Capítulo 52: Chapter 52: Strange Attack on the Capital (1)
[Third Person's PoV]
Nozel glared down at the two Magic Knights before him, his expression cold and imperious, an intimidating aura radiating from him like a suffocating wave. "Two peasants who dare to defy royalty. I wonder… how should I punish you both?" His voice dripped with contempt, each word sharpened by his overwhelming magical pressure.
Stephen, however, didn't flinch. He met Nozel's glare with unwavering resolve. "When are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours?" Stephen retorted, his voice calm yet steely. "Our social standing isn't what's important here. What's important is that you still owe an apology."
Before Nozel could respond, a third magical pressure filled the air, blazing like an inferno as Fuegoleon stepped between them. His mana took on the form of a fiery lion, its mane crackling with embers. "That's enough from both of you," he said, his voice commanding as he fixed Nozel with a disappointed look. "All of this, over two young Magic Knights? Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Silva clan?"
Nozel's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Leopold strode forward with a broad grin, his gaze fixed on Asta and Stephen. "Mimosa told me a bit about you two," he said, admiration gleaming in his eyes. "I've got to say, I'm impressed. You both have earned my respect!"
Then, with a booming laugh, Leopold threw an arm over his chest and declared, "ALRIGHT! HAHAHA! I HAVE DECIDED! FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD, I, LEOPOLD VERMILLION, DECLARE YOU TWO MY RIVALS!!"
Stephen paid him little mind, his piercing gaze still locked onto Nozel, who looked back with disdain. Yuno, standing nearby, felt his eyebrow twitch as someone else claimed Asta as a rival.
Fuegoleon, meanwhile, continued his lecture, his eyes stern as he addressed Nozel. "Lord Julius allowed them to be here. Some may be commoners, but they've proven themselves worthy. Give them the credit they deserve."
Nozel scoffed, a sneer curling his lips. "I never thought I'd hear those words from another royal... The Vermillion house must have grown soft. Tell me, what respect should an eagle soaring through the sky have for an insect crawling on the ground?"
In an instant, Stephen's patience snapped. In a flash, his fist connected with Nozel's jaw, sending the royal sliding backward across the polished marble floor. Nozel skidded to a stop, dropping to one knee as blood trickled down his lips. His usually pristine silver hair fell messily over his face, and his glare was murderous as he wiped the blood off with his thumb, smirking before licking it clean.
The room went silent, everyone staring at Stephen, who stood with his shoulders squared and eyes icy, his fist still clenched. "Look at that," he sneered, voice cold. "This 'insect' just brought you down to the ground with the rest of us."
"BIG BROTHER NOZEL!" Solid and Nebra shouted, rushing to his side.
Nearby, Mimosa and Noelle looked on, stunned into silence, while Klaus's mouth hung open, his glasses precariously dangling from his nose.
Fuegoleon shot Stephen a disapproving glare. "Violence was unnecessary. I had the situation under control."
Stephen scoffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "So what? Just because you had it under control, I should have let him keep running his mouth? I don't care who he is. If he keeps talking like that, I'll punch it in every single time."
Before Nozel could retaliate, the grand doors burst open, and a guard stumbled in, panic evident on his face. "EMERGENCY! THE CAPITAL... THE CAPITAL IS UNDER ATTACK!" His voice echoed through the hall, and everyone whipped around, their expressions shifting from tension to shock.
A member of the Golden Dawn quickly called forth his grimoire, his mana weaving through the air as he conjured a three-dimensional stone model of the noble realm over a nearby table. The intricately crafted landscape showed detailed images of the capital, with dark clouds of smoke rising from multiple points of attack.
Klaus examined the magical projection, amazement coloring his face. "Is this… a real-time model of the noble realm? It's like he's coating the entire area in mana, letting us see and hear everything."
Mimosa, equally in awe, nodded. "It's far more advanced than my Magic Flower Guidepost."
The Golden Dawn caster pointed to five distinct areas on the map, each radiating with hostile mana signatures. "For an enemy to infiltrate like this… a powerful spatial magic user must have transported them into position in an instant."
As the others continued strategizing, Solid and Nebra helped Nozel back to his feet, their eyes shooting daggers at Stephen. But Asta was already moving, his face set with determination. "WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?! PEOPLE NEED HELP OUT THERE! WE CAN'T STAND AROUND!"
Klaus immediately retorted, shaking his head. "Going where, Asta? We still don't fully understand the situation. And you can't even sense magic, remember?"
"No, Asta has a point." Stephen said as he began floating, "We're wasting our time here! Charmy I'll leave Noelle and Wanda for you to lead! I'll be going with Asta!" Stephen said as he flew ahead.
Both Stephen and Asta burst through the window into the balcony. Asta jumped onto the edge and leapt ahead into the open, Stephen flew overhead and gripped his extended hand midair and flew above the rising smoke and the destruction of the capital.
As they disappeared, Wanda looked to Noelle in confusion. "Charmy? Wait… she's here?"
Charmy popped out from under the table, her cheeks full as she munched on a cupcake, looking around as if she'd just noticed the commotion. She swallowed, grinning. "I was here the whole time. He must've sensed me. Impressive…"
Leopold let out a booming laugh, punching his fist into his open hand. "BWAHAHAHA! RIVALS OR NOT, I'M NOT LETTING THEM HAVE ALL THE FUN!" He charged after them, determination in his eyes.
Fuegoleon took a deep breath, regaining control of the situation with a swift gesture, he began organizing the knights, his voice calm but authoritative as they prepared to defend the capital.
…
As Stephen and Asta sped through the air toward the heart of the invasion, Stephen glanced down at Asta with a faint smirk. "Alright, I'm taking us straight to the source!"
Asta looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "Why don't you just teleport us? It'd be faster!"
Stephen rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement. "Two reasons, genius: first, someone decided to charge off without giving me a chance to think about it, and second..." he paused, shrugging. "Because I didn't think of it until now!"
Before Asta could respond, Stephen let him go, conjuring a sling ring and opening a portal beneath the falling Asta. With a quick step, they both vanished into the portal and reappeared high above a narrow alleyway, descending just over the head of a sinister man with faint purple hair and a crystal-shaped eyepatch. The man loomed over a little girl backed into the corner, her small body trembling with fear and tear-filled eyes.
The man sneered down at her, voice low and mocking. "Hey, little girl, do you love the Clover Kingdom?"
The girl whimpered, trying to hold back her tears. "I... I love it," she stammered. "So please... please stop this..."
The man's expression darkened with a twisted grin. "Well, personally... I hate it!"
Before he could continue his torment, Asta's voice rang out as they plummeted toward him. "THEN YOU'RE GONNA HATE THIS EVEN MORE!" Asta bellowed, sword aimed straight down at the man. But the man had already anticipated their arrival, spotting their shadows on the ground. He rolled out of the way with uncanny speed, narrowly dodging Asta's downward strike.
Stephen landed beside Asta, quickly taking stock of the scene around them. The area was crawling with undead creatures, animated by dark magic and blocking any escape for the young girl.
[Arcane Magic: Bolts of Balthakk]
Stephen extended his hands as lightning-like bolts of arcane energy shot forth, zapping through the undead with powerful precision. Each bolt struck true, leaving the creatures slumping to the ground, lifeless once more.
Seeing her chance, the little girl rushed out from her hiding spot and ran toward them, sobbing. "I was so scared!" she cried, clinging to Stephen's cloak.
Stephen knelt down, his face softening as he recognized her. "Wait a minute... aren't you Marie?" he asked, tilting his head in surprise.
Marie looked up, confusion written across her tear-streaked face. "Huh? You know who I am?"
Stephen nodded. "Yeah, we're in the same squad as your brother. He showed us a picture of you once."
Asta's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "That's right! You're Gauche's little sister! Wow, can't believe you remembered that," he said, glancing at Stephen in mild awe.
Stephen just shrugged, his voice calm but protective. "Having a good memory is kind of my thing."
The man with the eyepatch glared at them, his face twisting in disgust as he took in the Black Bulls' cloaks. "That sword... that emblem... you're those Black Bull brats, aren't you?" he sneered.
Stephen's gaze hardened as he gently pushed Marie behind them, never breaking eye contact with the enemy. "Stay close to us, Marie. We'll protect you."
Marie nodded, her small hands clutching onto the edge of his cloak as she moved behind them, away from the immediate danger. With a swift motion, Stephen clicked his wrists together, conjuring two Tao Mandalas that glowed brightly in his hands, casting an ethereal light over the narrow alley as he faced down their opponent. Asta raised his sword, the blade gleaming as they both braced for the battle ahead.
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