"Tell me—who is the traitor that assisted your Eye of the Midnight Sun?"
The Wizard King, Julius Novachrono, spoke calmly, his golden eyes gleaming with quiet authority.
"It's Gueldre Poizot, the captain of the Purple Orcas!"
Under the influence of Marx's Memory Magic, the captured member of the Eye of the Midnight Sun involuntarily revealed the name of their inside accomplice.
It turned out that Julius had summoned Asta precisely to remove the anti-magic restrictions within the enemy's mind—so that Marx's spell could function properly.
Anti-magic really was useful.
"Impossible! They must be framing me!" Gueldre shouted, his eyes darting wildly. "This is a setup!"
"My Memory Communication Magic never lies," Marx replied flatly.
"It's impossible... for me to betray the kingdom!" Gueldre continued to stammer, clearly desperate.
"The crime of treason must be paid with death," Nozel Silva said coldly, glaring at him.
Adam sighed inwardly. This is such a hassle. Just catch the damn ham-head and read his memories again—problem solved.
"Why don't you let Mushroom Head check your memories himself?" Yami muttered with a smirk.
"I—" Gueldre's words failed him. With no way to argue, he took a step back, panic flickering in his eyes.
Suddenly, his grimoire floated open.
"I'll make a tactical retreat first! Penetration Magic: Invisibility Cloak!"
A flash of light—and Gueldre vanished completely.
"Oh no, his magic lets him turn invisible and phase through any spell for a short time!" Charlotte warned.
"Wait—so he's invincible?!" Asta exclaimed.
Invisibility plus partial intangibility? Now that's a busted combo, Adam thought, already moving quietly toward the edge of the hall.
A faint shimmer surrounded him—his body shrinking and morphing into a small, silver butterfly.
He'd been practicing Yami's Qi-sensing technique and could now feel Gueldre's presence, even if he couldn't see him.
Can't rely on these clowns… guess I'll do it myself.
"Penetration Magic: Invisible Soldiers!"
Dozens of unseen knights materialized and charged at the Magic Knight captains, blocking their pursuit. Gueldre slipped away amidst the confusion.
Jack the Ripper swung his sickles with a manic grin, slicing through several invisible soldiers in one sweep. "Can't see 'em, but they still cut really nice!"
"Don't worry," Yami said, crossing his arms. "One guy's already chasing him down… no, make that two."
Meanwhile, deep underground.
Strange... Adam thought, hovering silently in butterfly form near the entrance of the underground chamber. If the Wizard King really wanted him, he could've caught this shady ham in a second.
So why didn't he? Maybe he's testing the others… or there's another traitor among the captains.
He landed lightly on a rock, waiting for Gueldre to appear.
Just as the traitor neared the exit, a voice thundered—
"It's not over yet!"
Asta came bursting out of the tunnel, swinging the Demon-Slayer Sword with everything he had.
Gueldre blocked with both arms—but the anti-magic blade instantly nullified his spell, exposing his real body.
"Ugh!"
Asta didn't answer. His eyes burned with fury—he couldn't forgive someone like this.
"Penetration Magic: Invisible Soldiers!"
More phantoms materialized, striking Asta backward.
"I may be a lowly commoner," Asta shouted, gripping his sword, "but I'll never forgive a traitor!"
"Dragon Blast!"
A white light erupted above Gueldre's head—Adam reverted from his butterfly form midair, unleashing a blinding beam of energy straight down.
The explosion shook the cavern. Gueldre screamed as the searing blast sent him flying, his robe scorched and his hair singed.
He looked more like a burned sausage than a captain now.
"Painting Magic: Binding Spring!"
A rainbow-colored magic circle bloomed, and paint-like vines coiled around Gueldre, locking him in place.
"Careful, dammit!" Adam shouted, jumping back as one of the tendrils nearly caught him.
Rill Boismortier, the young captain of the Aqua Deer, beamed proudly. "What's your name? I'm Rill!"
"Adam," he muttered, shaking free of Rill's grip. "And don't touch me. I'm not into guys."
Moments later, the rest of the captains arrived—too late to contribute, but early enough to carve a massive hole in the wall.
Adam just sighed. Figures.
When he later learned that Julius had orchestrated the entire chase as a test—and that Gueldre had merely been bait—he couldn't help but feel exasperated.
These royal types and their schemes… too damn complicated.
"Mushroom Head," Adam said, patting Marx on the shoulder. "Find me somewhere to eat. I'm starving."
"My name is Marx, and the Wizard King hasn't—"
"Marx, take him," Julius interrupted with a smile.
"Good!" Adam replied instantly.
Later That Afternoon — The Wizard King's Office
Gueldre's crimes were finally exposed. Years of corruption, exploitation, and secret dealings with the Eye of the Midnight Sun—all for a price too great even for his own morals.
The truth, however, would not be made public. The betrayal of a Magic Knight Captain was far too embarrassing for the kingdom to announce.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," Julius said quietly. "It's painful to know a comrade who once fought by my side could fall so low..."
Adam, Asta, and Yami stood before him respectfully.
The food from the Wizard King's kitchen was amazing, and Adam—now stuffed—was barely managing to stay awake.
"Adam."
"Here!" Adam straightened up immediately.
"You did very well," Julius said warmly. "To have fought the Three Demon Eyes to a draw proves your strength. May I see your magic? I've been dying to!"
The man's eyes sparkled like a kid in a candy store.
Adam sighed. "Just for a moment."
With a faint shimmer, his body dissolved into light—transforming once again into a silver butterfly.
"How incredible!" Julius exclaimed, eyes wide with fascination.
Adam resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He knew this sly old man had seen everything earlier—Julius was just playing dumb to indulge his obsession with new magic.
Still, Asta and Yami were genuinely impressed.
"Your magic is extraordinary," Julius continued, his tone turning analytical. "It doesn't feel like normal magic at all. Even though you possess mana, you don't seem to use it."
"I gained this magic in the Dungeon," Adam replied simply.
Julius smiled knowingly. "Relax. I've already told Nozel not to trouble you further."
Adam blinked. So that's why my brother-in-law's been acting different lately... the Wizard King's pulling strings behind the scenes.
"Now, enough talk. I have a mission for you."
Yami's usual grin vanished. He bowed respectfully. Adam and Asta followed suit.
"Your next task," Julius said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "is to head into the Strong Magic Region and retrieve the Magic Stone of the Underwater Temple—before the Eye of the Midnight Sun gets to it."