Martha had a confused expression at the strange question of the dark being that stood over her. She was ready for the most excruciating forms of death and partially was relieved to be freed from her torment.

And yet, here comes the creature asking for her personal affairs.

“Single?”

“Yes.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you taken?”

“Taken?”

“You know… Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No… I’m not sure why this is important.”

Kyros was silent. He was cursing as to the current events of this life.

“Why is this important?” Calaminus finally asked.

“When I reincarnated into this body, I wanted not only to protect my family but also make their life better. This is why I didn’t only challenge Fate and Destiny to defy their will and keep my family alive, but I also wanted to make my father king. This girl, Martha Bowheart, was the one girl who came very close in making my uncle fall in love.”

“I saw your memories. Your father kept talking about the one woman who died during the war that broke your uncle’s heart. She was a skilled genius of the Bowheart Clan, but due to her lineage being an illegitimate child and how the legal wives of the Bowheart were spurring the heart not only of her father but of the entire clan to throw her an outcast led to her eventual death.” Calaminus recalled.

“Yes. So it sort of weird for Fate to throw her in my direction. I was keeping quiet the entire battle, but I’ve always had the urge to kill her.”

“Honestly… I had that weird feeling too. Like she had to die.”

“Fate Challenger was the one thing that kept me from killing her. The desire conflicted with each other, that it made me curious. It’s a good thing that my cautiousness got the better of me. If at that last barrage I aimed for her critical parts, then she would have died. It’s quite scary.”

“Scary indeed. What if Fate is leading you to a point where you have to kill Mechiel?”

“That’s a scary thought indeed. In any case… I have to convince Martha to join us.”

“This should be interesting to watch.” Calaminus laughed.

“Martha Bowheart. One of your men earlier claimed that you were supposed to die. And frankly, those men who followed you seemed rather disloyal to someone who is a noble. Are you from a Baron family or a Viscount family?”

“A Viscount family…”

“Which kingdom?”

“Addorant Kingdom.”

“The Addorant Kingdom? Wait a minute… That doesn’t make sense. The Addorant Kingdom is a kingdom that has secretly supported the Dark Shine Kingdom’s horde…” Kyros frowned.

In Kyros’s previous life, the survivors of the Bowheart Clan were with him in his final stand of humans that grouped together in the Midlands Omega Kingdom.

“Wow. Your family is quite complicated. I guess there is no perfect family. They mistreat you like you are some animal, but they have a surprisingly loyal and upright sense of justice!”

“?!” Martha was surprised at the strange creature’s accurate description.

“Am I right in saying that?”

“Yes… Who are you, and how do you know my Bowheart Clan?”

“Alright. Let’s start everything from the very beginning. Hi, I’m Kyros. And I’m not a bad guy.”

“How do you explain your very malicious and dark form.”

“Right. See! It’s not my true form!” Kyros undid the darkness.

The appearance of a ten-year-old boy stunned Martha.

“You! You’re human!”

“Yes. So, yeah. I’m not a bad guy. I just have a bad guy costume.”

“Your golems are… killing the knights that have managed to survive your poison arrow.”

Kyros turned around, and sure enough, the golems were stomping the heads of the knights.

“Drats.” Kyros scratched his head. He forgot to stop the orders.

“You’re definitely a bad guy. You massacred the outpost with astonishing speed, used dark and poison to kill my men, and assail me. You also have golems stomping the heads of my soldiers.”

“Those are all circumstantial things that simply portray a small picture of who I am!”

“You have a sword that can drink blood and heal your body like a monster.”

“So I have a few cool tricks! That doesn’t make me a bad guy. The important is that beyond my erm… apparent circumstantial actions and appearance, is a boy who desires the greatest good in this world. I am, in fact, a servant to the most benevolent Ancient Gods that side on truth and justice!”

“Lord Kyros! We have completed the massacres you ordered us to do. We are pleased to report that we killed all of the mercenary group and slain at least five more knights. Here are our spoils. All in all, we captured nine men which we can turn into ghouls. The Poison Golem Mardock carried three men. Many will know that the darkness of Cracky Batcheeks will spread in this region!” Avary reported with great passion.

“Lord Kyros! We also have killed and massacred many and drank the blood of many! We have burned houses and slain, carving the name of Cracky Batcheeks on their bodies. We managed to bring ten men here, which we can bite and turn into mindless ghouls that will do your dark bidding! May the world tremble at the rise of the mighty Prince of Darkness who commands the darkness with ease! The blood of the innocent shall be offered to you, oh dark one! We will now go and capture beautiful virgins for your consumption.” Hunter liked Avary’s report and decided to follow through and added a few jokes for fun.

The Shadow Ghouls of Kyros also appeared nearby and hissed as it ran towards the sword and miraculously disappeared.

“…”

“… You were saying?” Martha asked.

“Maybe I should just kill you…” Kyros sighed in exasperation. 

“Yes. That is also my preferred option as I am a virgin and don’t want to be consumed by you, oh dark one.” Martha scoffed.

“Who is this, Lord Kyros?” Scarlet asked.

“This is Martha of the Bowheart Clan. Has any of you have dealings with that clan?”

“I have, my lord. The Bowheart Clan is one of our trading partners. They usually avail of our family’s business.” Gregory spoke.

“You! I know you! Gregory Porter! Son of the Baron and transporter mogul Zach Porter!”

“Was the son. My family and the village were attacked by vampires a few days ago. Since most of our knights are away, the vampires killed everyone, including my father.”

“Vampire? You mean…” Martha turned to Kyros.

“Er… No. Not Lord Kyros.”

“Gregory, please introduce us. There is a great misunderstanding between the two of us. I don’t want to kill her and want her to join us.”

“Join you?!” Martha screeched.

Gregory looked around and scratched his head. He could guess what was going on and knew that trying to convince Martha would be difficult.

“Erm… Lady Martha. I seem to recall that you have visited our village on several occasions. Forgive me for not greeting you all those times. I didn’t know you are a direct descendant of the Bowheart Clan. I thought you were one of the escorts. In any case, this is Lord Kyros Steele. He is the son of Baron Branze Steele, who have rendered great service to the kingdom he served.”

“Son of Branze Steele? Branze Steele the Sword-Wise? As you can see, this CREATURE killed an entire outpost full of archers, knights, and mages. He then continued to massacre my men, and when some of them were immobilized, he sent his golems to stomp their heads. And you claim that this man, or whatever he is, is the son of Branze Steele who is benevolent, righteous, and who upholds justice and defends the dignity of Barons? This dark one is his son?!” Martha questioned.

Gregory turned to Kyros, not knowing what to say.

“I am adopted.” Kyros explained.

“Kill me now…” Martha begged Gregory.

“They say action speaks louder than words… Heal her. There should be some herbs and healing equipment in the room. Gregory, keep her company and explain what you have seen so far.” Kyros sighed.

“Yes, my lord.” Gregory bowed.

“If you wish to prove to me that you are not the evil being that you claim to be… then there is a way to convince me.” Martha suddenly spoke.

“Oh? What is it?”

“Save Myas.”

“Save your ass?” Kyros frowned.

“Erm… Lord Kyros. She means Myas. I know her. She accompanied her on several trips on our village and is in charge of transporting goods within the Bowheart Clan. I have talked with her on several occasions.”

“Oh! It’s a person. Alright. Where is she?”

“She was captured in an Orc raid. She is now a slave in the orc mines on the other side of this mountain range.”

“Hmm… We don’t have time for now. But we will be attacking orc forts soon. You have my word that we will save her. She’s not in some immediate threat, is she?” Kyros asked.

“No.” Martha shook her head. Her eyes turned hopeful.

“How is she related to you?”

“My half-sister. I vowed to save her. The Bowheart Clan couldn’t afford to attack their fort. You said you planned to attack them?”

“Soon. I have my reasons, but I need to kill a lot of Orcs.” Kyros recalled the temple missions.

“Then as long as you promise to save her, and spare her, vowing not to heart those close to her, excluding me, then I will give myself to be a wife to Branze Steele.”

“Actually, it’s Aron Steele that I’m hooking you up with.”

“Aron the Half-Paladin?!”

“It’s Force Paladin. But yeah. In any case, I still want you to see me in a good light. So get healed and talk with Gregory to understand the situation that my family is in. Gregory, I’m counting on you to make her see past all the apparent darkness I’ve shown her.”

“My lord, some of these knights we captured are close to dying. We should turn them into ghouls now. Are we the ones to bite them, or will you do it? Will you let them drink your blood, or should we let them drink our blood?” Hems asked.

Martha’s hopeful eyes turned to darkness as she heard Hems’ report.

“See, Gregory? Good luck.” Kyros sighed.