"How have you been lately, Yuno? No need to put on such a guarded expression. Although being rejected for a duel by you felt like being publicly humiliated, I don't hold any grudges at all. On the contrary, I'm glad I can compete on the same stage as you, because your goal is to become the Magic Emperor, right!"
Salim called Yuno to his side and said. If Asta had heard this sentence at this moment, he definitely would have rolled his eyes. 'I believe you!' If he didn't hold a grudge, would he be so obsessed with this matter!
"How do you know?"
Yuno asked, scrutinizing him. Except for Asta, he had never told anyone about his ambition.
"Because all the captains raised their hands. You could have easily entered any place that closes its doors to others, but you chose the Golden Dawn, which is closest to the Magic Emperor, on the spot. So isn't your goal obvious?"
Salim said proudly.
"Then does it have anything to do with you?"
Yuno asked with a cold face.
"Because I hope you can realize this dream. That way, when I'm far away from home, I can proudly tell my children in the future that their dad was once escorted by the Magic Emperor. That way, my children will surely look at me with great admiration. This can be considered the last bit of connection with you..."
Salim said this with tears in his eyes, and Yuno couldn't help but be a little moved. But just at this moment, Salim covered his face and snickered like a poisonous snake. "By the way, Yuno, the road to the Heart Kingdom is still long. Can you tell me about your childhood? What kind of experiences made you so strong!"
"There were no special experiences. I was abandoned outside the church in Hage Village since I was a child. Although the church was very poor, I am very grateful for the upbringing of the Father and the Sister."
Yuno said indifferently.
"So it started to be extraordinary from your birthplace. Hage is the place where the First Magic Emperor defeated the Demon God. Let's go visit your hometown this time."
Salim coaxed. He still remembered that Asta, who was also born in Hage Village, had insulted him. Using the relatives in Hage Village to force Asta of the Black Bulls to come out was also part of his plan.
"Isn't that inappropriate? Hage Village is not on our route. If we go there, it will be a long detour."
Klaus, who had been silent, said.
"It doesn't matter. If there are bandits ambushing along the way, they definitely wouldn't expect us to take the long way around. So taking a detour to Hage Village is actually safer."
Salim said confidently.
"Alright."
Since this was the employer's request, Klaus couldn't refuse. However, just at this moment, a dark cloud with lightning and thunder suddenly drifted into the sky ahead.
"This cloud... makes one feel a bit creepy..."
Mimosa Vermillion, who had originally regarded this mission as an outing, said with palpitations.
"I'll go check it out!"
Yuno flew out of the formation first, but to his surprise, not long after he flew out, five thugs immediately flew out of the dark clouds!
"Die!"
A black-robed man holding a fireball excitedly threw fireballs at Yuno. The thugs behind him also unleashed various types of magic.
"They actually encountered an ambush. Should we go up and help?"
Vanessa said with some surprise. You have to know, they hadn't gone very far from the capital yet!
"Yuno should be able to handle it."
Asta said calmly. The situation was indeed as he had expected; after the initial panic, Yuno quickly stabilized and repelled the five people.
"The Golden Dawn must be protecting the son of some big shot, otherwise it's impossible to be ambushed as soon as they come out."
Vanessa sighed.
"So that's the strange part of the matter. Since the target of these five people is the person being protected, why didn't these five thugs even glance at the person being protected from the moment they appeared until they retreated?"
Asta raised this point of doubt.
"Now that you mention it, this attack is indeed suspicious."
Noelle thought about it and said.
"Then do you want to follow them and take a look?"
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