He walked through the darkness, his firm steps echoing along the deserted road of a border village. Ruby-red eyes stared ahead sharply, fearless. The night wind blew softly, brushing against his golden, gleaming hair beneath the moonlight. To ordinary people, that handsome figure would look like a captivating angel. But not to the group of black-robed figures that blocked his path. The man's thin lips curled into a cruel smirk.
"So…"
He stopped right in front of the black-robed figures, who were already signaling an attack.
"Where is your leader?" His masculine voice flowed smoothly, like a Hymnos Mortis, a dirge of death echoing in the air.
Silence. No answer.
The sound of swords being drawn shattered the stillness. No words, no response from the group in black robes. Yet one thing was certain. This was a declaration of war against the golden-haired man. His blood-red eyes flared as he grinned.
"Looks like settling things with words isn't your style."
He chuckled. In a flash, his hand snatched his sword, his movements far beyond ordinary speed. He charged forward, slashing and severing heads one by one, dancing amid splashes of blood. Graceful, yet deadly.
The clash of steel rang out, breaking the silence. Blood sprayed, soaking the barren ground beneath their feet. In an instant, the surroundings turned into a battlefield. No black-robed figures remained. Only piles of lifeless corpses. No handsome man stood there anymore. Only an angel of death.
"I wouldn't have killed you if you would have just opened your mouth."
He shook his head dramatically, paying no mind to the blood coating his hair and face. The white cloak he wore had turned crimson. Raising his hand, he formed a glowing red magic circle.
"Ou Yuusha, Head of the Execution Division. I have executed them all."
Ou Yuusha frowned after hearing the response to his report.
"Oh, come on. I only beheaded them. Was that wrong?" he replied jokingly.
Unfortunately, whoever he was speaking to through telepathic magic scolded him relentlessly.
"All right, all right. I don't want another lecture. Besides, I'm the Head of the Division. That means I'm in control. Well, even if you are above everyone else, Brother. Fine, that's all. I'll be back soon." He said with a disappointed expression. Turning away, he muttered irritably.
"Tsk. Big brother is always nagging whenever I execute criminals. If not beheading them, then what? Let them go? Ridiculous."
In truth, Ou carried out his duties purely for fun. Of course, his brother knew this. That was precisely why his brother personally supervised him whenever Ou worked. The younger brother did not even bother to follow royal regulations.
Ou's principles were simple.
All criminals should be beheaded.
Anyone he dislikes should be beheaded.
Anyone who inconveniences him should be beheaded.
To him, swinging a sword to separate a head from a body was effortless, regardless of who the person was or what their status might be.
His hobby was breaking rules and receiving punishment from his brother. Yet Ou never learned his lesson. To him, rules existed to be broken. A ridiculous motto.
Even his brother, the king himself, could not stop Ou's madness.
***
Unexpectedly his steps led him to a deserted place. A village that looked lifeless and shrouded in mist. Ou paid no attention to the strangeness. Whether it was a demon village or a devil's nest, if Ou walked through it everything would surely retreat.
However, just as he was about to turn at a crossroads.
Bang!
His body collided with someone. Ou looked down, wondering what kind of lunatic would dare crash into him. What he found was only a fragile girl with silver hair wearing a white dress that reached her knees. When Ou's ruby eyes met the silver eyes filled with tears, he froze instantly.
"Please, I beg you, I—"
Stab!
An arrow pierced through the girl's back. Ou widened his eyes as the girl spat out a thick dark liquid. Two eyes of different colors remained locked on each other, but only for a moment before the girl collapsed in a pool of blood.
Ou's heart raced as he watched the small body fall at his feet. His breathing quickened, reminding him of something he never wanted to remember again. His jaw tightened with rage. Five black-robed men blocked his path from the front. From behind, four others tried to surround him.
"Hand over the doll. If not, we will kill you!"
"Kill me?" With piercing eyes, Ou hissed.
"You should know this." Ou stepped forward. "Even when the three divisions are combined, they cannot kill me easily!"
In a flash, Ou was already standing before two of the black-robed men. His hands pierced through their chests. With a single pull, he tore out both of their hearts.
"Next?" Ou challenged as he crushed the two hearts that were still faintly beating in his hands until they lost all shape.
The three men in front of him who had been frozen in fear began to attack at once. Swiftly, Ou drew a knife and stabbed their throats one by one while evading their strikes. Once again his body was drenched in blood looking even more horrific. The remaining four men froze when Ou turned his gaze on them. They turned and tried to flee. Their legs gave out instantly when they saw a huge black lion blocking their escape.
"Your turn, Catya. Eat as much as you like." Ou smiled gently at Catya.
What followed were only screams and the sound of bones breaking. Ou paid little attention to Catya enjoying her meal. He walked toward the girl and gazed at her with sorrow.
"Why am I witnessing the same scene as back then?" Ou let out a long breath.
Slowly he pulled the arrow still embedded in the girl's chest. He turned the small body now held in his arms. His eyes widened when he saw something astonishing. The open wound on her chest slowly closed. Then he saw something that shocked him even more. An eight-pointed star within a circle that he knew all too well was engraved on her chest.
"Could it be that she—"
Ou held the small body carefully in his arms. Her heart was still beating. He examined the girl from head to toe. What kind of being was she really?
***
The silver eyes slowly opened. She blinked, revealing long lashes. As she looked around, everything was tinted red.
"You are awake?" A voice she had never heard before spoke to her.
The girl sat up. Turning her head, she saw a familiar figure staring at her with arms crossed over his chest. Her gaze shifted to herself. The wound on her chest was gone. Her brows furrowed in confusion.
"Are you the one who saved me?" the girl asked awkwardly.
The man remained silent, but his eyes stared intently. Ou Yuusha was still lost in thought. Asking her identity was the only way to understand what had truly happened.
"Who are you? Your name? Your origin? What were you doing in that village?" Ou questioned sharply. What he received was not answers but a confused gaze.
"My name … I… I don't remember. I don't remember anything."
Ou frowned in confusion. He sighed when he found no trace of deception in her eyes. Most likely the girl had lost her memories.
"Interesting." Ou murmured.
Of course there was a hidden meaning behind that murmur. He stepped closer to the girl and slowly extended his hand.
"Come with me. You are alone here, are you not?"
The girl blinked, trying to understand his words. She had no home and no one she knew. He was the only person familiar to her, and she felt indebted to him. She looked once more into the ruby eyes waiting for her answer. Slowly her small fingers accepted Ou's outstretched hand.
A beautiful girl with no purpose in life and not a single relative. Even more, she possessed the appearance of a heavenly immortal goddess. How fortunate Ou was to obtain such a rare new toy. Of course he would make full use of this precious opportunity.
"Ishara Ningyou. That is your name from now on."
And you are mine. Mine alone. And you shall obey only me. In his heart, Ou persisted in claiming her. His lips formed a satisfied grin.
Ningyou nodded slowly. There was not even a hint of suspicion toward Ou. The girl did not know that the angel she trusted was far more terrifying than the black-robed figures who had chased her.
"I owe you my life. That is why I will do anything to repay your kindness, sir." Ningyou said sincerely.
It made Ou's heart laugh at her innocence and sincerity. Now only a miracle could save Ningyou from Ou's grasp.
***