Several days earlier, at the Clover Kingdom's crucial border town, Kiten.
This city served as the bastion between the Clover Kingdom and the Diamond Kingdom—a vital hub of the border defenses. It was during the time when Yami had taken Charles and Asta to report the Sea Temple mission to the Wizard King that the Diamond Kingdom launched an audacious attack on Kiten.
This was no mere border skirmish. The Diamond Kingdom had dispatched an uncommonly large force of mages. Most notably, three of the Eight Shining Generals had joined the fray—an echelon of power usually reserved for full-scale war. The message was clear: this was no ordinary conflict.
But Charles knew the truth.
This sudden deployment was rooted in internal politics. The Diamond Kingdom had been undergoing a sweeping power shift. With the aging king's influence waning, real authority had fallen to the magical scholar Morris. Under his leadership, the artificial mage warrior program had borne fruit. New-generation warriors like Mars were replacing the older Shining Generals. The three generals leading this assault were, in essence, being discarded.
Still, even castoffs from the Eight Shining Generals weren't to be underestimated. Their power rivaled that of Magic Knight Captains, and with the forces they commanded, they quickly overwhelmed Kiten's defenses.
Fortunately, the Magic Knight headquarters responded swiftly. The Golden Dawn, led by Captain William Vangeance, arrived in time to reinforce Kiten, turning the tide into a fierce siege-and-counterattack scenario.
When word of the battle reached the capital, Yami made the call to assist.
As it happened, Finral had once visited Kiten, and with his spatial magic, the Black Bulls were able to reach the battlefield in short order.
But what greeted them wasn't chaos—it was wonder. Before them stood a massive tree so large its canopy blanketed the entire city. Its roots, like enormous serpents, sprawled in all directions. Branches jutted outward like spears. The invaders had been routed by the sheer magnitude of this creation.
"World Tree Magic: Mistilteinn's Great Tree!"
This was the magic of Captain Vangeance—an awe-inspiring display that turned the battle's tide singlehandedly. The mana required to conjure such a tree was beyond comprehension. What was more impressive was that he had done it while completely sparing both civilians and his own squad.
Asta's eyes glittered like stars.
"Whoa! What kind of giant tree is that? Did they grow this thing in Kiten?!"
Of course, his reaction was pure and clueless as ever. Others, however, had more grounded thoughts.
"Think it bears giant fruit?" said Charmy, drooling.
She'd tagged along ever since tasting the capital's cafeteria food, shamelessly clinging to the idea of more gourmet cuisine. But her real reason for coming was Yuno.
Charles had forgotten what had sparked it, but ever since Yuno rescued her, she'd started calling him her "Prince of Food." Who knew how much of her infatuation was driven by appetite?
Two karate chops landed on the heads of the two airheads.
"Tch. That's probably the Golden Boy's doing. Would've been better if we hadn't come," Yami muttered, annoyed.
As usual, Finral had already begun whining.
"Let's just go back, okay? Please?"
No one paid him any mind. He skulked off, muttering about being a senior member no one respected.
Charles, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes.
"There are still some strong mana signatures left down there…"
Even a spell of that magnitude couldn't eliminate all the enemies. Skilled mages could still evade. Charles could sense at least four or five active enemy presences. Clearly, the Shining Generals still had some fight left.
But Charles wasn't here to duel them. He had another goal. And to reach that goal, he needed to make himself known to Vangeance.
"I'm going to assess the situation. The Golden Boy is probably up top. I'll be back," Yami said as he leapt from the wall.
Charles didn't stay put—he leapt after him.
Yami looked over his shoulder.
"Didn't I just say not to follow me, kid?"
"I know why you're going," Charles replied calmly. "And I think it involves me too. I should be there."
Yami narrowed his eyes.
"Kids these days are really sharp, huh? Fine. Come along then. There's something I need to confirm."
Did Yami truly think the Golden Dawn needed help?
No. He trusted both the squad and Vangeance's power. Even faced with three Shining Generals and an army of mages, he didn't believe they would lose.
Then why insist on going?
Because ever since his encounter with Patry, Yami had been troubled by a strange sense of familiarity. Something about Patry's face reminded him of his long-time rival.
The magic, the grimoire, the aura—everything was different. And yet, something gnawed at his gut. That kind of instinct wasn't easily shaken.
But since then, Yami hadn't seen Vangeance. He'd even missed the last captains' meeting. Claims of ongoing missions were vague at best.
Now, with a perfect opportunity in hand, Yami acted.
The two climbed swiftly along the massive tree trunk. They soon sensed Vangeance's tremendous mana nearby.
Suddenly, alarm bells went off in both their minds.
"Crap!" they said in unison, speeding up.
Vangeance had just subdued one of the Shining Generals. But from the haze beside him emerged a figure, poised to strike.
High-tier mages often relied heavily on mana detection. That reliance became a weakness when faced with someone like Lotus, whose magic masked his presence. The same applied to Asta, whose lack of mana allowed him to approach unnoticed.
But Yami didn't rely on mana—he relied on ki. So Lotus's sneak attack had no chance of succeeding.
With a flash of his sword, Yami intercepted the ambush.
"Yami?!" Vangeance exclaimed.
"Yo. Sorry to interrupt, Mister Golden Mask," Yami grinned. "Guess you owe me one now."
Vangeance nodded politely. "Thanks for the save. You sensed me with that 'ki' technique, right? Impressive."
Charles arrived just then, and Lotus, ever pragmatic, decided to cut his losses and retreat with the injured general.
"Smart guy," Yami muttered, then turned serious.
With the enemies gone, it was time to talk.
"You sure are looking serious, Yami," Vangeance said. "But shouldn't you worry about that young man?"
Charles stepped up beside Yami.
"This is actually our second meeting, Captain Vangeance."
Indeed, aside from the entrance exam, they hadn't formally met since.
"I remember. You're Yuno's village-mate—the other boy with a four-leaf grimoire."
"An honor. But this meeting's no accident. I asked Captain Yami to bring me. There's something important we need to discuss."
Vangeance nodded.
"I see. Then let's talk."
Yami lit a cigarette, watching the smoke curl into the sky.
"I've always trusted my gut. So I'll just say it straight. Vangeance… could you take off that mask?"
Silence.
"My face isn't exactly pleasant to look at," Vangeance replied softly.
"Oh? You look that bad, huh? Don't worry—I'm not the kind to judge a man's looks," Yami said with a joking grin. But the air remained tense.
Vangeance smiled as well.
"I see. You think… I might be the leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun."
"No point dancing around it," Yami admitted. "I do."
He glanced at Charles, who nodded in confirmation.
"I've known you for nearly ten years. We met in battle, fought side by side more than once. We even became captains in the same year… back when Nozel's triple braids still trembled in the wind."
Yami's attempt at humor fell flat.
"We're not close, but we go way back. So… let me see your face."
If Vangeance refused, Yami was ready to strike then and there.
"…Very well."
Vangeance removed his mask, revealing a large scar covering half his face.
Yami turned to Charles, who gave a nod. Yami spoke again.
"I heard the Wizard King mention this before… that it was pretty bad. But this same face was seen somewhere else, by one of my men. You mind explaining?"
Vangeance didn't flinch.
"You wouldn't believe it if I called it a coincidence, would you?"
"Nope. Not really."
"If you'll indulge me, I'll tell you the story behind this scar."
He began recounting his past.
"Because of this cursed mark I was born with, people feared me. Even magic couldn't heal it. I was the illegitimate child of a noble, raised in the forsaken realm until I was eight. Only after the legitimate heir died was I brought into the noble house."
"My mana was high, and my World Tree magic rare. But even there, my face marked me as taboo. I was despised by my stepmother and lived a childhood of misery."
Yami looked pained.
"You've had it rough too, huh?"
"But then," Vangeance continued, his voice softening, "I met Lord Julius. He never once looked at my face—only at my talent. I was overjoyed. I wanted to dedicate my magic to him."
His smile was warm, genuine.
Even Yami saw it—the sincerity of a man who truly admired the Wizard King.
So did Charles. If he hadn't known the truth, he too might have believed it all.
Then Charles asked quietly,
"Captain Vangeance… what's your relationship with Captain Fuegoleon?"
Vangeance blinked.
"Fuegoleon? He's forthright and honest. We're close friends."
"I see," Charles said, sparks flaring faintly around him. "Because Fuegoleon was injured—gravely—right after seeing your face."
Vangeance fell silent.
"You're his friend. Yet he lies unconscious. And that's partly your fault."
"I know I don't have the rank to lecture you, sir… but sometimes, leaving a choice to someone else means you've already chosen."
With that, Charles turned to Yami.
"Captain, things aren't fully settled below. I'll go help."
His piece said, Charles leapt down from the tree.
He hadn't come expecting to change Vangeance's mind. He had no magic for "talking people down." He just needed to speak.
And more importantly, he needed someone inside Vangeance to see something.
As he fell, his necklace swung free—a pendant with a glimmering, oval gem.
High above, Vangeance gazed down. His once-calm eyes sharpened.
Yami sensed a chill but saw nothing. Just a trick of the wind.
Yet even as he turned away, unease lingered in his heart.
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