It was a starry night.

On my way here, I killed all the people who got in my way. Every each one of them I beheaded them. Why? Its an order.

I was ordered to kill someone strong. They said that if I manage to kill the strongest man in the world they would give me my freedom. That's why I'm planning on assassinating the strongest.

On my way, I killed countless of people. Woman, children, and elderly. I beheaded them from the shadow. I stealthily made my way to my target's room.

When I opened the door someone jumped at me.

"Who are you?!" He said as I blocked his sword.

He shifted the lamp he was holding in his left hand at me.

"A kid?!"

".."

His eyes widened when he saw me. At the same time he looks at me with pity.

I was pushed back. No matter how strong I am, I am still a kid. Every time I closed at him he would shove me with his sword. Every time our sword clash he would just throw me away. He pushed me back outside the room. And once he saw all the corpses laying on the hall way he turned sharp.

"Did you do this?" He asked. His voice turned hoarse, and I can feel the anger coming out of him. I couldn't move because it was the first time I ever experienced such killing intent. It was blunt and it was all directed at me.

I didn't answer. I couldn't answer, and I can feel my body going limp.

The next thing I knew his sword was stabbed at my stomach. He grabbed and lifted my head. I saw it as a chance so I immediately stabbed the hand grabbing me, but it just did a small wound. It can't even be called a wound, It was just a prick. That was all I could manage because I can feel my strength leaving me.

But it was enough.

Even if he was the strongest man. He would still succumb to poison.

Hemlock— that was the name of the flower where the poison was made of.

That's what they told me when they told me to dip both my knives and sword in it.

After stabbing me a few more times, I can feel his grip loosening. So the poison was working.

But he suddenly threw the lamp at me and I managed to avoided, but it didn't change anything. Because the fire was crawling. I can see him kneeling down as he glared at me while foams started coming out from his mouth.

'I did it' I thought

Half of my body was burning, but I couldn't feel anything.

The fire spread to the corpses, even to his. He was still glaring at me. I doubt his still alive.

'I was about to be free. I just wanted to be human if anyone can...'

Then everything turned black

——Why do you not cry?' I heard a voice.

'Give me strength!' I shouted.

I heard a voice just now.

When I turned to look at where the voice came from I saw a beautiful girl. She stood in front of me while looking at me.

She has eyes as clear as the night sky. I couldn't raise my hands at her. Even though I killed all the people here. Even though I was at fault for them burning. I couldn't lift even a finger at her. So I just sat and hugged my knees.

She had a noble aura. She was bright, she was graceful, she was so beautiful, i thought.

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"Hmm... Well, what should I do with you?" she said while tilting her head.

"Did I kill him?" I asked.

Her expression slightly changed, but I can feel that she is really concern about me.

“Actually, before you talk about killing… I want you to smile first.”

I frowned. But i gave the best fake smile I could. I was trained to do this kind of thing when I was 7. When I give this kind of smile everyone becomes kind to me. But she was different. She looked at me with endless pity. This was the first time someone read me. It didn't feel bad.

On the contrary it felt rather good. 'She understands me' I thought.

“Watching a boy your age speaking that way with that expression on your face – I don’t like it. Although it’s true that you’ll be fighting on my behalf, but I want to be sure you know at least this much before we can work together. Oh, but don’t do it because it’s a command from me, nor because it’s your job. ——Anyway, long story short, it’s about time you learned to laugh and cry.”

I was baffled. Fight? Laugh? Cry?

'Can I do such things?'

"....Can I do...such things?" I unintentionally said what was on my mind.

Realizing this, I stopped talking. But she just continued.

“That’s okay. Just try and copy Onee-san, alright? Watch, it’s like this.”

She smiled.

My heart throbbed.

'What is this feeling' I wondered

How could such a smile exist? Even if I have to kill all the people just to see that smile again I would.

“There’s plenty of time. lets talk about work later. The fights you’re about to experience are unlike anything you’ve seen yet. First, let’s teach you how to feel; fighting can come later. Right, what’s important now is that you learn what it means to be human.”

'To be human'

Can i become human. I killed and killed. Will I even be forgiven?

“You know, you've already died once and come back, right? ——That’s why – this time – rather than fighting to kill, why not fight to protect – to save? How’s that sound to you?”

I died? I see. Can someone like me who was born to kill,,protect something? I doubt i can save anyone.

so I asked.

"Who...will I protect? Who.... will I save? Can I even do such things?"

She smiled again.

“The people in this world, and the world itself. ——You are going to become a true hero, in every meaning of the word; I’ll teach you the beauty of this world. Along the way, you’ll learn how to enjoy life for what it is, how to laugh from the bottom of your heart – all these things I will teach you.”

"Why would you do that?"

“Because you’re my Knight, and I need you. Come. Together, we’ll protect this world.”

Together? I'm needed?

She needs needs me. That's all that matters.

Suddenly my eyes felt hot, and something was flowing down my cheeks.

Her smile.

How can it be so warm.

I wished it would last forever.

But it wasn't meant to be.