“Black Moon Count” is considered one of the most famous urban legends on Earth, and even throughout the Commonwealth.
He is a chivalrous thief who helps the needy and acts righteously, always appearing under the moon in the dark of night, punishing evil, combating crime, robbing the rich to help the poor, and mocking nobles.
This is understandable; similar urban legends always emerge when civilian culture develops to a certain degree.
However, the fact that this chivalrous thief's story is so widely spread, yet there isn't a single novel, animation, game, film, or song praising his story, is quite debatable.
This is not strange, because this urban legend is real.
The big figures in the inner world all know it.
“Black Moon Count” has actually existed for nearly five hundred years, appearing alongside the Empire's rule over the Commonwealth.
In the beginning, he (or she?) didn't have any particularly chuuni nickname, but he always liked to appear in a black outfit, moving swiftly and appearing and disappearing unpredictably, thus earning the moniker “Night Cat Hero.”
This guy was indeed someone with a strong desire to perform.
He once stole millions of gold dragons from the Imperial Governor's Office, then scattered a rain of gold coins over the lower districts of Big Apple City; he also once blew up an Imperial Dreadnought moored in Hawaii, and creatively drew a smug, middle-finger-waving black cat at the explosion site.
Even more exaggerated, at a gathering of a million people, in front of countless onlookers and a group of Guardians, he cut off the head of an Imperial Governor known for his cruelty with a single sword, then carried the bloody head and strode away.
Nearly ten thousand guards were Present, with spiritual energy users overseeing, yet they could not stop him.
The next day, Mr. Governor's head was found, nailed to the spire of the tallest building in Big Apple, the Tamil Tower, covered in frost.
…Thus, the Empire's designations for him ranged from “Night Cat” to “Ghost Shadow” to “Moonlight Demon.”
At its peak, the bounty reached 100 million gold dragons.
As for how the so-called “Black Moon Count” title came about, it's even more legendary.
That was over a hundred years ago.
His Majesty the Emperor, on a whim, came to Earth to play.
It is said that this great emperor, a man of grand strategy and unrivaled might, was actually a very casual person at heart, who loved combat, enjoyed inspections, sought thrills, and was quite fond of Earth's culture, especially the poetry from the East Asia region, particularly the poem “Ten steps, one kill.”
Upon hearing that such a legendary figure truly existed on Earth, His Majesty the Emperor's interest was greatly piqued, and his chuunibyou also flared up.
He took out a meticulously carved Snow Jade Aurora Goddess of Victory statue by an Imperial sculptor and announced on the spot that if the Moonlight Demon could steal it right under his nose, he would grant the entire Blue Star Autonomy a year of tax exemption and also implement more lenient ruling laws for Earthlings.
Of course, if the Demon lost or was captured on the spot, he wouldn't have to die, but he would have to serve the Empire.
His Majesty the Emperor had already prepared a Count title for him.
Then, this was the most legendary battle of that chivalrous thief.
The specific method is now a matter of much debate, but he indeed carried the Goddess statue from the bedroom of the unrivaled Emperor and disappeared into the night, bathed in moonlight.
The Great Emperor, unable to pursue, did not get angry but instead laughed, which then turned into hearty laughter, repeatedly saying, “I lost!”
He not only fully honored the bet but also ordered the Imperial College of Arms to confer the title of Black Moon Count and specially opened an account, depositing the annual annuity of a Count into it every year.
Although no one has ever claimed it, after more than a hundred years, that account must have an astronomical sum in it, right?
From then on, this legendary chivalrous thief's official alias became “Black Moon Count!”
And this Count was a truly officially recognized big V by the Imperial College of Arms.
For the Emperor, this was actually just a standard public relations play to demonstrate his magnanimity and openness, and it was a great success.
Anyway, from then on, Earthlings hated the Empire, hated the Governor's Office, hated the nobles, but genuinely few hated the Emperor and the Imperial family.
But on the other hand, the common people also truly benefited.
The above is the story of the legendary chivalrous thief “Black Moon Count,” and all of it is true.
After independence, his deeds still occasionally occurred, but none were particularly shocking.
As for whether it was the original or an imitator, it's truly impossible to say.
The history of Black Moon Count is simply too long.
Is he a member of those mysterious long-lived races, or a top spiritual energy user who gained a long lifespan?
Or, is he not one person, but a title passed down through generations?
Ordinary people naturally believe he is an immortal Hero, a Guardian of the poor; of course, Yu Lian is more inclined to the latter.
He had several dealings with Black Moon Count in his previous life.
He felt that the guy's demeanor was actually sad, like the Dragon Knight who lost his right hand and hadn't found his wife yet and could only play with birds, truly depressing, very far from the legendary hedonist and show-off.
Either they weren't the same person, or he had recently suffered a significant blow.
Overall, Black Moon Count is indeed an anti-establishment figure, yet also a patriotic hero who sympathizes with the lower classes, hates corrupt powerful figures, and also hates foreign invaders.
He truly deserves the title “Hero.”
But no matter what, Yu Lian would never believe that such a person would collude with the underworld and evil cults.
Therefore, in summary, Yu Lian felt he had found the truth!
It should be Autumn Mountain Yawata and his Kuki-gumi, who are doing some extremely profitable but morally reprehensible business!
But they were targeted by rival organizations Norman Gang and All-Unification Church, who were preparing to backstab them!
However, at this moment, the great justice partner, Black Moon Count, decided to eliminate these underworld scourges once and for all, bringing a brighter future to the citizens of Big Apple City, simply taking out all three of them.
“Indeed, this explanation is also logical.”
Autumn Mountain Yawata nodded, “It's just, I don't remember doing any evil deeds that would anger that person!”
“So what exactly is this industry of yours?”
“It's nothing too big… Our Kuki-gumi has acquired a plot of land in the suburbs of Big Apple City.”
“Oh, land acquisition!”
Real estate development is actually quite morally reprehensible, but it shouldn't warrant Black Moon Count personally intervening, right?
“And then, we built factories, warehouses, worker dormitories, and living areas there, solving employment problems for at least a thousand people in the entire Big Apple City!”
I'd only believe you if there were ghosts!
Yu Lian's face darkened, saying, “You wouldn't be manufacturing…”
“Yes, we are producing crystal capsules.”
Yu Lian sighed slightly in relief, then was a little surprised: “Crystal capsules? The ones from Lanorser Company? That special medicine used to treat space radiation sickness?”
After receiving an affirmative answer, Yu Lian sighed, “Brother Yahata, you actually sell fake medicine…”
“It's not fake medicine, but legitimate high-grade generic medicine!
And, in fact, Minlan Republic's Enorser Pharmaceutical Company is the pirated one; our Kuki-gumi's crystal capsules are a secret family recipe, far superior to their so-called genuine product!
It's just that our ancestors didn't understand international law well, and that scoundrel company stole our secret recipe and preemptively registered the patent, and they sell it so expensively.
I'm now selling it at only one-fifth of their price, and the efficacy is even better; let's see if they die or not!”
At this point, Autumn Mountain Yawata was a bit smug, pushing his glasses with an expressionless face.
“Hmph, the foolish Commonwealth Government, since they can't support us legitimate entrepreneurs, then we'll just have to do it ourselves.
Also, our Kuki-gumi is different from those scoundrels who sell narcotics!
We do great good deeds!”
“Young… Young Master, if you say that, you'll offend all your colleagues!
The things they sell, aren't they also allowed by Commonwealth law?
How can that be considered selling narcotics?
At most, it can only be called private sales…” the black-clad big man said.
“Yes, Young Master, this is giving Commonwealth citizens the freedom to legally consume… ah no, legally enjoy high-end luxury goods!” the trench coat-wearing big man also explained seriously.
Yes, Commonwealth law allows for soft drugs to exist, but they are all exclusively operated by officially designated merchants.
After all, the profits from this stuff are much higher than from steel mills and machinery factories.
“Alright, I'm different from those glamorous and cheap prostitutes who privately sell high-end consumer goods; I do great good deeds!”
Yahata said proudly with an expressionless face.
Yu Lian, meanwhile, didn't know what expression to use anymore.
“In any case, our channels are already laid out.
Nefi and Tianyu are just waiting to receive the goods… but so many things have gone wrong!
The Norman Gang and the All-Unification Church are one thing, but even the dignified Black Moon Count sent us a black letter.”
Yes, every time Black Moon Count does something big, he sends a black Notice to his target.
He did this when he rained gold coins, when he cut off the Governor's head, and when he stole the Emperor's Goddess statue!
…What a classicist, pleasure-seeking show-off setting!
Autumn Mountain Yawata snorted: “Our plantation and crystal capsule factory have provided over 1000 jobs for Big Apple citizens!
And, because of this, they've saved countless poor people who couldn't afford Enorser's 'genuine medicine'!
No matter who it is, they won't take away this pure land!”
At this point, he stared intently at Yu Lian, his glasses seemingly glowing again: “We are fighting to protect this pure land!
Fighting to protect civilians afflicted by disease!
Fighting against evil cults!
Fighting against powerful figures who are rich but unkind!
Even if Black Moon Count himself arrives, I will speak!
So, my soulmate, don't be afraid!
Stand shoulder to shoulder with us!”
Saying such chuuni, hyped-up words with a poker face and a flat, emotionless tone was even more horrifying than before!
Yu Lian barely managed to resist punching the center of the other's glasses, then said in a voice only the two of them could hear: “However, you went to visit the Shared Foundation in the city today, and then you were ambushed; the more I think about it, the more terrifying it is… Brother Yahata!”
Autumn Mountain Yawata nodded, and just as he was about to say something, the trench coat-wearing big man in the passenger seat turned around and whispered, “Young Master, the situation has changed, Sixth Master wants you to come over quickly.”