‘Morgant’.

Diana could see it too, in his eyes as he struggled to come to a decision and how it was tearing him apart from the inside. It was cruel, she understood but this was a situation in which she was not allowed to back down. She loved him too much, she loved every child in this orphanage too much to let them wander around in such a dangerous period. Often times love is an ultimatum; a yes or no question no correct answer.

She waited with bated breaths as the situation quickly escalated despite hardly any words being exchanged between the two. Seconds turned into minutes as in the end she could slowly trace the words forming on his mouth. ‘I promise…’ yet as he tried to speak those words they were interrupted by a small series of knocks on the door.

Those three small knocks felt as though his entire mind was lifted from a terrible curse; liberating for Morgant as the entire situation had instantly been defused. Whoever it was that decided visiting an orphanage during the middle of the night was a good idea, Morgant could not be any more grateful towards them. Diana shifted her gaze to and from Morgant and the door but in the end she had to put the conversation on hold to go answer who it was.

Upon opening to greet the person both Diana and Morgant were surprised by their guest standing on the other side. Francisco Longmoore, despite having already discussed what their individual roles would be in this endeavor he came to the orphanage. ‘Did I forget to mention something?’ Morgant thought to himself but that didn’t sound likely this he simple continued to watch the situation unravel.

He bowed graciously as he picked up Diana’s hand and lightly kissed the top as if he was some sort of exotic prince. The dichotomy between his villainous aura and his gentlemanly actions were so great that they were almost perfect juxtapositions if he was supposed to be playing the role of a villain with good PR.

“Good evening Diana, it is so good to see you again after all these years. I see that time has been awfully good to you and that you haven’t changed too much since the last time I saw you.”

Francisco greeted with an ill-fitting smile and charismatic tone of voice. Seeming having his personality do an instant 180, Morgant was left speechless. Yet that surprise wasn’t only contained to himself but Diana as well was unsure on how to respond to that. Even the other children and Miko who had all heard of Francisco’s ‘reputation’ was left positively stunned.

“Francisco, is that really you?”

Managing to break free from her frozen state of mind Diana uttered in surprise as she saw an old and familiar face. Replying to her enthusiasm Francisco chuckled and nodded in confirmation.

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“That’s right. It does feel rather good to see the old orphanage again. How have you been Diana? It must have been awfully hard on you to take over the place after the passing of the old caretaker, you’re still so young after all.”

“Ah, no it’s been quite a ride but I’m alright now. Especially after having Miko help me through this I feel like I have everything under control.”

Diana replied with a pure mile that was almost wasted on someone with such a villainous reputation. It was as though their polar opposite auras, of purity and corruption, could be seen dancing around them with the naked eye. It was just a testament to how incredibly strange this scene was to the outsiders.

“Could it be that they somehow know each other?”

Alice asked as she stealthily slid into Morgant’s personal space, either having already forgiven him or that she had forgotten all about being mad at him for leaving her behind for an entire day. In any case the surprise interruption from Francisco was a god sent event that helped reset the entire awkward atmosphere in the place. ‘As expected of my adjutant’, he thought to himself, smirking in the shadows.

“Hmm, I’ve heard stories from long ago… but that is supposedly an alumnus of this orphanage during back when the old caretaker was still here.”

Miko commented from the side. Though she had known about the man named Francisco and his connection to the orphanage she couldn’t quite bring herself to fully trust him. Perhaps it was merely because of all the negative rumors being spread about him or it was just his uncanny presence but Miko had decided to maintain a certain level of caution in his account.

“I see, so that’s what it was all about huh? Still, I wonder what he’s even here for, right, Morgant?”

Noticing that the mood around Morgant had defused Ren took this chance to come over to his side. Placing a gentle pat on his shoulders Ren gave a confident smirk suggesting that ‘no hard feelings’ were between the two friends. Morgant giggled back and nodded in acknowledgement.

“So what brings you here so late at night Francisco?”

Diana asked what they had all been wondering about.

“Ah, about that I came here to tell you about that boy.”

Francisco pointed towards Morgant as he declared. With all the attention now being drawn back on him, Morgant took a deep breath to prepare himself. It was doubtful that Francisco was going to reveal anything about his capabilities, so then the only logical explanation he was going to give was about…

“Morgant? Did he do something?”

Diana asked, but Francisco shook his head.

“No, it’s just that knowing you Diana, you probably would’ve had a lot of questions and worries about him being missing for the entire day. I merely came here to shed some light on that regard; in actuality he was with me for apprenticeship purposes.”

A brief moment of silence overtook the room as they tried to fathom what it was that he had just said. ‘Apprenticeship?’ Miko and Diana thought to themselves as they turned their eye towards Morgant who smiled back at them.

“What do you…?”

Diana was about to ask for further clarification but it was unnecessary as Francisco planned on telling her a made up story.

“You see it was after the emergency conference had ended that I was heading back to the Trading Post when I met the young lad. Seeing the strong determination and craftiness of the boy I was convinced that he would make a terrific merchant. So that’s how it was, since most orphans graduate into various fields upon graduation I was discussing with him the potential for an apprenticeship under myself. I am sorry for causing you any undue stress; it is entirely the fault of my selfishness.”

Francisco answered as he bowed gracefully with a saddened expression, though of course it was all an act.

“I… I see…”

Though they weren’t entirely convinced, when it came to Morgant certainly anyone was possible, or so Miko and Diana had thought. He was much brighter than most children and also indeed possessed a level of cunning and craftiness that fit the profession of a merchant well. It was obvious to see from that perspective why Francisco would be interested in taking him on as an apprentice.

In the end, after meeting with Morgant’s innocent and wishful glance Diana had conceded. The topic on her promise to keep him from acting on his own terms would no longer be brought out as she finally understood that someone like Morgant shouldn’t be forced in. She walked over to Morgant and once more crouched down to meet him on eye level as she gently caressed the side of his face.

“I see… I got it, then I won’t make you stay in this orphanage against your will, but promise me that you will keep yourself safe.”

That was a promise that Morgant could keep as he answered with a true hearty smile.

“Of course.”

…

Sipher the ‘Grand Praetorian Knight’ and Este Fallon the ‘Runaway Princess’, it had been a while since they began their travels and during that time they had stayed at all kinds of places. From open air camps to run down inns, but by far their stay at the small town of Vertloch Snowdown was one of the better ones. They had managed to afford a medium sized room in a moderately clean inn to stay for the night that provided meals as well.

It was a little noisy but that was half the fun of adventuring as well, thought that being said their true goals weren’t to go on an adventure.

“Sipher, you think it will be alright tomorrow?”

Este asked as she lowered her hood to reveal her long and shiny black hair. Such silky thread like hair accentuated the lines of her shoulders and collar bone but most of all they made her gem-like green eyes stand out perfectly.

“Do not worry princess, no enemy shall get past me.”

Sipher answered as he also began taking off his armor pieces to rest for the night. As he did his well toned muscles became acutely visible beneath his underclothes. Several scars had been etched across his body but to a warrior those were badges of honor that told the tale of their fighting history.

“I know you’re tough and all but we’re not in the mainland anymore. This is the demon continent remember? Monsters will probably a lot stronger here so I want you to be careful okay? I still need you to fulfill your promise that you’d stay with me till the end.”

Hearing her words Sipher felt a profound sense of honor and duty. Placing his right hand over his chest and kneeling down to her he replied.

“Understood Princess. Nothing will pry me away from you, I guarantee it.”