The Moonlight Swordsman

Next Day...

Aizel and Jeffrey were ready to leave Whiskerkin land, and their resolve wasn\'t faltering one bit. Rayla joined them and explained the complex scheme they\'d come up with. 

Aizel would accompany Jeffrey to infiltrate the headquarters, and they would bring out the cursed magi and their followers. 

As they journeyed, a strategic ambush would be executed, with their combined forces engaging their pursuers and the cursed magi, striking at the heart of their adversary\'s strength. 

The horses strutted proudly, their rippling muscles reflecting the sunlight. At the border of Whiskerkin land, Aizel, Jeffrey, and Rayla gathered with their trusty mounts.

"So this is our farewell. I won\'t join you for the ambush, but I know you can easily take them down," Rayla said.

"Yes, and thank you for everything once again. I hope to meet you again; I will bring some guests next time," Aizel replied with a smile.

"You are always welcome,"

"Goodbye,"

*****

The wind whipped through Aizel\'s hair as his horse thundered beneath him, hooves pounding against the earth with an unyielding rhythm. Jeffrey was riding next to him and kept up with his speed. 

The landscape blurred into a streak of colors as they raced toward the sprawling Zontor City. 

"Jeffrey, are you sure they will all head together outside of the city to the place where we are planning to ambush them?" Aizel asked.

"Yes, for quite a long time, we were looking for someone. I am going to use him to bait them," he replied.

"And who is that?"

"There were not four of us. There were actually five of us who betrayed the kingdom.

"One of us always remained in the shadow. But at the crucial time, he betrayed us and left with the most important artifact that we stole."

As the significance of the news dawned on Aizel, his pupils dilated in astonishment and bewilderment. 

"Why the fuck are you saying it now? Why didn\'t you tell me earlier about this?"

"You didn\'t ask."

"Fuck, I forgot you can\'t let me know everything on your own. So where is this fella?"

"I don\'t know, I am just using him as bait." Jeffrey shrugged.

"So those three goons will definitely come outside for this fella?" 

"100%, because that artifact was going to be given to the princess,"

"What is it?" Aizel asked with piqued interest.

"I don\'t know; it was stored in his storage ring for all time." 

[Fufu, finally something good that I heard]

That fella must have left for the other kingdom. So either he is in the Central Kingdom or in the Theodora Kingdom."

He might have also struck some kind of deal with the Theodora Kingdom, just like they did with the Beast Kingdom."

[Master, don\'t you feel that this Felgura Kingdom is surrounded by a lot of enemies?]

Yes, Theodora is already a mortal enemy, and we don\'t know when even the Beast Kingdom can have their eyes on this kingdom."

I don\'t know much about the Central Kingdom."

[Should we then leave from here?]

We will think about that later, but first, we should handle those cursed magi. We will be going up against a mage who can use darkness."

I don\'t want to take him easily."

[fufu, I am ready too]

Aizel and Jeffrey arrived in the bustling Zontor city as the sun was beginning to set, casting an amber glow over the city.

Their horses came to a halt outside the towering headquarters, where a flurry of activity filled the air. 

The building buzzed with the voices of humans and Seafolks mingling in a cacophony of conversation.

Those goons are back."

With Aizel close behind Jeffrey, they entered the building\'s impressive lobby, where an enigmatic atmosphere prevailed. 

All eyes turned to Jeffrey, who commanded respect and admiration from those around him. Heads bowed in deference as he passed, their gazes fixated on his every move.

Meanwhile, Aizel became a mere shadow in the presence of his companion, fading into the background as if he were invisible to those around him. 

As Aizel entered the lavish chamber, her gaze fell on the three individuals seated on the luxurious couch.

Their relaxed postures and leisurely sips of tea indicated a sense of entitlement and authority. 

"You are finally here, Jeffrey." One of the middle-aged guys said

Aizel\'s keen vision allowed him to make out the man\'s individual features, which bore the marks of time. His wrinkled forehead told stories of age and experience, and the strands of silver in his dark hair betrayed his maturity.

This must be Grade IV."

"And who is that with you? I didn\'t know you swing that way too," another said, after noticing Aizel.

This guy is fat and half bald; this must be the Grade III water mage," Aizel thought.

"He is my new right hand. He is quite strong, and he had nowhere else to go. So I took him under my wing," Jeffrey replied calmly. 

He took a seat beside them.

As Aizel\'s gaze shifted toward the final figure in the room, an unexpected surge of emotions surged within him.

A young individual of merely fifteen or sixteen years of age, hunched over, took small sips of tea with an air of detachment, his eyes devoid of the usual spark of life. 

[Master...]

I am alright; we will find it out later."

"I have found that bastard," Jeffrey suddenly said, stunning the two of them. 

"Where is he? How did you find it?" The half-bald man asked.

"He was still hiding in the beast kingdom around the Whiskerkins area. One of my women from the other city has informed me about his location and where he is heading," Jeffrey replied.

"Finally, your whores have their uses,"

"Of course, I used them to gather information all around the kingdom," Jeffrey replied proudly.

"Then we can\'t waste any time before he slips again. Gather everyone; we are going to hunt that bastard." 

Aizel watched intently as the people in the room got up from their seats and left. Jeffrey walked ahead, while Aizel quietly followed in the footsteps of a devoted follower. 

But his eyes were on the kid, who didn\'t show any interest.

[Master, you have to kill him no matter what. Daisy will be with us, and you can\'t hesitate even for a second]

I know,"