The road leading into the capital lay in ruins. On either side, buildings and streets were heavily damaged, some shrouded in smoke. Aside from Asta and the others, there was no one in sight.
Most people had hidden themselves, seeking safety in the face of the sudden assault.
Asta, Noelle, Mimosa, and Leopold hurried along with tight, deliberate steps.
Even normally oblivious Asta remained unusually quiet, eyes scanning the surroundings with caution. He stayed close to Noelle, guarding their rear to prevent any sudden attacks.
They could feel the terrifying waves of magic power surging from behind, accompanied by deafening roars. The gap in strength was far too great; the scale of the battle was beyond their ability to intervene.
"Captain Fuegoleon's injuries… seem to have stabilized, at least temporarily,"
Mimosa said as she jogged, wiping sweat from her forehead. The pair of flower-formed wings on her back glowed with a soothing green light, emanating healing magic that enveloped Fuegoleon.
Leopold, carrying his brother, finally exhaled a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Mimosa."
"It's my duty. But this only stabilizes the injuries; higher-level healing magic is still needed."
As the four relaxed momentarily, focusing on Fuegoleon's condition, they did not notice a figure trailing behind them.
Yuuki, cloaked in invisibility, quietly followed, his gaze sweeping over the four before settling on Leopold.
The member of the "Crimson Lion King" squad—Fuegoleon's brother—was not only carrying the injured captain but also tightly holding Fuegoleon's grimoire.
Yuuki smiled faintly. The Eye of the Midnight Sun's objective had been accomplished; all attention from the nine Magic Knight squads remained on the ongoing battle behind them.
Stopping the grimoire's thief would be impossible for just four people.
"Mist Magic—Swirling Phantom Fog."
Yuuki's footsteps halted, his voice calm.
A dense white fog surged forward, instantly forming a massive cloud under the support of Yuuki's immense magic. It rolled toward Asta and the others.
The four quickly sensed the unnatural change around them.
"Enemy!"
Asta's face darkened as he shouted.
Leopold immediately stopped and scanned the area, cautious, while Mimosa, despite her fear, kept her healing magic active.
Soon, the fog thickened further, obscuring the surroundings entirely.
Asta swung the Demon-Slayer Sword, cutting through the fog around him. The cursed sword dispersed some of the mist, but the fog quickly filled back in.
"Damn it! We can't let them harm Captain Fuegoleon!"
Asta swung repeatedly, but the effect was minimal—only clearing the immediate area.
All four were injured and had to protect the unconscious Fuegoleon. In such dense fog, splitting up was out of the question.
"Thanks, Asta," Leopold said, grateful.
"As Magic Knights, we can't abandon our comrades," Asta replied, unconcerned, his voice loud and firm.
"Water Creation Magic—Sea Dragon's Cradle!"
"Noelle's spell should hold the enemy for a while, and the magic waves will soon attract the arrival of the rest of their squad,"
Noelle cast a defensive spell with her staff, encapsulating the group in a protective water sphere.
Back-to-back, the four carefully watched the surroundings, awaiting an attack.
Yet after a time, no enemy appeared. Instead, the thick fog that had surrounded them gradually dissipated.
When the fog finally cleared, the enemy was still nowhere in sight.
"What… just happened?"
Asta blinked, confused. He had been ready for battle, yet nothing occurred.
"Hmph. That's thanks to me. The enemy couldn't break through my water magic, so they had no choice but to leave,"
Noelle said, a hint of pride in her voice.
"The capital still has remaining threats… it's dangerous," she added with a light huff.
But before her words even ended—
"Ah!!"
"The grimoire! The grimoire!"
Leopold's panicked voice rang out.
From a nearby rooftop, Yuuki stood, calm and composed.
"Finally in hand. Much easier than I expected."
A smile crossed Yuuki's face as he gazed at the crimson, slightly damaged grimoire.
A mage's life was reflected in their grimoire; the missing corner revealed that Fuegoleon had been close to death, yet he had managed to survive. Truly worthy of a captain.
Yuuki took the grimoire without swapping it out this time.
At Fuegoleon's level, replicating his magic source directly with the Demon-Destroyer Sword would have caused uncontrollable surges and fluctuations.
It was safer to find a secure location to perform a full replication.
"I'll take the grimoire for now. Could be a useful chip for the future."
Yuuki smiled down at the four flustered Magic Knights. With a flicker, he vanished, heading back toward the tavern.
There was no need for him to go to where Licht and Yami were engaged in battle.
From his perspective, the clashing surges of magical power below had already weakened compared to the start; without breaking Licht's seal, the three captains couldn't gain the upper hand.
With Valtos and the Eye of the Midnight Sun safely retreated, there was no need for Licht to continue fighting.
Border of the Clover Kingdom Outer World.
The legendary site of the Demon God's head, left behind five centuries ago.
There stood a massive stone tablet, about the height of two men, carved with intricate patterns.
Wizard King Julius examined it with curiosity, studying the complex symbols.
"Didn't expect something like this in the Outer World," he muttered, intrigued.
Amidst the capital's invasion, the Wizard King had not appeared because he was at the Clover Kingdom's border.
"Time to return to the capital…"
As Julius stretched, he paused mid-sentence.
In the next moment, his expression shifted from calm curiosity to something darker and more profound.
The previously serene and inquisitive look vanished, replaced by a detached, superior demeanor.
"Not following the originally observed future?"
"One of the possible futures caused by the appearance of a person without magic?"
He chuckled softly.
"After all value is exhausted, the defective pieces must be purged."
Wizard King Julius spoke coldly, expressionless.
The person without magic was needed to counter the Devil King; until then, they could not be allowed to appear unexpectedly.
With the word "piece" uttered, Julius's aloof and superior posture disappeared, returning to his usual calm and inquisitive expression.
"Time to head back to the capital. Marquez will start nagging again."
He rubbed his ear with a hint of helplessness and then vanished.
During this process, he remained unaware of the sudden shift in his own demeanor, as if the moment had been cut out entirely.
(End of Chapter)
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