The Resolve

“Um...Kushu...are you sure this is the right place?” Ryou stared at him.
“Yes. Why?” Kushu ignored his doubtful stare.
“Why, you ask? You simply dragged me across the woods that surrounded Kirihime’s mansion and brought me to this run-down house right outside the woods and said that you lived here! How come you’re so close to her mansion but I never noticed?!” Ryou demanded.
Kushu sighed. “Now I feel more like the older brother here. Just shut up and follow me, would you? You said you trust me after all. I didn’t lie when I said I lived here after running away from her laboratory. The old man who lived here took me in and taught me many things. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind teaching you one or two tricks as well. But before that...”
Kushu turned around and stared at Ryou.
“W-What?” Ryou felt intimidated, but he didn’t show it.
“Are you sure you want to do this? From what I see, the princess had already made you the antidote that could turn you back to human. If you take it, you don’t have to go and help her. Your wish has already been fulfilled anyway.” Kushu frowned.
“Yeah, but I’m her knight!!” Ryou argued. “I’ve promised that I’ll always help her when she’s in trouble!”
“Well, that’s impressive and all, but in the end, promise is just a promise, you know?” Kushu looked at him. His eyes were filled with bitterness and sadness. “My mother said she loved me and she’d never leave me alone, but in the end, she herself sold me to the princess’ lab just so she could get money. I’m not like you. I don’t believe in promise.”
Ryou was surprised to hear such honest confession from Kushu, but he kept his calm. “I don’t believe too. But I believed in Kirihime. If she promised that she’ll help me, she’d really do it. She helped me got stronger and made me the antidote. That’s why, I won’t go back on my promise.” Ryou said. “I’ve showed you my determination, so stop wasting time and help me save Kirihime.”
Instead of agreeing, Kushu’s face darkened. “Hey, Ryou. Who exactly are you saving her from?”
“Eh? The demon king, of course.” Ryou frowned. “You were there too, don’t you remember?”
“Yeah, but that demon king is the princess’ father. Let me ask you again. Who exactly are you saving her from?” Kushu stared intently at him. “Her own father? True, he simply used the princess to achieve his own goals, but that doesn’t mean he’d hurt the princess. On the contrary, he’d keep the princess safe. Besides, the princess never said she wanted to be saved. You never knew—maybe she even wanted to stay with her father.”
Ryou froze for a moment. “I...I don’t...” Ryou bit his lips.
“It’s true that I despise Mazoku. But I had to create them. It’s the only reason why I lived.”
Suddenly Kirihime’s words flashed in his mind.
“Had to...? She said that she had to create Mazoku...it means she was forced to do that against her will...after all, Kirihime always said that Mazoku is a mistake. Then, it was Maou’s will to create Mazoku, and Kirihime was simply his tool. How ironic. The person who said that I’m her tool is coincidentally another person’s tool. But that doesn’t matter.” Ryou thought to himself.
“...Kirihime was forced.” Ryou declared. “I’ve stayed by her side for a year now. I knew her better than anyone else. She always despised Mazoku, even so, she kept doing those research. It’s because she was forced. It’s not her will. Therefore, I will come and take her back, even if I have to fight the demon king. Kushu, if you won’t stop wasting my time, I’ll go to her right now.” Ryou started to turn back.
“And how are you going to go to the demon realm?”
Ryou froze when another voice appeared behind him. Ryou quickly turned around and saw a big, tall man standing in front of the door. He had brown hair with streaks of gray and a pair of sky-blue eyes. Ryou was sure that man used to be real handsome, but his face was ruined by a big, deep scar across his face.
“D-Demon...?!” Ryou instantly shifted his hands into swords when he felt that man’s bloodlust.
“Wait, Ryou!” Kushu quickly placed himself between the man and Ryou. “Don’t attack him! This is the old man that took me in! He’s a demon that rebelled against the demon king!” Kushu explained.
Suddenly that man grabbed Kushu’s arm and started twisting it. “Who did you call old man, you brat?!” He glared at Kushu.
“Ow, ow, ow, stop it, old man!!” Kushu yelled in pain but couldn’t break free. Finally that man let Kushu go.
“Hmph. Weakling. No wonder you couldn’t defeat Kirihime-sama.” That man snorted at Kushu.
“K-Kirihime?! You know Kirihime?!” Ryou unconsciously took a step forward.
“Yeah. And I’ve heard you two talked outside my house. Seriously, if you want to speak to me, then say it in front of me, not in front of my house. Come in, Satomi Ryou.” That man spun and went inside his house.
Ryou exchanged a confused glance with Kushu before followed him in.
“Um...who are you, exactly?” Ryou asked as he sat in front of the old, worn-out dining table.
He glanced around the wooden house, which looked like it had been here for centuries. He saw many spider webs on the ceiling and the dust everywhere. Despite calling it house, this place was only as big as a hut, with a small bedroom, a small kitchen, and not-so-small living room.
“Me?” That man replied while making tea. “I’m Hanzoku. The right hand for Kojou Maou, the demon king.”
“WHAT???!!!” Ryou stood up so quickly that he hit his knees on the table and he bit back the pain.
“Just joking.” Hanzoku finished and went to the table, where Ryou and Kushu sat. “I used to be his right hand, but then I rebelled and ran away from the demon realm, with this scar as the price for my freedom. Now I’m just an old deserter that lives in peace.”
“Then...can you help me save Kirihime?!” Ryou asked Hanzoku.
“I don’t mind, but...” Hanzoku narrowed his eyes. “Before that, I have to give you some warning, boy. Your opponent is the demon king. No matter how hard you trained, you cannot defeat him. Even if you train with me, it won’t guarantee your victory. Despite that, will you still oppose him?”
“Yes.” Ryou answered decisively. “I’ll save Kirihime.”