Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Strange Comrades Appear
[Third Person's PoV]
Stephen focused intently, healing Licht just enough so that he wouldn't suddenly die but wouldn't have the strength to retaliate, the raw magic weaving through his body like an invisible thread. As he finished, a sudden flash of green light illuminated the room. Everyone turned in unison to see a glowing green portal materializing behind them. Out of it stepped Gauch and Finral, both ready for battle, their bodies tense as they surveyed the scene.
They froze, eyes wide, as they took in the sight of an unresponsive Valtos and a barely conscious Licht, while the others stood around them.
"You guys are late…" Yami remarked with an unreadable expression.
"LATE!? WE WERE RUSHING, THINKING YOU GUYS WERE IN DANGER! I EVEN HAD THE PRECIOUS ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM MY LOVELY MARIE PUSHING ME FORWARD!" Gauch shouted, pointing a finger toward them, his voice tinged with frustration.
He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, his face turning red as a nosebleed suddenly appeared. He hugged his body, muttering, "I have Marie's magic power coursing through me, I can't let it go to waste… So who defeated him? I must defeat them too, so it'll be like I defeated him as well."
"It was all Stephen…" Asta and Yami replied simultaneously, stepping aside.
"Would the two of you please stop throwing me under the bus!" Stephen snapped, glaring at the two of them. "And seriously, dude, your sister complex is honestly concerning…"
Stephen chose to ignore Gauch's weird complex and turned toward Yami, his eyes narrowed. "I have a technique that allows me to extract information from him."
"Then what are you waiting for? Get to it," Yami commanded, his tone nonchalant as he gestured toward Licht. "Let's find out what these bastards are hiding."
With a swift motion, Stephen levitated Licht off the ground, his palms glowing faintly as he thrust them toward Licht's chest. But as he did, something unexpected occurred. Their eyes widened in shock as two astral forms—one of Licht and the other of William Vangeance—emerged from Licht's body, swirling in the air like separate entities.
Yami's expression grew cold as he narrowed his eyes. "What's the meaning of this?"
"Isn't that the leader of the Golden Dawn!? THE SQUAD FROM WHERE YUNO IS FROM!?" Asta exclaimed, his voice full of disbelief.
Yami turned his gaze to Stephen, his face now serious. "What was that technique you just used? Why are we seeing both of these figures?"
"In layman's terms, my technique separates the body from the soul," Stephen explained, his voice calm despite the situation. "However, it seems that in this case, two souls were inhabiting the same body."
Yami's expression turned grave as he processed the information. "I see... So that's how they were able to infiltrate the kingdom. They had an insider's help."
"Use your technique to get them to answer my questions," Yami urged, his voice carrying an edge of urgency. "I have plenty of questions, and I need answers."
Stephen nodded and began using his magic to hypnotize both souls. Their eyes flickered open, but they remained half-lidded, their bodies slack as they fell under his control.
Just as Stephen was about to extract answers, a new presence was felt. Everyone turned toward a growing black portal that began to form behind them. Their focus snapped to Valtos, but he remained slumped on the ground, drool dripping from his mouth, still unconscious.
Then, three figures emerged from the portal, each one stepping out with an air of quiet confidence. Yami's hand instinctively moved to his sword, his grimoire floating in front of him, prepared for a fight. But before he could react, one of the figures—a man with black hair and a white patch—appeared in front of Yami in the blink of an eye, touching his grimoire with a bored expression.
The man yawned lazily, his voice dripping with indifference. "Wow, things got pretty real here. Normally, I'd think everything's too much work, but even I have to save my buddies." He glanced down at the grimoire he was touching and smirked. "Huh? That's a weird pattern, but whatever."
Yami clicked his tongue in frustration. 'I got careless. I didn't expect him to move at light speed as well.'
Without missing a beat, Yami activated his magic.
[Dark Magic: Dark Cloak – Limitless Slash]
A massive crescent of dark energy sliced through the air, aimed directly at the man. The figure jumped back, attempting to evade the attack. Though he managed to avoid the brunt of the strike, the edge of the blade grazed his arm, drawing a pained yelp.
"Owwww! What a pain in the ass!" The man groaned, his voice dripping with annoyance.
Stephen turned his attention back to Licht, his brow furrowed. "Who are they?"
Licht's voice came out in a monotone, trance-like state. "Those are my friends... They are the strongest three of the Eye of the Midnight Sun. In combat, they surpass me. They are the Third Eye."
"Raia the Disloyal," Licht continued, his eyes vacant as he spoke.
Raia, a tall man with dark hair and a faint, almost mocking smile, held his hand over his wound. Tiny particles of light swirled from his palm, healing the damage almost instantly.
[Light Magic: Healing Light Particles]
"How is he using that magic as well!?" Noelle gasped in disbelief, her eyes wide.
Licht's voice echoed again, "Then there's Fana the Hateful."
Fana, a woman with wild, long pink hair and a crazed glint in her eyes, pointed forward, her voice filled with venom. "All those who hurt Licht deserve nothing but a painful death." As she spoke, a fiery red lizard spirit appeared on her shoulder, its mouth opening wide as it unleashed a torrent of searing flames.
[Spirit Magic: Salamander's Breath]
Noelle's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly raised her wand, summoning her own magic to counter the flames.
[Water Creation Magic: Sea Dragon's Lair]
A massive dome of water encased them, shielding everyone from the inferno. But as Fana's flames collided with the water barrier, an explosion of steam erupted, obscuring their vision.
Through the thick, swirling mist, a shadow darted past, moving with impossible speed. Licht's voice, barely audible, carried through the fog.
"And Vetto the despairrrrr~"
In the fog everyone then soon heard, "I call forth the Winds of Watoomb"
[Arcane Magic: Winds of Watoomb]
Suddenly, the steam parted as a powerful gust of wind swept through the area, clearing the fog. The sound of magic filled the air as the figures of Licht's comrades were revealed. Vetto, a massive man cloaked in fur from head to toe, had pushed Licht's soul back into his body, lifting the weakened elf with ease.
Fana was already tending to him, her healing magic surrounding him with gentle, warm flames.
[Flame Recovery Magic: Phoenix Robe]
"Licht, trying to bear all of this alone is a pain…" Raia sighed tiredly, his voice tinged with resignation.
Vetto, his fur bristling with anger, growled low in his throat. "How dare you do this to my comrade!? Don't think you're getting away with this. I'll tear you apart!"
Fana, holding Licht close, whispered softly, "Licht... Does it hurt? I despise those who hurt you."
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