Demon Executioner

With resigned smiles and shared glances of camaraderie, Lykon and Azrael followed Snow into the village alongside Galen and Eamon.

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"How many times do I have to tell you two? You're not children anymore! Stop playing around and start contributing to the village!"

On a dusty main path, Azrael and Lykon walked side by side with Snow, who continued her relentless scolding.

Despite her serious tone, both boys wore bitter smiles.

"Come on, Snow! We're only 15 and 16 years old, so technically.we are still kids!" Azrael replied nonchalantly.

Snow shot him a sidelong glance, her expression icy. "You've got some nerve! If it weren't for you, none of the other kids would be following you around instead of doing something useful."

She snorted in frustration. "All you do is engage in dangerous antics every day without a care for your safety. What if you get hurt? What will your grandfather say then?"

"And you, Lykon, you're older than him! Instead of guiding him, you're just as bad. Can't either of you grow up for once?" Snow turned her gaze sharply towards Lykon.

Azrael and Lykon exchanged glances before shaking their heads in unison.

"Look, Snow," Azrael said with a hint of exasperation, "it's not that we don't want to help out; it's just that no one lets us! Do you want us to follow you around picking flowers all day?"

"Yeah," Lykon chimed in from the side. "We can't just sit around doing nothing, it's boring!"

"Do you know why no one trusts you two to help out? Because you're irresponsible! If only you'd show a little maturity, maybe Uncle Galen would take you hunting or let you help on the farm," Snow replied as she stared ahead.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Azrael said dismissively while leaning back with his hands behind his head.

Snow looked at him incredulously, confusion flickering across her face.

"Alright guys, I'll see you later; I've reached my destination," Lykon announced as he veered off down a narrow path and quickly disappeared from view.

"Hmph! That guy really runs fast!" Azrael muttered as he watched Lykon vanish into the distance.

A heavy silence settled between him and Snow as they continued walking forward. Glancing at Azrael from the corner of her eye with hesitation evident in her expression, Snow finally broke the silence.

"So… did you manage to climb that cliff today?" she asked after a moment's pause.

"Nope! Failed again," Azrael admitted with a shake of his head.

"Why don't you just give up? You could seriously injure yourself; it's too dangerous!" Snow urged thoughtfully.

"No way!" he replied firmly.

"Why not?" she asked, puzzled by his stubbornness.

"I'd feel uncomfortable if I didn't conquer that cliff!" he insisted passionately.

"You and Your Never-Want-To-Lose disease!"Snow shook her head, exasperated.

"But I'm serious! You need to grow up and stop playing around all day long. You're making your grandfather worry about you," she said, her tone firm yet caring.

"Okay, okay! I hear you! Can you just stop nagging already? Geez, it's not like you're my mom or something," Azrael waved his hand dismissively, annoyance creeping into his voice.

"You, you, you! Fine! I won't bother you anymore, hmph!" Snow huffed indignantly, pointing a finger at Azrael before storming off, quickly disappearing from view.

"What's wrong with that girl? Why is she always on my case?" Azrael scratched his head in frustration as he muttered under his breath.

As he walked along the path, he glanced up at the sky; the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange hue across the horizon.

Lost in thought as he admired the vibrant colors above him, he moved forward with a blank expression on his face and his crimson red hair fluttering in the gentle breeze.

A few minutes later, he arrived in front of a simple building surrounded by a fence and featuring a large yard out front.

"Huh! Already here," he muttered to himself as he took in the familiar sight of home. There was an old man reclining in a chair outside, seemingly enjoying the last rays of sunlight.

Azrael grinned widely upon recognizing him. "Grandpa basking in the sun again!" he called out cheerfully.

The figure stirred slightly; an elderly man who looked like time had taken its toll slowly sat up straight and squinted at Azrael approaching from afar.

His wrinkled face broke into a grin that revealed almost non-existent teeth.

"Azrael! You're back! How was your day?" The old man's voice was hoarse but filled with warmth as he watched his grandson draw closer.

"I got lost again," Azrael chuckled as he settled beside him on the recliner.

"And I see you've been scolded too," the old man replied with an amused twinkle in his eye.

"Ugh! Don't remind me, she really knows how to nag," Azrael groaned while rolling his eyes.

"Well, she nags because she cares about you," the old man said gently.

"By the way, Grandpa, tomorrow is the Wind Moon Festival. You'll be attending, right?" Azrael asked suddenly.

"Of course! I never miss it; this year will be no exception. After all, I'm the village chief, I have to celebrate with everyone!" The old man's pride shone through as he spoke.

"Hmmm... Okay." Azrael glanced at him thoughtfully before nodding in agreement.

"Alright then, go take a bath; you're going to kill me with your stench!" The old man waved dismissively while feigning disgust.

"Damn you, old man!" Azrael muttered under his breath as he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

The smell was overwhelming! He quickly jumped to his feet and dashed into the house, eager for a refreshing shower.

From the corner of his eye, the old man watched Azrael's hasty retreat with a bemused expression.

Shaking his head, he let out a heavy sigh. "What a pity!" he murmured, half-amused and half-concerned.

With that, he settled back into his recliner, allowing himself to bask in the warm glow of the evening sun.