A sharp blade wrapped in dark magic carved a streak of black lightning through the air, slashing straight toward Yuuki's throat.
Beast Magic!
Yuuki's eyes shifted slightly. Without even turning his head, he raised his arm.
In the next instant, a palm wreathed in beast-attribute mana caught the pitch-black blade barehanded.
BOOM!
Dark magic and beast magic collided violently. A terrifying shockwave erupted outward from the point of contact, blasting the air apart with explosive force.
"Fire Spirit Magic — Salamander's Breath."
After blocking Yami's strike, Yuuki spoke calmly.
The fire lizard perched on his shoulder lifted its head, opened its jaws toward the nearby Yami, and unleashed a raging torrent of flames.
ROOOAR!
The blaze instantly swelled into a towering sea of fire, surging forward like a volcanic tide.
—Bang!
Yami's pupils contracted. He kicked off the ground midair, pouring dark magic into his blade and forcefully wrenching it free from Yuuki's grip as he leapt backward.
"Dark Magic — Black Hole!"
While still airborne, Yami thrust his katana forward.
At the tip of the blade, a basketball-sized black vortex formed—compressed dark magic spiraling inward like a miniature singularity.
The roaring flames were dragged toward it, sucked in relentlessly. The black hole devoured the fire as though swallowing everything in its path.
Even so—
The residual heat warped the surrounding air.
Dark-purple mana instantly coated Yami's body as he resisted the scorching temperature. Just as he prepared to charge again—
Yuuki was already gone.
"Damn it!"
"What the hell are you trying to do?!"
Yami stood there, his expression icy.
At this point, even he was completely unable to decipher Yuuki's true intentions.
Licht's words earlier had clearly confirmed that Yuuki was once part of the Eye of the Midnight Sun—yet his current actions didn't align with either the enemy or the Clover Kingdom.
For the first time, Yami genuinely felt confused.
Clover Kingdom — Royal Capital Outskirts
High-Security Prison Zone
This area lay within the Royal Realm, guarded by the strongest of the Nine Magic Knight Squads.
Only the most dangerous criminals were imprisoned here.
In addition to elite royal guards, two separate Magic Knight squads were stationed permanently, forming a layered defense.
Security was airtight.
The colossal light swords that had blanketed the sky moments earlier had left everyone stunned. But with the danger gone, the guards finally allowed themselves to breathe.
That kind of magic was far beyond anything they could counter.
Tap—
Clear footsteps echoed from across the street.
The Magic Knights reacted instantly, snapping their gazes toward the sound, expressions tense.
Regardless of what had happened in the capital, no one should be approaching the prison at this hour.
Then—
Yuuki stepped fully into view.
"Identify yourself!"
"This is a restricted prison facility! Without authorization from the Wizard King, you are forbidden from approaching!"
A Magic Knight shouted sharply.
At the same time, every knight present raised their grimoires, mana surging as they prepared to attack.
Because in Yuuki's hand—
He was dragging a mage, his body drenched in blood and clearly unconscious.
"So… this is the place."
Yuuki smiled faintly.
He casually tossed the unconscious mage aside.
"Fire Spirit Magic — Salamander's Hooked Claw."
He spoke softly.
BOOM!
Massive crimson claw marks of flame condensed in midair, expanding instantly before crashing forward.
Against spirit magic of this level, ordinary Magic Knights stood no chance.
Screams rang out as the prison's defensive line collapsed in an instant.
In mere moments, the area was engulfed in a blazing inferno.
Collapsed walls smoldered.
Scorching flames licked the ruins, thick smoke choking the air.
A lone guard trembled in the corner, face pale, staring in horror at the bodies scattered across the ground. He clamped a hand over his mouth, terrified of making even the slightest sound.
Those arrogant, untouchable Magic Knights—
Had been wiped out without even surviving a single exchange.
How… how is this possible…?
Has the capital been invaded again?!
"Oh? You're pretty lucky."
A calm voice suddenly reached his ears.
In an instant—
The guard's back was soaked with cold sweat.
He stiffly turned his head.
Yuuki was already standing in front of him.
The guard opened his mouth—but fear crushed his throat. Not a single word came out.
"I don't like wasting time," Yuuki said evenly.
"Take me to Revchi Salik and Gueldre Poizot."
Realizing he might survive, the guard nodded frantically.
But his legs were completely useless, fear robbing him of strength.
Yuuki sighed, grabbed him with one hand, and lifted him up as he walked deeper into the prison.
Guided by the trembling guard, Yuuki soon arrived at Revchi's cell.
The explosions outside had clearly reached the interior—panic echoed throughout the prison.
"Hahaha! Someone's breaking into the prison?!"
"This is hilarious! Hey—anyone hear me?!"
"Did you all die already?!"
Revchi leaned against the wall, shackled at both wrists and ankles with magic-sealing restraints, shouting gleefully toward the corridor.
After yelling for a while with no response, his eyes lit up.
That meant the guards—inside and out—were all gone.
Anyone capable of pulling that off so quickly was terrifyingly strong.
Of course.
Only someone powerful enough to invade the capital would dare try something like this.
"He's here…"
A shaky voice approached from the corridor.
Revchi's face instantly brightened. He shouted eagerly:
"Hey! Whoever you are—get me out of here and I'll help you!"
"I used to be a Magic Knight! I've got skills—and secrets about the Magic Knight squads!"
"I can pay too! A lot of money!"
Footsteps drew closer.
When Revchi finally saw Yuuki stop in front of his cell—
His expression froze.
"…You little bastard!"
Revchi roared in disbelief.
(End of Chapter)
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims