The Moonlight Swordsman

The atmosphere in the hall was tense, as Harry, Nathan, and Alisme grew uneasy and fidgety in their seats. Meanwhile, Alisha and Hazel were engaged in a heated argument, adding to the already fraught situation.

"I am telling you; we should set an example to control the crowd for now and wait for Miss Leah to come," Alisha said.

"No! You can't do that; that would only make them more aggressive." Hazel said. "Say something, Seraphine."

Suddenly, Seraphina stood up and walked towards the window, her silver hair swaying with each step. She looked out the window with a stern expression, and the breeze that blew in made her hair flutter elegantly.

She closed her eyes and expanded her mana sense to increase her range, feeling a surge of energy as she did so.

While she concentrated on her surroundings, her silver hair swirled in the breeze. She became aware of two carriages entering the city, and all of their passengers were mages.

Her mind raced with possibilities of who they might be and what they were plotting as she felt the mana being manipulated inside the carriages.

"There are two suspicious carriages heading toward the town center; the passengers are all mages."

"What should we do?" Hazel asked.

"Harry, Nathan, and Alisme will check on them and report back to us about who they are and what they want" Alisha ordered.

The three of them exchanged nods before rising from their seats and heading toward the exit of the hall.

They made their way toward the town center.

"I think something is going on," Hazel said as she joined Seraphine.

"What do you mean?" Alisha asked,

"We didn't have so many people a few days ago, but look now," Hazel motioned outside the window, and Alisha's gaze was drawn to the bustling crowd below.

Commoners and hunters were everywhere, laughing and having a good time. Every street was buzzing with activity and people.

"Every noble house would usually be happy to see so many people coming into their area. But not in the current situation."

"It's like they are especially gathering here for something big."

"You are overthinking," Alisha replied. "When Leah arrives, everything will be sorted out."

"I hope so."

*****

Alisme, Nathan, and Harry advanced slowly into the town center. They remained cautious and kept their defenses up, continually assessing their surroundings for any attacks.

"What do you think about these rioters?" Harry asked.

"I think they are not exactly in the wrong. Everyone deserves the opportunity to buy rare kinds of herbs, potions, and weapons to make their life easier in the world.

"There are so many people who can't become mages because they're not getting the right education," Nathan said.

"Yes, but doing this is challenging the authority of nobles and royal families." Alisme reminded them.

The trio arrived in the town center, which featured a big fountain in the center. The mages had already emerged from their carriages, strangely dressed as if preparing for some type of performance.

The crowd was beginning to gather around the area, their curiosity piqued by the strange scene unfolding before them.

"What do you think they are doing?" Alisme asked after noticing them.

"Seems like they are performing," Nathan said. He pondered hard about what it could be about.

"But why are they even performing in the middle of the street?"

"AHEMM…."

"May I have your attention, everyone!"

The mage's voice resonated across the town center, drawing the attention of interested onlookers who had assembled. All eyes were now focused on the group of mages who had taken center stage, looking poised and ready to perform.

"We have come from afar, to share with you a tale of the messiah's way."

"A boy born to wealth, with all he desired,

yet one thing eluded him, the treasure of Xelgar he required."

"Betwixt richness and comfort so grand,

A boy with a heart of gold did stand,

for he longed to aid the people in the land

and spent his days with the townsfolk hand in hand."

In the field, the boy would practice every day,

With his sister and dad, he'd fight and play,

When his dad asked what he wanted to be,

The boy spoke, "A king who set people free,

To rule with justice and help those in need,

To be a beacon of hope, a heroic deed."

"His father smiled and taught him the how to be a king,

And set him on a path to find a young girl, a potential queen."

"Despite rumors and mockery of his lack of mana power,

The girl accepted and loved him most, her heart, a flower,

Their love bloomed and grew stronger each day,

A true bond of love that would forever stay."

"As the boy matured, his life took a darker turn,

His father's passing left him with a heart that yearned,

For love and acceptance from his mother, so distant,

All he received was insults, a great torment."

"Amidst the turmoil of his past, the boy found solace in his lover's embrace,

Together they left behind their life of wealth and grace.

They sought refuge in a humble village, far from the world's throng,

Where they found peace and happiness and knew they both belong."

"In the darkness of a sinister night, a plan was hatched

By those who judged and hated, their malice unmatched

The young lovers caught, trapped in a cruel snare

Torn apart by brutal fists, with no one left to spare"

"Their tormentors, full of fury and vile laughter

Set fire to the one he loved, a heinous disaster

The flames engulfed her, she screamed in agony

While they cheered and revealed, in all their savagery"

"The boy watched, helpless and broken, as his love perished

His heart shattered, his spirit crushed, his hopes demolished."

"Below the cliff's edge, left to wither and decay,

They thought they killed the boy, cast away.

But Xelgar had other plans in store,

For the boy's voice was heeded once more."

"From death's embrace, he returned to life,

With newfound powers, and a will to survive.

He vowed to bring justice to those who had wronged,

And to protect the innocent, forevermore strong."

The mage's performance was breathtaking, with every movement and word captivating the audience. Cheers rang into the air, and some people were moved to tears by their performance.

In the crowd, three people stood immobile, sweat dripping from their brows as panic gripped them. They swiftly made their way to the Rosewell home, anxious to tell their comrades about what they had witnessed.