Chapter 6 – The Oath of the Liberator

In what seems like a small wooden house, made of old aged wood bearing the marks of the ravages of time, stands in the middle of the forest — hidden away from the world. Inside this house, a cot — quite old but usable — lies, on which Leo rests. Near him, on a chair, sits an old man: bald head, weary features, skinny frame, but his face bears a strange form of serenity.

After a while, Leo slowly opens his eyes, waking up in an unfamiliar space. Confused, he slowly turns his head to see the old man.

The old man opens his mouth,

> “Who are you, boy? What is a youngling like you doing in the Forest of Nightmares?”

Hearing this, the already uneasy Leo starts to shake.

> “The Forest of Nightmares?” he asks.

The old man holds his hand, stares into his eyes, and says,

> “You are safe here.”

Hearing this — even though he didn't know the old man, even in this strange place, even after all he lost today — after everything, he feels a sense of relief. After all, no matter how strong his will was, he was but an 8-year-old child.

He cries out in the old man's arms.

The old man embraces him.

Leo speaks of all that happened — about his life, his sister, the king’s tyranny, and the terrors he unleashes on the people.

The old man speaks nothing, but his gaze reflects focus and anger.

He says:

> “I see… so the prince has lost his path.”

His next words shock Leo:

> “Leo, you should give up any thoughts of revenge.

You can’t wield magic.

You are essentially powerless. So give up.

Don’t waste the life your sister bought with her own.

Go somewhere.

Live your life in peace.”

Hearing this, Leo feels furious — not at the old man, but at himself. At his useless, weak self. Steeling himself, he asks:

> “Old man, is there no way? Can I not do anything?

Is raw power what decides the fate of the weak?

Is my path really cut here…?”

After a pause, he holds his breath and continues:

> “I refuse.

If this is this world’s logic, then I refuse the world.

If this is fate, I shall defy it.

For it’s not about me — it goes beyond myself.

I have decided, from today, I shall inherit the duty, the honor, the purpose my sister carried with her.

From today — from this moment —

I shall become not a demon of vengeance, but a demon of liberation.

I shall seek vengeance by doing right — by protecting the people of this realm from the tyrant.

From this moment forth, that is my duty.

I devote my life to it.”

The room now fills with an awkward silence.

Suddenly, the old man bursts out laughing — so loud, even the beasts in the forest begin to tremble.

After laughing, the old man speaks:

> “You… you will make the people your duty?

You will be a demon knight that protects?

You want to defy fate, deny the world?!

Hahahaha…

I see another fool…

Never in a million years did I think I would see one of your kind again!

Hahahahahaaaa…

Fine then.

If that is your conviction, then this old man too will be a fool — and help you.”

---

Hearing this, Leo is confused but reassured.

He asks,

> “What do you mean, old man?”

The old man says:

> “You know, in the long history of our kingdom — ruled by all-powerful Demon Kings — there existed one.

A king with no power to call his own.

A weakling.

A fool.

A true leader.

Curious, aren’t you?

The one I’m talking about… is the father of the now-tyrant — the great King Leonard the First.

He was also without a sword, but he made up for it with his pen.

His knowledge was so great, his brain so sharp, that he turned a kingdom — on the brink of collapse — into one that prospered.

His words made even the greatest Demon Knights follow him.

His actions made Grand Mages kneel to him.

A man made not of power…

but of pure purpose and determination.”

Leo says:

> “No… the King I knew was an all-powerful ruler, not a weakling like you said.”

> “Exactly,” the old man replies.

“That’s how the world knows him.

And that’s how the world will know you, from today.

I will help you grow wings.

I’ll let you decide how you shall do your duty.”

Leo is confused, but also never felt so clear in his purpose.

The old man continues:

> “Choose.

Will you learn under me, be my last disciple?

Or shall I help you get out of the forest, back to the kingdom?

Make your choice.”

Leo, clear on what to do, speaks with conviction.

He kneels down and says:

> “Master… accept this disciple’s respects.”

---

Now… what will happen next?

How will Leo’s life go on?

Who is this old man, really?

Stay tuned to find out.