Wind, Moon, and Blade · Chapter 11
The Wind Blows, and the Moon Shines
The moment the two clashed, a gust of wind swept through.
Under the moonlight, only the two seemed to remain.
The moonlight reflected off their blades, enveloping them in a luminous shimmer.
Fei
Heavy. And fast!
You've grown much stronger than before, Lyn! I'm delighted!
Lyn
You seem quite relaxed.
In that case...
Fei
Hmm?!
With a dull impact, Fei was knocked back.
Fei
...Unexpected. I nearly failed to react.
You're radiating pure menace, Lyn. Sharp enough to cut the air.
Lyn
I told you already.
Dead or alive, I will bring you before the Sect Master.
That is the order given to I, the White Moon.
...
The moment I placed my hand on my sword...
Fei
Don't interfere!
Stay there and watch, Captain. I will win. I promise you that.
Be my witness.
Fei rushed forward again, and their blades collided once more.
Fei
What's wrong, Lyn? This isn't like you!
Lyn
...What do you mean?
Fei
Your blade feels lighter than it did at first.
Do you have something else on your mind?
Lyn
...!
Sect Master
I've seen your swordplay of late. The tip of your blade was wavering.
It is proof that your heart is clouded with distractions.
Lyn
...Mind your own business.
Fei
Did you hate me that much?
Because I stole your snacks when we were seven? Because I flicked your forehead when we were nine?
Lyn
...Members of the Nature's Grace prioritize orders over emotions.
I am merely eliminating you according to the Sect Master's command, Fei.
Fei
Or perhaps it's this.
You've resented me all this time for leaving without a word.
Lyn
...!
Lyn
Sect Master! Is it true you expelled Senior Sister Fei?!
Sect Master
Do not cause a scene, Lyn. But that is true.
Lyn
There must... There must be some misunderstanding! Senior Sister Fei would never do such a thing!
Sect Master, please revoke her expulsion! I beg you!
Sect Master
The decision has already been made. I have no intention of taking it back.
Lyn
Sect Master!
Sect Master
If it were truly a misunderstanding, why has she not shown herself until now?
Lyn
That's...!
Sect Master
You were the one closest to Fei.
Did you at least exchange farewells?
Lyn
...
Sect Master
...Did she leave without saying anything even to you?
What a heartless child...
Fei
Lyn, we grew up together. That's why I couldn't tell you.
If I had, you would have insisted on coming with me...
As Lyn slipped past Fei's guard, a powerful impact sent Fei flying back.
Fei! Are you okay?!
Fei
I barely blocked it by a hair's breadth...
*Cough!*
...Guess I couldn't fully deflect it, though.
Lyn
The Celestial Manuscript...
Fei
Mm?
Lyn
...
If you don't say it, your feelings won't get through.
Lyn
If you don't say it, your feelings won't get through...
Lyn
Was it really so important?
Fei
...
Lyn
The Sect Master who raised you, our fellow disciples...!
And me!
Was it so important that you could leave me, the one who followed you everywhere? More than me?
Was the Celestial Art really that important...?! Tell me!
Fei
Lyn, I—
Lyn
Wind Moon Sword Art, Seventh Form!
As Lyn took her stance, gusts of wind rushed toward her from every direction.
Lyn
...Clear Wind Bright Moon.
This is the strongest technique I can perform.
Fei
...So you mean to say a martial artist speaks with their blade?
Very well.
Fei nodded and sheathed her sword.
Lyn
...What are you doing? Is this a joke?
Fei
My ultimate technique begins from this stance.
What are you waiting for? Come, Lyn.
Didn't you say you would bring me before the Sect Master dead or alive?
Then why hesitate?! Come at me!
Lyn
...Ngh!
As Lyn's blade flashed, the wind stopped. White light flooded the surroundings.
It was so silent as if even sound itself had been sliced apart.
And at its center...
Fei
Celestial Sword Art, Zero Form...
Silent Wind Lucent Moon.
A violet flash of light erupted.
After the fierce sandstorm settled, only Fei remained standing.
Fei
...You were strong, Lyn. It was a very close call.
If your mind hadn't been clouded by distractions, perhaps the one lying there now would be—
Lyn
...Not yet.
It's not... over yet...
Fei
Don't push yourself.
Clear Wind Bright Moon places a heavier burden on the body than Pure Wind Serene Moon.
Even you shouldn't be able to stand unscathed.
Lyn
—me.
Fei
...What?
Lyn
It frustrates me...!
Fei
Frustrates you...? Lyn, you've changed.
You were never the type to obsess over victory or defeat. Weren't you?
Lyn
...*Sniffle*
Fei
...Lyn?
Lyn
*Sniffle...* *Sob!*
If I won... If I brought you back...
Fei
...
Lyn
Then I could prove that the path of martial mastery is... That the Celestial Art was worthless!
I wanted to prove... *Sob* That it wasn't important at all...!
Fei
...
Lyn
...*Sniffle* Hngh...!
Why did you leave me behind, Senior Sister Fei...?!
A gust of wind swept between them.
After a moment of silence, Fei was the first to speak.
Fei
...To complete the Celestial Art, I needed the Celestial Manuscript.
Even now, I don't regret the decision I made back then.
Lyn
...
Fei
But... even if I have no regrets...
Sect Master, our fellow disciples, Serpang, Toto...
And you, Lyn.
Not for a single moment have I forgotten those days I spent with all of you.
Lyn
...*Sniffle*
Fei
I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, Lyn.
Lyn
...
Lyn...?!
Fei
She's only fallen from exhaustion. Don't worry.
...Hmm?
That's quite the complicated expression. What's wrong?
...You don't understand the Sect Master's intentions?
I heard the two of you were like sisters.
So why would he make you fight each other...?
Fei
Haha! I suppose the Sect Master might seem heartless.
But I believe I understand.
He probably saw Lyn's sword waver and likely arranged this duel so she could cast aside her doubts.
And to allow his former disciples to see each other again after so long.
He's thorough in everything he does.
He really thought that far ahead...?
Fei
Haha! Hard to believe, isn't it?
But that's the kind of person the Sect Master is.
I still don't know why even you were dragged into this, Captain...
But there must be a reason. It was his decision.
Fei looked east for a moment, then turned her eyes back to Lyn.
Fei
...Lyn has always put others before herself.
She would hide her true feelings so as not to worry anyone.
But this is the first time I've seen her confront someone with her true feelings like this.
Captain, did something happen between you and Lyn?
I told her...
If she doesn't say it, her feelings won't get through.
Fei
...You did? So that's why Lyn was...
Haha! You really are quite the meddler, Captain.
But I don't dislike it. As I said before, I rather like that about you.
You've won my favor.
Will you become my man?
That's sudden.
Fei
The more I see you, the more I like you. No need to answer right now!
As long as we live under the same sky, we'll meet again someday.
You can give me your answer then.
You may already know, but there is a village to the east. Take the carriage from there, and you should reach NOA within a day.
Until we meet again.
And with her eyes on the moon above, Fei turned and walked away.
Fei
...The moon is beautiful tonight.
Just as beautiful as the one in the Eastern Continent...
Story and illustrations © Studio B-Side. An unofficial reading archive — for questions or requests, see the About page.