The shocking attacks on the Royal Palace and numerous noble households spread through the Clover Kingdom like wildfire.
Whispers turned to gasps.
Gasps turned into fear.
"The palace? Even the king's home wasn't safe?"
"The nobles... some of them were nearly killed!"
"Who dares challenge the kingdom so boldly?"
For many citizens, this was the first time in generations they had seen such widespread destruction reach the very heart of power.
The streets buzzed with worry.
Families locked their doors early.
Markets closed before sunset.
Even in taverns and inns, murmurs filled the air:
"If they can strike the palace, who's next? Us?"
Meanwhile, across every Magic Knight squad, alarms were raised.
Massive inspections were underway.
Squad leaders ordered urgent internal reviews.
Every important sector—
From regional outposts to magical archives—
Was being swept for signs of treachery.
Ben's command had been clear:
"Find the spy. The one who leaked the captain's absence, who fed our enemies with our weaknesses."
Magic items were activated.
Communication spells monitored.
Even trusted knights were not above suspicion.
A cloud of paranoia loomed, but so did determination.
For the Clover Kingdom, the message from the enemy was loud and clear.
No one is untouchable.
But the kingdom needs to answer.
With vigilance. With unity.
And with fury.
Meanwhile...
Unknown Cave
Far away from the chaos engulfing the Clover Kingdom, deep within a shadowy, cavernous hideout,
Two figures sat at a crude stone table, casually eating under the dim flicker of enchanted torches.
One of them was Eberius—
His long, unkempt hair covered half of his face, obscuring the twisted grin that stretched across his lips.
The other was not entirely human—
A shadowy presence, humanoid in shape but featureless except for glowing, menacing red eyes and a wide, toothy grin that shimmered with malice.
"____"
"____"
As they dined in eerie silence, the shadow leaned forward and whispered, its voice oily and serpentine:
"The Clover Kingdom is in panic. They're tearing themselves apart... searching, doubting. Just as planned."
Eberius let out a low, amused sneer, brushing strands of hair aside to reveal a burn-scarred cheek.
"Tch. Fools. Even with all their power… they still chase shadows."
The shadow chuckled darkly.
Chuckle~
"Let them. All we need now… is to release the puppets."
At the word "puppets,"
Eberius slowly turned in his chair and gazed into the deeper darkness of the cave.
Behind them stood fifty figures, motionless as statues.
Their skin was pale, their veins faintly glowing with unnatural energy, and their eyes were lifeless—
Pure white.
Not one of them blinked.
Not one of them breathed.
Yet power radiated from them.
"Soon,"
Eberius murmured, a cruel smirk forming.
Smirk~
"They'll dance... and the kingdom will finally see what despair really looks like."
The cave fell silent once more—
Just the sound of faint breathing from the "puppets," and the soft, ominous laughter echoing in the dark.
Meanwhile, in the headquarters of the Magic Knights, usually a place of order and discipline, was now in complete disarray.
The halls echoed with hurried footsteps, and the once neatly stacked piles of parchment were now overflowing.
Letters. Dozens—no, hundreds—of letters.
Scrolls, sealed envelopes, and magical missives were pouring in nonstop, each one bearing the insignia of a noble family, their crests marked with urgency and panic.
Inside the central hall, a group of overworked clerks and junior knights scrambled to sort through the flood of requests.
"Another one from House Vintrose!"
"That's the third request from House Aedel this morning!"
"Captain, they're demanding personal protection squads for every member of their family!"
Every message carried a variation of the same desperate plea:
"We demand personal security!"
"Assign a squad to protect our estate!"
"We are being targeted—do something!"
In the war room of the wizard king's palace, a group of captains gathered around a long table,
Staring down at a mountain of correspondence arrived at the wizard king's palace directly.
"____"
"____"
"____"
Captain Rill rubbed his temples, already tired.
Captain Guildre stood silently, arms crossed, while Dorothy yawned as if half-dreaming.
Jack the Ripper, clearly irritated, slammed a letter down.
"Tch! Do they think we're babysitters? We don't have the numbers to spare!"
Fuegoleon, calm but firm, replied:
"They're frightened. And rightfully so. This was a coordinated attack deep into the kingdom's heart. If nobles are being targeted… it could mean a wider plan is unfolding."
Yami, leaning in the corner, lit a cigarette.
Puff~
"Either that, or someone's just trying to make us dance like fools. Hmph."
Royal Palace...
King's Chamber...
Inside the royal study, Ben sat alone at his desk, the golden glow of the evening sun casting long shadows through the tall windows.
Papers lay scattered across the desk—
Battle reports, reconstruction estimates, and intelligence scrolls from across the Clover Kingdom.
His brows were furrowed, eyes sharp with thought.
Frown~
"Who orchestrated such a brazen attack? Ten powerful mana beasts released with such precision… It wasn't random. Someone wants to shake the foundation of this kingdom."
Just then, Harry, his ever-loyal butler and advisor, stepped in quietly and bowed, placing a sealed scroll in front of him.
"Your Majesty, this just arrived. It's regarding the upcoming Magic Knight Entrance Exam, scheduled three months from now. One of the noble families—House Langrave—is formally requesting it be postponed... citing the current unrest."
Ben picked up the scroll, broke the seal, and skimmed the contents.
His jaw clenched.
Without a word, he crumpled the letter and tossed it straight into the wastebasket beside him.
"Trash like that doesn't deserve a moment of thought."
He looked up at Harry, his voice steady and resolute.
"Let it be known—the Magic Knight Entrance Exam will proceed as planned."
Harry gave a short nod, understanding the weight behind those words.
Nod~
Ben stood, walking toward the large window overlooking the palace gardens, now scarred from the recent mana beast attack.
"This exam… It's more than just a test of strength or magic. It's a hope for the common people. A symbol that anyone can rise, that our kingdom still believes in the future."
"If we postpone it now, it'll send only one message: that we're afraid. And I'll be damned if I let some coward hiding in the shadows make the Clover Kingdom look like it's on its knees."
Harry smiled faintly and bowed again.
"Understood, Your Majesty. I'll begin preparations immediately."
Ben turned back, his gaze like steel.
"Let them come. Let them try again. This kingdom doesn't break—we strike back."
As Harry left the room to carry out the King's command, Ben remained still, gazing out the tall, arched window.
"____"
A gust of wind blew through the open balcony doors, rustling the parchment left on his desk. In that moment of silence, a thought struck him.
"…It's already been a year."
He closed his eyes for a second, letting the memory wash over him—
The day he first stood among the other recruits during the Magic Knight Entrance Exam.
The disbelief on the nobles' faces.
The chaos. The challenges.
The trials.
The unexpected ascension to kingship.
"A year ago, I was just another reincarnated boy without any dreams. Now…"
He opened his eyes, murmuring to himself, looking over his kingdom,
"…I'm the one responsible for all of this."
He returned to his desk and sat down, pulling a fresh parchment toward him.
"Harry,"
He called out.
The butler returned swiftly.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
Ben spoke calmly, but firmly.
"We're approaching the Grimoire Ceremony season. All over the kingdom, young people will be stepping into their future."
"With the recent attacks, I won't risk a single child being harmed. Not one."
He dipped his quill in ink and began writing orders as he spoke:
"Send word to the wizard king and the Magic Knight Squads: Each Grimoire Ceremony across the Clover Kingdom is to be personally guarded by a squad of Magic Knights."
Harry blinked.
"At every location?"
Ben nodded.
Nod~
"Every. Single. One. And I want them staggered across different dates, not all held on the same day, like tradition. That way, we can ensure maximum security without spreading our forces thin."
Harry quickly noted it down, impressed.
"Very well, Sire. I'll coordinate with the regional officials and Magic Knight captains."
Ben leaned back in his chair, eyes thoughtful.
"The next generation deserves a chance to rise, just like I did. And they won't get that if we let fear win."
He looked toward the royal crest above the door.
"Let the people know… The Clover Kingdom is not hiding. We're standing tall—and protecting our future."
Ben stood from his seat, dusting off the royal robe as he pushed the chair back.
"Harry," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "I'm heading out for a bit. I need some air."
Harry, ever the loyal butler, immediately bowed.
"Understood, Your Majesty. I shall ready the royal guard to escort—"
Ben raised a hand, cutting him off with a small grin.
"No need for that this time, Harry."
He pulled back his sleeve, revealing the Omnitrix glinting faintly.
His fingers danced over the surface with practised ease as the central dial lifted with a soft whir, revealing the silhouette selection of alien transformations spinning in a ring of light.
Ben turned the dial deliberately—
click. click. click.
The silhouette of Heatblast came into view.
"This form should keep me... incognito,"
He said with a smirk, slamming the dial down.
Smirk~
In an instant, a blinding green flash engulfed him, crackling with energy.
His silhouette twisted and morphed—
Flames replacing skin, magma cracking across his form—
And as the light faded, standing there was Heatblast, radiating heat and surrounded by subtle flickers of fire.
"WHOO! NEVER GETS OLD!"
Harry blinked, slightly nervous from the intense temperature spike in the room.
"Shall I inform the royal patrols to be on standby, just in case?"
Heatblast waved a flaming hand dismissively.
"NAH, I'M GOOD. JUST GONNA STRETCH MY LEGS AND MELT SOME STRESS."
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
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