The Moonlight Swordsman



Alcoberg Town,

Soren sat alone at the bar, the lighting just right to make out his silhouette. He sampled each of the bottled liquors carefully, appreciating the subtle differences in taste.

Everyone in the bar turned to look curiously as the bar's big wooden doors swung open suddenly.

A guard with the Damaris family crest entered the bar. He was holding a sealed parchment with the royal seal on it.

"You have been called by the princess," the guard said as he handed over the letter.

Soren carefully and methodically broke the seal, disclosing the contents of the letter.

After reading the letter, he gave it back to the guard.

Without wasting any more time, Soren set out for the stables to rent a horse for his travel.

His destination, "The Felgura castle,"

In the evening,

Soren walked through the royal castle's magnificent halls and hallways. The guards were standing at attention, their vigilance belying the fortified nature of the defenses. 

Royal mages, their robes billowing with power, walked the halls, filling the air with a crackling essence of magic. 

Passing the bustling training grounds, Soren observed warriors honing their skills in fierce combat, their swords clashing in a symphony of metal.

At long last, he arrived in the meeting room to which he had been called.

The quiet clinking of teacups was the only sound he heard as he pulled through the ornate doors.

The Sword Emperor and the princess were sitting quietly as they watched him grab the seat and sit in front of them.

"Why have you disturbed my peace? I was training," Soren said.

"Drinking all night long while ignoring your duty is what you call training," Zareena rebuked in annoyance.

"You won't understand. Speak, why have you called me?"

"I want you to forget about your family artifact. If you want a good sword for the tournament, I will find a better one for you."

"How can I forget a sword that was made for me? It belongs to me. It will shine in my hands rather than in the hands of a coward," Soren replied.

"How can you match your father in the battle?" Zareen shouted.

"The battle will not involve the difference between grades."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes,"

"But one of you must have to die. We have already lost so many heads in the past few months.

"And I can't even think of losing you," Zareena said, a worried expression on her face.

"Even I can't think of losing the battle; it is impossible."

This idiot," Sword Emperor thought.

With her brows furrowed, Zareena's grip tightened, and her knuckles turned white. 

Observing her reaction, Soren's keen eyes caught the subtle shift in Zareena's demeanor, causing him to pause and wonder if he had overlooked a crucial detail.

"Ahem... If you are worried that I will not be able to participate in the tournament because of this, then you shouldn't be.

"I will participate with my new sword in my hand."

"Get out,"

"I am sorry, what?"

"I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT," Zareena shouted.

"Okay, I am heading back. Don't call me again for the stupid things," Soren left after saying that.

Sword Emperor simply shook his head in disappointment.

"When will this idiot understand it?" Zareena murmured.

"Even you are a little novice in the matter of love, princess. 

"Considering Soren who is way dense, you should be bold and direct enough to make him understand," Sword Emperor said.

"I hope he can become more like you," she said with a smile.

"Hmm... Who told you about me?"

"The War Goddess,"

That bitch," the Sword Emperor murmured.

"You should go and take a rest, princess; tomorrow is a big day for everyone."

"Yes, goodbye then."

In an instant, the Sword Emperor stepped out of the room and seamlessly dissolved into the air, reappearing with precision in front of the potion shop. 

He ascended to the second floor, where the aroma of brewing potions filled the air. 

Inside the potion-making room, he discovered Vespara, Aizel, and two other women engrossed in their work.

"Look who we have here, the great 'Sword Emperor," Vespara welcomed him while bowing a little.

"Why have you told Princess about my past?"

"Because I was bored and she insisted on me. Well, it's not like it's some sort of secret,"

"Who else did you tell other than her?" 

"No one," Vespara shrugged.

Daisy's expression changed momentarily as the Sword Emperor's keen eyes swept the room.

When Sword Emperor's eyes met Daisy's, he felt an overwhelming pressure that threatened to suffocate his very thoughts. 

He turned his gaze towards Aizel, whose intense stare conveyed a lethal warning, as if poised to strike should the Sword Emperor make even the slightest move. 

"Why are you getting so worked up?" He said.

"I am not," Aizel replied.

"You can't fool me, young War God. 

"It seems that many people have started to change, or these young ones are just different,"

"What do you mean?" Vespara asked in confusion.

"I am talking about the Princess and Soren. And about him too."

"Oh...hahahaha you are right." Vespara laughed and thumped a little on Aizel's back to make him calm down.

"Why did you become a mage, Aizel?" The sword emperor asked.

"What is your motivation to grow stronger? What is your resolve and your desire?"

Vespara's lips curved into a knowing smile as she absorbed the implications of the statement, while Daisy, too, comprehended its significance.

But Aizel's eyes showed a rare sign of uncertainty as his brow furrowed in perplexity. He squirmed under the pressure of the inquiry, fumbling for the first time to give a satisfactory response.

"It seems you still don't know about it. If you want to become stronger than anyone or protect the ones you love, you should find the answers to these questions.

"It helped me become who I am now. It can help you too."

Aizel nodded in understanding.

As Sword Emperor prepared to depart, his gaze inadvertently landed on the final occupant of the room—Shelly. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her dark eyes reflected a quiet and attentive demeanor. 

"Is Xelgar playing a joke on me?" He slowly whispered.

"Her name is Shelly, and she is not the same person, Kishin. I have checked her soul," Vespara replied.

Sword Emperor nodded and then left the room. 

"What did you mean by that, Hag?"

"He had a lover in the past who just looked like Shelly," Vespara replied.

"WHAT!" both Aizle and Shelly said in unison.