The Moonlight Swordsman



Darkholm greeted Aizel and Isabella with a teeming population of mages, hunters, and normal humans as they arrived.

The streets were bathed in a warm glow from the orange lanterns, contributing to the town's already lively ambiance.

The aroma of cooking food and alcohol filled the air, heightening their senses and stirring their appetites.

"Where should we head first? Do you have any information about where we can find them?"

"Yes, follow me."

Aizel kept a close watch on Isabella as they weaved their way through the crowded streets, dodging the throngs of people milling about.

After navigating a labyrinth of crooked streets, they found an abandoned building. It was the same building where Daisy and Vespara had gone before.

*Knock*

*Knock* *Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

*Creak*

After Isabella knocked, the door opened a little, and an old woman peered out.

After a short discussion, the woman unlocked the door all the way, allowing Isabella and Aizel to enter the rundown building.

"You will find him in the same place,"

Isabella nodded.

The tiny light bulbs dangling from the ceiling caught Aizel's attention as he followed Isabella down the underground room.

Finally, they arrived at a room where a big board was mounted at the back, adorned with various bounties, information, and notes.

The room's focal point was an old man who appeared to be very much at home in his chair as he waited for their arrival.

"What do you want to know, Miss Isabella Redmount?"

"I want to know when the Kingsley family slave traders are going to transport their slaves."

"Hmmm…" The old man took a long look at Isabella before answering her question. After a few moments of silence, he replied in a deep voice, "It will cost you 1000 gold coins."

Isabella reached into her ring and summoned a pouch, which she promptly placed on the table in front of the old man.

"They will leave the town tomorrow night and will head towards the west port. They are transporting them to the Beast Kingdom."

As soon as the old man said those words, Aizel couldn't help but notice Isabella clench her hands so hard her knuckles turned white.

"Let's leave Aizel,"

As they turned around to leave, the old man's voice echoed in the underground room once again.

"You should be very careful, young man; you are walking on thin ice. Take this advice as my parting gift."

Aizel didn't say anything and went out with Isabella. As they left the building, they looked at each other and knew that they had a whole day to kill before the mission the next night. What could they do to kill time?

"I think we should rent a room first. We will plan the rescue tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay,"

As they made their way to the inn, Isabella led Aizel through the bustling streets of Darkholm.

The inn she was familiar with was a simple one, neither luxurious nor rundown. It was an inn that solely rented out rooms; there was no on-site dining or drinking establishment.

As soon as they walked into the inn, Isabella led the way to the front desk, and Aizel was right behind her.

"We want to rent two rooms,"

"I am sorry, but there is only one room left; take it or leave it," an old man replied.

"Fuck, a classic romantic situation where mc always gets with her lover," Aizel thought.

"What should we do?" Isabella asked.

"We will take it," Aizel replied.

When they got to the first floor and followed the old man, he opened the door to their room.

The open window allowed the moonlight to cast a silvery glow over the room.

"Enjoy," the old man said, and then left.

Aizel quickly walked to the bed and threw himself on it, which caught Isabella by surprise.

"What are you doing?"

"Can't you see, I am sleeping,"

"Yes, but why on the bed?"

"What do you mean by that? I am going to help you tomorrow; I need some rest for that.

"You can sleep on the ground,"

"But why should I sleep on the ground?"

"Because I said so,"

"Oh, is that so then..."

Isabella hurriedly made her way to the bed and nestled herself closely next to Aizel, shuffling to create enough space for herself on the narrow bed.

"You, what are you doing,"

"I feel like doing so, good night." She rolled away from him, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

Aizel let out a sigh and followed suit, closing his eyes and trying to find some rest.

"I can't sleep, I can't sleep." Isabella thought in her mind, her heart raced as she lay on the bed, feeling Aizel's warmth close to her.

She tried to ignore the thoughts and get some sleep, but all she could think about was Aizel sleeping next to her.

"What if he suddenly goes mad and starts ripping my clothes, and then then,, Kyaaaaa

"Can this happen? Is there a chance? Should I make a move?

"No wait, what I am thinking suddenly, I came here for a purpose, I shouldn't let my thoughts sway so easily,"

Aizel's mind wandered into a dream, where he cast a two-year loop in which he and Sekki trained magic spells and improved their skills over and over again.

He read more and more of the grimorium, learning new spells and seeing how far his imagination could go.

As he drifted through his dreams, Isabella's presence faded into the background, overshadowed by his burning desire to become a powerful mage.

Both Isabella and Aizel opened their eyes at the same time, and the first rays of sunlight streaming in through the window cast a warm glow on their faces as they came to.

"Good morning,'

"Hmm, morning,"

"Are you hungry? Let's go and eat breakfast first somewhere."

"That's a good idea,"

She walked towards the bathroom and freshened up. Aizel did the same after her. When they were done, they both got dressed and left the room to find somewhere to eat breakfast.

They were walking down the streets when they saw a little restaurant.

When they walked in, they saw two men working there. Isabella and Aizel sat down in the back and waited for someone to take their order. Soon, a waiter showed up, and Isabella asked for a breakfast spread that could feed four people.

"Sorry, but I eat a lot."

"I didn't even say anything."

"Just letting you know."