The Demon King's Paladin

Chapter 72. Targeted

                                                                  John Ericsson's Point of View

Once the blood stopped rushing to my head, I had a strange sense of calm enter my mind. This is different compared to that time with Vendal and those nameless guards. Maybe it was because my main concern was Sarah and Cynthia's safety at the time? Maybe it was because I passed out after healing them once we warped, thanks to Paula? I felt accomplished when I woke up. Now I just feel like it was too easy. I thought this would be more of a fight, I guess? Regardless, Luke is lying in a pool of blood passed out. His breathing is growing weaker. I guess a cut from shoulder to hip will do that. I suppose I should heal hi-

" What the hell!"

I dashed back from a bolt of fire magic aimed at my torso. The bolt struck a tree and ripped through it before hitting a second tree and starting a small fire. The bolt of fire came for me as I lifted my hand to heal Luke. Turning to the direction it came from I call out to the culprit.

" Come out, unless you want me to finish what I was about to do!"

I decided to imply I'd kill the Hero to see if the person cares about the Hero or was just waiting for a moment to attack me. Seemed it worked as a figure began to emerge from the depths of the forest. A middle-aged man walked into the clearing where we were. His hair was beginning to gray. The mana and bloodlust he was giving off reminded me of Warrick or Crest. I guess this guy is able to use both magic and martial arts to fight. I kept my guard up and began to speak.

" What do you want?

The man looked at me with a relaxed smile and began to respond.

" Simple, I want you dead and the Hero to return triumphant."

" Well, hard to do that considering the state of him."

I looked at Luke currently in a bigger pool of blood than the last time I looked.

" How about we compromise? I'll let you take the Hero to keep him alive. In return, don't set foot near Diablos again."

The man walked to Luke and began to cast healing magic on him. The pained look on Luke's face began to dissipate somewhat and the pool of blood stopped expanding. The man looked at me and began to speak, still with an air of danger to him.

" Why are you so concerned for the land of the demons? Your mana tells me you're human, so why?"

" I owe you no answers old man."

The man gave Luke a once over and began to rise to his feet and faced me again.

" A shame, I hoped to gain your name and reasons before killing you!"

" Partner! Get out of the way! That man is dangerous!"

The man drew his sword and delivered a slash to me. He moved so fast I could barely follow him, if not for Scarlet's warning he may have hit me. I thanked Scarlet in my mind and took a fighting stance.

" I believe the deal was. You take your Hero, and never come back! Not attack me!"

The man laughs at me as he readies another stroke of his sword.

" I never agreed to your deal! You just assumed I did. Besides, you wouldn't be able to stop me anyways purple knight!"

The man disappeared in front of my eyes! What is this? Magic? His natural speed? A twig snapped to my left!

/CLANG!/

" How lucky! That twig was my bad fortune!"

" You're pretty fast for a retiree old man!"