"Keep calm. No mistakes this time." Adam's expression hardened.
To build the first true family on the continent, he had to gather all twelve Zodiac Spirits. Only then could he realize his vision — a united kingdom ruled by strength and order.
But his current invincible state wouldn't last forever. The divine power he borrowed would eventually fade, and everything gained through it would rebound when it did.
The higher the praise… the harder the fall.
Adam knew that truth better than anyone.
"Then it's decided," he muttered. "We'll form a hidden organization — one that will search for the power of the Zodiac."
He had already chosen his first pawn.
"Patolli, you'll be its leader again. Let's use your reputation for something useful this time."
The golden grimoire before him suddenly flared open, its pages turning by themselves.
[Insufficient energy detected. The effects of Grand Mage, Golden Words, and Divine Word have expired.]
Adam frowned slightly. The "all-powerful mode" was running out of time. He needed to act fast.
Fortunately, his divine power was fading in stages — thanks to the Dragon Jade Pendant still protecting him.
"Xiaoshui, let them go."
Xiaoshui released the restraints on the two captives. The long interrogation had been brutal — but oddly effective. The two were practically holding hands now, united by shared suffering.
"Mr. Xiaoshui, Mr. Adam, we'll be leaving now," the King said weakly, scrambling onto Sakke's broom.
Even if the poor man from the Mantis Squad wanted to escape, there was no escaping the sound of Sakke's command.
"Drive!"
"…Yes, Your Majesty."
Sakke looked like he wanted to cry. Nothing in his life made sense anymore — cursed by devils, bullied by monsters, and now downgraded to the royal chauffeur.
Truly miserable.
"Boss," Xiaoshui whispered, tracing a finger across his throat, "want me to take care of them? Just in case?"
Adam waved him off.
"Don't bother. The Great Mage's Contract Spell isn't so easily broken."
He smiled faintly — a mysterious glint in his eye.
"Rooaaar!"
From the southern skies, Xiaolan the Dragon streaked through the night, his azure scales reflecting the moonlight. Adam and Xiaoshui leapt onto his back in one motion.
They had an appointment to keep — with Licht and his followers, at the city of Heikailo. And they were running late.
"Hold tight."
Adam placed his hand on the dragon's head. A surge of mana rippled through the air — and in a few breaths, they were soaring above Heikailo, the largest city in the flatlands.
"Master!"
Below, Patolli and his three companions flew up at once, kneeling midair.
"Just call me Boss," Adam said, nodding approvingly. These four might have been his enemies once — but now, bound by the ancient contract, they were loyal subordinates.
"Boss!" the four shouted in unison.
Below them, crowds of survivors looked up at the massive dragon in awe.
"It's Lord Shenlong!"
"Wait—someone's standing on his back! Could it be Lord Poseidon?"
"It must be! Only the Sea God could stand beside the Dragon God!"
Adam glanced down and sighed. "Xiaoshui… you really went all out."
Xiaoshui just grinned.
The people cheered louder, their faith overflowing.
"Lord Adam!!!"
"Lord Poseidon!!!"
"Lord Dragon!!!"
The atmosphere was almost divine — and that made Adam uncomfortable.
"Alright, that's enough worship for one day. Let's move!"
With a thunderous flap, Xiaolan shot forward, cutting across the sky like a bolt of lightning. The speed alone nearly threw Patolli and the others off his back.
Their destination: the Demon Palace beneath the Ulutim Volcanic Belt — a mountain of treasure buried deep underground.
When they entered, Adam casually threw a darkened four-leaf grimoire to Patolli.
"This is yours."
Patolli froze. He recognized it instantly — the same grimoire that had once been twisted by a devil. His hand trembled.
"The past is over," Adam said quietly. "Use that power. Surpass your old self."
"Yes, Boss."
Patolli gripped the grimoire tightly, his expression firm.
"Now," Adam said, sitting atop a pile of gold coins, "let's talk business."
He looked over the four of them — Patolli, Rhya, Vetto, and Fana. Life really was unpredictable.
His greatest enemies had become his first subordinates.
"I'll follow your orders," Patolli said without hesitation.
Bound by contract or not, he owed the man in front of him a debt he could never repay.
"So will we," the Three Eyes echoed. They exchanged glances — there was nowhere else to go, anyway.
Adam smiled slightly.
He didn't need to read their minds. The contract would ensure their obedience — but true loyalty, that would have to be earned.
"Good."
He rose, sweeping a hand toward the mountains of gold surrounding them.
"This will be our organization's start-up fund. First, find a secret base. Then, have black robes with red cloud design tailored for everyone."
He added,
"Each robe must bear one of the twelve Zodiac symbols — the ones from my grimoire."
He tossed the golden book toward Patolli, who caught it reverently.
"This magic… it's beyond comprehension," Patolli murmured. The runes, the symbols — even the texture of the pages pulsed with something divine.
Rhya leaned closer.
"I've never seen anything like it…"
"We'll remember every detail," Patolli said, closing the book and returning it carefully to Adam.
Then Fana, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke.
"Boss… what will our organization be called?"
Adam smiled faintly.
"The dawn that disperses darkness… That's our path."
He looked at them one by one, his voice echoing through the golden chamber.
"We'll be called — Akatsuki."
Patolli's eyes lit up.
"A brilliant name."
The others nodded in agreement.
Thus, in the shadows of a ruined world, beneath mountains of gold and flame —
the organization "Akatsuki" was born.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Black Clover: I Awakened the Power of the Twelve Zodiac Talismans is now on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you for your support! 💙