Drake and Luck failed to capture Lotus Whomps.
The man, a Captain-level mage, easily escaped despite his injuries, even taking his defeated subordinates. He hadn't intended a life-or-death battle; his priority was the artifacts in the Magic Palace, guarded by the Diamond Kingdom's most powerful weapons.
Drake helped Luck recover his breath. "Asta's in trouble; we can't rest!"
Luck closed his eyes, sensing the intense magical conflict deep within the palace. Besides Noelle, there were four unfamiliar magical presences, one of which Drake recognized as Yuno's. Yuno had also been sent to explore the palace.
The overwhelmingly powerful magical presence was Mars.
The Diamond Kingdom was controlled by the magic scholar Morris, who was conducting cruel experiments to create enhanced magic warriors.
They selected children with high magic power, trained them through fierce competition, and implanted magic power-enhancing devices. This created powerful warriors.
But the Diamond Kingdom wanted emotionless weapons, so they forced these warriors to fight until only one remained—Mars, the perfect weapon.
However, Drake sensed his magic power indicated a shattered spirit, caused by killing his childhood friend.
They quickly reached the treasure chamber's entrance, where Asta was fighting Mars.
Mars, a youth in a fur coat, had three gems embedded in his forehead and a large gem on his chest. His Grimoire was strange, with two different colored covers, seemingly sewn together. He used mineral magic, creating stone golems that held the others back while wielding a massive stone sword against Asta.
Asta easily cut the sword in two.
"Annoying! Disappear, pebble!" Mars declared.
Asta was perfect for this opponent.
"Even a pebble… can shatter diamonds!"
Asta moved quickly, dodging Mars's attack and striking him, shattering his stone armor and sending him flying.
"The treasure chamber belongs to the Clover Kingdom's mages!" Asta declared.
"Great job, Asta!" Drake patted him.
Asta said, surprised, "Drake, Luck-senpai, did you finish your fight?"
Drake nodded. "He escaped, but he's injured; he won't be a problem."
Yuno approached. Drake said, "Yuno, you're a mess!"
"You're Drake, the one who rejected Captain Vangeance for the Black Bulls? Unbelievable!"
Drake wondered who'd copied Yuno's catchphrase. It was Klaus Lunettes, a man with glasses from the Golden Dawn.
"This guy, saved by our Asta, is from the Golden Dawn. Who is he?" Drake sneered.
While he knew Klaus would later change his views thanks to Asta, Drake couldn't tolerate his current attitude.
A girl in a Golden Dawn cloak stopped Klaus.
Yuno, seemingly oblivious, said, "This is Klaus Lunettes, my Golden Dawn senpai. He's reliable!"
Yuno added this to ease the tension.
The girl introduced herself politely. "I'm Mimosa Vermillion, Yuno's classmate."
Drake, unaware of the Vermillion's royal lineage, said, "Mimosa, a pretty name! Please take care of this blunt guy!"
"Of course!" Mimosa quickly replied. "Yuno-san has always taken care of me!"
Klaus opened his mouth, likely to criticize Drake's attitude towards royalty, but stopped.
Drake understood; Klaus's attitude stemmed from his respect for Vangeance, and his resentment towards Drake for rejecting Vangeance's offer. Asta's battle likely changed his perspective.
Klaus restrained Mars with binding magic.
Drake picked up Mars's Grimoire, crouching beside him. "Stop talking nonsense! Don't you feel the magic power from someone else in your Grimoire?
The person who gave you power cherished your feelings; don't waste their wishes!"
Mars opened his eyes, startling Asta.
"What… do you know?" Mars's voice was hoarse.
Drake shook his head. "What I know matters less than what you remember!"
Drake placed the Grimoire on Mars, unconcerned whether he'd fight again. If he did, Drake was confident he could subdue him.
Different flames appeared on the Grimoire, not from Mars but seemingly protecting him.
"Fana…" Mars whispered, his gaze distant.
Drake, sensing Mars's calmer magic power, was relieved. Next…
"Asta, the treasure chamber door is magically sealed. Break it with your sword!"
Asta, trusting Drake, cleaved the door open.
Blinding light filled the chamber; countless treasures reflected the light, dazzling them.
Even Noelle and Mimosa, royalty, hadn't seen this. Asta and Yuno were speechless.
Even Drake was awestruck; he'd only seen this on screen. But nothing compared to the real thing.
"Amazing…"
Drake's comment was weak, but others nodded; they couldn't find better words.
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