The Laughing Swordsman

Eden had an excited expression on her face. It was easy to tell she couldn't wait to share the fact an 'angel' had descended.

Bernard looked at Eden straight in the eyes with a serious expression.

"It is sacrilegious to declare that a mere human is an angel. Watch your mouth, Eden."

A distraught expression appeared on Eden's face.

"What? No, he really is an angel! His name is Apollo, a wonderful name for an angel!"

The man sighed a little helplessly.

"Eden. Jokes like this aren't funny."

Eden began to stutter.

"B-But!"

The man frowned slightly.

"I understand your situation, but you cannot proclaim your family members to be part of heaven just so you can shift your standing!"

Eden opened her mouth, but no words came out. However, despite her lack of a response, it was clear she was still resistant.

A small crowd was beginning to form.

"What is going on Bernard?"

"Eden... are you doing that again?"

Bernard waved his hand dismissively.

"It appears that Eden has fooled herself."

Eden pressed her lips together, then looked down at Apollo, who curiously stared back at her.

Bernard smiled bitterly and looked towards Apollo.

"As the younger brother, why don't you tell your older sister that you are not an angel. It appears she truly needs it."

Apollo tilted his head to the side.

"Sister? I don't have a sister."

Bernard raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing here then? Where are your parents?"

Apollo frowned.

"...They are somewhere."

Bernard looked at Eden with a bit of distress.

"Did you kidnap this child? Where did you take him from?"

Eden blinked a few times. Her voice began to shake ever so slightly.

"He came from the sky and fell into my room!"

Bernard clenched his teeth. He appeared to be getting furious.

"And who would believe that?"

Apollo scratched his cheek with the tip of his finger.

"But that's what happened."

Bernard froze for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Apollo.

"You claim that you came from the sky?"

Apollo shrugged his shoulders.

"Not claim, I did."

Bernard scoffed.

"If you came from the sky, then you must be an angel! You dare to claim that you are an angel?"

Apollo blinked innocently.

"I guess I'm an angel then?"

Suddenly, Bernard's aura changed. Although he was harsh on Eden before, it was with the intention of having the best for her. However, he didn't seem to share the same sentiment with Apollo.

Bernard let out a few fake laughs.

"It appears I have misunderstood you, Eden. This child has fooled you into believing he was an angel."

There was a certain truth in his statement, but falsehood at the same time.

The crowd gradually became bigger, as the attention of others was attracted.

"Is that a boy who claims to be an angel?"

"He tricked the poor woman!"

"How could he!"

Eden's lips parted. She intended on defending Apollo, but no words could come out. Eden was simply too scared.

The only thing she could do was pull him a little closer. However, it was unclear whether that was to protect Apollo or to comfort herself.

As for Apollo, he continued looking around obliviously as though the entire situation had nothing to do with him.

"Angels sound really cool from how you guys talk!"

Bernard disdainfully glared at Apollo.

"That is a horrendous understatement. The angels are holy beings! One of their natural abilities includes flying in the air. You say you're an angel, so that much should be possible for you, no?"

Apollo put a finger on his chin, thinking for a few moments.

"Ah, yeah. That's right! I guess I really am an angel!"

Except he wasn't actually an angel.

Eden looked down at Apollo with slightly glowing eyes, bringing him even closer. Seeing this, Bernard got angry.

"Eden! Put him down, he is clearly lying!"

Apollo pouted.

"But I'm not lying!"

The crowd got antsy as well.

"Who's child is so rampant? They need to be educated on basic parenting!"

"Of course you are lying. If you were an angel, you would just fly to prove it!"

"Just put down your pride and admit the truth!"

Amongst all the screams, Eden met eyes with Apollo. In all honesty, despite seeing him crash straight through her roof from the skies, Eden was beginning to have a few doubts about Apollo.

Though, he was most definitely not an angel.

Still wanting to keep this belief, she bit her lip and softly asked him a question.

"Can I see you fly?"

A small smile formed on Apollo's face.

"Ok!"

Bernad crossed his arms as a disdainful smirk formed on his face.

"Hah. I'd like to see your so called-"

He cut himself off. Bernard's arms slowly fell to his side. His jaw began to drop while his eyes widened.

The same thing happened for the majority of the crowd.

Apollo slowly took off to the air while a few arcs of lightning appeared, jumping across his body. He seemed a little confused, scratching the side of his head and furrowing his brows.

"Hmm... this could be done much faster."

Apollo continued to soar into the air, but seemed to have already forgotten why he did so in the first place. Instead, he did a few circles in the air, leaving a few trails of lightning in his wake.

Apollo placed a finger on his chin.

"...I can go faster."

As for everyone else, this was the first time they had ever seen someone fly in the air. Naturally, they were astonished. After a few moments of silence, someone began stammering.

"I-It's an angel! It's really an angel!"

Bernard furiously rubbed his eyes, time and time again. He truly wasn't able to believe that Apollo was flying before him. However, there was no way to deny the sight before him.

"Dear heavens..."

The crowd got loud.

"Angel! It's an angel!"

"His name was Apollo, right?"

"Apollo is an angel!"

He wasn't.