The Moonlight Swordsman



From then on, Kishin held tight to his master's words as though they were burned into his very soul.

With unwavering determination, he immersed himself in a rigorous training regimen, dedicating every waking moment to honing his skills and nurturing the ember of strength that burned within him.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and each one left an everlasting impression on his journey.

Word of his remarkable prowess began to circulate throughout the kingdom, whispered among the townsfolk, and carried on the wings of the wind.

Kishin's fame spread like a wave across a huge ocean, elevating him to the status of a promising young genius in the middle of uncertain times.

People from all over referred to him as the "young sword emperor," and he was both revered and feared.

His unwavering dedication bore fruit, and Kishin ascended to the coveted rank of Grade IV, a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.

The kingdom took notice, and doors previously closed swung open, offering him an opportunity to become part of a prestigious royal family of mages.

Despite all of Kishin's success, he never forgot the small town where Liza lived.

He made his way to her side whenever he could, their time together providing him with much-needed breaks from the difficulties of his new route.

Their time together became a safe haven where they could escape the stress of the outside world and find comfort in one another's company.

Within the kingdom, Kishin discovered a treasure trove of remedies, crafted by the skilled hands of a rising mage named Vespara.

Her reputation as a powerful warrior spread throughout the kingdom, earning her the nickname "War Goddess."

Her concoctions included medicines that helped ease Liza's symptoms somewhat, despite their limitations.

Liza felt her memories slowly unfold like a flower opening its petals to the sun with each carefully measured dose.

While a full recovery was still out of reach, she was beginning to piece together memories that had been lost and started to remember every little thing now and then.

The fact that they continued to see each other day after day reflected the strength of their friendship.

In the warmth of Kishin's embrace, Liza found comfort and security, reinforcing her conviction that he was the center of her love.

After five long years of risking his life on perilous missions and completing difficult tasks on behalf of the royal family, Kishin earned a reputation as a fierce and resolute mage.

He made heroic attempts to track down and eliminate spies operating within the kingdom's borders.

He boldly went to other kingdoms, seeking out criminals and rogue magicians who threatened the safety of their kingdom.

Amidst his relentless quest, Kishin's unwavering determination bore fruit. At long last, he obtained the legendary potion.

This priceless elixir, which had the power to completely restore Liza's illness, was still extremely rare as it was the only potion available in the kingdom.

With the coveted potion secured, Kishin stood on the precipice of fulfilling his heart's deepest longing.

But fate has always known how to play with others.

The day Kishin had hoped would bring salvation and healing to Liza instead became an unimaginable nightmare that shattered his existence.

His crystal ball boomed with a cacophony of anxious sensations as he made his way toward the peaceful Carangut village, portending news of a terrifying tragedy that had taken place along the coast.

The Theodora Kingdom had launched an all-out attack, and the aftermath was nothing short of catastrophic.

As Kishin approached the once peaceful village, destroyed by relentless destruction, his heart fell and his pulse quickened.

A veil of desolation draped over his soul, yet no tears streamed from his eyes.

As a man possessed, he searched the wreckage for any sign of Liza's frail existence. And there, amidst the debris, he discovered her, her delicate form crushed and broken, yet a flicker of life persisting within her.

"Hey Hey Liza, it's me,"

"Ki..shin," she spoke slowly; her voice was fragile.

"I finally have the potion that can heal your illness now. First, let me help you from here. You will become good as new in no time."

"Ki...shin, I remember now... You used to love me every single day from the start...wh-when I used to forget about you every time hehe...*Cough*"

"Don't stress it now, Liza, please…"

"Kishin, thank you for loving me every single day. You filled my blank life with colors.

"I loved you, Kishin... I wanted to live with you forever...*cough* *cough*"

"Please stop, we will talk about it later,"

Suddenly, Liza's hand rose and touched Kishin's cheek slightly.

"Live well, and let's meet again in another life..."

With that, her hand slowly fell lifeless.

This marked the beginning of the reign of the genuine Sword Emperor, also known as the dreaded "Stormbringer" in the Kingdom of Theodora.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH.....

Amidst the raging storm, the heavens let loose their anger on the Xelgar with deafening thunder, blinding lighting, and a deluge of rain.

This devastating storm lasted for an entire week.

A lone figure, carrying a woman in his arms, stood erect amid the mayhem. Bolts of incandescent lightning whirled and danced around him, throwing an ethereal shine across his body as he faced down the relentless storm.

That was the beginning of the true Sword Emperor.

"Woah, I didn't know the sword emperor had such a past," Zareena replied after hearing the whole story from Vespara.

"But he hasn't done anything since that day. He still follows my family's order. He never went to vent his anger on Theodora Kingdom.

"He is sharpening his sword, princess. He is still too weak.

"There isn't a single day that goes by when he doesn't visit the grave of Liza.

"The moment he steps on the kingdom of Theodora, there will be one less kingdom in Xelgar."

"You are right. If he wants to take the whole kingdom down, he has to reach Grade IX no matter what." Zareena replied with understanding.

"I never knew someone could fall in love with someone so deeply like him in this world.

"It seems I was wrong," Daisy said.

"There are many people in this world who are all unique. Some covet wealth, some lust, some power, while only a few truly fall in love."