9 Promise

Hearing the merchant's comment, John didn't look surprised at all. From the start there were several reasons that he gave so many clues about his identity. Firstly,he wanted to test if his intuition was correct. The old man gave him a feelingsimilar to his father like he had immeasurable power hidden.But more importantly...

" Say old man, what is the price of this bow?"

"5 silver coins young master" the mercant replied while looking at John with amusement.

If someone were to consider that 15 silver coins are enough for a family of four to live confortably for a whole year, then the price can be considered for a commoner extravagant and ridiculous, but to John's eyes the bow deserved this much.

" Then about this sword?"

" 7 silver coins young master"

John was now sure. He didn't know what this old man was doing in a small town like this, but he knew the reason he set a stall. Obviously it was not to sell weapons that only the Lord of this territory had the financial ability to buy.

"This is my last question old man. For this black dagger over there, what do you want for exchange?"Upon hearing these words a wide smile formed on the merchant's face.

******

Meanwhile, in the harbor of St. Nicolas, two figures were sitting side by side on some rocks on the coast while gazing at the boats in the sea. The one of them was a young man around 14 years old with long silver hair and two big green eyes. His robust body combined with the greatsword on his backwere creating an image of a heroic being.

The other was a young girl around 15 years old with orange hair arranged in pigtails and two blue eyes filled with energy. With a slim body but ample bosom, her figure was without a doubt alluring. Her face had a hint of childness and naivety from her youth.

" The last time I saw the sea was when my parents were still alive. I was only four but I still remember my mother's warm gaze as she was holding me in her hands" Vladimir said without an expression but his eyes revealed for a moment a trace of sadness.

" I am sorry Vladimir, I didn't want to make you feel sad when I brought you here or anything like that" said the pigtailed girl hurriedly. She truly felt bad from the bottom of her heart. Seeing her teary expression, Vladimir revealed a warm smile

" Don't worry Helena. It's been nine years since then. And I had also beside me my foster father and later, my brother" Vladimir said gently as he tried to appease the young girl. Seeing her starting to calm down he turned his gaze again at the sea.

" Both my parents were killed by demons while they were trying to protect me. Before her last breath my mother had given me a divination". Vladimir suddenly said. His face turned frosty as he stood up. His right hand moved to his back and held the greatsword. Then with his full power he stuck it deeply inside the ground. Layers of frost started to appear on the ground around the greatesword. Vladimir turned back to Helena again but this time his appearance had changed completely. His eyes had become transparent like they were made of water. He started to walk towards her.

Helena could only stay motionless as Vladimir started to kneel in front of her and hold her hands. In his trasparent eyes, she could see her figure,her soul, every secret she had hidden in her lifebe reflected. The youth slowly opened his mouth.

" May the goddess Maria be my witness...I swear in the heavens that I Vladimir Erickson, son of Leonheart, will fulfill the destiny that my mother prophesied with the cost of her life and become the hero that will slay the Demon Lord and bring peace in our continent. I will stop this devastating war that brought so many calamities in our world. If I fail to keep my oath, may my soul burns forever in the flames of Hell and never have the hope to reincarnate" the young man slowly repeated the childish oath heswore in front of his parents bodies after he had seen them die in front of his eyes.

When his foster father found him, he has sleeping beside them, with a body covered with blood. It wasn't his, neither his family's, but from his opponents who he destroyed with his bare hands. That day he decided to change his name to Vladimir. The man that was told in the fairy tales that he lived only for blood. As for what he was named before he didn't remember anymore.

" Helena, according to the prophecy the hero is always accompanied from companions bonded by the fate" the silver haired youth said. His eyes started to regain their green color and his expression to return to its natural kindness.

"I felt our connection the moment I saw you". He said as he stared at the orange haired girl.

" I won't ask you to come with me, but the moment you'll feel like finding me, I'll wait for you in the Imperial Academy ".