Just as Yami was sinking into a foul mood, hurried footsteps and loud shouting echoed from the corridor outside.
"Captain Yami!"
"Captain—Captain Yami!"
Asta's excited yelling rang out.
The sound instantly darkened the expression of Yami, who was currently squatting in the restroom, looking thoroughly irritated.
Bang!
Asta reached out and yanked the restroom door open.
"Captain—"
Thud!
A broad, pitch-black footprint was stamped squarely across Asta's face the instant the door opened, sending him flying backward. The restroom door slammed shut again under the force.
A dull crash followed as Asta slammed into the wall, accompanied by his miserable scream.
Scowling, Yami pushed the door open and stepped out, glancing at Asta—who was now embedded in the wall, a perfectly human-shaped imprint carved behind him.
"You've got some nerve disturbing something this sacred," Yami growled. "If this isn't important, brat, I'll kill you."
Black Dark Magic surged violently around Yami, forming a terrifying pressure field that spread outward. The entire corridor began to tremble.
"C-Captain! Th-that mysterious guy from the communication—he's back—!"
Feeling the killing intent, Asta clutched his reddened nose, shrinking back as he hurriedly blurted out the words.
The instant "mysterious guy" left his mouth, the overwhelming magic surrounding Yami vanished completely.
Then—
Boom!
Ignoring the corridor entirely, Yami blasted straight through the wall and charged toward the castle's main hall.
By the time Yami arrived, all squad members who weren't out on missions had already gathered. They stood scattered around the hall in a loose encirclement, staring tensely at the center—
Where a communication projection floated in midair.
Yami's gaze swept quickly over his subordinates, pausing briefly on Luck, the one with the sharpest senses.
Luck shook his head.
Not nearby again…
This kind of long-range communication magic was a real nuisance. Tracking the caster's location would be extremely difficult.
Yami pushed the thought aside and looked up at the figure within the projection.
Just like before, the man wore a mask, his appearance completely hidden.
"Good to see you again, Captain Yami."
Yuuki's calm, low voice came through the magical projection.
"Who the hell are you—and what do you want?"
Yami stared coldly at Yuuki, cutting straight to the point.
"My identity?" Yuuki chuckled softly. "Since you've already guessed, Captain Yami, why ask again?"
Yami's eyes narrowed.
As expected—this man was connected to the Eye of the Midnight Sun.
They had captured several members already and learned the name of the organization behind the capital invasion, along with some basic information. But anything deeper remained unknown.
That alone was shocking.
A massive organization hidden within the Clover Kingdom—one they wouldn't have even known existed if not for the invasion.
"As for my purpose," Yuuki continued, "I simply wish to make a deal with you."
"A deal?"
Yami immediately thought of the recently captured captain of the Azure Deer, Gueldre. A cold smirk flickered across his lazy expression.
Tch.
He dragged over a chair, plopped down casually, rested one arm on the armrest, and lightly tapped his fingers.
"A Magic Knight Captain doesn't make deals with enemies."
Yuuki wasn't surprised by the response. If Yami had agreed so easily, that would have been suspicious.
"The enemy of your enemy isn't necessarily your enemy," Yuuki replied calmly. "Even within the same organization, there isn't always a single voice."
"The prophecy—'The Burning Lion will fall'—was my gesture of goodwill. It's just a shame your Magic Knights failed to seize the opportunity."
He shook his head lightly.
Yami exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze flickering.
Just as he suspected—the Eye of the Midnight Sun was fractured internally. This masked man clearly opposed the faction that attacked the capital.
This could be an opening.
As for Fuegoleon… they had failed there. After all, who would believe a warning from a faceless stranger?
Especially someone like that proud lion. Even if he sensed danger, he'd charge straight into it.
"Fuegoleon was attacked by your people after all!"
Asta suddenly charged forward, roaring angrily.
"Why did you do it?! And his grimoire—did you steal that too?!"
"The one who attacked him was Licht," Yuuki replied calmly. "That had nothing to do with me. I have no intention of provoking Magic Knight Captains."
He glanced at Asta, spreading his hands slightly.
"As for the grimoire? I don't know. If it vanished right under your noses, that just means you weren't strong enough."
The words hit hard.
Asta and Noelle—who stood nearby with a tense expression—both flushed red.
They were the ones who had escorted the unconscious Fuegoleon away.
The thought that the grimoire had disappeared without them even seeing the enemy made Asta clench his fists.
"Damn it…"
He growled bitterly.
Thump.
A large hand slammed down on Asta's head.
"Shut it. This isn't your place to talk."
Yami grabbed Asta by the head, lifted him off the ground, shook him twice as Asta yelped, then tossed him aside before turning back to the projection.
"Why target Fuegoleon?"
Yami asked calmly.
The masked man seemed cooperative—but Yami wouldn't trust him on words alone.
He needed confirmation. Information that matched what they already knew.
Fortunately, thanks to Asta, they had extracted some useful intel from captured Eye of the Midnight Sun members—enough to verify this man's claims.
"The reason was the magic stone Fuegoleon possessed," Yuuki replied.
"For members of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, gathering magic stones allows rebirth—transformation at the core. It grants the favor of mana, a form truly connected to magic itself… and overwhelming power."
Yuuki knew Yami had already heard this from the Wizard King. This was a test—and Yuuki chose to answer it directly.
"Tch. What a stupid fantasy."
Yami scoffed lazily.
If there were really a way to increase one's mana, the royals and nobles would've monopolized it long ago. There was no way such a thing would fall into outsiders' hands.
"I agree completely," Yuuki nodded through the projection.
Yami glanced at him, surprised.
So that's why he split with Licht…?
Probably not just that.
Still, the answer aligned perfectly with what the Wizard King had said.
"Tell me about the Three Evil Eyes," Yami said, leaning forward, eyes locked onto Yuuki.
"So you know about them too," Yuuki sighed. "Looks like your captives talked quite a bit."
He shook his head, then his tone sharpened.
"The information so far was my sincerity. From here on… we're talking business."
"What do you want?" Yami asked lazily, cigarette dangling from his mouth. "Just so you know, the Black Bulls are broke. No fancy magic tools, and barely any money."
Around him, the Black Bulls straightened slightly.
A deal.
The terms might reveal this man's true intentions.
"I want the technique you possess," Yuuki said directly, eyes fixed on Yami.
"The one you call 'Ki.'"
Yuuki had sensed it during their last encounter.
Yami had perceived something through Ki—so Yuuki wanted to understand it fully.
After all, Ki was an extremely valuable perception technique.
(End of Chapter)
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