Fourteen years had passed, and Azazel had grown into a robust young man, hailing from a humble family.
Despite their modest means, Azazel’s parents, Helck and Vania, had instilled in him the values of resilience and determination.
Their residence, situated deep within the forest, was far removed from the village, a consequence of Helck’s inability to afford a dwelling within the village confines.
Helck, Azazel’s father, was a skilled hunter, renowned for his exceptional prowess in combat.
His reputation as a legendary warrior was forged during his participation in the 7th World War against the invaders.
Furthermore, Helck’s exceptional talent in magic had earned him a distinguished position within the academy. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he was falsely accused of stealing the Sacred Heaven’s Bracelet, an artifact revered by the villagers as a symbol of divine blessing.
Vania, Azazel’s mother, was a woman shrouded in mystery. Helck had discovered her in the forest, enveloped in a white cloth, and had subsequently taken her in.
As Helck approached the village, seeking refuge, he stumbled upon Vania, who was wrapped in a white cloth, resembling a storage pouch.
Upon closer inspection, Helck discovered that Vania was alive, and he promptly took her to the village, seeking assistance.
As Helck approached the village entrance, he was abruptly halted by a guard, who demanded to know his identity.
Helck revealed his past as a member of the elite Eagle Team, Level 7, and explained his circumstances, including the false accusation that had led to his exile.
The guard, donning the attire of an assassin, descended from his perch, and, with a mixture of curiosity and caution, offered Helck shelter within the village.
Helck gently laid her on the bed, applying a compress to her forehead. He lit a fire in the room to warm her body.
Helck, filled with anxiety, gazed at the woman before him, feeling a deep sense of sorrow.
The beautiful woman with black hair and an ideal physique lay motionless. Helck, exhausted, eventually fell asleep on the sofa, using a cloth as a blanket. He slept, waiting for the woman to awaken from her slumber.
As morning dawned, the woman stirred, realizing she had been given a sedative by her brother. Disoriented, she looked around, unsure of her surroundings.
Helck awoke to find the woman he had rescued now awake. She was startled by Helck’s rugged and muscular appearance, his blue eyes, white hair, and the crescent moon tattoo on his chest.
“Who are you? Why is there a stranger in front of me?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Oh… I’m Helck. I found you in the middle of the forest,” he replied calmly.
“Why didn’t you kill me? Did you… did you take advantage of my unconscious body?” she accused, her voice laced with suspicion.
“What do you mean? I’m a good person who saved you. Why are you accusing me?” Helck asked, taken aback by her allegations.
The village guards arrived, bearing food and a message for Helck.
The message was delivered in the form of a scroll, sealed with the royal crest. Helck read the contents, his expression growing increasingly irate. Finally, he hastily exited the dwelling.
“Come on, let’s go!” he urged.
“Where are we going?” the woman asked, confusion etched on her face.
“Just follow me,” Helck replied.
The woman hesitated, muttering under her breath, “Wait a minute… You’re just a muscle-brained oaf.”
Helck and the woman arrived at the village leader’s residence. Having read the message from the village leader, Helck had made up his mind. However, the outcome was unexpected.
Upon arriving at the village leader’s chambers, Helck demanded, “What do you mean? Are you talking about a budget or an assassination?”
The village leader replied, “I don’t have the authority to make such decisions. This is a direct order from the city center, requesting that you remain in the vicinity of the village, near the city, but with a 50% increase in taxes.”
The standard tax rate in the village was 20%. The village leader’s words were laced with malice, as if they were trying to kill Helck without physically harming him.
