Falling From Grace III

A few minutes earlier…

The demonic human leader had a lazy expression on his face as he watched the children fight each other.

The old man beside this was clearly frustrated by his inhumane act, but he couldn't care less.

'To think that they would still need a little bit of push… how boring.' 

He muttered inside his heart.

His eyes darted around the field, he could see that although the children he was nurturing as suicide soldiers were stronger, they were still not used to the demonic power.

Of course, the fact that the children of the village were trained should not be left out.

Thinking about this, the demonic human leader glanced at the old man, making the latter shiver.

"Hmmm… Oh–"

However, someone caught the demonic human leader's eyes.

"It's that Devil's Spawn again…"

He muttered as he watched a boy with snow-white hair and blood-red eyes fighting a boy who wielded a wooden sword.

Although Regis did not really do anything deserving of his attention up till now, he still left an impression because of the color of his eyes.

However, the demonic human leader noticed something off about him.

He turned to the old man and ordered, "Send about 15 more child sacrifices towards the boy with white hair."

Startled, the old man stuttered, "O-Of course! I'll do as you say!'

'Fucking greedy demonic human… What more does he want!?' 

The old gritted his teeth as he ordered the villagers to send more child sacrifices.

The demonic human leader could sense the old man's anger but paid him no heed.

His eyes flashed with a strange light as his attention was solely focused on the boy with snow-white hair and blood-red eyes.

'Interesting… To think that the boy was able to seamlessly utilize demonic power already despite having it for no more than a day…'

***

Huff— Huff! Huff!!!

Regis's chest went up and down as he took deep, heavy breaths.

It was only at this moment that his mind started to become a little bit clearer.

He looked around tiredly.

The corpses of ten or so children were littered around him.

However, despite this, his expression remained blank.

'It… felt good…'

Regis thought, feeling the relief of letting his instincts take over him.

He could sense that the guilt he was feeling was lighter than when he committed his first murder.

'Am I slowly becoming a demonic human…?'

It should have been something he felt repulsed towards.

However, his exhausted being did not let him make sense of things.

'This may be for the better…' 

He thought as he looked at his bloodied hands.

Regis felt extremely exhausted both physically and mentally.

Thud—

It did not take long for him to be overwhelmed by exhaustion as he collapsed on the ground.

A girl from the village noticed this and prepared to thrust her wooden spear towards Regis.

However, a hand stopped him.

Frustrated, the girl looked up and saw a man with a gentle expression on his face.

However, his pitch-black eyes were still apparent.

"Child. It is not good to take advantage of someone unconscious."

It did not take long before the girl realized who it was.

"L-Leader… Please have mercy… I didn't mean to…"

Tears instantly gushed out from her eyes.

Even a little girl like her knew the consequences of offending the demonic human leader.

However, the demonic human leader ignored her and picked up the boy with snow-white hair before vanishing.

However, his voice still echoed around the area.

"Let this be a lesson for you."

Thinking that she was saved, the little girl shouted, "T-Thank you for your genero— Keuk!!!"

Before she could finish her words, she felt the fingers in her hand falling down one by one.

It was then followed by her hand, then her arm.

Her toes, feet, knees, legs….

Her body started to fall one by one.

Lastly, her head fell to the ground, her expression still that of gratitude.

The children who were fighting among each other stopped subconsciously as they observed this scene.

Their expressions all hardened, some even vomited.

The cruelty they had just seen made them disgusted.

"Continue."

However, the demonic human leader's voice sounded once again.

Even though they still felt sick, the children forced themselves to continue fighting.

After all, a single sign of disobedience may lead to them ending up with the same fate as the girl.

***

'M-Monster…'

Doron's eyes widened as he saw the talent of the little girl before him.

Upon learning that she wanted to be a swordswoman, he felt a little disappointed.

After all, as a warrior, there were limited things he could teach him.

However, all the disappointment vanished upon seeing her spar with him using a sword.

He could tell that she hadn't had any prior training.

What made him astonished was the rate at which the little girl was improving.

They had just began sparring and after just a minute or two, she was able to parry his attacks with her sword.

Although Doron was holding back, he was still impressed.

After all, he was a Master Warrior with countless years of experience, while the little girl was a newly awakened and no more than 9 years old.

"Uncle Doron, have we finished sparring?" Dahlia asked politely, cutting Doron's thoughts.

However, one could see impatience in her eyes.

"U-Uh… yes. I'm a warrior but I still have some sword aura arts with me… Give me a moment and I'll get them for you."

Doron replied as he entered the house.

Dahlia breathed a sigh, before sitting down on one of the nearby rocks.

It had only been two days since she had become separated from Regis.

She was thrilled when the good uncle who saved her even offered to train her.

However, no matter how much training she had done in these two days, she still felt that it wasn't enough.

'Just wait for me, Regis…'

She thought as she closed her eyes.

The image of the boy with snow-white hair, blood-red eyes, and his delicate features remained vivid in Dahlia's mind.