I couldn't believe it.
Tessia was here.
After years of vanishing following my death as the Demon King, she appeared out of nowhere—like a shadow that had never truly left.
And now, she was taking me away from that village.
"My apologies, Lady," she whispered to my mother as we fled. "This place is no longer safe."
My mother looked confused, frightened, and angry all at once. Yet she followed without protest—perhaps guided by instinct that told her this woman wasn't an enemy.
The old mage came along too, walking with calm yet determined steps.
That night, we stopped in a small forest outside the village. A low campfire flickered. I lay in my mother's arms, still wrapped in a blanket, while she struggled to recover from the shock.
Tessia sat near the fire, sharp eyes scanning the surroundings constantly.
I stared at her.
She met my gaze.
And in silence, we understood each other.
> *"Why did you come?"*
> *"Because I knew you were still alive."*
"Your Majesty," she whispered softly, just enough for only me to hear. "Do you truly intend to walk away from this path?"
I stayed silent.
Then slowly, I shook my head.
No. I wouldn't return to being the Demon King. But I also knew one undeniable truth: this world would never let me live in peace if I didn't protect myself.
So I would protect.
In my own way.
A baby's way.
Suddenly, the sound of a snapped branch echoed through the woods.
Tessia was on her feet in an instant. Her blade flew from its sheath in a fraction of a second.
Figures emerged from the shadows of the trees.
Four of them.
Black clothing. Cold eyes. Killer aura.
> The Hero's Order—but not the usual kind.
This was an execution unit—an elite squad sent to eliminate major threats without warning.
"Hand over the child," one of them said. "Or we will take him by force."
Tessia didn't answer. She simply stepped forward, blade raised.
The old mage readied herself too, a faint glow of magic gathering in her palm.
My mother held me tightly. Her hands trembled.
> This was no place for weakness.
I knew that. And even though my body was weak now, my mind hadn't changed.
So I got to work.
**Step One: Create a distraction.**
I cried—loudly.
Screamed, really.
It was enough to make one of them hesitate.
**Step Two: Use human instincts.**
I stretched my tiny hand toward the campfire, as if reaching for its light.
As if that was a signal…
The fire suddenly flared.
Not big. Just enough to make them step back slightly.
> That was a small spark of magic from my little fingers.
The old mage noticed. Her eyes widened.
> *"He… still has power?"*
**Step Three: Let their instincts do the rest.**
Tessia needed no command. She struck instantly.
In the blink of an eye, two of the four were already gravely wounded.
The old mage cast an air-binding spell.
And finally, my mother screamed—alerting the villagers who had been quietly following us from a distance.
The battle ended quickly.
The enemies were defeated. One captured.
And here we were.
An unlikely little team, formed by fate.
Tessia, the elite assassin.
The old mage, my former ally.
And my mother—who somehow remained strong despite knowing nothing.
> And me.
A baby who once ruled as the Demon King.
And perhaps, starting today…
> We would protect the future—together.