The Moonlight Swordsman



With a resonant hum, the Sword Emperor's blade again crackled with electrifying power, and the lightning got stronger and stronger as time went on.

Swift as a lightning bolt, he closed the distance between them, his sword descending with blinding speed, ready to strike Tatiana with electrifying force.

Tatiana's eyes flashed with fear, or at least that's what the Sword Emperor thought. She smirked confidently as she swung her giant sword close to him and said, "Counter." This unexpected turn of events sent a chill up the Sword Emperor's spine.

In a shocking turn of events, the lightning-charged slash cut the Sword Emperor in half, leaving everyone in the colosseum speechless as they watched the battle on the screen. 

Tatiana said in a calm voice, "That was just a trick to make you think I can't use my power whenever I want to."

"That's what I thought."

Tatiana's world turned upside down when her head fell to the ground, separated from the rest of her body.

To her astonishment, she saw the Sword Emperor, whom she had previously sliced, dispersing in lightning while the real one stood behind her unharmed.

His body was engulfed in lightning, and a crackling magic circle formed beneath his feet.

At the Felgura Kingdom Balcony,

This... this Arcane Magic Circuit is really scary. I still can't figure out whether he used a clone or an illusion," Aizel thought.

[Master, we need to perfect both our imagination power and the Arcan Magic Circuit, or else we will face a lot more troubles in the future.]

Absolutely. I mean, if I had fought the sword emperor as a grade VII mage, I think I would have died the same way.

I need to cast more dream loops and train; I need to watch and study more videos, magic etc... I need to be so perfect that it shouldn't even take a second for me to counter and destroy everyone with my power."

Amidst the ruins of the city streets, the Sword Emperor knelt before Tatiana's lifeless body, offering a solemn gesture of respect. 

After a moment, he got to his feet and walked away, heading to a different part of the city.

Desolation and damage were stark reminders of the fierce fight that had just taken place.

At some empty bar,

"Ummm... it seems the fight has stopped; should I also head out now?" Dimitry said, looking towards the head of Severus, which was kept on the bar. 

"I hope Kishin has won his fight, or it will be boring." He stood and stretched his arm, and then started to head outside. 

*****

At Zulivan Kingdom Balcony,

"This is too disrespectful," The King Commented.

"You are right, they should learn something from the Sword Emperor," Isabella Master commented.

"Theodora Kingdom has become too arrogant nowadays," One of the mages who was sitting behind commented.

The King of Zulivan stared at The Queen of Theodora, who simply waved her hand and gave him a flying kiss.

Dimitry walked around the empty streets with a bottle in his hands and took sips from it every so often. 

He relished the eerie stillness that surrounded him as he sought out his next opponent, savoring the solitude of the desolate cityscape.

At the Felgura Kingdom Balcony,

"So it will finally happen again," Xavior Valtor said.

"It was so obvious that he had to go and fight. He already lost once and now he wants to try to prove something," Yotum commented.

"He is not trying to prove something. He is doing it for her," Ashlyn replied.

Meanwhile, Aizel ears perked up as he was listening to everything quietly. 

"How can you even become so stupid for something like this? I don't understand this type of person," Raigun Redmont said.

"Everyone follows their own meaning of life. For some, it is about money; for others, it is about lust; and for most of them in Xelgar.. it is about becoming strong and reaching the peak of the mage stage. 

"At that level, you can travel the Northern Kingdom, just like our ancestors did," Elric Crestfall said.

"You were like this, right, Aquarian? Used to have a loving woman who you fucked at night and then have a kid who you wanted to make strong and serve the kingdom.

"It feels bad that you left your child alone to die," Yotum said with a sly smile.

"What happened then? Your lovely woman left you and went missing, where has that love gone?

"This is all bullshit; a mage should only focus on power and aim to reach its peak. The Sword Emperor, too, has forgotten his way and will die someday like a fucking low-level monster. 

"Or he might die today in the hands of that guy, hehe."

No one commented in between, while Raigun Redmont nodded in agreement.

Aizel's gaze drifted towards Aquarian, who sat serenely, his eyes fixed on the screen, where the Sword Emperor steadily closed the distance towards Dimitry. 

Sekki, always remember. We will give this girly boy the worst death that could ever exist. His soul should come out of his body to beg me to have mercy."

[Noted Master]

It only took a few minutes for both the Sword Emperor and Dimitry to find each other. 

Dimitry's lips curled into a smile as he quickly drank the whole bottle of liquor. On the other hand, the Sword Emperor's countenance remained stoic, revealing little emotion.

"Are you ready, my old friend?" Dimitry asked.

"I have trained my life for this moment. You will become the starting point of everything," The Sword Emperor replied.

"You really think you can take a whole kingdom on your own? Last time when we fought...

"I remember you were lying helpless, and the War Goddess saved you. But today.. there is no one,"

"Many things have changed since then, while you are still the same. You will regret it later today," The Sword Emperor replied.

"Hahaha... and you are the one who will make me regret it? You see old friend, I have a task to carry out in this battle. 

"I need to win this and bring that kid back with me."

"Same goes for me. I have to save him from people like you and your kingdom," The Sword Emperor replied, summoning his sword and taking a battle stance.