There really isn't anything…
The transformation from a boy to a man is often cruel. He must go through the trials of blood and tears before he can grow strong.
"Wuwuwu~ Give me back my innocence…"
"Stop howling!"
Mereoleona's roar echoed through the room. Adam, who had been pretending to be pitiful, immediately dropped the act.
The scene was… indescribable. No amount of words written over three days and three nights could fully capture its "cruelty."
"You're responsible for me!" Adam said with a wounded expression.
"Shut up!"
Mereoleona's mind was a mess. Was she really that kind of old lion who eats a young lamb? She had actually ended up with someone so much younger than her…
"You stole my innocence, and now you won't even let me talk about it! Wuwu~"
Adam cried like a wronged child, which only made Mereoleona more and more irritated.
This bastard—who took advantage of her and still acted innocent—truly had no shame.
"Wait, he doesn't even know where I'm from!"
An idea struck Mereoleona, and she decided to slip away.
This sudden situation had completely scrambled her thinking, even though she was clearly the "victim."
"Damn this ring!"
She glared at the Phoenix Ring on her right index finger. She wanted to toss it away, but it was far too rare and convenient to simply discard.
"I need to take all the gold coins with me. No way am I letting that bastard benefit!"
Mereoleona muttered as she pulled out some spare clothes. Her previous outfit was shredded beyond recognition.
"Hey! You're not seriously running away, are you?!"
Adam's eyes widened. This woman was truly something else—completely irresponsible and about to deny everything after the fact!
Hearing his voice, Mereoleona hastened to dress. Her body still ached slightly, and when she stood, she nearly stumbled.
"Careful!"
Adam looked like a scorned lover. Even though his "partner" was leaving, he still couldn't help worrying about her.
"Adam, just wait!"
Mereoleona turned around and roared. Outwardly, she was still the invincible warrior everyone feared—but deep down, she couldn't bear to see him again. The embarrassment was too much.
"Hey, why are you taking all the treasure? We should split it equally!"
Adam was almost in tears. Mereoleona showed no mercy—his legs were weak, and he could only watch helplessly as she took everything and left.
"…But it's not a total loss! Haha!"
Watching her retreating back, Adam grinned and kissed the ring on his hand. He slipped it onto the ring finger of his right hand and began plotting his next move.
"That Mereoleona… I feel like she's from somewhere I've heard of." He muttered, then suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Lion brothers! Crimson Lion Kings!"
Adam forced himself up despite his weak legs, glancing at the red marks on the ground with a small, satisfied smile.
"We'll meet again!"
A chill passed through him.
Adam looked around at the torn clothing and sighed. He had nothing left to wear—how could he possibly go out like this?
"This is the only way…"
He eyed the small stash of gold coins he'd secretly hidden, planning to use them to craft a pair of golden pants.
There really was no other choice~
Strong Magic Zone
When Mereoleona emerged from the Dungeon, the natural mana around her had not yet stabilized. It was likely due to her absorbing the Fire Demon's power.
Flying toward the capital, she finally regained her composure—only to realize that she might've been the one most wronged in this entire ordeal. Her most precious "possession" had been…
"Adam! Don't let me see you again!"
Her expression was complicated. Her mind was a tangled mess, and just thinking about what had happened made her whole body feel like it was burning up.
Her cheeks flushed red like ripe peaches, glowing even brighter under the sunlight.
"…I might've gone a bit too far back there," she muttered quietly.
Meanwhile, Asta—who had accepted the Witch Queen's request—and Mars were fighting to break through Fana's fiery third stage.
As long as Asta's Anti-Magic Sword could touch the demonic eye on Fana's forehead, they could stop the Eye of the Midnight Sun's self-destruct mechanism.
But reality is never as kind as expectation.
"We need to move together!" Mars shouted, bursting through the blazing flames. He rushed forward, wrapping Fana in his arms, and the power of their bond shattered the ancient magic's restraints.
The third eye vanished, and Fana's consciousness returned.
"Mars… is that you?" Fana's voice was soft and melodic—far gentler than her frenzied screams moments before.
"I am!" Mars said, smiling.
"So sweet~" Vanessa teased.
Finral was sobbing again. He must've had a childhood sweetheart too—so unfair! Wouldn't it be nice to have a younger sibling that adorable?
Fana's memories were fragmented; she didn't even understand who she was or what had happened to her.
Just when the atmosphere turned heartwarming, Ladros—one of the weaker mages—suddenly launched a surprise attack on everyone.
Asta barely managed to react, plunging his Demon-Slayer Sword into Ladros's chest. But before dying, Ladros seized Fana and attacked Mars, driving her once again into madness.
Ladros devoured Fana's magic, his body nearly destroyed. Yet, driven by his hatred and childhood suffering, he survived—gaining even greater power.
"This… this is the best magic I've ever had!"
Ladros raised his hand and unleashed a devastating blast toward Asta. His power now rivaled the elves', and madness twisted his face. He fantasized about ruling the Diamond Kingdom.
"Hahaha! No one among the Eight Shining Generals can stop me! The entire kingdom will kneel! I'll send all who looked down on me to hell!"
As Ladros spiraled deeper into insanity, Asta—lying near death—was suddenly touched by the Witch Queen's remote magic. The demon within his sword surged, flooding him with anti-magic energy.
The half-demon rose again.
"Never give up!"
Asta's eyes glowed blood-red, one wing sprouting from his back. He looked like a devil from the depths of Hades.
The tide of battle had turned!
"It's finally done!"
Adam looked at the "simple vest" he'd crafted from dragon whiskers and the "simple shorts" he was now wearing, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion.
So tiring… Adam hadn't recovered yet, and even making clothes took so much energy. Luckily, he still had a mode of transportation.
Little Blue, his small dragon companion, trembled as he hid behind a rock, covering his whiskers with his paws as tears welled up in his eyes.
What a tragedy…
"Xiao Lan! You're a manifestation of magic—you grew up in an instant! Why are you crying?" Adam asked, genuinely puzzled.
This Little Blue was a dragon servant created from a magic crystal, much like the fire dragon that once guarded the treasure hoard.
"What a pity for the Flame Dragon! Next time I encounter one of these things, I'll capture them all and make a Nine-Dragon Chariot. That'd be so damn cool!"
Adam chuckled to himself, grabbing Xiao Lan with a grin. "I'll be counting on you later!"
Xiao Lan gazed at his golden-clad master, impressed by his "fashion sense." He gave an OK gesture with his claw.
"Let's go!"
With a roar, Xiao Lan transformed into a ten-meter-long dragon. Adam climbed aboard, his mood soaring instantly.
That's what it means to be a real man!
This thrilling adventure would've been even better with a Bruce by his side.
Riding the blue dragon, Adam sped toward the Dungeon's exit along the shortest path.
"Roar!"
Xiao Lan bellowed with excitement—it was his first glimpse of the outside world.
The sun blazed brightly. No divine punishment descended. A soft breeze passed through the Strong Magic Zone.
A farewell to Adam!
He felt no sadness, only determination. His eyes turned sharp, a wicked grin curling on his lips.
"Witch Queen… just you wait!"