Neutral Border Castle.
Knock. Knock.
Yuuki led Fanzell Kruger to a room deep within the castle and lightly knocked on the door.
Fanzell spared a glance at Yuuki's casual movement, his gaze continuing to sweep across the surroundings. The ancient, fortress-like architecture made one thing clear—this was not a prison of the Clover Kingdom.
They had arrived via a spatial passage without encountering any ambushes. At least for now, it seemed Yuuki truly harbored no ill intent toward him.
"Looks like Miss Dominante Code is still buried in her experiments," Yuuki muttered when the door remained silent for a while. With a helpless shrug, he reached out and pushed—the door swung open.
The room inside looked more like a storeroom than a laboratory, cluttered with tools, documents, and half-finished devices.
At the far end, Domina was hunched over a desk, writing furiously.
"Sorting out magic-language formulas is complicated and absolutely brain-melting, you know! Neige, can you let me have some peace for once?" she snapped without turning around, raking a hand through her golden hair.
"I wouldn't interrupt if it weren't important," Yuuki said as he stepped inside, shrugging. "But there's something you really should know."
Seeing Domina's back, Fanzell—despite already sensing Yuuki's lack of hostility—finally felt the tension drain from his body.
"Yuuki…?" Domina said in surprise. Her pen froze mid-stroke as she turned around.
Clatter.
The pen slipped from her fingers and hit the floor. Her eyes locked onto the man beside Yuuki—the bearded, disheveled figure who looked worn down by time and hardship.
"Domina…" Fanzell said quietly, guilt lacing his voice.
Bang!
Domina shot up from her chair and crossed the distance in a few strides, throwing herself into his arms.
"You idiot…" Her voice trembled, thick with emotion.
"I'm sorry," Fanzell said softly. "I made you worry."
For a brief moment, the reunion was warm.
Then everything changed.
Domina pulled away, her expression snapping from relief to fury. She raised her fist and slammed it into Fanzell's face.
"Do you have any idea how long you took?!"
"You heartless bastard!"
"Leaving me behind like that!"
"Do you know how worried I was?!"
Each accusation came with another punch.
In moments, Fanzell's face was swollen and bloodied.
Watching the scene, Yuuki's eye twitched violently.
This… is not a form of affection most people can survive.
Without hesitation, he turned and left the room.
Yuuki sat in the castle's main hall, flipping through the magic-language formulas Domina had derived earlier.
"Still painfully obscure," he murmured. "Applying magic-language formulas directly in combat won't be something I can pull off anytime soon."
He shook his head lightly.
Every runic-array formula was constructed from countless magic-language characters. The stronger the effect, the more complex the structure—and the longer it took to learn.
This wasn't something like Mana Skin or Ki, techniques that could be grasped through intuition alone.
About ten minutes later, Fanzell entered the hall.
His gaze immediately settled on Yuuki, seated on the sofa with documents in hand.
Earlier, Fanzell had only been wary.
Now, after hearing Domina's explanations, his eyes were filled with gravity.
Every piece of information she shared about Yuuki was enough to shock him. According to her, this young man's strength might already rival that of a Magic Knight Captain.
As a former military commander of the Diamond Kingdom, Fanzell had seen countless geniuses.
But Yuuki went beyond genius.
Just half a year ago, this boy had been an ordinary villager who had only just received a grimoire.
Talent alone couldn't explain this.
What Fanzell sensed was mystery.
"This wasn't just about Domina," he realized.
"Thank you for protecting her all this time," Fanzell said sincerely as he sat opposite Yuuki. "So that's why the assassination squad never showed up—you wiped them out."
Yuuki smiled, setting the documents aside.
"There's no need for formality. Domina is my companion. Helping her is only natural."
Fanzell scratched his messy red hair.
"I'll be blunt. You funded her research, protected her life—I truly appreciate that."
"But compared to running with me, I'm fine with her staying here. That said, I won't join your organization."
He spoke plainly and firmly.
Domina's bounty had already been revoked—something that astonished Fanzell and put him at ease.
His own case was different. The Diamond Kingdom would never lift his warrant. Letting Domina live peacefully here was far better than dragging her into a life of constant vigilance.
"I think you misunderstand," Yuuki replied calmly.
"I never intended for you to join us. In fact, with your status, that would be a waste of your talents."
Fanzell stiffened slightly. His unease deepened.
Yuuki continued, his expression serious.
"I've heard about your past. So tell me—do you still want to return to the Diamond Kingdom and change its injustice?"
"Return…?"
Fanzell laughed bitterly. "In my current state, I'll never set foot there again."
"I can help you return," Yuuki said steadily.
"And perhaps… change the kingdom itself."
"Don't joke," Fanzell said with a self-mocking shake of his head.
Before Yuuki could respond, his grimoire trembled faintly. He reached into the air, his hand slipping into a subspace.
The communication magic box emerged.
A projection flared to life.
"Mars," Fanzell breathed.
"They've started moving," Mars said grimly. "The attack is about to begin."
"Efficient as ever," Yuuki muttered.
"This isn't time for reminiscing," Yuuki cut in, ending the projection.
"I meant what I said. Three of the Eight Shining Generals are attacking Kiten Town. Mars intends to seize leadership during the chaos."
"So you came to me," Fanzell said slowly, sitting upright. "You want me to help Mars."
Yuuki snapped his fingers.
"Exactly. You're his mentor. With your support, controlling the Eight Shining Generals won't be difficult."
After a long silence, Fanzell exhaled deeply.
"…That's an offer I can't refuse. But I can't show myself in the Diamond Kingdom."
Yuuki smiled knowingly.
"Seems Domina didn't tell you everything about me."
He stood.
"Among Yagos, Broccos, and Ragus—which of the Three Shining Generals do you know best?"
"Yagos," Fanzell answered instinctively.
Yuuki nodded.
"The slime-magic user."
"There's no time to waste."
His hand landed on Fanzell's shoulder. Space twisted—and they vanished.
Clover Kingdom Border — Kiten Town.
The once-thriving town was engulfed in flames.
A barrier formed by dozens of mages had already been shattered by the Diamond Kingdom's army.
In less than half an hour, the town was nearly lost.
The arrival of the Golden Dawn reversed the tide, forcing the invaders into retreat.
Wrapped in an invisibility cloak, Yuuki stood amid the ruined streets, gazing toward the town center—where a massive tree towered, covering nearly half the area.
"World Tree Magic… it's breathtaking every time."
He had no intention of approaching.
Two overwhelming presences emanated from there—William Vangeance, and Yami Sukehiro.
Perfect.
"They're busy," Yuuki thought. "That makes things easier."
His eyes suddenly lit up.
"That magic… found you."
At the outskirts of Kiten Town—
Transparent, viscous slime surged from the rubble, trapping civilians within. Under Yagos' control, it appeared before Asta, Yuno, and the others.
"Brat! I swear on the pride of the Eight Shining Generals—I'll take your head!" Yagos roared.
Asta and Yuno stiffened.
Only one man remained indifferent.
Langris Vaude, Vice-Captain of the Golden Dawn.
"So he's still alive…," Langris sneered.
"If I attack now, my spatial magic will kill everyone around him."
He smirked.
"For the kingdom's prosperity, sacrifices are unavoidable."
Space warped in his palm—
"Why should we abandon our people?!" Asta roared.
"We're Magic Knights! I'll never abandon anyone!"
Langris frowned—
Then his eyes widened.
In front of Yagos' slime…
A figure wearing a Diamond Kingdom military coat had appeared.
No one had sensed him arrive.
And the battlefield fell silent.
(End of Chapter)
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