"Bring forth the deserter for his execution."

The Saint’s voice echoed across the entire square.

Behind the main platform stood a wooden structure resembling a prison cell. Two guards pushed open the massive doors.

The hinges creaked.

And a chained figure slowly walked out.

Nox’s eyes widened.

"No way..."

Audrey froze as well.

"That looks like the blind old man."

Misty frowned.

"What are you talking about? You know the deserter too?"

Nox stared at the old man.

The grey beard.

The worn clothes.

The relaxed posture.

It was exactly the same man he had shared a drink with in the mountains.

"He helped us survive that night."

Misty raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

Nox smiled.

"You could say he’s a friend."

Then he looked back at the platform.

’So it was true. Everything he told us was true. He really was a hero... the Thunder Knight.’

The old man slowly walked to the centre of the platform.

He seemed to be looking around, even though he couldn’t actually see.

As if he were searching for something.

Or someone.

And then it happened.

Despite being completely blind.

He turned his head directly toward where Nox was standing.

Their gazes met.

And the old man smiled.

As if he had known from the very beginning that Nox was there.

Audrey clenched her fists.

"We can’t just stand here. We have to help him."

Misty looked at Nox.

"Do you want us to do something?"

Nox watched the platform.

The Saint.

Leo.

The guards.

The crowd.

"No."

Audrey sharply turned toward him.

"What?"

"Don’t do anything."

"Nox..."

The demon’s expression turned serious.

"I said don’t do anything."

The huntress clenched her jaw.

But ultimately stayed silent.

◇◆◇

The crowd began to react.

The insults came almost immediately.

"Traitor!"

"Scum!"

"Deserter!"

Someone threw a rotten apple.

Someone else threw trash.

Then pieces of food followed.

Even human waste.

A rain of garbage fell toward the platform.

But before any of it could reach the old man...

Leo raised a hand.

A massive black shield with silver accents appeared in front of him.

Every projectile slammed into it.

The Saint struck the ground with his golden staff.

"Silence!"

The crowd obeyed instantly.

"I know all of you wish to witness this execution."

A smile spread across his face.

"And I completely understand why you’re enjoying it."

Several people laughed.

"But let us at least behave like civilised citizens."

The laughter grew louder.

The throwing stopped.

Leo dismissed the shield.

Then he extended a hand.

Black particles began swirling around his arm.

A sword slowly materialised.

Black as coal, covered in glowing cracks. Red fire burned within them.

The Saint raised his arm.

"The time has come."

The old man simply sighed before kneeling down.

No resistance.

No fear.

Not a single word.

He adjusted his collar, leaving his neck completely exposed.

Leo looked at him in confusion.

"Why are you smiling so much?"

The old man let out a laugh.

"Shut up and do your job, Church lapdog."

Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Stubborn old man."

Then he raised his sword.

"The time has come for you to repent for betraying the Church."

The Saint began the countdown.

"FIVE!"

The crowd answered.

"FIVE!"

"FOUR!"

"FOUR!"

"THREE!"

"THREE!"

Audrey gritted her teeth.

Misty watched Nox.

And Nox simply smiled.

"TWO!"

"TWO!"

"ONE!"

"ONE!"

"ZERO!"

Leo brought down the sword.

And at that exact moment...

A metallic sound echoed across the entire square.

The blade stopped mere centimetres from the old man’s neck.

Black chains had appeared out of nowhere.

Wrapping around the sword and locking it in place.

The old man burst out laughing.

"I knew the lad would make a move sooner or later."

The crowd froze.

Everyone looked up.

On top of a nearby building stood a figure watching the scene.

Black mask, horns, and a long black coat.

The infamous Demon of the Mountains.

Nox.

The demon let out a laugh.

"Let the old man go."

The entire square fell silent.

"A hero shouldn’t be bullying a blind old man."

The Saint went pale.

Leo smiled.

"So it’s you."

He tried to pull his sword free.

But the chains didn’t move.

Not even an inch.

"What the hell...?"

He pulled harder.

Nothing.

Nox grinned from the rooftop.

The new chains glowed faintly around his hand.

’These things are amazing.’

Leo clicked his tongue.

Then his sword exploded.

Turning into ashes.

The chains were suddenly holding nothing but dust.

A moment later, the sword reappeared in the hero’s hand.

Completely intact.

Flames once again flowed through its glowing cracks.

Nox looked genuinely surprised.

"That was interesting."

Without wasting a second, the chains shot forward again.

This time toward the old man.

They wrapped around his body.

And pulled.

"Time to move, old man!"

The old man was launched toward the building.

Leo reacted instantly.

Propelling himself forward with an explosion of fire.

Ready to cut Nox’s head off.

But before he could reach him...

A black arrow appeared in front of him.

Leo twisted his sword and cut it in half.

The explosion of dark energy lit up the sky.

"Over here."

Audrey’s voice echoed from another rooftop.

Leo turned his head.

And a second arrow was already flying toward him.

Meanwhile...

Nox threw the old man off the rooftop.

Straight into open air.

"There goes the crazy old man!"

The old man fell.

And just before he hit the ground...

A powerful gust of wind caught him.

Misty appeared below with a grin.

"Got you."

The old man landed gently, as if he were floating.

Leo dropped back onto the platform, staring at everyone involved.

"Where the hell did these people come from?"

His smile slowly widened.

"And why are they helping the old man?"

The answer came from above.

The Saint struck the ground with his staff.

"That doesn’t matter."

His expression was cold and authoritative.

"Fire Lion Knight."

Leo turned his head.

"Take care of them."

The hero smiled as flames once again spread across his sword.

The crowd was already fleeing.

Screaming.

Pushing each other.

Running away from the square.

The execution grounds had become a battlefield.

And Leo looked happier than ever.

"Gladly."

Nox adjusted the Marauder’s Mask.

The chains coiled around his arms.

Audrey drew back her bowstring.

Misty spun in place as wind began gathering around her legs.

And the old man burst out laughing.

"Lad."

"What?"

"You’ve gotten yourself into quite a mess."

Nox watched the hero advance.

And smiled.

"That’s becoming a habit."