Mereoleona was well aware that Yuuki still had several powerful magic tools he hadn't used—most notably the demon-dweller sword capable of negating magic, as well as the transparent sphere-type magic tool that amplified mana.
Likewise, Yuuki knew that Mereoleona's Mana Zone possessed an even more extreme, full-output state.
A state in which her originally crimson flames would transform into blue fire—hotter, deadlier, and capable of incinerating everything in its surroundings.
However, once she entered that state, it would mean only one thing.
Mereoleona would be fighting with her life on the line.
Given the current situation, even if Mereoleona was riding high on battle fever, she would not activate that full-power Mana Zone.
And since Yuuki had already experienced the might of Mana Zone firsthand, there was no need to continue the fight.
Through that encounter alone, Yuuki had essentially confirmed his own strength.
Aside from the elf leader Licht, he now stood above the other reincarnated members of the Apostles of Sephirah.
And that was without even touching his trump card—
Fate Magic.
Yuuki looked at Mereoleona, whose fighting spirit and mana were still surging violently, and rubbed his forehead.
"I think, Lady Mereoleona," he said calmly,
"you may have forgotten something."
He raised his other hand.
The grimoire he had thrown onto Mount Ultime earlier suddenly appeared in his grasp.
From the beginning, his goal had never been to fight this lioness head-on.
Seeing the grimoire in Yuuki's hand, Mereoleona froze.
When did that happen?
"…I see. While I was blocking your magic attack, you used spatial magic to retrieve it."
Realization dawned quickly. A trace of regret flashed through her eyes as the boiling mana around her gradually subsided.
Yuuki felt the natural mana in the air grow chaotic again as the pressure of Mana Zone faded, a hint of surprise crossing his expression.
He had honestly thought that such a simple condition wouldn't be enough to suppress Mereoleona's fully ignited battle intent.
But—
Thinking back on the fight, Yuuki suddenly noticed something.
Compared to seizing the grimoire, Mereoleona had clearly been more interested in fighting him.
At first, Yuuki believed she simply wanted to finish their unresolved battle from before.
Now, however, it seemed she had another purpose.
And that purpose wasn't hard to guess.
After all—
Everyone had their own objectives.
The rest proceeded smoothly.
Not long afterward, Yuuki left the grand magic zone and returned to Leon Town.
He handed Fuegoleon's grimoire back to Mereoleona. After all, once he had obtained the information he wanted, the grimoire no longer held any value for him.
And the information he sought was clear—
The seal location of the previous Wizard King, Conrad.
Elsewhere.
In the central district of the Royal Capital, inside a towering castle.
Wizard King Julius leaned over his desk, listening intently as Mereoleona recounted what had happened in the strong-mana region.
"A shame," Mereoleona said casually.
"I didn't manage to force that brat Yuuki to reveal his full strength."
"I didn't expect his growth rate to have already reached captain level. If we'd kept fighting, things might've gotten out of hand."
Her expression was relaxed, almost bored.
Julius didn't mind her lack of formality in the slightest. Instead, he smiled faintly.
"You've had it rough—being handed so many troublesome matters right after returning."
He spoke with mild embarrassment.
"Save the pleasantries," Mereoleona waved him off.
"Either way, I've gotten a decent grasp of that brat's situation."
"If he ever truly threatens the kingdom, there'll be no need for other captains. I alone can take him down."
Her tone held no trace of humor.
Seeing this, Julius nodded in satisfaction.
"By the way," he asked thoughtfully,
"why would he be interested in Conrad?"
At the mention of that name, nostalgia and emotion flickered through Julius's eyes.
Mereoleona gave an awkward chuckle.
"It might be related to when I ran into him in a grand magic zone near the kingdom's border."
"That brat Yuuki probably decided to investigate Conrad because their magic is similar."
She offered her guess.
Julius nodded lightly, intrigue clear in his voice.
"From what I've heard from Asta of the Black Bulls and Yuno of the Golden Dawn, Yuuki's Replication Magic does bear similarities to Conrad's."
"Cough, cough."
At that moment, Marx, the Wizard King's attendant, coughed lightly into his hand.
Discussing the previous Wizard King so openly—especially given Conrad's circumstances—was rather inappropriate.
"Haha—right."
Julius laughed it off quickly, spreading his hands.
"Personally, I think quite highly of Yuuki. But some people in the royal court have strong objections. Sending you out was the fastest way to put them at ease."
His expression then turned serious.
"Now, to business. Our top priority is forming the Royal Knights to suppress the Eye of the Midnight Sun."
"And the captain of the Royal Knights has already been decided."
"You."
Julius spoke firmly.
"This is the official appointment."
Marx immediately stepped forward and handed the document to Mereoleona.
"Captain of the Royal Knights, huh?"
Mereoleona glanced at the letter, then grinned.
"Sounds interesting. I was just itching to test the strength of the Eye of the Midnight Sun's leader—the one who defeated my idiot brother."
With that, she gave Julius a brief bow and turned to leave.
At the tavern.
Yuuki sat alone by the window, leisurely enjoying the quiet.
The tavern doors were still broken and unrepaired, letting cold air seep in.
Rebecca and the others weren't in a hurry—they planned to hire craftsmen the next day.
After all, given the tavern's current reputation, even without doors, no thief would dare step inside.
Yuuki didn't know the details of what was discussed in the royal capital.
But based on his clash in the grand magic zone he could vaguely guess the outcome.
And he didn't particularly care.
Compared to the uncertain threat posed by one man, the Eye of the Midnight Sun was the danger the Clover Kingdom needed to address first.
"The curtain is finally about to rise…"
Yuuki gazed at the star-filled sky outside the window and murmured with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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