Conflict
Ugh... My whole body aches...
Coo...
Stop whining and move. They're catching up.
Whaa...? But I'm so exhausted...
Coooo...
Feels like we're heading further east.
You're right. I saw scenery like this on the way to NOA.
I can even spot some animals and plants from the Eastern Continent.
So this is where you were.
There's three of them...!
So they've already caught up to us.
Kehehe...
We're getting closer. They can't be far.
Oh, Tien. What about Chain Scythe Jenny...?
Ah, her... She said she could no longer travel with us.
...You didn't just let her go, did you?
She said she was leaving the alliance. I couldn't simply let her walk away.
Then... Fufu...
Hmph... Yes.
I gave her some travel money for the way back.
Even if she's a martial arts master, she's still a child. She should at least have some money on her.
As expected of you, sister. So considerate.
Besides, Chain Scythe Jenny is the weakest among the Four Heavenly Kings.
Meteor Hammer Ced, Manriki Chain Horn, and Three-Section Staff Annie...
Ah, yes... By now, Fei's group must be facing off against them.
Against the remaining Four Heavenly Kings, even they won't come out unscathed.
Fufufu...
Kekeke...
Hahahahaha!
Weak!
What's wrong with you three? You don't even know the basics of teamwork!
That's not fair! If the other two had supported me properly...!
Shut it! You're the biggest problem! You rushed in alone and got taken down first!
Well, at least it made them easier to deal with.
Coo!
Um, ma'am, what about me? What's my weakness?
Your movements are too slow! Each strike is powerful, but your transitions are sluggish!
Three-Section Staff Annie, you're the opposite! Your attacks are too light. Your weapon can't keep up with you.
I see... Thank you for your insight.
They're being taught by their enemy...
...Weren't the three of you here to take revenge on Fei?
No. I was just hired for money.
I already got the payment for that meal you dine-and-dashed on, so my grudge is settled.
Captain's the one who paid it, though.
Ahem! Ahem!
I heard I could make friends if I joined...
Isn't that last reason kind of sad...?
Anyway, you three still have a long way to go!
Martial arts is all in the form! Like this! Then this!
That's how it's done! Do you follow?!
...Huh?
What exactly are you trying to say?
Honestly, I didn't get that either.
Senior Sister Fei is a natural genius.
But that means she's terrible at teaching people. Like you just saw.
Serpang! Toto! The same goes for you two!
Huh? Us?
Coo?
I'll admit your bond has grown stronger. But it's still lacking.
Your movements are too simple! Aren't you relying on each other too much?
Ngh... That's true...
Coo...!
And Lyn! The tip of your sword is wavering.
...!
A sword follows the heart.
If the blade wavers, it means your heart is full of distractions.
Enough.
Mm?
That's enough, Fei. What exactly do you think you're doing?
Strictly speaking, we are enemies.
Someday our swords will clash. And yet you dare try to teach us?
Hah! Why bother drawing lines between enemies and allies?
We are martial artists.
Companions walking the path of martial mastery! Growing together benefits us all!
Martial artist, the path of martial mastery, the Celestial Art. The same speech over and over...
Is there nothing else important to you?
Of course not! What could be more important?
...
...You're cold, Lyn. Your gaze is colder than eternal snow.
I'm not saying nothing else matters. But to me...
You're still immature.
Huh?
Fei. We're adults.
Adults who must care for children and guide them forward.
And yet you're still talking about becoming the strongest? We're not children anymore.
B-but...!
There's no point discussing this further.
Serpang, Toto, Captain. Please excuse me. I'll go get some air.
Lyn lowered her head and walked toward the stream to the east.
Um... Senior Sister Fei, are you okay?
...For the path of martial mastery. To fulfill my duty.
Hmm...?
If it's to complete the Celestial Art, I can do anything.
I don't mind earning hatred. I don't mind cold stares. I don't mind being judged.
Even so, walking this path without wavering is my dream, my goal, my destiny...
...That's what I should have said earlier!
Fei, you idiot! I'm such a fool! Why am I so bad with words...!
GRAAAAH!
Ma'am?! The thing you're destroying right now... Isn't that the carriage we rode here?!
P-please, calm down...!
We rented that! If it breaks, we'll have to pay for it!
GRAAAAAAAAAH!
...Maybe I should go wash the dishes.
Captain, are you going to wash the dishes? We'll come with you.
Coo!
We reached the stream and started doing the dishes together.
How did things end up like this...?
Sect Master said it wouldn't be a difficult mission.
I thought everything would be solved if we just brought Senior Sister Fei back...
I've never seen Senior Sister Lyn treat Senior Sister Fei so coldly before.
Coo...
How were those two back in the day?
They were inseparable.
Neither of them had parents.
So they treated the Sect Master like a father, each other like sisters.
...
When I was little, I was really frail.
I was bedridden.
My Senior Sisters were the ones who took care of me...
I don't want to see them fight.
That's why Toto and I tried to subdue Senior Sister Fei ourselves...
...But we're still weak.
Coo...
Serpang buried her face in her knees, her shoulders shaking.
Serpang...
*Nom* *Nom...* Hmm? What's up?
You were snacking?!
Yeah. When I'm feeling down, sweets help me cheer up.
Captain, want some pumpkin taffy? It's really good.
I accepted the pumpkin taffy Serpang offered.
It's sweet.
...You ate it, right? You accepted the snack I gave you?
Then I have a request for you!
...You thought I gave it to you for free?
Oh, Captain, you're so naive! There's no such thing as a free snack!
Something that sweet and unrealistic couldn't possibly exist in Lavistar. Right, Toto?
Coo.
Now then... what should I ask for?
A house made of luxury sweets? A fountain that never stops flowing with chocolate?
Something realistic, please.
What? You're the Journey Captain and you can't even do that?
Well then...
Maybe... Just maybe...
If Senior Sister Lyn and Senior Sister Fei ever point their swords at each other...
Please stop them, Captain.
So that no one gets hurt.
You can do that, right? No, even if you can't, you have to!
Captain, you took my snack. Toto can back me up on this!
Coooo!
Guess I have no choice.
Ehehe. Then you accepted my quest.
The dishes are all clean now. Let's head back.
...
We are martial artists!
Companions walking the path of martial mastery! Growing together benefits us all!
Lyn, I will become the strongest on the continent.
Anyone who walks the path of martial mastery must have that ambition. You feel the same, right?
You haven't changed at all, Fei.
Not even a bit...
Bring Fei to me at all costs... dead or alive.
Without fail.
Do you understand what that means?
*...Sigh*