Wind, Moon, and Blade · Chapter 12

Under the Same Sky

By the time I reached the village carrying the three, the sun was just beginning to rise.

Serpang and Toto, who woke up first, asked what had happened.

When Lyn woke up later and told them that Fei had escaped, the two exchanged uneasy looks.

After returning to NOA on the first train and parting ways with the three, I headed back to headquarters, where Asherah came running out.

Asherah

Huh? Captain, why are you back so late?

Wasn't it supposed to be a simple quest guiding someone around NOA?

Anyway, perfect timing! I just finished cooking.

I made a few improvisations to the recipe, but it should still taste great. Come eat before it gets cold!

The sour smell stinging my nose made my stomach twist all over again.

If you don't say it, your feelings won't get through...

Asherah

Hmm? What was that?

Asherah.

There's something I want to say.

Asherah

Something you want to say...?

W-what?! All of a sudden?! Hold on! I need a moment to prepare myself!

Your cooking... is terrible.

From now on, I'll cook instead.

Asherah

...What?

Hehe...

Hehehe, hehehehehe...

Snap out of it, Asherah...! Pull yourself together!

Smile

Question. What's going on?

Luna

...Ugh...

Captain finally said it out loud.

Smile

Meaning unclear. Requesting detailed explanation.

Luna

He told Asherah her cooking tastes bad...

Smile

For real...?

Luna

Yup.

Seriously, Captain...

You're a little too honest for your own good.

After that, we spent quite a while trying to comfort the devastated Asherah.

The next day, I stopped by Candle Square to pick up a quest.

???

Ah.

Lyn

Captain, did you make it back safely?

Serpang

Hi, Captain!

Toto

Coo.

Hey. Did you rest well?

Lyn

Fufu, yes. Thanks to you.

...Why are we at Candle Square, you ask?

We contacted the Sect Master and reported that we found Fei.

We failed to capture her this time, but...

Serpang

Anyway, thanks for guiding us around NOA, Captain. The direct quest was a success. And...

Thanks for accepting mine too. I'll buy you dessert sometime, okay?

Toto

Coo!

So you're heading back to the Eastern Continent now?

Serpang

Well... Ehehe...

Lyn

Sect Master told us not to return until we capture Fei...

So we'll likely be staying in NOA for a while.

Then we'll probably see each other often, right? Hope to see you again soon.

Serpang

Ehehe! Same here, Captain.

Toto

Coo!

Lyn

Fufu. If you ever need help, please don't hesitate to call us.

We'll do our best to repay the kindness you've shown us.

Just then, three people approached from the distance.

Luna

There isn't a single decent quest today! What terrible luck!

Smile

Agreed. An undeniable truth.

Asherah

Captain, what are you doing? And who are these people?

Lyn

Nice to meet you. You must be the Captain's companions.

I'm Lyn, from the Wind Moon Sect of the Eastern Continent.

Serpang

I'm Serpang. And this is Toto.

Toto

Coo!

Lyn

We came to thank the Captain since he helped us earlier.

We look forward to getting to know you all as well.

Serpang

Oh right, Captain.

Huh?

Serpang

What exactly happened yesterday?

Senior Sister Lyn said she's still sore from earlier. Sounds like someone really went all out.

Toto

Coo.

...?

Lyn

...?!

Asherah & Luna & Smile

...?!!

Everyone

?!?!?!?!?!

Asherah

C-Captain?! What's she saying?! Weren't you just guiding them around?!

I knew something was suspicious when you came back days later...!

Smile

Accessing biological data...

Luna

What...? When did the timeline get altered this time...?

Lyn

Wait! It's a misunderstanding! My body's just sore because it got pretty intense—! H-hmm?!

Th-that sounded weird out of context, but to put it simply...!

I used muscles I didn't even know I had, and—!

Stop, Lyn. You're making it sound even worse.

Lisa

Captain! I heard you completed the quest perfectly!

Fufu! This will spread the Voyager Savior Party's reputation all the way to the Eastern Continent!

Asherah

Explain yourself, Captain! Before I completely lose my mind!

Lyn

P-please calm down! It's not the Captain's fault! This is entirely my fault...!

Serpang

Captain?! Your face just turned pale as a ghost!

Smile

Analysis complete. Asherah is compressing the Captain's carotid artery.

Luna

Wait... that's a phoenix! How ridiculously cute!

Toto

Coo!

Lisa

Huh?

I don't really understand what's happening, but... perhaps I'll come back later.

Great work today, Captain!

Fei

Errgh... That Lyn...

She's become unbelievably strong... My body's still sore...

Martial Artist H

Ugh... What a monster...

Martial Artist I

Taking on this many alone— Gah?!

Fei

Running around in groups just to pick on women...

You should be ashamed to call yourselves martial artists! Get lost!

Everyone

Eeeeeek!

Fei

They're not even good enough for a warm-up...

Nothing beats sparring with strong opponents... hmm...

...Hah! Who cares, though?

Lyn, Serpang, Toto, Captain...

As long as we live under the same sky...

We'll meet again someday.