Wind, Moon, and Blade · Chapter 3
Enemies Cross Paths in the Square
Lisa
You arrived right on time, Captain!
This quest is our chance to spread the name of the Voyager Savior Party across the Eastern Continent!
Our golden opportunity to become a big-time Savior Party!
I— *Huff!* ran here— *Wheeze!* as fast as I could...!
Lisa
Our guests from the Wind Moon Sect are waiting inside. Let's hurry.
And this quest might even be... Fufu...!
As we entered the reception room, I saw a girl sleeping on the couch, some kind of bird, and a woman sitting upright.
Lisa
What do you think, Captain?
Older or younger, they're all cute and pretty, right?
What does that have to do with the quest?
Lisa
Fufu. Well then, enjoy your time—I mean, please make yourselves comfortable!
Just before the door closed, Lisa mouthed "golden opportunity" and left.
???
Nice to meet you, Journey Captain.
Lyn
I am Lyn.
I teach the children's class at the Wind Moon Sect in the Eastern Continent.
Children's class?
Lyn
Yes. The Wind Moon Sect is a martial sect that established techniques to fight Voidborns.
Originally, those teachings were passed down only to a select few.
But about a hundred years ago, it was opened to the public, and now we teach everyday physical exercises as well.
I teach children the sect's martial arts and proper etiquette.
Wait...
Did you run here? You're sweating quite a bit...
Just a moment. I have a handkerchief.
There now ♪ There we go ♪ All done— ah!
M-my apologies. I deal with children so often that I treated you like one without thinking...
...Huh?
You're thanking me...? Fufu. I'm glad.
Serpang, Toto? It's time to wake up.
Serpang
*Yawn*
Toto
Coo...
Serpang
...You're the Journey Captain?
You don't look that special...
Toto
...
Lyn
Serpang? Judging someone by appearance is a bad habit.
Remember that everything we do represents the Wind Moon Sect.
Serpang
Ugh... A-alright, Senior Sister Lyn.
Hey there, Journey Captain. I'm Serpang. And this is my friend Toto.
Toto
Coo!
That's one strange-looking owl.
Toto
Coo?! Coooo!
Serpang
*Yawn...* People from the West might think Toto's an owl...
But Toto is a Mystic. A phoenix, actually.
When he's fully grown, he'll grow big enough to cover the sky.
Toto
Coo! Coooo!
Serpang
Maybe it's because I haven't eaten yet, but... *Yawn*
I'm sleepy...
Captain, do you have any snacks? Something sweet, preferably?
Lyn
Serpang...! That's rude to ask of someone you just met.
I have candy.
As soon as I took out some candy from my pocket, Serpang snatched it away.
Serpang
Wow! Orange-flavored candy! This kind of stuff is rare on the Eastern Continent. Toto, let's share it!
Toto
Coo!
Serpang
Mmmn... Ehehe! So sweet and delicious...!
Captain, do you have anything else?
Lyn
Serpang, Toto...?
May I have a word with you two?
Serpang
*Gasp!*
Toto
Coo?!
I have other flavors too.
I handed them more candy from my pocket.
Eat as much as you want.
Everyone
...
...Is something wrong?
Lyn
...I think I'm beginning to understand what kind of person you are, Captain.
The way you show kindness even to strangers...
Fufu. Here's a praise pat for you!
For some reason, Lyn patted my head.
The first place I guided them to was downtown NOA.
This is the downtown area of NOA.
Serpang
Whoa...! So this is downtown NOA!
I heard the famous Cafe Strega is around here. Is it nearby? Hehe!
Toto
Coo!
Lyn
...There are a lot of alleys.
If someone tried to escape through there, it would be difficult to pursue them...
?
Next, I guided them to the plaza.
Lyn
So many people at this hour... NOA truly has a large population.
Serpang
...What do you think, Toto? Do you see anything?
Toto
...Coo.
Serpang
I see. That's expected.
You can't get full from the first bite.
...?
Serpang
I'm tired!
NOA really is huge... There's no end to it...
Toto
Coooo...
Lyn
Captain, how long would it take to see all of NOA at this pace?
About a week, probably.
Lyn
...That's longer than expected. We should pick up the pace.
Serpang, Toto? Let's move.
Serpang
Aw... But we just started on our break...
Toto
Coo...!
Lyn
Fufu. We still have a long road ahead.
Oh! Or perhaps you'd like an herbal pill? It helps with fatigue.
Serpang
H-herbal pill...?! O-on second thought, let's go!
Toto
C-cooo! Coo!
Lyn
Fufu. Captain, please continue.
???
Hmm...?
Lugh
Lyn. Serpang, Toto. And Captain.
It's been a while.
Lyn
Lugh! You're in NOA? It's good to see you!
Serpang
Lugh! Long time no see!
Lugh
What brings you all together?
I accepted a quest to guide them around NOA.
You know each other?
Lugh
Yes.
...As if that explained everything, Lugh said nothing more.
Serpang
Lugh still isn't great at explaining things, huh?
Lugh
Is that so? I see my explanation was lacking.
Lyn
Fufu. Though we had different masters, Lugh and I trained together ten years ago.
Lugh
Perfect timing. I have a question.
Where is Fei?
Fei...?
Lugh
Recently, people searching for Fei have been gathering in NOA.
What exactly did she do? And why isn't she with you?
Serpang
O-oh right! We forgot to visit Cafe Strega!
Captain, show us the way!
We already passed Cafe Strega earlier.
Serpang
Yeah, yeah. It's fine! Let's get going!
Toto
Coo! Coo!
Lyn
...Could you go ahead first?
I'll see Lugh off and follow shortly.
As we walked toward Cafe Strega, Serpang spoke up.
Serpang
Captain, what's your relationship with our Sect Master?
...You've never even met him? Really?
Then why did he specifically request you, of all people?
I have no idea either.
Serpang
Huh... Well, I guess it doesn't matter.
If the Sect Master decided it, there must be a reason.
Toto
Coo!
Serpang
...Hmm?
You have a question too? What is it?
Why did the three of you come to NOA?
It doesn't seem like you're here as tourists.
Serpang
Well... Hm...
The Sect Master didn't say it was confidential... So I guess it's fine to tell you.
But you have to treat us at Cafe Strega in return! Deal? Ehehe!
Toto
Coo!
Serpang
...The Wind Moon Sect has a secret library.
It stores martial manuscripts from a thousand years ago and rare texts found nowhere else on the continent.
Only the Sect Master is allowed inside.
But one day, one of the sect disciples ran off with a manuscript known as the Celestial Manuscript from there.
The Celestial Manuscript?
Serpang
Yeah. It's a manuscript of a long-lost martial sect.
I heard it doesn't contain anything special. Just philosophy and basic techniques.
But that doesn't change the fact that she broke into the secret library and stole it.
So the Wind Moon Sect expelled that disciple and has been chasing her to retrieve the manuscript.
Serpang
We couldn't find any traces of her for years.
But recently, we heard someone was going around NOA challenging dojos.
If you hear the name Fei, let us know. Even a small clue helps.
Fei...? Could it be...
Serpang
Why? Have you heard of her?
Toto
Coo?
Serpang
You've already met Senior Sister Fei?! Really?!
Toto
Coo?!
Serpang
...So it was true. She really is in NOA.
But... hmm...
I have no clue where to find her.
Well, whatever. We'll meet her eventually.
Fei
Ah! The one with the body suited for martial arts! We meet again.
Serpang
That's way sooner than I expected!
Toto
Coo!
Fei
Serpang and Toto? It's been a while. Doing well?
Nice to see you two again! Did you come all the way to NOA just to see me? How admirable!
Having popped out of nowhere, Fei began patting Serpang and Toto on the head.
(This has none of the tension I was expecting...)
Serpang
Hey! Let go!
Fei
Huh?
Serpang
Don't get the wrong idea! We're here under the Sect Master's orders.
Return the Celestial Manuscript and come with us, Fei. Otherwise—!
Fei
...I see.
Serpang
Ngh...!
The atmosphere changed in an instant as Fei spoke in a low voice.
Fei
So you've come to take me in.
But as I recall, I already informed the Sect Master that I would return the Celestial Manuscript once I completed the Celestial Art.
Serpang
As if! All you did was leave a note and run away!
Toto!
Toto
Coo!
Fei
Oh? So you wish to challenge me?
Serpang
Disciple of the Wind Moon Sect, Serpang! And Toto!
Fugitive Fei! We'll defeat you and take you back to the Eastern Continent!
Toto
Coo!
Fei
Hah! If you challenge me, I have no reason to refuse.
What about you?
Serpang
The Journey Captain isn't involved.
This is Wind Moon Sect business. We'll handle it ourselves. Right, Toto?
Toto
Coo!
Fei
Journey Captain...? So that's who you were!
I would like to spar with you someday, but this comes first.
I'll allow you to make the first three moves.
No, actually, I'll give you five. Come, Serpang, Toto.
Serpang
No need to tell us twice! Let's go, Toto!
Toto
Coo!
Fei
...
Serpang
...We won.
We won! We beat Senior Sister Fei for the first time!
Ehehe! Now Senior Sister Lyn and Senior Sister Fei won't have to fight, right?
Nice work, Toto!
Toto
Coo!
Fei
Indeed. Well done.
Serpang
Huh?!
Toto
Coo?!
Fei
Letting your guard down just because you thought I'd fallen? You still have a long way to go.
Serpang
You were pretending to be knocked out...? Th-that's cheating!
Toto
Coo!
Fei
I believe I've told you before to never drop your guard.
Did Lyn come with you? Where is she?
Serpang
You think Toto and I would tell you?!
Even if you bought us limited-time desserts from Cafe Strega, my resolve... might waver, but!
No way!
I will never tell you!
Toto
Coooo!
Fei
Is that so? Then it seems I have no choice...
Wait.
You can't just pick on them like that.
Fei
Hah! If that's how you see it, perhaps it is one-sided.
But don't worry. I'm not going to hurt them.
Serpang and Toto, brace yourselves!
Serpang
...Nngh!
Toto
...Coo!
Serpang
Ehehe! Ehehehe!
Toto
Coo! Coooo!
Serpang
Stop...! Ehehe! Stop!
Stop tickling me! Ehehehe!
Fei
Haha! Still ticklish as ever, I see.
...Well, it is a peaceful method.
Fei
Still not going to talk? Tickle tickle!
Hmm?! From behind the wall...?
Ultimate Art.
White Dragon Emergence.
A shockwave tore through the air, sweeping across where Fei had just been standing.
Serpang
Eek?!
Toto
Cooo?!
?!
???
...You dodged it?
You're quick on your feet. I'll give you that much.
Fei
Close, but not quite.
Attacking from the shadows, without even showing your face... How rude.
Who are you? Reveal yourself.
Tien
I am Tien.
Fei. You aren't worthy of hearing my name.
Didn't you just say it was Tien, though?
Tien
...
Fei
...Come to think of it.
Tien
...White Dragon Emergence!
Fei
Tch!
She's trying to pretend that didn't happen...!
Fei
Impressive technique. But you're too predictable.
If I close the distance...!
Ultimate Art, White Dragon Ascension.
Fei
Kgh?!
A fierce gust of wind struck Fei as she rushed forward.
Xien
...My apologies, Tien. I arrived late.
Tien
No. You came right on time, Xien.
Fei
...So the older one engages up close while the younger one supports from afar? Simple, but effective teamwork.
But why come after me? I haven't the faintest idea...
Tien
...Hmph!
Xien
...You really don't remember?
Fei
Is it because I took makgeolli bread without paying?
Tien
No!
Fei
Or is it because I interrupted you while you were sparring with someone else?
Xien
Fufu. No.
Fei
Maybe you picked a fight with me because I looked strong? Or maybe I broke the sect's signboard? Well...
Should you really have that many things coming to mind...?
Tien
...You really don't remember at all.
Fei
Or... I've got it!
I must've refused your request for guidance but brushed you off! My apologies! I must have been busy!
But I have time now! If you wish to learn the Celestial Art, I can explain it for a day... no, a full week!
Tien
That's not it either!
Fei
...You'll blow out my eardrums if you keep shouting like that. You're so full of anger.
Perhaps it's because you have no partner to carry on your lineage? Even so, taking your frustration out on others is not right.
Tien
That's none of your business!
Xien
Indeed. Tien has devoted everything to martial arts.
I know that she will preserve her chastity until the day she dies.
Tien
H-huh? No, that's not—
Fei
...Impressive.
A flawless mindset for a martial artist. I respect you for it.
Xien
Thank you for the compliment.
Tien
Wait, Xien. Why are you the one thanking her...?
Xien
Still, praise is one thing and business is another.
Fei. You left deep scars upon us.
Until we settle that grudge...
Tien
We can't let you leave.
And don't even think about surrendering. We'll never forgive you.
Fei
Hah! You're dancing around the point, but isn't this really very simple?
You're asking me to take you all down!
The moment Fei kicked off the ground to charge them...
Tien
...Hmph!
Xien
If you can, that is.
Fei
Kgh?!
Long weapons rained down from behind the wall, forcing Fei to step back.
Moments later, countless people emerged from the alleys with weapons in hand.
Martial Artist A
Over here! She's here!
Martial Artist B
Our enemy, Fei, is here!
Fei
...Hah.
So the two of you weren't the only ones.
Tien
I told you. We came to settle our grudges.
Xien
Did you think we were the only ones that held resentment toward you?
Tien
Go ahead.
Xien
Take us all down... if you can.
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