The Weeping Swordsman

The crowd erupted in raucous applause, showering the stage with a cascade of flowers. Lucas gazed at the roof above, feeling the petals and coins descend upon him like remnants of a fleeting dream. As the wind swayed, he caught sight of a couple of youngsters sneaking through the crowd, although their attempt to hide their faces was quite obvious to him and unnoticed by the townspeople.

Lucas didn’t like Pyrovile, nor did he dislike it. The weather was hot, but it didn’t bother him. The food was tempting, but he preferred or felt obliged to eat vegetables. People here were friendly, but he had once been stabbed by his best friend in the middle of a war. Nevertheless, they loved his music, and that made his stay enjoyable. Alas, everything must come to an end. Even the sun knows when it’s time to depart for the moon to rule the skies.

Lucas took a bow and exited the stage, weaving through the other contestants. He had participated simply to alleviate boredom, and winning was not his goal. The price of a thousand gold coins, though a life dream to many, was but a trifle to him. The other competitors glared at him and muttered in disapproval, but their animosity remained in their hearts. They were too afraid to confront him because of his prideful demeanour and intense aura, which he didn’t bother to hide. It was this that angered them so much.

He walked to the back and entered a carriage that was fully decorated with purple flowers and veils. The horses wore purple hats tied to their heads. Lucas sat down and was given a complimentary cup of tea. His newly found sponsors in the town who wanted to spread his name provided all of this. He had only spent a day here and was already on the path to entertainment grandeur.

“The smell reminds me of sun blossoms on a bright, blissful afternoon,” Lucas complimented.

“I appreciate your kind words,” the driver said, gratefully. “Your drink not only delights your palate but also offers restorative benefits to the body, revitalizing and invigorating one for the day ahead. It is a splendid blend of golden petals, finely crushed nuts, silver bee honey, and other rare ingredients I shall refrain from detailing further”

“Hmph, you’re rather talkative. I would have enjoyed your words some more, but it appears some guests of mine are on their way”

The rider turned back, his eyes narrowed. “I’m not aware of any meetings mis- “

The carriage stopped, and so did the birds and other elements. Lucas had another sip of his tea.

“It does taste a little bit like medicine. What a surprise,” Lucas said. “Now what brings you two here”

Verek and Kite knelt before him. Both of them were dressed in red garments. Verek was holding a blade, while Kite had a bow. They had been gathering information that could be useful to their employer.

“I greet you, my liege,” they said in unison.

Lucas sighed, twirling his tea cup over and back for fun. It did not spill.

“We don’t have all day, boys. Do hurry up”

“There is a problem,” Verek said.

“The nobles are deep in their schemes again and like a fly trapped in a spider’s web. We have no escape”

Lucas took another sip. “Do tell. What exactly is the situation? In detail”

Verek brought out a scroll. Lending it to Lucas, still on his knees.

“That contains the orders sent discreetly to all the mercenaries. They plan to destroy the whole town”

Lucas chuckled. “So this is what they’ve been planning…How interesting”

“The gates and other exits have been sealed in an attempt to catch the weeping swordsman and his companions. Mercenaries have surrounded the outskirts. Fighting all of them may be tricky since we are not aware of their numbers or strength”

Lucas closed the scroll. “How about the nobles? Are they present?”

“Only Tony is out of the town,” Kite said. “Sparrow remained at the manor while Hack is currently surveying the town for those criminals”

“Sparrow, huh?”

“Are you alright sir?” Verek and Kite said.

“I’m well. You may leave,” Lucas said, finishing his cup. “I’ll call for you when the need arises”

They bowed their heads and disappeared from the carriage.

“-ter Mauve?” the rider asked. “Was someone here, sir?”

“There’s no one present here except me. Is there a problem?” Lucas asked, dropping his cup.

“It must be my imagination, then. What guests are you expecting?” he asked.

“No one. A slip of the tongue”

The driver nodded and focused on the road.

Lucas leaned back in his chair and sighed. “We spent too much time,” he muttered.

*

Lord Tony gazed out the window at the unremarkable view, using it as a new way to pass the time. The nine realms have been in conflict for so long - one realm, one ruler to dominate all nine? What would come after that? Tony tapped his walking stick on the floor.

“A beautiful day, isn’t it Lester?” Tony said in a conversational tone, using his stick to wake Lester.

Lester opened his eyes. “The weather is nice, I guess,” he yawned.

“In just a few minutes, all this greenery will turn to ash. It will be a dreadful sight, but it’s a necessary sacrifice, as it promises a bright future - one without war; a world of peace and resolution. Lester, why do you risk your life for this cause?”

Lester stretched his arms and chuckled. “You have quite the knack for odd remarks. Here you are, on the brink of achieving a top-tier genocide, and yet you speak of peace. It’s a refreshing trait in an employer. As for why I do this, I have two reasons.”

“I’m all ears”

“One and what I just told you. I like you, you’re more fatherly than you set off to be and an odd one at that”

Tony smiled. “And what made you say that?”

“I was aware of the command you gave Matthew—to spare Hudson’s life. Yet you also instructed us to eliminate him on sight. I was quite taken aback by your… what’s the term? Ah, yes … Compassion.”

Tony leaned forward, still sitting. His hands clasped together. “Yes, it is true I chose to spare his life. He’s just a boy, a butler I had raised from birth. It’ll be heartless for me to murder him just for a little bit of eavesdropping”

“You must really love your workers then. You all behave like one family. It’s all odd”

Lord Tony bowed his head, smiling. “Odd…… I like it that way”

“You’re a strange man indeed, Lord Tony,” Lester stared.

“Indeed, I am, young lad. Now. Mind telling me the second reason why you undertake this task?”

“Money of course”

“So, is it really just the lure of a coin that drives you to risk your life? It seems rather a silly cause, don’t you think?”

“Silly or not, the coin promises a good life for me after all. Being a mercenary is a chore: murder, theft, creating political waves, being intimidating around the clock, and an employer of today may become a target for tomorrow’s salary. It all boils down to us being the bad guys in everyone’s little storybook.”

Lord Tony leaned back and crossed his legs. “You seem to hate this job a lot. The only thing keeping you here is the coin. Right?”

Lester stayed quiet. Stuck between the world of dreams and reality. He succumbs to rest.

Lord Tony watched as the blonde mercenary rested. He must have been quite experienced in his work to have such a manly beard. After everything is over, Lord Tony plans to employ him as one of his guards to serve in the manor in the new realm.

*

Mr. Swordsman dodged the force blast. Countless tents behind him shattered from the shock. Gritting his teeth, he dashed through the field and swung his sword at Matthew.

Matthew, with his newfound swiftness, dodged the blade before it could reach him. His head would have been cut off, but having fought Mr. Swordsman twice already, he managed to read the moves, and his upgraded gloves aided in the successful dodge.

Matthew moved his other hand, creating another force blast. Mr. Swordsman, still shocked by Matthew’s previous dodge, had no time to evade the attack. He blocked using his sword but was only able to protect a small fraction of his body. His coating did well to cover the rest.

“I have no time for this,” Mr. Swordsman muttered.

Emilia and Pasta were still in the town. The volcano is soon to erupt at any second.

“This time I won’t lose. You’re going to pay for what you did, you brute!” Matthew recharged his gloves. Using an arm, he blasted himself towards Mr. Swordsman and aiming for the head.

Mr. Swordsman stood undaunted by the forthcoming attack. He using his gift now would end the battle in one move but just like a burst, he’ll exhaust a lot of stamina. Some mercenaries will accompany Lord Tony, some of them tougher than this lad. So using it now was not an option.

The blast was aimed at Mr Swordsman, who extended his sword in the nick of time. Tori intercepted the blast using her scythe to effortlessly slice through it.

“Those bastards calling him grandpappy. I’ll show them. I’ll show all of them,” Tori said, twirling her blade around her fingers. Her headphones were glowing red.

“Now who’s this? A comrade of that naked fool?”

Tori struck her weapon to the floor.

Mr. Swordsman passed her. “What are doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the manor?” he asked calmly, holding back his anger, his sword pressing against her throat.

“I got lost”

“Lost? Emilia and her chaotic brother are now in danger because of you”

Tori looked up at him, the blade cutting her neck. “You don’t really know who you’re meant to protect, aren’t you?” she asked. “Does any of that matter if you can’t stop the eruption? Hurry, I’ll deal with this.”

Mr. Swordsman returned his sword and left.

“Hey, I’m not done with you. Get back here, you coward! Fight me!” Matthew exclaimed, feeling an indomitable aura behind him.

“You called my grandpappy a fool?”

Tori’s energy surged as the pins on her headphones spun rapidly. Her scythe’s edges glowed a dark red. “I’m curious, senpai. Can a human survive with no limbs? Let’s find out, shall we?”

*

Hudson crossed his arms, his eyes shut as the chaos of battle raged on around him. He had just explained what actually happened - the plans of Tony and his friends. The workers remained quiet, not knowing how to take the sudden news. Tony was, after all, a father figure to all of them, strict but caring.

Hudson was abandoned by his parents and sold off. Lord Tony had no use for another servant in his manor, but he still brought him in. Hudson was trained in all aspects of culture and groomed to be a promising butler with great knowledge of the political system. However, he never once felt overwhelmed by it as a child. Tony always treated him kindly, reading bedtime stories and running through the fields together.

Time passed, and more people were employed in the manor. Among other nobles, Lord Tony was known for his strict leadership. He singlehandedly managed the affairs of three domains in the ninth realm. Tony was so successful that he was granted the important title of lord of the three domains. Second in command to the ruler of the ninth realm. However, when alone in the manor with the workers, every morning felt like a sweet dream. Gordon sometimes intentionally cooked poorly because Lord Tony didn’t provide him with new utensils every week. Mary and the other maids scolded him for his habit of drinking before breakfast. The manor was always lively.

Tony became lazier as he aged, no longer as active as he once was. Meanwhile, Hudson had more classes to attend and more responsibilities to handle at the manor and in any town they travelled to. The workers began jokingly calling him “master,” but it eventually became a noble title given to him by them. Tony was aware of all this, and his heart filled with joy.

Gordon clenched his fist. “Why is he doing this? That fool,” he said, looking at Mary. His anger grew as Mary wiped away her tears and stood.

Hudson gazed at her. He felt sick revealing this to everyone, but he had no choice but to do it.

“I’m off to the volcano. Lord Tony needs to be stopped,” Hudson said, walking away.

“No. Hudson, you’ve done enough!” Mary screamed, holding back her tears. “You almost died trying to fight back. What makes you think you can beat the mercenaries?”

Hudson walked to her, placing his hand on her face. “Lord Tony needs to pay for his crimes. If nothing is done, Pyrovile will be destroyed. I have to stop him”

It has been a while since she saw those eyes - honest and caring eyes. She has known Hudson for a long time, and he has never gone back on his word. She trusted him but was scared. This wasn’t something he could control. Hudson might die, so why is he so determined to stop them? Why should he go alone? She wished he should stay with them, safe and protected.

Hudson ran, grabbing Mr. Swordsman’s collar. “I’m going with you”

“You’ve met your friends, right? There’s no point in you risking your life anymore”

“But. I just can’t let Lord Tony be,” Hudson said, his tone firm.

Mr. Swordsman sighed, picking Hudson up in one hand.

“Hey, hey not this again. This is embarrassing. I demand you put me down,” Hudson complained, shaking his legs.

“You want to accompany me or not?”

“I do but…. Can’t you pick a better position?”

“No”

Mary stopped them and ran into one of the tents, picking a sword. She handed it to Hudson.

“I’m not going to stop you, but be safe out there,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

Hudson smiled and patted her on the head.

“Don’t worry about us, Master Hudson,” Cumbleton assured. “Gordon, Andy, and I, along with the others, have everything under control.”

Andy was still wearing his awkward armour. Mr. Swordsman dashed through the forest at great speed. The workers waved goodbye to Hudson.

All hope rests on this moment. What follows will have a major impact on the nine realms. However, Mr Swordsman had other pressing priorities: ensuring Emilia’s and Pasta’s safety, a matter he couldn’t get out of his head. Additionally, his master awaited him at the ends of the realm, and keeping him waiting is a crime punishable by death. But. The people of the town do not deserve such a fate. Stopping the eruption was all that mattered. There was still hope to save everyone. Mr. Swordsman held Pasta even tighter.

“We’ll be going faster. Hope you can handle it?”

Hudson nodded.

Mr. Swordsman smiled. This was one of those times he wished to be someone else. A friend of his who would easily have finished this trip. But he was here. A task given to him alone. He pressed his leg muscles and sprinted through the forest.

“Enemies ahead. Go stop Tony. Hudson!” Mr. Swordsman screamed. He entered the cave leading to the core of the volcano and threw Hudson in the air.

“Got it!” Hudson managed to land on his feet.

“Looks like we got ourselves some company,” Lester said, wielding his sword.

“Meat,” Gorrick, the giant human, growled. His spittle escaping his mask.

The other mercenaries surrounded Mr. Swordsman. “Run! Hudson. Go!” he yelled.

Hudson ran towards the entrance to the inner section of the volcano.

“Think I’ll let you pass that easily,” Lester cackled. He dashed to Hudson, going for his neck.

Mr. Swordsman intercepted with his sword. “You don’t want to let your guard down. You are facing me after all”

Lester laughed. “Hehehehe. You’re funny I like you.” He said, putting down his sword.

Hudson entered, leaving Mr. Swordsman behind. He drew his sword, determined to heed Lord Tony’s words and end it with one strike, despite never having taken a life before. Arriving at the hot lake of lava below, his eyes widened as he saw Lord Tony standing at the side, with a glowing stone falling into the lava.

“No!!” Hudson ran to stop it, but could not make it.

Lord Tony smiled. “So, Hudson, my dear, you’re alive after all.”