The Accidental Rise of a Retired Hero

Kaito's heart was still pounding from his encounter with the mysterious woman when a soft voice broke through his thoughts.

"Who... are you?" The voice trembled, barely reaching him, as if it were fighting to be heard.

Kaito turned sharply, his gaze landing on a small figure crouched by the altar. A girl—no older than a child—was huddled, her tattered cloak nearly swallowing her frame. What caught Kaito's attention the most was her ears: small, sharp, and distinctly pointed. The girl was demon, but unlike any he had encountered before. Her black eyes shimmered in the dim light of the forest, brimming with confusion and fear.

"Are you alright?" Kaito asked, cautious but gentle. He took a step toward her, though his instincts told him to stay back. But the way she was shivering, the fear in her eyes—it called to him. She was alone in the woods, and something about her made him feel responsible for her safety.

"I... I don't remember anything," she whispered, her small form trembling slightly as she tried to lift her gaze to meet his. "I don't even know who I am."

Kaito frowned. A demon girl, without any memory? He knelt down slowly, careful not to startle her further. The woman's cryptic words echoed in his mind, urging him to care for her, to protect her. He didn't fully understand why—how could he?—but something deep inside told him that this girl's fate was tied to his in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.

"You don't have to be afraid," Kaito said softly, offering his hand. "I'll take you back to the village. You'll be safe there."

As he extended his hand toward her, the mysterious woman reappeared, her presence now even more imposing than before. Her ancient aura pulsed in the air like a storm waiting to break.

"You must take her with you, Kaito Amagiri," the woman said, her voice as ethereal as before, yet filled with authority. "She is bound to you by the magic of the forest. Her memories have been erased, but her fate is intertwined with yours."

Kaito's mind raced. Bound to him? What did that mean? He had no idea, but the words of the woman left little room for doubt. The girl needed him.

"Bound to me?" Kaito asked, glancing between the woman and the demon girl. "What does that mean?"

The woman's expression softened. "It means you are the only one who can guide her now. The forest's power is wrapped around her. You are the key to restoring her, to unlocking her past."

Kaito swallowed hard. A responsibility like this was nothing he'd ever imagined. But there was no turning away now. With a deep breath, he helped the girl to her feet.

"I'll take care of you," Kaito said quietly, though uncertainty lingered in his voice. "Come with me."

The girl clung to his cloak, her trembling hand gripping it tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice faint but sincere.

Kaito nodded and began to walk back the way he came, the girl by his side. As they left the altar behind, he could feel the weight of the mysterious woman's gaze on him, her power still lingering in the air. He had no idea what awaited him, but he knew this was the right thing to do. For now, there was nothing else to focus on except getting the girl back to the village.

Back at the Village:

Althea and Arielle had both been searching for Kaito after his sudden disappearance into the forest. Their rivalry was as strong as ever, but the sense of unease between them had grown, especially since Kaito hadn't returned when they expected him to.

When they finally spotted Kaito returning through the trees, neither of them expected what came next. Kaito was not alone.

"Who... is that?" Althea asked, her voice filled with surprise and suspicion as she eyed the small demon girl. The girl's small frame barely peeked out from behind Kaito's tall form, and her pointed ears and wide, dark eyes only confirmed what Kaito had already feared—this was a demon.

"I found her in the forest," Kaito said, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "She has no memory of who she is or where she's from. I'm going to take care of her until we can figure it out."

Althea's eyes narrowed, though she didn't voice her objections immediately. Her training and instincts told her to be cautious. But the sight of the girl—lost, afraid, and vulnerable—softened the harsh edge of her suspicion.

"Demon or not, she's just a child," Kaito added, glancing over at Althea and Arielle. "I couldn't just leave her there."

Arielle's sharp fox ears twitched, and her tail flicked in annoyance. She wasn't exactly thrilled by the presence of yet another unexpected guest in the village, especially a demon, but she couldn't help but feel a strange tug at her heart for the girl.

"Fine," Althea said, crossing her arms. "But if she proves to be a threat, we deal with her."

Kaito nodded. "Understood."

Arielle leaned forward, her sharp eyes studying the girl. "She's cute," she remarked with a playful smirk. "I see what you mean, Kaito. You just attract trouble, don't you?"

Kaito rolled his eyes. "It's not like I asked for this."

The girl, still gripping Kaito's cloak, shyly peeked around him. "Are they... going to be okay with me?" Her voice was soft, full of fear.

"They'll be fine," Kaito assured her with a smile, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his words. "They're not going to hurt you."