Wind, Moon, and Blade · Chapter 2
Her Name Is Fei
Luna
Aaaagh!!
What happened?
Smile
Obvious. She has most likely blown all her money at the casino again.
Luna
Why would you say that?! Who are you calling a gambling addict?!
Though you're not wrong about that.
Impressive, Smile. You've got the instincts of an astrologer.
So? Interested in learning the art properly?
Since we're teammates, I'll only charge half tuition!
Smile
Unnecessary waste of resources. I decline.
Luna
Come on! Just this once! It might be different this time!
Smile
Rejected.
Luna
Ugh, seriously? I'm completely broke! My wallet's empty!
As a teammate, you could at least donate something!
Still as shameless as ever.
Luna
Argh! If it weren't for that gambler from the Eastern Continent, I'd have won!
She'd dodge whenever I raise the stakes, and she read every bluff perfectly! What the heck? Can she read minds or something?
The Eastern Continent?
Smile
A continent located across the eastern sea.
Home to lots of rare medicinal herbs. Frequently used in experiments.
Luna
That's right. The Eastern Continent is famous for its high-quality herbs.
When I was broke, I used to sell roadside mushrooms claiming they were herbs from the East... Good times.
That's fraud...
Luna
Hey, what's the problem? I didn't rip anyone off. I charged a fair price!
Still, the Eastern Continent, huh... I'd love to visit someday.
I hear people practice martial arts from dawn to dusk, and there are creatures called Mystics everywhere!
And I bet they've got tons of gambling games there that NOA doesn't have!
Smile
Medicinal herbs and Mystics are also of interest to me.
However, the distance is too great. Unnecessary travel is inefficient.
Luna
True. You'd have to sail forever to get there.
Speaking of which, where did Asherah go? I haven't seen her all morning.
Smile
...Hypothesis.
Possibly the kitchen?
As I nodded silently, their expressions froze instantly.
Luna
Oh right! I have an important astrology reading! Completely slipped my mind. I'll head out first.
Smile
Important experiment overlooked. I will excuse myself.
Wait. I also have an important quest to—
Asherah
Oh, you're all here! Come eat!
Wait...
Captain? Where are the others?
When I turned around, Luna and Smile were nowhere to be seen.
Those traitors...!
Asherah
Traitors? What do you mean?
Oh, well. Looks like it'll be just you and me again.
Come on and sit, Captain!
Recently, Asherah had taken an interest in cooking and volunteered to handle our meals.
Luna and Smile were happy at first since they hated cooking. But their happiness didn't last long, because...
...Asherah.
Asherah
Yes?
Don't you notice something strange?
Asherah
Ooh! Sharp nose, Captain!
Actually, I got my hands on a very special ingredient this time.
Lingzhi mushrooms from the Eastern Continent were at the market, so I bought them right away!
The recipe said to add just one spoonful...
But cooking is about heart! So I followed my instincts!
The smell alone made my stomach cramp.
That was the problem. Asherah preferred slightly... no, extremely creative cooking.
Day by day, Luna and Smile skipped meals more often, leaving me to suffer... I mean, dine with Asherah.
Like I said...
You can leave the cooking to me, you know?
Asherah
What are you talking about? You're already so busy, Captain. I can't make you cook too.
Besides, I'm really having fun with it. Don't worry about it.
But...
Asherah
It's fine, really.
What are you waiting for? Let's dig in.
As I was thinking about how to break the truth to Asherah, the door swung open.
Lisa
Captain! Captain! A direct quest just came in!
The Master of the Wind Moon Sect from the Eastern Continent specifically requested you!
Asherah
A direct quest? Really?! That's something only elite Savior Parties get!
And from the Wind Moon Sect? That's the most famous martial sect in the Eastern Continent!
Wait! I'll go get Luna and Smile!
Lisa
Hmm?
Asherah
Huh?
Lisa
I think there might be a misunderstanding...
The quest was addressed to the Captain alone.
Asherah
What? Then what's the quest about?
Lisa
Guiding someone around NOA.
Asherah
Even a three-year-old could do that.
Why would they request the Captain for that? Captain, how do you know the Master of the Wind Moon Sect?
We've never met before.
Lisa
Everyone, that's not the important part.
This is a direct request from the Wind Moon Sect of the Eastern Continent, across the sea!
Even though it's nothing more than a simple quest, if we complete it perfectly...
Our reputation will reach the Eastern Continent and raise the prestige of our Savior Party!
This is our chance to become a big-name Savior Party! As your liaison, I'll be able to enjoy a life of luxury and comfort!
Still as honest as ever, huh?
Lisa
Anyway, we agreed to meet at Candle Square, so take your time and... Huh?
Ugh! What's that smell...?!
Asherah
Perfect timing. I made vegetable stew. Want a bowl before you go?
Lisa
Eek...! N-no thank you!
Just smelling it makes my stomach queasy...! I mean, I just started a diet recently, so...!
A-anyway, I'm fine!
Asherah
Really? Then I'll just prepare enough for me and the Captain.
You said it was a direct quest, right, Lisa? Let's go now!
Asherah
Huh? You're leaving already?
Lisa
There's still plenty of time before the meeting, though...
Come on, Lisa! Hurry! There's no time to waste!
After making plans to meet Lisa at Candle Square, I had some bread I got from a nearby bakery.
How can I tell her the truth...?
I was thinking about how to persuade Asherah to give up on cooking when...
???
...That's some impressive muscle elasticity.
A hand suddenly reached in from the side and grabbed my bicep.
W-what the...?!
???
Your body's well suited for martial arts training.
Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet!
The swordswoman from the Eastern Continent sitting on the ground rose to her feet.
Fei
Nice to meet you! I'm Fei.
I'm currently rebuilding a lost martial art called the Celestial Art.
By questioning the heavens without end and finding the true answer, even the moon may be cleaved.
Well? Doesn't that make your heart race just hearing about it?
If you want, I'll accept you as my disciple! Join now and you'll be my very first!
...
Fei
...Why are you backing away?
Ah, I understand. It's only natural to be wary if someone out of nowhere tells you to learn martial arts.
But the Celestial Art is incredible! Allow me to explain!
Four hours... no, perhaps a whole day would be enough to show you a glimpse of what makes the Celestial Art so captivating!
I have plans. I should get going.
As I tried to leave, she grabbed me from behind.
Fei
Short on time, I see! Very well!
Then a duel! I shall demonstrate the power of the Celestial Art through real combat!
How did this turn into that?!
After a long struggle, I finally managed to calm Fei down.
Fei
Short on time, no interest in sparring...
You're harder to please than I expected.
You're one to talk!
Fei
No matter. This day is not our only one.
As long as we live under the same sky, we'll meet again someday.
My name is Fei Bianche.
A name that will one day be known across the continent with the name "Celestial Art."
Remember it well. Farewell!
With that, the Eastern swordswoman took her leave.
Come to think of it, the time...
When I looked up at the clock tower, there wasn't much time left before the meeting.
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