Chapter 64: Licht's Probe — Sally!
As for the identity of the mysterious figure he had impersonated, the Clover Kingdom might investigate—but aside from the Plant Magic he had deliberately revealed, Yuuki had left behind no usable clues whatsoever.
Even the Eye of the Midnight Sun had been unable to uncover anything. Let alone anyone else.
Licht had even less reason to worry.
What the other side truly cared about were magic stones. Beyond that, the only people worthy of his attention were the Wizard King and the nine Magic Knight captains. As for everyone else, they were beneath his notice.
The four missing members of the Eye of the Midnight Sun were no exception.
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Eye of the Midnight Sun — Base
Brilliant sunlight streamed down through a vast opening in the rocky ceiling, forming a pillar of light that bathed the ground below.
Licht stood within that radiance. Coupled with the faint glow naturally emitted by his Light Magic, his entire body seemed enveloped in sacred brilliance.
"After clashing with the Black Bulls and being defeated… they were then taken away by a mysterious individual?"
With his back turned to Yuuki, Licht's calm voice carried a trace of sorrow.
"Yes, Lord Licht," Yuuki replied respectfully, his tone tinged with restrained anger.
"I suspect our companions have already met an unfortunate end."
The sorrow in Licht's voice deepened, his words firm and resolute.
"Rest assured. Anyone who dares harm our comrades will not be spared."
Hearing this, Yuuki subtly curled his lips.
Licht did not care about those four missing members in the slightest.
Sorrow?
At most, he was merely lamenting the loss of four sacrificial pawns.
"Did you find out whether anything valuable was lost in Sosshi Village?" Licht asked suddenly.
Yuuki froze.
He had been planning to steer the conversation in that direction himself, yet Licht had brought it up first.
"Valuables?"
Yuuki feigned confusion, hesitating slightly before speaking again.
"I didn't hear anything about valuables being stolen. However… the three Black Bulls who went to Sosshi Village for a mission did obtain a rather beautiful stone. I'm not sure if that's the gemstone you're referring to, my lord."
Licht's figure stiffened.
Then he slowly turned around.
Sunlight still bathed him, lending his features an even more sacred appearance.
Yuuki immediately lowered his head further, his expression filled with reverence and admiration.
"Perhaps," Licht said lightly.
He didn't answer directly. Instead, curiosity flickered across his face as he looked at Yuuki.
"The incident in Sosshi Village occurred outside our territory. How did you come to know about it?"
At this question, Yuuki visibly hesitated, as if struggling with an unspoken concern.
Licht did not rush him, merely watching quietly with a gentle gaze.
After a moment of apparent inner conflict, Yuuki finally spoke carefully.
"Lord Licht… there's something I never mentioned. Two companions who took the entrance exam with me—th-they both joined the Magic Knights."
"The information… I learned it by accident from them."
As he spoke, Yuuki's expression wavered, tense and uncertain.
"I see."
"Don't worry, Yuuki. I have no intention of blaming you. I understand what you're concerned about."
"I've said before that I intend to build a new nation where everyone can be happy. Your companions may have joined the Magic Knights, but as long as they don't interfere with us, I won't harm them."
Licht smiled gently as he spoke.
"Thank you, Lord Licht!"
Yuuki bowed deeply, gratitude evident in his voice.
"This time, you've done well," Licht said, nodding.
"Be cautious when interacting with the Magic Knights. Above all, ensure your own safety."
Yuuki once again put on a deeply moved expression and respectfully withdrew from the chamber.
---
After Yuuki left, the warmth on Licht's face vanished, replaced by icy indifference.
"So… Sis failed."
His voice was calm as he murmured to himself.
"The Black Bulls are no threat. The magic stone can remain there for now—we can reclaim it at any time."
---
Elsewhere
After exiting the chamber, Yuuki swiftly glanced around the stone corridor. Confirming no one was nearby, he raised a hand and rubbed his stiffened face.
"Acting really is exhausting…"
Licht's questions had clearly been a test.
And Yuuki knew all too well that Licht was fully aware of his relationship with Asta and Yuno.
After this exchange, however, Licht's suspicions toward him should be all but erased.
Yuuki continued down the dimly lit passageway.
He had originally assumed Rhya would be present and had meticulously prepared his words in advance, wary of Rhya's uncanny ability to discern lies from truth.
Instead, only Licht had been there—making things far easier.
The Eye of the Midnight Sun's base was vast, yet only sparsely guarded.
One of the three legendary Demon Swords—the Demon-Destroyer Sword—should have been located at the center of the base.
Unfortunately, even core members were forbidden from approaching that area freely.
At least one of the Third Eye was always stationed there.
Yuuki shook his head slightly.
For now, he could only wait for the Demon-Dweller Sword inside the upcoming Magic Dungeon.
Lost in thought, Yuuki suddenly felt something move.
From a nondescript shadow along the corridor wall, a transparent lizard—no bigger than a palm—lunged toward him.
In the instant it moved, magic power surged beneath Yuuki's feet, propelling him away from his original position.
Snap!
The lizard struck the ground where he had stood, its tail swaying gently as if preparing for another attack.
"Gel Magic?"
Yuuki glanced at the creature and spoke coldly.
"Come out, Sally. If this is your way of saying hello, it's not exactly endearing."
"Heehee~ Didn't think you'd dodge that."
A playful laugh echoed from the opposite end of the passage.
Sally emerged, hopping forward with a bright grin, wearing the open robe of the Third Eye.
"Hi~ Long time no see, handsome~!"
She tilted her head excitedly as she greeted him.
Yuuki felt a headache coming on.
Compared to the calm and steady Walter, or even the irritable and violent Rades, dealing with the clearly unhinged Sally was far more troublesome.
Expressionless, Yuuki nodded briefly, then turned to leave, intending to take another route.
"Hey—wait! Just give me a drop of your blood for research, okay?!"
Seeing Yuuki walk away, Sally's face immediately filled with urgency as she hurried after him.
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(End of Chapter)