"You're saying I'm just like those filthy nobles?!"
Compared to the silent Valtos, Rades reacted far more sharply, thrashing against his restraints as he glared at Yuuki with bulging eyes.
"Am I wrong?"
"Slaughtering commoners at will, then using your magic to puppeteer their corpses for your own power… That arrogant posture—doesn't it look exactly like those nobles?"
Yuuki's expression was cold and detached as he looked at Rades.
"You…"
Rades opened his mouth to argue back, but when the words reached his lips, he suddenly realized he didn't know what to say.
At the side, Valtos finally snapped out of his daze.
"This concerns an operation we'll be conducting soon. We urgently need Rades to convert people into usable forces."
Valtos spoke softly. He paused, then continued to Yuuki:
"For the sake of a new kingdom, a little sacrifice is sometimes unavoidable, Yuuki."
"Lord Licht summoned us this time, likely in connection to the operation. You'll understand when the time comes."
Hearing that, Yuuki spread his hands slightly.
"A little sacrifice, huh?"
"If it truly is for building a new kingdom…"
Yuuki flicked his hand. The chains binding Rades loosened and dissolved into motes of light.
Rades landed on the ground, rolling his shoulders. His face was dark, but for once he didn't spit venom back at Yuuki.
"All of you—assemble."
Rades turned away, directing the many corpses whose magic connection had just been severed to gather in an open space.
Once they were assembled—
Valtos used his Spatial Magic to create a massive portal and transported all the corpses away.
Then—
Another wave of dark spatial mana enveloped Yuuki and the others, and the three vanished from the ruined village.
Eye of the Midnight Sun Base
When Yuuki and the others arrived in a spacious chamber, Licht and Sally were already waiting inside.
"You're here."
Licht turned, his expression warm as he looked at the three stepping out of the spatial corridor.
"Lord Licht."
"Lord Licht."
"Lord Licht."
Yuuki, Valtos, and Rades quickly bowed in respect.
"Forgive us, my lord. We kept you waiting," Valtos said apologetically.
"It's fine. If anything, I'm the one who made the three of you rush back. You've worked hard." Licht shook his head gently.
Rades opened his mouth—
—but Yuuki's voice rose first, full of fervor:
"This is what we should be doing. Everything is for Lord Licht!"
Rades twitched, glancing sideways at the overly-enthusiastic Yuuki—stealing his line again.
"Yuuki, I heard your tavern is about to open. I haven't congratulated you yet."
Licht smiled as his gaze fell on Yuuki.
"I didn't expect such a small matter to catch your attention, my lord."
"The tavern is only to disguise my identity. Compared to what you're doing, my lord, it hardly even counts as a small matter."
Yuuki bowed his head, voice trembling with emotion.
It wasn't surprising Licht knew; whether through Yuno or Valtos, learning such a thing was trivial.
If anything, this showed Licht was aware of him—but not too aware.
Which was just how Yuuki preferred it.
Suddenly—
Yuuki felt a scorching stare. His head snapped up—only to meet Sally's bright red eyes.
She was smiling delightedly and winked at him.
Yuuki immediately looked away, his cheek twitching.
"This summons concerns new intelligence—the Magic Knights seem to have sensed something."
Licht returned to the main topic, his voice calm.
Yuuki's eyes flickered.
So the timeline was shifting!
He'd predicted this might happen ever since sending his warning-style prophecy to the Black Bulls via the Communication Magic Box.
As expected, Yami didn't reveal everything, only notified the other squads.
It made sense—who would go all-out based on a vague warning from an unknown source? If nothing happened, the entire squad would become a laughingstock.
Those arrogant nobles would never believe such a thing anyway.
Better to give a quiet warning and prepare in secret.
That was the Yami approach.
"Why? Did the Purple Orca get compromised?"
"Lord Licht, our operation has been extremely discreet. We haven't attracted any attention," Valtos said anxiously.
Seeing Valtos' tension, Licht smiled gently.
"Valtos, I didn't mean to blame you."
"Because of some unexpected missions, more than half of the nine squad captains have left the royal capital. This is an opportunity."
"So I've decided to advance the plan."
Licht's serene smile lingered as he turned his gaze onto Yuuki, who looked slightly confused.
"Yuuki, originally for safety, I didn't plan to involve you in this dangerous part. But since the timing of the royal capital invasion is moving up…"
"I need you to assist Valtos in speeding up the deployment of the spatial channels."
"Your Replication Magic can reproduce Valtos' spatial spells. You should be able to convert your mana into spatial mana. I'll be counting on you."
Invasion of the capital?
Yuuki acted as though he had just learned this, eyes widening in shock.
"We're invading the royal capital?"
He looked genuinely stunned, seeking confirmation.
Licht nodded softly, then lifted his gaze toward the direction of the capital—his eyes turning sharp.
"This will be the Eye of the Midnight Sun's first appearance on the stage—before those rotting Clover Kingdom nobles. Naturally, we must make a powerful impression."
Licht's words sent Valtos, Rades, and Sally into visible excitement, their eyes burning.
Valtos had his own ideals, Rades wanted revenge, and Sally simply loved chaos.
Yuuki glanced at their fired-up expressions—then let his own grow equally passionate.
"I'll give it everything I have, Lord Licht!"
Licht looked pleased at his response.
"Other than advancing the schedule, nothing else changes. The rest is up to you."
"This is what we should do, Lord Licht," Valtos replied solemnly.
"Lord Licht…"
At that moment, Yuuki hesitated before speaking.
Licht turned, puzzled.
"What is it, Yuuki?"
"Lord Licht… I simply disagree with Rades' methods."
Yuuki then gave a condensed explanation of what Rades had done—turning all the villagers into corpses for manipulation.
Even if Yuuki didn't speak up, Valtos would certainly report the entire matter to Licht later.
Better to be upfront now; it would reduce suspicion.
The moment he finished speaking, silence fell.
Valtos and Rades both lowered their heads. They revered Licht completely, yet Yuuki's words made them aware something about the situation wasn't quite normal.
Sally's eyes drifted lazily, as though she couldn't care less about any of it.
Licht seemed mildly surprised, though his expression did not change. He maintained that gentle, serene smile.
"Rades' magic may look cruel… but it can take injuries in your place. I don't want any of you hurt."
"You are my comrades. I don't wish for even a scratch to fall upon you."
"If such cruelty can protect you, then I am willing to shoulder that cruelty in Rades' stead."
Licht's voice echoed softly through the air.
Valtos and Rades both trembled.
"Lord Licht…"
Yuuki lowered his head even further, eyelids twitching.
As expected of you, Licht.
No wonder the Eye of the Midnight Sun's members are so devoted to you.
Yuuki realized he had truly underestimated him—not just his strength.
To speak of sacrificing others with such noble, righteous conviction…
That was something Yuuki knew he could never do.
(End of chapter)
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