0713MM: Hey guys! I welcome you to the 11th chapter of The Silver Valkyrie! I do not own Black Clover, nor its characters. Chapter start!^^
Chapter 11
A few weeks have gone by since the latest Magic Knight Captains' meeting in regards to the Eye of the Midnight Sun's attack on the Royal Capital of Clover, and the Diamond Kingdom's attack on Kiten. Due to the Magic Parliament suffering in the aftermath, the guards of the Magic Parliament were blamed for such. Three of them to be accurate. Within the hallways of the Magic Parliament building, the nobles that are within the Magic Parliament surrounded 3 of the guards.
"You call yourselves guards? Pathetic!" A prideful sounding blonde-haired noblewoman pushed a green-haired, green-eyed woman into the wall, followed by a few punches by said woman. The 2 males next to the green-haired, green-eyed guard of the Magic Parliament had red-eyes and red hair, along with a blonde-haired and brown-eyed guard. Both of the male guards were being assaulted as well by 2 noblemen respectively.
"You can't even protect the people from an attack such as this!" One of the two male noblemen snapped. "Honestly, I don't even remember why we hired you."
"My son is in the hospital because of you people failing to do your job!" The noblewoman snapped at the singular female guard; shoving her to the ground, then lifted her up and moved back into the wall and continued to repeat the process.
"P-Please….." The female guard spoke softly. "We tried…. But those Dark Disciples were too…..-"
"Excuses!" The noblewoman screamed before slugging the female guard. At this point, the 3 guard's faces were bloodied, along with their clothes.
"That's quite enough!" The 3 nobles gaped, then turned to face who spoke, as did the 3 guards. Before the 6 was a man with black hair that was neatly combed, aside from one strand of hair that he left alone, he wore the Magic Parliament clothing of green and white, along with holding a scale in his right hand.
"Lord Damnatio!" The 3 nobles gaped.
"Sir….?" The female guard spoke softly. Damnatio glanced at the 3 guards, then back at the 3 nobles.
"I do not recall granting permission to beat up my associates." Damnatio retorted sternly. "While it is true that they failed, not all was lost. But beating them up into submission because of this will not solve anything." Damnatio turned to the 3 bloodied and battered guards. "As for you 3…..I am resigning you. Siona Caverly, Onoby Sinho, Kabwe Carillion." Damnatio turned on his heel and began to walk away before the 3 guards could even say anything. "You leave tomorrow. However, since this is so sudden, I will grant you 3 your money for the week doubled."
"Tch…!" Kabwe grunted.
"Sir, how will we find another job?" Onoby questioned. Damnatio shrugged, but didn't turn around to face them.
"That's your business now." Was all he said before turned down the hall's corner. The 3 nobles glanced at each other, then left the 3 guards to there own devices.
As the 3 (now former) guards of the Magic Parliament left the building, the blood on their faces and clothes now dried, they began to wander around the Royal Capital, unsure and lost.
"Now what?" Onoby wondered aloud.
"That was our only job too…." Siona spoke softly.
"Gah….!" Kabwe clenched his hands into fists. "Well, we'll just have to find another job, won't we? I refuse to become homeless!" As the 3 continued to walk through the capital, they came across a group of nobles surrounding a couple pillars. Carefully, the 3 approached and stood behind the crowd, who apparently where laughing at whatever was on the pillar.
"A new Magic Knight squad? Honestly. What is that fool of a Wizard King thinking?" A nobleman laughed.
"I know right?" His wife snickered. "The Captain is from the Diamond Kingdom to boot!"
"If the Magic Parliament gets word of this, they'll want to shut it down." Another noblewoman added.
"Isn't 9 Magic Knight squads enough?" A 3rd nobleman scoffed.
"Apparently not." A 3rd noblewoman added. The 3 former guards watched as the group of nobles went to each pillar/wall and tore down the posters before stampeding all over them so they were almost unreadable. All of the nobles laughed while doing so. Once the crowd of nobles were gone, Kabwe, Siona, and Onoby approached the fallen posters. Siona picked one up and held it in front of her so Kabwe and Onoby could see what the poster had written on it. Despite it now being covered in several footprints by the nobles that stepped all over the posters that were originally on the pillars and walls of the buildings within the vicinity. Siona then began to read it to Kabwe and Onoby.
"Amber Phoenix: The 10th and newest Magic Knight squad. Looking for new recruits." Siona read aloud. "So, what do you think?" Onoby put a hand to his chin in thought.
"Hmmmm…." He mused.
"I say we go for it." Kabwe spoke up. "What chance for a new job will pop up like this ever again?"
"I dunno….." Siona murmured as she let the poster slip out of her hands and onto the ground. "I-I mean…..would we even be accepted?..."
"Do we have a choice?" Kabwe scowled. "I'm skeptical too. Considering the rumors we've heard about the Wizard King by the other nobles we've met/come across." He clenched his right hand into a fist. "But I'm not going to throw this chance at a new job away. Let's at least check on the Headquarters of this new Magic Knight squad."
"Humph. Better than becoming homeless." Onoby crossed his arms. Siona sighed in defeat.
"O-Okay…" She murmured. "We'll go check it out." Kabwe and Onoby nodded, then the 3 headed off in the direction of the 10th Magic Knight squad's base.
In the Common Realm town of Tiulyu, the citizens of said town bustled about, doing there own thing. Despite this, the citizens did pay attention occasionally to the posters about a 10th Magic Knight squad. But they mostly ignored them, knowing that Clover doesn't have good relations with the Diamond Kingdom. Three commoners however, were walking through the town and were on there way home. One of them was a short woman with medium length black hair, brown eyes, wearing a pink scarf around her neck and wore a turquoise shirt and blue jeans and turquoise shoes. The 2nd was next to this woman, blonde hair and some facial hair, wearing a long light blue shirt with a brown vest over it and white scarf around his neck, and light blue jeans of his own and blue shoes. The 3rd was a woman with short brown hair, blue-eyes, wearing a tan shirt, along with a white jacket over it, tan jeans and brown shoes. The black-haired woman was carrying a bag of groceries, while the blonde-haired man also carried a bag. As the 3 were walking back to their respective houses (in the black-haired woman and blonde-haired man's case, their house), they came across a couple posters on one of the building walls. At first, none of them had paid that much attention to them. But then a few more posters began to show up over the next couple weeks. The blonde-haired man took one of the posters off the wall and read it.
"Amber Phoenix: The 10th and newest Magic Knight squad. Looking for new recruits." He read aloud. Before the other 2 with him could say anything, he turned to the black-haired woman. "Dazu honey, you should join." The black-haired woman, Dazu Tayaku, turned to her husband and rubbed her right arm nervously.
"W-Well….." Dazu began, voice filled with nervousness.
"Don't be nervous." The brown-haired woman replied. "If you'd like, I can go with you if you are sure about going." Dazu glanced at the brown-haired woman and nodded.
"That'd be most appreciated Bow." Dazu told her. Dazu's husband smiled lightly in approval at his wife's decision. But soon, Dazu's appreciative smile faltered.
"But…...my magic…" Dazu spoke softly. "It's not good on its own…"
"True…" Dazu's husband mused. "But that's alright! Either way, I believe in you Dazu. You can do this. I fully support you regardless of what you decide." Dazu glanced at her husband and nodded.
"Then I will do it." Dazu replied.
"Best we leave now before its nightfall." Bow suggested.
"Right." Dazu nodded. She hugged her husband and told him to tell mother that she and Bow would be gone for the rest of the afternoon and probably through the evening. And with that, Dazu and Bow left Tiulyu.
In the Common Realm town village of Nean, the citizens of said town bustled about, doing there own thing. Despite this, the citizens did pay attention occasionally to the posters about a 10th Magic Knight squad. But they mostly ignored them, knowing that Clover doesn't have good relations with the Diamond Kingdom. Amongst the village, a slim, well-endowed young woman with blue eyes and long, black hair. Her main attire is a modified nun's habit (like a warrior nun) with a headpiece and brown boots. And next to her was a young adult woman wearing nun's clothing, blue eyes, and also black hair. The older woman was carrying some bibles that were to be brought to the church. The younger and shorter woman pouted at the older woman's teasing.
"Sister Lily! Stop teasing me!" The younger woman pouted. "I may be wearing a nun outfit, but I'm not a nun cosplayer!" Sister Lily just continued to laugh.
"I'm sure your Great Aunt Sister Theresa finds it amusing, Friede." Sister Lily continued to giggle. Friede groaned at Sister Lily's words.
"Oi!" Friede remarked. "Well at the very least, let's-" Before Friede finishes, she stops and looks at the pillar in front of them. It has a poster on it. Sister Lily also stopped to examine it and pulled it off the pillar to read it.
"Amber Phoenix: The 10th and newest Magic Knight squad. Looking for new recruits." She read aloud before glancing at Friede. "Well look at that. A chance for you to join a squad since you couldn't go to the Entrance Exam this year."
"But would they allow me in?" Friede asked. Sister Lily smiled.
"I'm sure they would." Sister Lily reassured her. "After, Lady Acier has told me and Father Orsi that Captain Yami takes in people off the streets. I think the only reason this 10th Magic Knight squad is doing this is because it was formed after the Entrance Exam." Sister Lily paused, then added. "Why don't we see what Sister Theresa has to say?" Friede nodded in agreement.
"My, this is quite the opportunity for you my dear grandniece." The elderly nun spoke towards Friede. "I'd suggest you take it." Friede smiles at the approval from her great aunt, then turns to SIster Lily and frowns.
"Can Sister Lily come too great aunt Theresa?" Friede asked. Sister Theresa chuckled while SIster Lily shook her head and raised her hands up.
"Oh no. I can't." Sister Lily replied. "I work for the church. Plus I'm a pacifist." Friede rolled her eyes at that.
"Uh-huh. Sure. Then why is it that I've heard you used your Holy Fist of Love spell on Asta when he was younger?"
"Probably because that wild child drove Sister Lily crazy at times." Sister Theresa laughed. "She even gets confused for a noble due to how much magic she has."
"H-Hey!" Sister Lily pouted.
"It's true Sister Lily." Friede remarked. "And I don't want you to have your potential as a strong mage be used for this." She turned to her great aunt. "You agree, right?"
"Of course." Sister Theresa nodded in agreement.
"Oi!" Sister Lily groaned as the kids Sister Theresa were watching over entered the building. Friede turned to see them and smiled.
"Hey Marco, Marie." Friede spoke towards the red and blonde-haired boy and girl. "What say you? Should Sister Lily join the Amber Phoenix squad with me?" Marco and Marie glanced at each other, then back at Friede and nodded vigorously.
"Yes!" They both said. Friede grinned in satisfaction, while Sister Theresa chucked in amusing.
"There you have it Lily." Sister Theresa told the younger nun. "And I know you can't say no to children." Sister Lily sighed in defeat.
"You're right." Sister Lily retorted before turning to Friede. "Alright. Let's go."
"Yup!" Friede smiled. "I'll be leading us to the address." And with that, the 2 left, with the children and Sister Theresa waving goodbye to them.
In a building that was now fixed up from its vacancy at the border of Noble and Common Realms, Fana, now Captain Fana of the Amber Phoenix squad, now wearing her Amber Phoenix squad robe, paced back and forth in the main room, with Mars, Valeria, Alice, Julius, Marx, Fanzell, Dominante, and Mariella watching her. Mars, Valeria, Alice, Fanzell, Dominante, and Mariella were also wearing the Amber Phoenix squad robe over there clothing. (A/N: Normally I'd describe Fanzell, Dominante and Mariella, but considering how many characters I have to describe throughout this fic, I will not do it for these 3 specifically.)
"Nervous?" Fanzell asked his former student, now Captain of the 10th Magic Knight squad of the Clover Kingdom; Amber Phoenix. Fana eventually stopped pacing and turned to face Fanzell and the others.
"Yes. Yes I am nervous." Fana admitted. "What if no one wants to join? Then what?"
"It'll be fine Fana." Dominante reassured her.
"I placed posters all over." Julius told her. "There's bound to be some people that have seen them and are interested."
"Well that's good." Mars replied.
"But still!" Fana spoke in a panicked tone. "Me and Mars know how the nobles and royals treat outsiders. Especially outsiders that are from an opposing country like Diamond."
"She does have a point sir." Marx frowned. "While Captain Acier and us are accepting, House Kira will not be once they find out." Julius however, brushed the comment aside.
"While that is a concern, Damnatio can be reasoned with." Julius remarked reassuringly.
"This is the place?" Fana, Mars, Valeria, Alice, Fanzell, Dominante, Mariella, Marx, and Julius turned to see 2 women at the front door's threshold, since it was open. One of the women had short brown hair. While the other one had medium length black hair. Julius smiled at them.
"Hello and welcome to the Amber Phoenix squad's HQ!" Julius greeted the 2.
The Wizard King?! The 2 thought.
"I am Dazu Tayaku." Dazu replied.
"And I'm Bow Nokude." Bow greeted. Fana and Mars soon approached the threshold of the door and stood to the side, as if telling the 2 women that they could come in. Dazu and Bow looked around the building.
"Yeah, me and Marx were just helping fix the place up to look more like a Magic Knight squad base." Julius chuckled. "So we apologize for the somewhat not so neat place."
"No no, it's okay." Bow retorted. "We can help fix it up as well." Fana and Mars glanced at each other, then nodded.
"That'd be appreciated." Mars told her. Before Bow could reply, they could hear more people arriving. And while it made Julius more excited, it made Fana more nervous.
"Oh goodie! More potential Magic Knights!" Julius grinned as his eyes slowly began to become starry.
"I still can't believe you wanted to bring me along." Lily groaned at Friede.
"You needed to get out more." Friede replied. She turned to see several people looking at them. "Oh, umm...I take it that this is the Amber Phoenix base?" Marx was about to respond, but Fana intervened.
"That's right." Fana nodded.
"Eh?" Lily gaped, looking at the poster Friede had taken with her, then back at the pinkette. "But you're-"
"From the Diamond Kingdom, yes." Fana answered. This news caused Dazu and Bow to mutter amongst themselves; thus Fana began to feel uncomfortable.
Shitshitshit! I shouldn't have said that! Fana thought frantically. She felt Mars hold her in a form of comfort.
"Diamond Kingdom?" Kabwe spoke as he, Siona, and Onoby arrived as well.
Magic Parliament guards? Marx thought. Are they here to stop the Amber Phoenix squad from being formed?
"Oh! Onoby, Siona, Kabwe!" Julius greeted the 3. "What brings you here?"
"We want to join." Kabwe replied. "Since we don't have a job anymore as Magic Parliament guards."
"Y-Yeah…" Siona muttered. A look of sympathy crossed Julius, Marx, Fana, Mars, Fanzell, Dominante, Mariella, Alice, and Valeria's faces at that.
"Well, here you can have a second chance!" Julius grinned, hoping to clear up the gloomy atmosphere a bit. "That is why it's called Amber Phoenix after all."
"A phoenix symbolizes rebirth." Friede remarked as she and Sister Lily approached the base. "Seems fitting in this case." She glanced over at the others and gaped upon seeing Julius. "You're….!"
"The Wizard King…!" Sister Lily finished. "And by the looks of it," glances at Fana and Mars. "The Captain and Vice Captain respectively." Fana and Mars nodded in response. Marx counted the number of people present for the Amber Phoenix squad.
"13...14. 14 total." Marx remarked as he turned to Julius. "That should be enough for a squad. Speaking of which."
"Wait." Marx stopped and turned to face Mars. "If these guys are truly serious about joining, then perhaps we should test there skills in a little sparring against my crystal clones." This caused Dazu, Bow, Kabwe, Siona, and Onoby glanced at one another before back at Mars.
"Well umm…" Dazu began softly, but Julius talked over her.
"Wonderful idea Mars!" Julius grinned as his eyes became all starry.
Yes! Now I get to see so much magic in action! Julius thought happily. Marx glanced at Julius as Mars set up the crystal clones and sighed.
"Here we go again…" Marx muttered.
At this point, Fana, Mars, Valeria, Alice, Fanzell, Dominate, Mariella, as well as the others that did arrive that wished to join were now outside the base. Julius and Marx on the sidelines, along with Fana, Valeria, Mariella, Alice, Fanzell, and Dominante. While the rest (including Mars), stood facing Mars.
"Now, who'd like to go first?" Mars asked. The group of 7 glanced at each other; muttering amongst themselves. Mostly saying that they didn't want to go first. Eventually however…
"I'll go first!" Mars turned to see Friede stepping forward. "Since no one else wants to." Mars nodded approvingly.
"Very well." Mars remarked. "Let's see how you fare. Think you can take down these crystal clones?" Friede's grimoire came out of her pouch and it opened up to a specific page while floating in front of her. Black flames engulfed her right hand. "You can use the clones to attack me if you want."
"Save attacking for later." Marx spoke. "We don't want-"
"Yes please!" Julius spoke over Marx. "I must see there magic in full action!" Marx groaned as he put his hand to his face.
"Why do I even bother?" Marx groaned as a few crystal clones charged towards Friede. Friede raised her black flame imbued right hand hand.
"Black Flame Magic: Black Flame Strong Fist!" Friede declared as did a front punch towards the crystal clones. Black flames flew off of her right fist and towards the crystal clones; thus burning them to charred crystal pieces. Julius clasped his hands together as his eyes sparkled.
"Ahhh! Amazing!" Julius beamed. "Never seen or heard of Black Flame Magic before!" The other 6 looked at each other, then at Friede and Mars as Mars used his Crystal Magic to reform his crystal clones. Julius glanced at the other 6. "Who wants to go next?" Reluctantly, Dazu stepped forward as Friede stepped back.
"I-I'll go next…" Dazu murmured.
"Dazu…" Bow whispered. Dazu glanced at Bow, then back at Mars.
"But." Dazu began as she narrowed her eyes slightly. "I will only join if my Mother-in-law and husband are allowed to live here."
"Of course!" Julius grinned. "Family members are more then welcome!" He glanced at Fana and Mars, who both nodded approvingly. Dazu glanced over at Fana and Mars and nodded shyly.
"Thank you." Dazu replied as she got her grimoire out and it flipped through its pages before stopping at a certain page. "I'm ready." Mars nodded, then gestured to his crystal clones to attack Dazu; which they did.
Catalyst Magic: Chrono Blast! Dazu thought as she launched several time orbs at the crystal clones; thus they turned to dust. Mars, and everyone else watching, gaped.
"What did she just do?!" Fanzell gaped.
"It appeared that she had borrowed magic….!" Dominante breathed.
"From me, it would seem." Julius remarked.
"O-Oh! Sorry about that." Dazu told Julius, but he brushed the apology aside.
"No need to apologize!" He smiled. "So your magic…..it's Catalyst, right?" When Dazu nodded, Julius's eyes sparkled. "So cool! Please show me more!"
"She can't right now sir!" Marx snapped. "We have other initiatives to go through!"
"Oh! Right. Sorry." Julius rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Valeria laughed at Julius's antics and couldn't help but smile.
"Never change Julius." She laughed lightly.
"Oh don't worry Valeria, he won't." Marx sighed.
Eventually, the rest of the ones that wished to join went. For Bow and Onoby, they used Magic Bullets instead. Which despite Magic Bullets having lesser power than an actual spell were pretty effective. Onoby even got to show off how strong his barrier was against Mars's magic and his magical clones. After everyone had gone, it was nearly sunset. Julius, Marx, Fana, and Mars stood in front of those that came to join Amber Phoenix.
"You all that came that wanted to join passed with flying colors." Julius began to explain. "And while the Captain and Vice Captain of Amber Phoenix are from another country, Diamond, that doesn't mean that they haven't turned over a new leaf. Alice, Valeria, Fanzell, Dominante and Mariella here can testament for that. On top of that, they willingly put there lives at risk to defend Clover citizens from both attacks. If that doesn't show defection, I don't know what does."
"Thank you sir." Fana smiled at Julius, albeit a bit shyly.
"This'll help with the payments I owe." Onoby remarked as he put on the Amber Phoenix squad robe, like Kabwe and Siona. "Considering it's a lot of money to gain from this job and all." Siona and Kabwe nodded.
"Kabwe remarked. "And I can finally help my nephew out too. While being a Magic Parliament guard was great, it didn't pay as much as they said in the interview."
"Probably because we're commoners that got lucky even to get such a job." Siona frowned.
"Well, you don't have to worry about discrimination or social status in my squad." Fana smiled. "After all, the word phoenix means rebirth. Therefore, we're all starting fresh. And are getting a 2nd chance at life, per se."
"Vanessa made extra robes for you guys, just in case new members do show up, and/or your old robes get too damaged." Marx explained as he turned to Julius. "I believe that's everything sir." Julius glanced at Marx and nodded.
"Right. However, I do have 1 more thing to say." Julius spoke; thus the Amber Phoenix squad members turned to him.
"Sir?" Mars asked.
"What is it?" Mariella questioned.
"Due to the Amber Phoenix squad being made after the Magic Knights Entrance Exam, Captain Acier and I have agreed to have her send over some of her squad members over here to help you guys get settled into how this works in regards to missions." His smile didn't falter as he continued. "As for these Silver Eagle members that'll be like your guides for the first couple months, they are as follows: Asta, Noelle Silva, and Courtney Roulacase. While Asta and Noelle are fairly new Silver Eagles members, Noelle knows enough about how this works based on her mother's, and her elder siblings, experience out in the field."
"I think it'd be best if some members stayed here." Bow piped up. "I can be this squad's medic. While Vide, Dazu's husband, can be the transportation." Dazu chuckled awkwardly, but nodded at Bow's words nonetheless.
"Y-Yes." Dazu spoke. I hope that's fine."
"It is." Julius replied as he and Marx began to leave. "Now get some rest. All of you. You need it." And with that, Marx and Julius left the Amber Phoenix squad base.
Within the Diamond Kingdom's castle, an elderly man wearing royalty-like clothing sat upon a throne, observing 3 of the 8 Shining Generals. Evanora, Anna, and Ladros to be accurate.
"So those 3 fools got themselves captured…" The Diamond King mused before he brushed the failure aside. "It makes no difference. I am after something else entirely now. Immortality. I'll die soon otherwise."
"So what do you want us to do, Your Majesty?" Anna questioned. The Diamond King snapped his fingers and a hologram of the world map appeared. He pointed at the spot in between Clover and Diamond.
"I want you 3 to enter the Witches Forest and capture the Witch Queen." The Diamond King explained. "She's been alive for who knows how long. And even then, she doesn't even look past 40. Whatever power she has, it's keeping her alive. Once she's captured, I will have it be stripped from her and given to me."
"Hahaha! Sure thing Your Majesty!" Ladros laughed.
"When do we leave sir?" Evanora asked. At her question, the Diamond King's lips formed a dark smile.
"Right now." He replied.
0713MM: And that does it for Chapter 11! I would have shown every single initiation battle between all the new recruits between Mars and his crystal clones, but that would have turned into an entirely new chapter. So I just described the rest of them real quick. The ending of this chapter is leading into something regarding the Witches Forest, but what could it be? Well...heh heh... I have it all figured out. You readers will just have to wait and see. :P