0713MM: Hey guys! I welcome you to the 20th chapter of The Silver Valkyrie! I do not own Black Clover, nor its characters, nor the OCs that are used in this chapter. The OCs are owned by Warmachine375. Chapter start!^^
Chapter 20
"So this is what the inside of a grimoire looks like?" Noelle wondered aloud as she looked around it; a curious look on her face. Asta just chuckled sheepishly at Noelle's question before shrugging. Uncertainty on his face.
"I guess." Asta shrugged. "More specifically mine."
"Kek kek kek kek. That is correct." Asta and Noelle turned to see a male Devil with white hair, red eyes, 2 bat-like wings, as well as 2 lines coming down from both sides of his face, as well as a line going from his neck down to his chest.
"You're…!" Both Asta and Noelle began, gaping. The male Devil's lips formed into a grin.
"Kek kek kek. Yes. I am Liebe." Liebe introduced himself to Asta and Noelle. "And I will tell you what you want to know about my Mother." Asta and Noelle stared at Liebe for a good few minutes before they both blurted out simultaneously.
"How do you know my/Asta's Mother?!" Liebe just gave the 2 an amused grin in response.
"Like I said, I will tell you." Liebe retorted. "But before I do that, I believe it's best you know about me."
"About you?" Asta repeated.
"Is that a problem?" Liebe asked sharply. Asta then put his hands up in surrender.
"No! Not at all!" Asta replied. "I'm just surprised you'd tell us. Considering you're a Devil and all."
"On top of that, one would think you'd want something from Asta in return." Noelle added. Liebe closed his eyes, then reopened them; they flashed red for a brief moment.
"I will not deny that I am a Devil." Liebe spoke. "However, unlike me and other Devils, you humans are lucky. For you see… Once a Devil is born, depending on there mana level, that's your rank. Forever. There's nothing you can do to change it no matter how hard you try." Liebe paused for a brief moment to allow the information to sink into Asta and Noelle's minds, who both had stunned expressions on their faces, then continued. "Because I had no mana…...I was the lowest of the low."
Flashback; little over 14 years ago…
As I said earlier, once a Devil is born, there rank is determined by how much mana they have. The higher the mana pool, the higher ranked you are. But...if you have little mana, or in my case, no mana, then the other Devils will pick on and torture the weaker Devils. Because I had no mana, ALL the Devils tortured me. Torn to shreds over and over again. My blood tainted the black ground every single day.
But then one day, one of the high ranking Devils threw me up at the sealed entrance to the Human World, thinking I'd fall back down as million pieces. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Because I had no magic, I passed right through the barrier and into the Human World. Despite this, the humans feared me because I was a Devil and called for the Magic Knights. After being chased and shot at from the Magic Knights with their spells, I eventually managed to get away. However...I was too weak to go on. So I had every intention to allow myself to die right there in the forest. But then…
"Oh! You're awake! Great!~" I woke up in what appeared to be someone's house. I looked around me, and it appeared I was in a bed. I then looked up to the one who spoke. It was an ash blonde-haired woman with green eyes, wearing a dark blue vest, a white shirt that had sleeves that went to her elbows, brown shoes, and dark colored pants, as well as having 2 belts strapped to her waist. One held her grimoire, and the other held a small bottle. "I'm Licita, nice to meetcha!^^" I was confused by where I was. Wasn't I dying not too long ago? So then why…? "And this is my house."
"Whaaa…?" I spoke softly. She's not afraid of me? "...You're not afraid of me?" To my surprise the young woman just laughed.
"Bwahahahaha! Why would I be afraid of an injured kid?" Licita laughed, surprising me further as she put her hands to her hips. "Anyway, if we're talking about being hated, I can make you run for your money." She paused, then added. "You see, I have this body that absorbs mana and lifeforce. Because of that, I live in this house...by myself…" My emotions went from confused and scared to sympathetic.
Poor Licita. I thought. Being shunned by her own race because of a condition she can't control.
"Because of my condition, no one wants to be around me." Licita continued. Surprisingly, her solemn attitude changed to excited. "But! I bet because you're a Devil, and you have no mana to lose, you're also not losing your life force it to me! So listen…" Licita's grin widens. "Stay here and be my kid!"
"Whaaa…?" I gaped in utter surprise.
Because of Licita's stupid, yet selfless decision, she changed my world for the better. We did everything together. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. She even explained to me what her magic was and what it could do. But out of everything we did together, I loved Licita-I mean, Mother's, cooking the best. After a few months, the matriarch of the Royal House of Silva, Acier Silva, found Licita's house and befriended us. At first, Licita was afraid that' she'd kill the Royal, so we kept our distance. But, Acier was insistent. In fact, she managed to make a magic item that suppressed Licita's body condition. That way, she COULD be around other people. After that, Acier visited our house as many times as she could. One day, we were outside chatting, and Licita said this to me:
"Just because you're a Devil doesn't mean you're a bad guy!^^" Licita told me. "I was lonely. And you saved me from that. Thank you Liebe!~"
"I lov…-" I began, but I didn't get to finish as I felt a dark and powerful presence enter my mind. "Ahhhhh!"
"Liebe! What's wrong?!" Licita cried out in concern for me.
"I am…..LUCIFERO!" Lucifero spoke through me. "What a find! To think a Devil could live in the human world without a contract. I think I'll use this Devil to-"
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Licita shouted as she grabbed my shoulders. "Get out! Get out of Liebe's body!"
"Insolent human!" Lucifero scowled. "Your interference is futile. Now-" He then gaped as he felt his mana, despite his physical body being in the Underworld, was being absorbed by Licita.
Sh-She's absorbing my magic…?! Lucifero thought in utter shock.
"N-No…! St-Stop!" Lucifero stammered out of my mouth. But that only got Licita to hold onto my body tighter.
"I….won't let another child go!" Licita vowed; remembering having to leave her first son with Acier Silva to bring to Hage Village to protect him from her condition.
"I-In that case…." Lucifero spoke through my mouth as he controlled my left arm and raised it up.
No! Please no! I thought in utter horror as I watched helplessly in my own mind as my left arm plunged through Licita's lower chest and through her lower back. Thus causing her to cough up blood. NOOOOOOO! Lucifero eventually recoiled out of my body.
"Nnnnnngh….! To think a human like you could do this much to me….!" Lucifero growled before he recomposed himself. "No matter….. I'll eventually escape the Underworld and give all you pathetic peons the Hell you deserve. Hahahahaha!" And with that, Lucifero left my body. I felt Licita embracing me.
"I'm sorry….. I'm a moron…." Licita spoke softly. "So I'll…..seal you inside the 5 leaf clover grimoire I found before I found you…. That way…..you'll be able to live without Lucifero ruining your life further…"
"Lic….ita…" I whispered in astoundment as what she did. For me. I felt my physical body being moved from Licita's arms and into the 5 leaf clover grimoire.
"Live Liebe…!" I saw her sad, bloodied smile. "My beloved son…." Just before my physical body was fully imbued inside the grimoire, I cried and let out 1 final word:
"MOOOOOOOOM!"
Flashback end
Asta and Noelle's faces were filled with a multitude of emotions. Liebe, despite not having any mana or understanding how to read ki, he could see it on the 2's faces. The emotions Asta and Noelle were feeling. Anger, sadness, and sympathy.
"I'm so sorry Liebe…" Noelle whispered.
"That is horrible…" Asta swallowed; agreeing with Noelle. "And I didn't even get to know Mom like you did…"
"Like you would ever understand." Liebe scoffed. "Especially you, Silva girl. You lived a life of luxury." Noelle felt herself wince at Liebe's words. "But it's as I said, humans get a chance to rise in the social status. While Devils, and I'd presume Angels too, can't rise up in that same fashion." He then laughed. "But even then….humans have also fallen into this prejudiced way of thinking too. Just look at Clover Kingdom's history! The ruling house of Clover has kept it that way for centuries! Your Mother, Acier SIlva, becoming Queen, will not make an immediate impact!"
"You think I don't know that?" Noelle frowned deeply. "Mother is aware of that too. That's why she'll implement the change in the system gradually."
"Waitwaitiwait! Angels exist?!" Asta gaped, causing his Devil brother and Noelle to sweatdrop.
"No shit dumbass!" Noelle and Liebe snapped.
"If Devils exist, so should there counterparts; the Angels." Liebe explained. "Just like the humans have elves and dwarves in there world. Kek kek." Asta put his hand to his chin, then a lightbulb appeared above his head.
"This has nothing to do with that topic, but what if there was a way to get you out of my grimoire?" Asta wondered. At this, Liebe gave Asta a quizzical look, while Noelle became concerned.
"Asta…." Noelle breathed.
"You still have a physical body, right Liebe?" Asta continued. "If that's the case, then maybe...Wizard King Julius can use his Time Magic to rewind the seal Mom put on you and the grimoire to release you from it."
"Asta!" Noelle gaped in utter surprise. "If that were to happen, then…!" Liebe just laughed at Asta's idea.
"Kek kek kek! You stupid fool! Do you even realize what would happen to you if you went through that dumb idea?" Liebe laughed. "If you go through with that idea, then you'll become powerless! After all...Anti-Magic is my affinity, and the 5 leaf clover grimoire you hold, as well as the swords that you wield that go inside the grimoire, would become mine. Are you sure that you want that?"
"Not just that." Noelle added. "But you'd get expelled from the Magic Knights." Asta's light green eyes got shadowed as he lowered his head
"You think I care?" Asta spoke as he clenched his hands into fists, then raised his head back up; his light green eyes lighting up with determination. "I want to help my brother, Noelle. Mom put Liebe into the grimoire to protect him from Lucifero, Ruler of the Underworld. Now that Liebe is older, he is, by degree, stronger." Liebe and Noelle stared at Asta in surprise.
"Asta…." Noelle whispered, feeling tears fall down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, and smiled. "If that's your decision, then I'll follow you."
"Kek… You both are idiots." Liebe snickered.
"Noelle, you don't have to." Asta told her, surprised by her words. Noelle looked at Asta and nodded.
"I don't mind Asta." She smiled. "We're lifelong friends. So in a way, it's only natural I'd follow your path of choice." Asta laughed lightly.
"Haha! Yeah, you're right Noelle." Asta grinned as he wrapped his right arm around her. Liebe laughed mentally.
Kek. So Mother, it seems your biological son has found the love of his life. Liebe thought as his lips formed a smile. Maybe someday, I can too. Suddenly, the 3 could hear voices from outside the grimoire calling Asta and Noelle's names.
"Asta! Noelle! Wake up!" The 3 heard. Liebe chuckled, then turned his attention to Asta and Noelle.
"Kek. You 2 lovebirds better get your minds back to your bodies." Liebe told them. "You know, so your squadmates and Amber Phoenix squad members don't worry too much." Both Asta and Noelle felt their faces heat up. If the 2 could look in a mirror, they'd see that there faces are now dark red. Liebe took notice immediately and laughed. "Kek kek kek! You 2 should see your faces! It's priceless! Kek kek kek!" His teasing only made the 2's face's facial color go an even darker shade of red.
"Oi!" Asta and Noelle groaned loudly at Liebe's teasing. "Shut up about it already!" There words on the other hand, just made Liebe laugh more. He eventually stopped.
"Ok ok, I'll stop." He relented. "But seriously, go."
"Right!" Asta nodded as he turned on his heel and started to head towards the light with his right arm still around Noelle.
"Asta! Noelle!" The 2 opened their eyes and noticed that there squadmates, as well as the Amber Phoenix squad members, were standing around them. Once those around them saw them open their eyes, they sighed in relief.
"Oh thank goodness!" Lily smiled tearfully.
"The hell happened to you 2?" Nebra questioned. Asta and Noelle looked at each other, then at the group of mages from both squads. The duo just chuckled.
"We'll tell you later." Asta and Noelle replied in unison as they stood up.
"What time is it?" Noelle questioned.
"10:45 at night." Valeria replied. "Last I checked anyway." Acier nodded, then turned to Noelle.
"It's going to be 11pm in about 15 minutes." Acier spoke. "So Noelle, I'd suggest setting up Sea Dragon's Cradle." Noelle nodded.
"Right Mother." Noelle retorted as she began to wave her arms. "I need to make this big in order to fit all of us." At that, everyone went silent and watched as Noelle did her work. Distracting Noelle in any way, shape, or form could lead to disaster when it came to this type of Water Creation Magic Spell. Solid knew this all too well. After about a few minutes, a giant Sea Dragon's Cradle was made. Causing the Amber Phoenix squad members to be awed, while the Silver Eagles just smiled.
"Whoa…!" Friede breathed.
"Amazing…!" Lily agreed. Elf Fana, Captain Fana, Vice Captain Mars, Valeria, Alice, Fanzell, Dominante, Mariella, Siona, Onoby, Kabwe, and Dazu were mesmerized for a good few seconds before realizing that the Silver Eagles had gone inside of it.
"We better get inside of it." Captain Fana spoke. "Let's go." As soon as she went towards it, the rest of her squad followed. After both squads were inside Noelle's spell, Noelle thrusted her right arm forward; causing the cradle to head into the ocean and down.
"Seabed Temple here we come!" Members from both squads declared.
0713MM: And that does it for this chapter! Next chapter is the official start of Seabed Temple mission! Now I know I didn't introduce Kahono in this chapter. Reason being? Simply put, Noelle and Asta are on the Silver Eagles squad. Therefore, Kahono's help that she gave Noelle in canon is not needed. Noelle is far stronger, as is Asta here because Acier Silva is alive. Like the Witch Queen said a few chapters ago: The tiniest change can make the biggest impact.