Chapter 38: Change in Mentality
A week had passed since the incident between Asta and Metav. After the Black Bull had defeated the devil, he brought Langris Vaude, Nebra Silva, and Gordon Agrippa, to where the base was situated and had them rest up.
During the time Asta was away fighting, Mimosa and Nero had returned from their own training session. As they arrived back, they saw Asta with three heavily injured mages on his back and rushed to see him right away. After the exchange of information, the Vermillion stayed to use her recovery spells to help the Knights feel better.
The three mages were resting in one of the makeshift houses, alongside the rest of the people as they all had been continuing with their daily work. Sometime, during the time everyone was sleeping, two of the mages started to regain consciousness.
"Ack! My body hurts so much…" Nebra muttered, slowly sitting upright on the bed.
"You can say that again…" Langris was in the same condition, as he tried to get up too.
The two looked at each other and said the same thing, and the same time. "That peasant really is something…".
As more time passed, the two mages started to regain their senses. They looked around to scan the environment they were win and saw that the other mage was also in the same room as them but was still unconscious.
"This mage… from the Black Bulls, right?" the royal Silva asked.
"Yeah, his name's Gordon. I've seen him a few times with my brother…" the man from the House of Vaude replied back.
The two just stared at Gordon for a few, long seconds. As they looked at him, they started to get frustrated, not at the Black Bull, but at themselves.
"He… managed to get a hit in on that devil"
"Yeah, and we're the ones who failed at doing that…"
Langris started to stand up from the bed he was sat on. He corrected his posture, but it took a bit of time as he was still aching from all the injuries and bruises, he had all over his body. "A Black Bull managed to get more hits in… and then another Black Bull saved us" the Spatial Magic user tensed up.
"So, this is the squad Noelle has been with…" Nebra looked down towards the floor in defeat "… and to think we basically abused her…" she said softly with an angered expression.
After the quick exchange, Langris and Nebra slowly walked out the door and into what was a completely alien environment to them. They didn't realise how big and vast the place they were transported to was, and to see it fully was shocking to them.
They looked around, scanning the environment, they saw the makeshift houses, as well as the plants and trees that were surrounding the base. As they narrowed their eyes, they saw Asta resting up against a tree. He was sleeping, or rather, conversing with Liebe in his mind.
"Liebe… how come Luck or anyone else didn't sense Gordon and the others when they were this close to us?" Asta asked, confused about the whol situation regarding Metav.
"His Alteration Magic… he probably made it, so their mana was invisible to detect. I only sensed him due to its bloodlust he let out…". Liebe spoke up quietly, as if something else was on his mind that was distracting him.
"Ah, that makes sense. So, are there more devils we have to look out for?" the boy was worried. If there was a devil this close to them, it would make sense if there were even more.
"… Yeah. Most likely, they already know we're here… so we should keep our guards up". Liebe responded.
"Well… we need answers and I guess he's the best one to talk to. I don't see anyone else right now" Langris spoke to the royal and they both agreed to walk over and exchange information with the Anti-Magic user.
As Asta was speaking with Liebe, he was interrupted by a sudden loud voice.
"Oi" Langris shook Asta and he woke up with an abrupt shout.
"AH!" Asta rose up getting into a defensive position. Upon realising who it was, he relaxed and started laughing in an embarrassed fashion. "Oh, it's just you two! Wait, should you really be up and moving? Go back to bed , please". He asked politely.
The polite manner and overall demeanour of Asta, the peasant who the two had constantly ridiculed, was not affected at all by their previous confrontations. Instead, he was willingly and playfully speaking with them.
"Um… we will rest soon, but we would like some answers about this whole situation" Langris added.
"Ah yeah, you three were separated from us so it makes sense". Asta then revealed all of the information regarding the Spade attack and about Vanica and Megicula. He also told them who had survived and died, from what he knows. Upon hearing the fate of the Golden Dawn Captain, William Vangeance, Langris was taken back and struggled to process it. More details about the Underworld, Liebe, as well as the portal that separated the two worlds was relayed on to them also.
"… That is… something" the Golden Dawn member spoke up, still trying to get his head around Vangeance's fate. "At least my brother is safe" he though to himself.
"A-Asta… are my siblings really safe?" Nebra wondered. Even though Asta had told them they were most likely safe as Nozel and Solid weren't here, her thoughts were still negative.
"I'm telling you, your two brothers and sister are safe back in the Overworld. Wherever they may be… they're okay". The Black Bull smiled with his teeth shining.
The two mages were finally satisfied with the information Asta had shared with them. Nebra went to turn back to have some more rest when Langris stopped her.
"Oi…" he then turned to Asta. "Look, I don't want to do this but even I need to admit when I'm wrong… I was wrong about you Asta, and the Black Bulls. Thanks, I guess, for saving us" Langris Vaude, the man with a superiority and an inferiority complex, had swallowed his pride and thanked the peasant, Asta.
Asta was left speechless. He never expected this from a noble, let alone Langris, but he just returned what he said with a smile and a thumbs up.
"I want to say thanks too. Not just now, but since you came to our squad base… you really made us start re-evaluating things". Nebra added.
"Look… I appreciate the thanks from you both, but I can't forget what you two have done". He turned to Langris "what you did to Finral is unforgivable. I'm sure he's forgiven you, but it'll take time for me and a few others to do so… so please, just be the best Magic Knight you can be". He looked to Langris' eyes, not smiling but in a serious manner.
Langris was shocked, but he knew Asta was in the right. Just as he had been when they faced off against each other in the Royal Knights exam. "You've got guts speaking to a Vice-Captain like that… but I hear you".
Asta wasn't done there though. He then turned to face the royal. "Nebra… I also appreciate what you've said, but I also can't look past what you've done to Noelle. Abuse? From her family? That's terrible… Do you know how many times she just looks lost, every single day? She's been scarred because of you lot!" Asta said the last part with an angered tone, although it wasn't too much. He still had to respect the fact that Nebra was a royal, even though he was letting some of his emotions loose.
"Oi… brat, shut it. You're in for some trouble if you keep this up…" Liebe spoke to his host.
Asta stopped speaking. Langris and Nebra were left shocked and surprised at what Asta said to them both. Although, the way he spoke to Nebra seemed a bit personal.
"Now, look here you pea-" the royal was going to insult Asta but stopped herself as she found herself thinking about Noelle. She imagined her as a little baby who she was carrying in her arms. The time she spent playing with her when Noelle couldn't even walk were one of the most prominent memories that came to mind. A few tears started to form in Nebra's eyes, and she composed herself. "I hear you… Asta".
The two started to walk off, but just before they left, they said one last thing. "Could you tell Gordon that we're thankful?".
"Why don't you tell him yourselves?" Asta smirked as he gestured for them to turn around and as they did, they saw Gordon, limping towards the group with a smile.
The noble and the royal turned around slowly. There was a part of them that still had that overflowing pride that wouldn't allow them to thank him, but they pushed past it and offered their gratitude to him for trying to protect them.
They then quickly walked away and back into the makeshift house to rest again.
"Wow… I didn't think I'd get a thanks for them. They are now my best friends" the Poison mage muttered to himself in his usual way. He then looked to Asta and quickly walked up to him.
As the two met, Gordon went in for a hug and buried his face into Asta's shoulder. He started to cry, but from happiness and relief at the fact he was saved by him and how glad he was to see him again.
With the Anti-Magic user and the Poison Magic user embracing, Captain Yami suddenly showed up along with right Luck next to him. The two also greeted Gordon and he went to hug them both. He managed to hug Luck, before he asked him to fight him despite Gordon's clear injuries. Yami had pushed him away, but instead patted him on the head to show his happiness at the fact his squad member was alive.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay Gordon! Make sure you get plenty of rest!" Asta shouted with tears forming in his eyes.
"Okay, Asta. Thank you, best friend, for saving me. I'll never forget it!" Gordon spoke, but loudly this time prompting surprised but happy expressions from the three other Black Bulls.
After the interaction, Asta left for his bed and Gordon and Luck went the other way.
"Alright, you can stop hiding behind that wall now" Yami ordered as he looked in the direction of where this certain person was.
It was Captain Fuegoleon. He walked out from the shadows and presented himself to the Captain of the Black Bulls. "Your ability to read ki is very impressive" he spoke in a dignified way, smiling.
"Yeah, yeah. You and I both heard what happened, right?" Yami asked the royal in front of him.
"Yes, of course. The way Asta spoke with those two was something to hear. He was fearless, but perhaps a bit too emotional". The Flame Magic user added.
"What are you talking about? That was quite something! He's really got balls now" Yami chuckled as he lit another cigarette and put it into his mouth. "So… are you thinking what I'm thinking? It is about time…".
"Asta… he's proven himself to be quite capable, hasn't he? I'm in no way intruding into your role as Captain, but I would say it is time" Fuegoleon smiled and pumped his fist forward.
"I guess my squad of ruffians do need someone like that".
"I don't know why it has taken you so long to choose".
"Alright, alright… it does have a nice ring to it –
-Vice-Captain Asta…"
NOTES:
Okay, first things first, I love how I put Gordon here and made him to be a saviour :P He needs some love lol.
Langris and Nebra finally swallowed their overwhelming pride and thanked Asta, they even respected him.
I feel like Asta would say whatever was on his mind, especially to royalty and nobility. We've seen him do so in the ceremony where he stood up for Noelle, as well as publicly insult the Clover King during the Star Festival Awards. So, Asta being like this here isn't so farfetched.
Yami giving the Vice-Captaincy to Asta? I'm here for it… but it won't actually happen for a while.
