INTERLUDE 1: WHY I ACCEPTED IT
Flashback:
Seriously !? What's up with this kid!? Suddenly asking me to train him, did he get hit in the head or something?
Now looking at him carefully, other than that he resembles a rabbit, he looks young, and that body of his, it's too skinny, it's not fit for fighting, more like for farming. If he had that weak body of his, why did he try to fight off those monsters? He would have died, if I hadn't arrived in time, he would have been torn limb for limb.
"And why would I train you, Kiddo?" I don't know why I said that, but I'm a little curious as to why he wants me to train him. Nonetheless, whatever his reply is, I'll decline the offer, I have seen too much death and sorrow for being a mercenary. The countless dangers in every waking moment of a mercenary's life is far too cruel for this kid, he still has a bright future…unlike…me…
The boy looked at me as he said his answer. "I want to be a hero."
Childish, that's what I could only think of. Seriously? Isn't that too childish for his age? If I ever found out who put those ideas in this kid's head, I would use the hilt of my sword and shove it to where the sun doesn't shine! Now, the hardest part of this conversation.
I was about to say it, but the boy had more to say.
"I want to save others, protect them. I don't want to see the sadness on their faces, I want them to smile, continue on living, and laugh freely." He uttered both full of determination in his voice.
With those words, I could not help but reminisce about the past, long before I came to this land…. before I became a mercenary. I remembered someone important to me saying something similar.
"Pakiusap, ayaw kong makitang naghihirap ang mga tao, gusto kong makita ang kanilang mga ngiti at mamuhay nang malaya. Pakiusap, Pa , turuan mo akong lumaban. (Please, I don't want to see people suffer, I want to see their smiles and live their life freely. Please, Dad, teach me how to fight.)"
At that time, I had declined to train him, thinking that it was too dangerous for him. I wanted to see him live his life peacefully, however, to my ignorance…. I lost him.
Looking at it, he would have been the same age as this boy. Haaaaaaa~, I don't know if this is a second chance for me or something, I won't let the past repeat again. Geez, this is going to be hard.
"Anything else?"
I would instantly regret saying that. After hearing what the boy said, I could not help but laugh my guts out and be surprised. How could an innocent-looking boy like him, have the "kind" of agenda?
Well, the night is still young, let's just enjoy tonight's feast, and worry about how I could train him tomorrow. As I looked at the smiling young boy, I could not stop but let out a smile, this kid…I could tell that no matter the outcome of every situation, he would always show a smile at the end.
My smile quickly vanished as I silently vowed, I would not let something bad happen to this boy, no matter what… Not again.