I watched the pair leave as I channeled more mana into the library to bring it back from the brink. I hadn't noticed until they arrived, but the library seemed to be falling apart without Astaroth here supplying it with mana constantly.
I frowned at the noticeable draw on my mana, but this could be used to my advantage, so I went with it. I returned to the basement and sealed it shut before returning to the library to find another devil in the lobby.
"Who are you?" I asked. The devil before me was about my height, with an almost human face and eyes, but his wings and skin seemed to be covered in eyes, plus the usual horns and tail.
"My name is Adramalech. Who are you?" He asked as I shrugged, "I have no name; we never came up with one before he left." He nodded at that, "Astaroth mentioned that you didn't have a name. Will you let me enter the library?"
I did, since I'd rather not spend my time waiting for Astaroth by myself. Adramalech entered and went straight to the basement. I followed and found him scanning the room with his mana.
"Was he able to break the binding spell? The entire plan hinges on that." He asked, turning to me, and I nodded, "Right before his head passed through, all the chains snapped, and I heard screaming come from the other side." Adramalech considered that for a moment before leaving the basement as I sealed it once again.
"So now what? Did he leave you with instructions for me, or are you just another part of the plan?" I asked as the devil seemed to weigh in his mind how much he could reveal. "I am a part of the plan, but not yet. I won't be needed until much later." I shrugged. I knew my role and would play it well.
Somewhat tired after the mess that just transpired, I went to find a room to sleep in as I let my mind rest before I decided what to do next.
After waking, I went to make food as part of the 'morning' ritual I'd been forcing myself to follow. It helped wake my mind up and cleared my thoughts before I faced the next waking period.
Adramalech entered the kitchen, likely smelling the food as he struggled to sit at the table. I made another portion for him as we ate in silence once he figured out how to use the chair. "Any plans, or are you just going to hang around and do nothing?" I asked as Adramalech swallowed the food in his mouth.
"I will assist you with anything you need. I am already ready for what comes next, but you can always improve." I nodded, finishing my food before going to find more books on how the kingdoms organized their mage forces.
AFTER SOME TIME
Most information available pertained to the Magic Knights of the Clover Kingdom, followed by the mages of the Diamond Kingdom, and then the Heart Kingdom.
The Clover Kingdom split all their mages into several Magic Knight Squads, with a special group set aside to defend the King that consisted of Nobles. The current Magic Knight Squads had changed several times as I was reading, so I ended up setting the book aside as I went to look at the others.
The Diamond Kingdom organized its mages like an army, with Commanders, Generals, and the like. The very top of their power was the king, but the Shining Generals held the most power. As of now, the book has the records of at least eight Shining Generals, who are said to be about as strong as the Clover Kingdom Captains.
The Heart Kingdom had much less information to work with; other than that, they ranked their mages differently. The Clover and Diamond kingdoms treated their mages more like private armies, with internal ranks that were determined by the Captains of each squad and the Wizard King.
The Heart Kingdom, on the other hand, organized its mages into various 'Stages'. 9th Stage mages were the weakest, with 0 Stage mages being the strongest. They also had another stage above this called the 'Saint Stage', but not many reached that point.
The Spade Kingdom had no leaks, however, so I had been unable to find any information on how they organize their mages and military, other than the fact that they all ultimately answered to the King of the Kingdom.
I decided to check and see if the book on the Clover Kingdom's Magic Knight Squads was still having a seizure, and finding it calm, I picked it up to read.
So, the Clover Kingdom has 9 Squads of Magic Knights, they are all led and answer to the current Wizard King, Julius Novachrono.
Before he was Wizard King, Julius was the Captain of the Aqua Deer. He had two vice-captains who proved their power, and when he became Wizard King, he granted them the power to make their own squads, bringing the original 7 up to 9.
Thus, all the Magic Knight Squads and their Captains are as follows.
The Golden Dawn. Led by Nobleman William Vangeance, one of Julius' former Vice-Captains. The Dawn consists mostly of Nobles and is regarded as the strongest squad.
The Black Bulls. Led by Yami Sukehiro, a foreigner whom Julius accepted into his squad before nurturing him into his Vice-Captain. The Bulls consist of strange individuals and are known for causing collateral damage, and are seen as the worst Magic Knight Squad.
The Silver Eagles. Led by a member of one of the three Royal houses, Nozel Silva. This squad consists of Nobles and is the rival of the Crimson Lions.
The Blue Roses. Led by Noblewoman Charlotte Roselie. This squad is known for only accepting women, and the few men who do enter are treated more like servants than actual Knights.
The Crimson Lions. Led by another member of the three royal families, Fuegoleon Vermillion. Though mostly nobles, Fuegoleon has been known to accept commoners who display good combat skills. The rivals of the Silver Eagles.
The Green Matis. Led by Jack the Ripper, a man known for his love of cutting things.
The Coral Peacocks. Led by Dorothy Unsworth, most of the work is done by Vice-Captain Kirsh Vermillion since Dorothy is in a constant state of being asleep.
The Purple Orcas. Led by Gueldre Poizot, this squad is known by the others for treating their commoner members badly, as their Captain runs the squad like a businessman, not a Knight.
The Aqua Deer. Led by Nobleman Rill Boismortier, after Julius became the Wizard King, Rill was left to rebuild the squad and did so well with his unique Painting Magic. Rill is also the youngest of all the current Magic Knight Captains.
As interesting as it was to read all about the different Magic Knight Squads, my head hurt quite a lot by the time I was done, as I went to make some tea.
Adramalech is already in the kitchen when I get there. Since he moved into the library, he's gotten used to me making him food and gets quite annoyed when I'm too busy reading or training to make him food, so he taught himself to cook.
While it wasn't the best, he had figured out what did and didn't work together as he started cooking all their meals. "Any news in the Underworld?" I asked, and he shook his head, not even looking at me.
"Nothing new, Lucifero and Beelzebub still stalk around outside from time to time, but Lucifugus keeps them in check constantly, so we have nothing to worry about. How was your reading?" I frown at that name. Lucifugus is not someone I want to owe anything to.
"Why is he sniffing around? I thought the scent of your mana would keep him at bay?" Adramalech nodded, "It should, but since Astaroth is gone and you haven't really left this place, they all assume that you're weak."
I groan as I realize he's right. I never went outside the library, even when Astaroth was here. I hadn't even entered the lobby since Adramalech had gotten here; of course, the devils were eyeing me.
"I'm guessing they won't leave me alone unless I can project power like Astaroth did?" He nodded before setting a plate before me as we dug in. I ran through all the ways I could deal with this when a pulse of mana surged up from the basement.
"Well, looks like it's time for me to go," I say, finishing the meal as we go down to the basement, when I get an idea. Rushing back up to the library, I channel as much mana as I can into my Space realm to expand it. I push until it won't budge anymore as I start looking through the library for books that could be useful.
I go for the books on cooking first, since I wasn't about to trust anything or anyone other than myself to cook my food, before grabbing other books. Spotting the ones that talk about Mana Zone and Ultimate Magic, I grab those as well as a few over Compound Magic.
I eventually grab as many books as I can think of, with Adramalech adding a few as we return to the basement, where the ritual circle is writhing. "Are you ready, strange devil?" A familiar voice calls out from the portal as I shiver; even now, something feels wrong about Astaroth's voice.
As I take my place in the center of the magic circle, Adramalech channels mana into it to speed up the process. As I feel the library start to shake, the others are here. I pay it no mind as I center my thoughts, not wanting to enter the Living world screaming as I feel dozens of chains spring up and wrap around me.
Just like Astaroth, I start sinking into the circle as Adramalech erects a barrier around us after setting fire to the library. One difference between me Astaroth and is that I'm able to snap the chains binding me by the time I'm sunk up to my chest.
Adramalech notices but says nothing as the barrier shakes behind him. "Good luck, you're going to need it." Then everything goes dark.
After what feels like days, I open my eyes slowly as my body feels weaker than ever, and everything seems massive. Especially the face in front of me, as a familiar smile stares down at me. 'Really?'
"Yes, this is the best possible plan." I frown as Julius Novachrono, 28th Wizard King of the Clover Kingdom, smiles down at me.