Looking at Jack's battered state and the severely damaged streets around them, Yami's scruffy face showed a rare trace of seriousness.
"Looks like I missed one hell of a show. Hahah."
Yami's gaze swept over Yuuki, who stood calm and composed. Aside from slightly rumpled clothes, he showed no signs of injury at all. After a brief moment of surprise, Yami burst into hearty laughter.
The previously tense atmosphere instantly loosened with his laugh.
"Your laugh is obnoxious," Jack said coldly, narrow eyes filled with irritation. He raised his green scythe and licked the blade.
"Honestly, I really feel like cutting you into pieces right now—and settling our old grudges while I'm at it."
"Here you go again." Yami spread his hands helplessly. "Give me a break, will ya?"
"Tch."
Jack turned his head away in annoyance.
The other captains watched the exchange in silence; their expressions calm but their attention firmly fixed on Wizard King Julius.
From the moment the Wizard King appeared, this situation was no longer something they could decide.
Yami glanced around and suddenly noticed someone missing.
The thought had barely crossed his mind—
BOOM!
A thunderous crash erupted from the ruins behind them.
Nozel burst skyward, mercury surging and condensing into a massive silver eagle.
"You wretched commoner!!"
Nozel's furious roar echoed through the air.
Yami looked genuinely surprised. He had assumed Jack alone had fought Yuuki—he hadn't expected Nozel to be involved as well.
"This is getting troublesome," Yami muttered softly, though his face showed no real concern.
Yuuki chuckled lightly. He didn't even look at Nozel—instead, his gaze rested on the Wizard King.
"Wizard King, I truly came with goodwill."
He bowed slightly, his words carrying deeper meaning.
Julius studied Yuuki carefully, then lifted a finger and spoke gently.
"That's enough, Nozel."
The moment his words fell—
Nozel, still riding the silver eagle mid-charge, was instantly encased in a blue sphere of time magic and frozen in the air.
Only after restraining Nozel did Julius speak again, his expression neutral.
"I've already heard your situation from Yami. Joining the Eye of the Midnight Sun can be considered a forced choice, and your secret intelligence provided to the kingdom proves your loyalty."
Then his tone sharpened slightly.
"But how do you explain the destruction of this town? I believe you could have avoided this."
Julius deliberately glanced at the surrounding ruins, his expression turning serious.
Truly the Wizard King—thinking of the people first.
Yuuki almost laughed internally, but he understood well enough. The soul currently in control—Julius—was genuinely a qualified Wizard King.
If not, no amount of disguise could have fooled the kingdom's shrewdest elites for so long.
Yuuki's expression remained unchanged. He lifted his gaze, sweeping over the captains—most of whom looked cold and distant—and smiled faintly.
"The goodwill of someone born at the bottom… to those standing at the top, it doesn't count as goodwill at all."
"More like disdain. Or indifference. Or entitlement."
He withdrew his gaze and looked back at Julius, his tone turning serious.
"So compared to words, goodwill expressed through fists tends to be far more convincing."
Although Licht's interference had caused some deviations from his original plan, the outcome wasn't far off.
With one of the Four Great Spirits—Salamander—at his side, and strength slightly exceeding that of a Magic Knight Captain, this was already enough.
After all—
The Wizard King was still alive.
If he had outright defeated multiple captains, there wouldn't even be room for negotiation now—and that would contradict the contingencies Yuuki had prepared long ago.
That was precisely why he had secretly passed information to the Black Bulls.
First, to muddy the waters and quietly build strength.
Second, to ensure that once his identity was exposed, he could cleanly separate himself from the Eye of the Midnight Sun.
Otherwise—
With the strength he had displayed, he would easily become a thorn in the eyes of both the kingdom and the Eye of the Midnight Sun.
In short, Yuuki followed the same principle as always:
Show enough power—but never too much.
With the Wizard King alive and the Word Soul Devil yet to appear, pushing himself to the forefront now would be sheer foolishness.
Yuuki continued calmly:
"Of course, I bear responsibility for the damage done to Leon Town."
"Fortunately, the residents were evacuated in advance, and there were no casualties. As compensation, I will personally fund the reconstruction of all damaged buildings and provide appropriate reparations."
He spoke with sincerity.
The moment those words fell—
Julius's expression softened noticeably, a hint of surprise flickering across his face.
"It's truly a shame," Julius said with a complicated look, sighing softly.
"If someone had chosen you during the Magic Knights Entrance Exam, the kingdom would've gained not only a powerful mage—but also a comrade we could entrust our backs to."
Then his expression grew firm.
"Since you're willing to take responsibility, the reconstruction and compensation of Leon Town will be entrusted to you, supervised by the Black Bulls."
He looked directly at Yuuki.
"Now then… shall we discuss the real matter? Are you willing to come with me?"
Yuuki smiled lightly.
"Of course, Wizard King."
Before the Eye of the Midnight Sun was destroyed, he had nothing to fear.
Mariella and Neige immediately looked anxious.
"Lord Yuuki—!"
"It's fine. Stay here."
Yuuki waved gently, then followed behind Julius.
As he passed the other captains, cold gazes followed him—but Yuuki remained calm, his heart equally indifferent.
Just wait…
As Julius, Yuuki, and Yami departed first, the remaining captains exchanged looks, each wearing a different expression.
Rill stared at Yuuki's retreating figure, sounding genuinely disappointed.
"What a shame! I really wanted to fight him too! Fire Spirit Magic would definitely inspire so many new ideas!"
BAM!
The time magic restraining Nozel shattered.
A surge of mana erupted from him—only to be swiftly suppressed.
Nozel landed heavily on the ground, face dark as he glanced at Rill.
He had heard everything while restrained.
Being knocked aside in front of so many captains was humiliating beyond measure—especially for a proud royal like him.
Rill's words may have been innocent, but to Nozel, they sounded like mockery.
Rill instinctively shrank back.
"Hmph."
Nozel snorted coldly and turned away.
Jack let out a low chuckle and left as well.
Soon, only five captains remained.
"To leave such a dangerous individual free…" Kaiser muttered coldly, his heavy body barely shifting.
"That was the Wizard King's decision," William replied gently, though a fleeting trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes.
"Once discussions there conclude, a captains' meeting will be held. Please don't be late."
With that, William turned toward Yuno, gave him a slight nod, then rose into the air and vanished.
The remaining captains soon departed one after another.
Throughout it all, no one paid any attention to Mariella and Neige—nor to the devastated town itself.
"…So that's it?" Asta muttered dazedly.
"Don't worry," Yuno said quietly, finally exhaling.
"Yuuki will be fine."
Royal Capital — Central Palace
Inside Julius's office, the Wizard King sat at his desk, fingers interlaced, elbows resting on the surface as he studied Yuuki.
Beside him stood a stern young man with silver mushroom-cut hair, holding documents with vigilant eyes—
Marx François, Julius's confidant and wielder of Memory Magic.
Yami leaned lazily to the side, hands in pockets.
"Now," Julius said seriously,
"Can you explain everything in detail?"
Yuuki didn't hesitate. He recounted how he joined the Eye of the Midnight Sun and all the intelligence he had gathered.
Naturally, certain details were selectively omitted.
It took quite some time before he finished.
Marx wrote furiously, his expression grave.
Julius fell silent, then spoke heavily.
"So… there are still spies of the Eye of the Midnight Sun within the kingdom."
"Yes," Yuuki nodded.
"At least, that's my personal judgment."
He continued:
"Two of the Three Third Eyes are dead, but Licht and Raia remain extremely dangerous. And according to information I obtained by chance, the true leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun may not be Licht at all."
"If that's true, then their overall strength needs to be reassessed."
Marx and Yami both stiffened.
From Yuuki's intelligence alone, it was clear the Eye possessed a vast number of members.
The fact that such an organization had gone undetected for so long was itself a severe failure of the Magic Knights.
"Additionally—this is the magic stone obtained from the Witch Queen."
Yuuki placed the violet magic stone on the desk.
Yami's lips curved into a faint smile.
With this stone—so vital to the Eye of the Midnight Sun—Yuuki's sincerity was effectively proven.
"You've done well, Yuuki."
Julius stood up, smiling warmly.
"Thank you for the intelligence—and… welcome back."
Yuuki froze briefly, then bowed deeply.
"As a citizen of the Clover Kingdom, it's my duty."
"Since we're done with official matters…" Julius's serious expression vanished, replaced with childlike curiosity.
"May I ask a personal question?"
"Of course," Yuuki replied.
"What exactly is your magic?" Julius leaned forward excitedly.
"To grow this strong in such a short time—it's fascinating!"
"Wizard King…" Marx said with a headache.
"If possible, I'd like not to answer that for now," Yuuki said hesitantly.
"Ah—sorry, sorry!" Julius laughed awkwardly, scratching his head.
"When I see unique magic, I just can't help myself. Magic is deeply personal—it was rude of me. It's fine if you don't say."
After a while, Yuuki exited the room and gently closed the door behind him, a faint smile on his lips.
Basic trust… secured.
He could now prepare for the ritual without worry.
Inside the office—
Marx's expression turned guarded once more.
"Wizard King… letting him go so easily—should we—"
"It's fine," Julius said calmly.
"Our priority is the Eye of the Midnight Sun. Yuuki possesses strength on par with a captain. If he had ulterior motives, he wouldn't have gone this far."
He waved his hand lightly.
"Compile the intelligence and convene a captains' meeting."
Marx straightened instantly.
"Yes, Wizard King."
Soon, only Julius and Yami remained.
Standing by the window, Julius spoke after a pause.
"What do you think of that boy—Yuuki?"
"…No idea," Yami replied.
"Feels like he's got his own agenda. But for now, the Eye of the Midnight Sun is our common enemy."
To Yami, even if Yuuki had problems—
With the Wizard King around, it was nothing to worry about.
(End of Chapter)
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