"In other words, after fighting for most of the day, all the enemies became friends!"
Adam looked a little unnatural.
What was wrong with these guys?
Is Asta's ability to talk things out really that powerful?
There can't be any hidden additives in that Tetanus Blade, right?
And that guy named Mars… after the evil entity inside him was shattered, he really did turn back into a normal person.
Adam clenched his fist and nodded to himself. So strength really is the ultimate truth!
Noelle was squatting on the ground with her face buried between her knees, her whole body burning red.
"You rascal… you don't know a woman's feet…"
Adam glanced at the "Steam Princess" squatting on the ground and found the sight amusing. You little mermaid, trying to escape from my clutches? Dream on.
"Adam, your clothes…"
Finral, the young master of a wealthy family, was stunned. He'd never seen Adam in this state before.
"They were torn apart by the Flaming Lion. I had no choice…"
The incident ended smoothly.
Everyone returned to the Queen's palace. The Witch Queen had returned to her original appearance. She handed Asta all the information she knew along with the magic stone from her ear.
"Thank you, Queen," Asta said sincerely.
This little guy is way too pure… Adam thought.
"Adam, I'll leave Vanessa in your care."
Adam, who was the last to leave, turned around at the Witch Queen's words.
"That's not like something you'd say."
He gave her a sideways glance. Could this woman, whose heart had been eroded by time, really be so kind?
"You don't need to worry about it. Just take care of yourself!"
Adam waved lazily. He was in a good mood. After all, this new set of clothes had been found by the housekeeper Dora — pure white and made of fine material.
The food in the Witch Forest was also super delicious.
The Witch Queen watched Adam's back disappear into the dusk, her expression complicated.
"Man who escaped fate… what kind of ending will you have? I'm really looking forward to it."
As dusk fell, it was time to say goodbye again.
Mars and Ladros prepared to return to the Diamond Kingdom to change their nation's fate.
Fana followed the Fanzell family to their secluded home. Oddly, though she had partial memories of her ass slapping, whenever she saw Adam, she'd quickly hide behind Dominante, too afraid to look up.
Mars clenched his fists, angry but silent. That pain was the most fatal blow.
"Goodbye then."
Black Bulls Headquarters
"I'm back!" Asta shouted as soon as they arrived.
"Hey! Welcome back."
The only person guarding the base, aside from the castle itself, was Captain Yami.
He's way too free… Adam thought.
"I'm scared to death," Finral whimpered.
Asta, the battle maniac, immediately began his "duties" as soon as he stepped back into the base:
Cleaning
Doing laundry
Feeding Yami's pet
"You've fought too much. Rest immediately!"
Yami's voice echoed, turning Asta into stone.
Adam was speechless. I really want to kick this idiot…
"I'm back!"
The rest of the duo team returned as well. Because they still hadn't found a way to lift the curse, their personalities were a bit off.
"Senior, I'm fine!"
Hearing the noise, Adam's stomach suddenly growled loudly.
"Charmy, cook!" he shouted.
"Here I come~," Charmy replied cheerfully. But just as she was about to summon the Sheep Chef, she puffed up her cheeks. "Adam, I'm not your full-time chef!"
So cute.
"You are."
"I'm not."
"Enough noise. Let's have a party. Let's celebrate," Yami interrupted. He was a little hungry too.
"Good!" everyone shouted together.
BBQ Night
Outside the Bulls' headquarters, everyone got lively again.
"So good!" Adam muttered with his mouth full of oil. He only picked the most nutritious dishes — he was feeling weak and needed the energy.
It's already been half a year… and I'm almost 19.
Adam sighed, wondering how everyone in Hage Village was doing. If I get the chance, I'll go back with Asta.
As the party wound down, Vanessa suddenly seemed to remember something, stood up, and headed back inside.
"What's up with her?" Yami asked.
"Every woman has those bad days," Magna said seriously.
Everyone was confused… except Adam, who was wearing a wicked grin.
Late Night — Adam's Room
"This zodiac sign is so hard to find!"
Adam sat in his chair flipping through the magic book. Instead of finding the Twelve Zodiac Talismans, he somehow ended up with a fool dragon.
"Now that I've got some money, I need to prepare materials for later."
He was planning to make a magic puppet — something he could control and "resurrect" as long as he had the power of the Rat Talisman.
"Actually… the first Wizard King on Big Skull Mountain would be the best choice. But I probably can't control him…"
Adam thought about the statue in Hage Village — the man who had once defeated the devil. He must have been terrifyingly strong.
Crunch.
Just as Adam was lost in thought, Vanessa quietly entered his room, keeping her promise.
"Sister Vanessa, you're here!" Adam said excitedly. Vanessa was such a punctual and honest woman.
"Little brother Adam, sister's here to reward you~."
Vanessa, dressed in casual clothes, approached him with soft steps.
Adam suddenly remembered a bedtime story Lily used to tell him when he was little. It was about a dragon who overcame countless trials, turned back into a boy, and married a princess.
There was one part:
"When the dragon was defeated by the knight and on the verge of death, the witch's love awakened its power. Even though the road ahead was full of hardships, it kept moving forward."
"I'll definitely collect all Twelve Zodiac Talismans!"
In the second half of the night, the caring elder sister coaxed the younger brother to sleep before reluctantly slipping away.
Adam didn't go too far — he'd only asked Vanessa to tell him stories for half the night, which left her exhausted.
Just like in his past life, when he played baseball, Adam knew to be cautious when going for a home run.
It's not that I'm weak… It's that Mereoleona is just too strong!
Magic Emperor's Palace
"We've gathered a lot of intelligence — some good, some bad. The good news is we've found the Eye of the Midnight Sun's headquarters. The bad news… they're serious about this," Yami reported, unusually solemn in front of the Wizard King.
"The war is about to begin," Julius said.
Eye of the Midnight Sun Headquarters
"That guy is causing trouble for us again," Valtos growled.
"He must be dealt with before the plan begins," Rhya said coldly. "That bastard seems to have gotten even stronger."
Licht stood on the throne, his tone icy. "Go all out to find that thing. We must get it before our plan comes to fruition."
"Yes!" they responded in unison.
A new conspiracy began to unfold in the shadows.