0713MM: Hey guys! I welcome you to the 61st 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 and spells used in this chapter belong to guardian of the aura Aurasoul and Warmachine375. Chapter start!^^
Chapter 61
Valeria had arrived in Elysia after Ren set off with her group of 11 mages (11 because Ren included herself). While Ren aimed to free Spade from Eva Zogratis and her associates, Valeria had her own plans. After being notified by Queen Acier Silva of the Clover Kingdom that Lolopechka had died for the sake of Megicula's return to the human world, Valeria once again felt like a failure to the now late Queen Lolopechka of the Heart Kingdom.
First Vanica's fight resulted in not just me, but you also getting cursed. Valeria thought. And now…..now you've been taken away from us too soon….. Lady Lolopechka I…..I'm sorry…. She shook her head to clear those thoughts.
"I sadly can't change what happened." She murmured to herself as she traversed the lush green lands of the Elysia Elf Tribe. "But I can change the future for the Heart Kingdom. That I won't fail in doing." She stopped and shook her head. "No, I can't drag the citizens of Elysia into this… And maybe I'm in way over my head on this. I mean, if an 80% Angel Powered Noelle Silva, nor the Elysia Elf Tribe's second-in-command couldn't defeat her together, what hope would I and a bunch of rebels have?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing, Valeria Autumn." The blondette woman turned around to come face-to-face with the one of the former matriarchs of the Royal House Silva: Shirley Silva.
"Shirley?" Valeria questioned. "What are you doing out here?"
"I could ask you the same thing my dear." Shirley responded, a light smile on her face. "Tell me, were you intending to go to Heart with those you would manage to convince to join your cause to save it?" Valeria opened her mouth to respond.
"How did you…-?!" Valeria began, but got interrupted by the older woman.
"Because I've been watching you for the past 10 minutes pacing." Shirley answered. "But you still haven't answered my question. So with that in mind, I'll ask you another. Are you willing to sacrifice those same people to kill the regret you're feeling if it means that you can continue to live with the fact that your self regret at not saving Queen Lolopechka from getting cursed and dying?" Valeria stared at the older woman, her anger slowly rising at what she just heard; her hands clenched into fists.
"How are you…..!" Valeria hissed. "How dare you say such a thing! You don't know anything about me or Queen Lolopechka! She didn't deserve to die!" Shirley remained undeterred by Valeria's outburst.
"And what of everyone else?" Shirley asked calmly.
"What about everyone else?" Valeria half demanded.
"Are you truly okay with rallying up people to join you on this cause? Are you truly okay with them dying for this kind of a mission? They have lives too, you know. So tell me Valeria, is all of it worth it?" Shirley questioned, slightly narrowing her eyes more with each question. All this seemed to do was anger the former Earth Spirit Guardian of the Heart Kingdom more.
"Sh-Shut up!" Valeria snapped. "Heart is everything to me! I grew up there! I served under Lolopechka and her Mother! But when it came down to it, I couldn't protect Lolopechka! So now, I…..I will free Heart from Megicula's grasp!"
She's quite the stubborn one. Shirley thought. Though that's nothing I can't give a little fixing to.
"Alright." The elder woman replied. "If you want to prove that you're ready, follow me." Valeria was about to angrily retort again, only to stop.
"Wait what?" Valeria partially gaped.
"You heard me young lady." Shirley answered coolly. "Follow me if you want to prove your point." And with that, Shirley began to stride off. With little choice, Valeria shrugged and followed the former matriarch of House Silva.
"Wait, what are we doing in the middle of a field within Elysia?" Was Valeria's first question after she and Shirley arrived.
"This is where we will be sparring, yes." Shirley confirmed. "It's an open field with just tall grass. Nothing around here that we have to worry about destroying, minus the grass."
"And what will this prove exactly?" Valeria raised an eyebrow, not fully understanding where the elderly Silva woman was going with this.
"Simple. If you can defeat me, then I'll let you go on your merry way to save the Heart Kingdom." Shirley answered.
"And I take it if I lose, I have to do as you say." Valeria retorted.
"Something like that." Shirley agreed, getting into a battle ready stance. "You ready?" Valeria got her grimoire out as it floated in front of her. While she gave the elder woman a curt nod, she did pick up on something quite peculiar.
Strange… She didn't get her grimoire out. Valeria thought. But for what purpose? And why wouldn't she? Unless… She narrowed her eyes. She's being arrogant. And if that's the case, then I'll enjoy kicking her ass in this little sparring contest.
"Yeah, I'm ready." Valeria finally spoke. Shirley gave a curt nod, then raised her right hand up as several silver bullets fired out of her hand like a bullet being fired out of a gun.
"Silver Magic: Silver Bullets!" Shirley fired.
"Damn! Earth Magic: Divining Bowl!" Using her four arms to form gestures, she creates several earthen platforms that she uses to float upwards and barely get out of harm's way. Shirley looked up, but said nothing as she got ready to cast another Silver Magic spell. While she was aiming to do that, Valeria started to cast another one of her spells by waving her 4 arms before clasping her second set of right and left arms' hands together.
"Earth Creation Magic: Gauntlets of the Giant God!" Valeria declared. The ground shook, making the elder woman almost lose her balance before two massive earthen hands rose out of the ground, to which they then started to fire a multitude of earthen projectiles at the former Royal House Silva matriarch. Shirley of course, despite her age, was able to evade the rapid fire by either rolling out of the way and/or under them, or by raising her arms up to form a Silver Magic barrier to shield her from said rapid fire. While Valeria kept her rapid fire from her massive Earth Magic created hands, Shirley took an opportunity that presented itself and leapt up and forward. As such, she began to leap up the earthen platforms that Valeria had been creating to keep herself afloat to evade one of her basic Silver Magic spells. Eventually, Shirley managed to get up and onto the same platform as Valeria and threw a punch at the blondette. Valeria blocked/deflected the punch with one of her arms. Only she soon realized after the fact that Shirley's fist was imbued with Silver Magic mana. The arm she used to block the punch hurt like hell and she cried out, stepping backwards. Just as Valeria began to recover from the initial pain, Shirley punched Valeria again; this time in the abdomen. The force of the punch made Valeria cough up blood as she fell off of her earthen platform and slammed into the ground. Luckily she landed safely due to using her 4 arms to brace herself for the impact. Though this didn't prevent her from making a small crater in the grassland. Shirley then leapt down and started to walk towards her downed blondette opponent.
"Come on Valeria!" Shirley barked. "I know you can do better than this!"
"Ugh…!" Valeria as she stood up and stared down her silver/greyette female opponent. "Why aren't you using your grimoire….?!"
"Mm?" Shirley questioned. "What do you mean?"
"How come you're not using your grimoire?!" Valeria repeated with a snap.
"Why would I use my grimoire?" Shirley asked, raising one of her eyebrows. "Also, you think I'm being arrogant by not using it? Tell me something Valeria. Do you think that Megicula will use the Heart Kingdom's personal grimoire for its Queens against you should you, by a miracle, reach her?" Valeria opened her mouth to retort, then closed it after realizing that Shirley Silva was right.
"...You're right…." Valeria whispered softly. "Megicula won't use the Heart Kingdom Queen's grimoire against me…. She'll most likely laugh at me, then throw me in a jail cell to rot…."
"And? What else?" Shirley asked.
"That….. That this won't be worth it…." Valeria continued softly. "In fact, Lolopechka wouldn't want me to do this. Instead, she'd want me to focus on what I can protect in the here and now." At her words, Shirley smiled.
"Good, you're learning." The elderly woman told her. "So with that said, first let's get you healed up. After that, we'll discuss something between just us."
"Alright." Valeria nodded. "And thank you for opening my eyes up." She chuckled. "Or rather, eye."
"Ha! I see what you did there!" Shirley couldn't help but laugh at Valeria's pun, as terrible as it was.
"So I see you 2 got into quite the spar." Gradielle hummed as she patched up Valeria's wounds.
"Ah, yeah." Valeria answered. "It was more or less Shirley aiming to teach me something."
"I take it that you were aiming to get some Elysians to aid you?" Gradielle questioned. Valeria winced, and looked down out of shame. Gradielle took notice and pinched Valeria's cheek, making the Earth Magic blondette woman of the Amber Phoenix Magic Knight Squad meep and try to look away, to no avail.
"You moron." Gradielle scolded. "The Clover Kingdom needs you right now. As such, there's nothing that you can do for the Heart Kingdom right now. And while I'd love nothing more for the Heart Kingdom to be freed from Megicula's grasp, that doesn't take priority right now. For even if you manage to do so, the other 3 Kingdoms will fall. Do you understand me Valeria?"
"Y-Yes Gradielle." Valeria meeped, wincing as Gradielle let go of her cheek and went back to putting the healing ointment on her wounds.
"Good." Gradielle told her, finishing up cleaning Valeria's wounds. "So, you'll be heading back to the Clover Kingdom to aid it." Valeria frowned, still filled with uncertainty.
"But Elysia is connected to the Heart Kingdom." Valeria pointed out. "If I stay here to defend, then maybe I'll-"
"No." Gradielle interrupted, pinching Valeria's cheek again, making the former Earth Spirit Guardian yelp. "You're going back to the Clover Kingdom to help it. You said you wanted a second chance? Well, this is your chance. You joined the Clover Kingdom's Amber Phoenix Magic Knight Squad for a reason. Don't throw it away for something you cannot achieve right now. Do you hear me, Valeria Autumn?" Valeria gasped at the words from Elysia's top healer. She recalled when she was once the Earth Spirit Guardian for the Heart Kingdom. She recalled how she failed to protect Lolopechka from getting cursed, no thanks to Vanica. She recalled going to Lolopechka after her right eye got severely damaged and getting cursed herself in regards to her resigning from her position as 1 of the 5 Spirit Guardians of the Heart Kingdom. She recalled how miserable she became during that time, as well as her time traversing the world, as if looking for a new purpose. And then, she found it. Or rather, she found 2 that led to 1. But most importantly, she recalled Lolopechka's words to her before officially left.
"Whether or not we see each other is up to you Valeria." Lolopechka spoke to her on that fateful day. "But know this: No matter what happens, or what you do, live your life to the fullest. If you fail, get back up and try again. It's okay to feel what you're feeling. But most importantly, do not let the feeling of failure drag you down. Stand back up and fight for what you believe in."
That's right. Valeria thought, clenching her fists a bit. And Gradielle's right. Clover Kingdom needs me right now. And while the majority of the noble and royal houses can be…questionable at times, it's everyone there that matters. And more than that, it was a Diamond Kingdom mage that was allowed to create the Amber Phoenix Magic Knight Squad for those that have gotten the short end of life's stick. To give those same people the second chance that they've been looking for a long time.
"Valeria!" Gradielle snapped, getting the blondette woman out of her thoughts and she looked over and nodded at Gradielle. Gradielle sighed, then released Valeria's cheek before going to check over Valeria's wounds one more time.
"Alright, you should be good now." Gradielle told Valeria.
"Thank you Gradielle." Valeria told her with a light smile on her face. "So, what now for me?"
"Now you should return to Clover." Gradielle told her sternly. "After all, you have squadmates waiting for you back home."
"Back…home…?" Valeria repeated slowly. Whether she'd admit to it or not aloud, she did, deep down, consider the Clover Kingdom a second home once she started to live in Kiten; the boarding the city between Clover and Diamond.
"That's right." Gradielle nodded. "And while I know that this is an impossibility for you mages that fight, I will say it anyway despite knowing it's an impossibility: Don't get severely hurt out there. Or worse, killed."
"Heh. Yeah, that is an impossibility." Valeria agreed. "So with that in mind, I'll take my leave. And unlike my original, but also stupid plan, I will come back alive from defending the Clover Kingdom from whatever is threatening it this time."
"Good." Valeria nodded. "Now get going, lest I'll call up your squad and get them to force you to come back."
"Ah, right." Valeria nodded, then left the infirmary, followed by leaving Elysia. Once she left the infirmary, Gradielle sighed and put a hand to her forehead.
"Honestly…" She grumbled. "Reckless brats… Already gave me grey hairs, too…"
"Oh I agree my dear." Gradielle turned to see Shirley at the door's threshold.
"So, this was your idea." Gradielle noted. "I would tell you how dangerous and reckless that was of you, but I won't. That, and it's pointless to tell you Silvas otherwise. Stubborn brats. Every last one of you Silvas."
"But you and the tribe love us anyway." Shirley couldn't help but smirk in amusement. "And while I may be getting up there in human years, as well as my mana supply has begun to wane, that doesn't mean I can't pack a good punch when it counts."
"Humph." Gradielle grunted. "Well I hope that your method of convincing Valeria worked."
"I'd like to believe that it has." Shirley told the Elysia Tribe's Head Healer. "And even if it doesn't fully work, Valeria will still end up being committed to something that isn't the past. For you cannot fix the past. No, we use our pasts to help create a better future. Not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us." She smiled. "And that is why, at least in my opinion, is why the Silva family is stubborn."
"Given how far your family goes back, you may not be too far off with that explanation." Gradielle agreed.
Back at Clover, specifically the Capital of the Clover Kingdom, several civilians were fleeing the scene, or trying to. The reason for why? Well, a Giant Demon God appeared supposedly out of nowhere and began to tear the entire city down and into nothing. Several Magic Knights from the 10 different squads were either fighting it to give the citizens enough time to escape, or were helping said citizens evacuate the premises. As for the remaining Amber Phoenix Magic Knight Squad Members, they were fighting the Giant Demon God. The other Magic Knight Squad Members opted to aid the evacuation of the citizens for the most part.
"Tch…!" Elf Fana grunted as she evaded another attack from the Giant Demon. "How are the rest of you holding up?!"
"The best that I can!" Alice responded, now within her armor that got reinforced to become super magic resistant so it'd take quite a long time to penetrate it. This of course was all thanks to Thordin and Torbjorn.
"Friede should be here soon." Sister Lily noted.
"Good." Elf Fana gave a small smile. "She'll be a great help."
"Yeah." Alice agreed while still in her giant armored suit, now getting into a fist fight with the Giant Demon God. "Ha! Take this you giant oath!" Her Golden Eye Magic beam hit the Giant Demon God in the stomach. It roared, then went in to punch her with one of its four arms.
"Oh please!" Alice scoffed, punching back before lifting it up with the same arm, then slammed said demon into the ground. "Try this on for size! Golden Eye Magic: Inferno Blast!" The other Amber Phoenix Magic Knight squad members would have protested, but they didn't get the chance to as Alice fired 2 Golden Eye Magic beams from her Enchanted Armor's eyes at the Giant Demon God; thus making a massive explosion and sending more dust and debris everywhere. SisterLily and Elf Fana had to cover their faces with their arms to shield themselves from the high speed flying dust and debris.
"Did I get him?" Alice wondered aloud.
"We're about to find out." Elf Fana noted. As soon as she said that, however, the Giant Demon God began to stir and broke from the extra dust and debris, standing tall once again and letting out an angry roar.
"Oh no! It got back up like nothing happened!" Sister Lily gaped.
"Then let's hammer it again!" Elf Fana grinned, preparing her Fire Magic "Flame Magic: Phoenix Feather Shot!" Several small flaming phoenix feathers appeared around her before they all fired at the Giant Demon God. Each flaming feather burned its skin, but they hardly did anything in the grand scheme of things. The Giant Demon God roared again before launching its 4 arms out in all directions to destroy everything in its path.
"Tch…!" Alice grunted within her Enchanted Armor. "Is there any way to kill this motherfucker?!"
"I would scold you for language," Sister Lily began, evading another attack. "but we're in a very dire situation!"
"Can't you just use your Angel Power to destroy this demon?!" Elf Fana shouted over the loud explosions in the background.
"I can try!" Sister Lily shot back, closing her eyes and concentrating to draw upon Tarmiel's Angel Power.
"Well I'd suggest going a bit faster on that!" Alice called out, punching the Giant Demon God via her Enchanted Armor's fists, followed by Golden Eye Magic: Multi Spread Barrage and Million Laser at the Giant Demon God. While Alice and Elf Fana continued to attack the Giant Demon God, Lily's hair began to change from its black color to an orangish-white on half her head, while the other half remained its original black color. A pair of wings sprouted from her back, while the symbol for a thunderstorm, that being a stormcloud and a lightning bolt, appeared halfway completed on her chest. She then opened her eyes, which bore blue for her left eye and orange for her right eye.
"Angel Power: 50%!" Sister Lily declared. "Now! Storm Magic: Storm Mail!" Upon Lily initiating this spell, many air and lightning currents gather around her, creating a storm hurricane-like armor; thus surrounding her entire body.
"Heh! Nice!" Alice grinned. "Now, let's teach this giant demon a lesson, shall we?"
"Agreed!" Elf Fana grinned.
"Now!" Lily declared. "Storm Magic: Storm Shred!" With a mere swing of her right and left arms, several stormwind blades flew towards the Giant Demon God, cutting through its body and 4 arms. The Giant Demon God roared in pain and anger, unleashing more massive beams of negative mana all around it in an attempt to hit its attackers. Unfortunately for it, Lily, Elf Fana, and Alice were fast enough to evade. Particularly impressive for Alice, given that she's in her Enchanted Armor.
"Golden Eye Magic: Lock-On Buster!" Alice declared. The visors of her Enchanted Armor where the eyes would be, a glow a golden yellow and fired several Golden Eye magic lasers at the Giant Demon God. The giant demon only roared in anger, swinging its 4 arms towards Alice in her Enchanted Armor in a means to deal with her. Unfortunately for it, Elf Fana got in its way and blocked the attacks from its 4 arms.
"Yeah, I don't think so." Elf Fana grinned semi mockingly at the Giant Demon God. The Giant Demon God merely roared in anger at Elf Fana's words, now aiming to attack her and strike her down.
"Flame Creation Magic: Phoenix Wings! Plus Flame Magic: Phoenix Whirlwind!" Elf Fana declared, flying up into the air thanks to the fiery wings made from her magic sprouting from her back, then launched a fiery stormwind of Fire Magic at the Giant Demon God. The Giant Demon God merely roared in anger once again, trying to get Elf Fana.
"I won't let you!" Lily cried out, flying towards the face of the Giant Demon. "Storm Magic: Storm Palm!" She clapped her hands together, then opened them up to release a powerful vortex of Storm Magic towards the Giant Demon's face, to which it cries out as it staggers back in pain.
"Hell yeah!" Elf Fana grinned.
"It's stunned!" Alice agreed. "Let's get it!" Upon her saying those words, Elf Fana and Lily agreed, charging towards it to finish it off with a triple burst of magic from them. Just as the 3 charged up their magics imbued in their hands, the ground shook as the Giant Demon God got bound.
"Earth Binding Magic: Binding Lock!" The 3 Amber Phoenix Squad Members turn around to see Valeria flying towards them on one of her earthen platforms created by her Earth Magic: Divining Bowl spell.
"Valeria!" Elf Fana greeted the former Spirit Guardian of the Heart Kingdom. "Glad to have you back!"
"It's good to be back." Valeria gave a small smile.
"Where were you?" Alice asked her.
"Me?" Valeria pointed at herself, to which the other 3 nodded. Valeria fell silent, looking down and away out of shame.
"Well I… I was at the Elysia Elf Tribe, to start." She started.
"Why were you there?" Alice asked curiously. Valerai was about to answer, but Elf Fana cut them off.
"Valeria can tell us later." Elf Fana retorted. "For right now, we have to deal with this Giant Demon God thing."
"Agreed!" Lily called back to her fellow squadmates, evading another haymaker punch from the giant demon as it desperately tried to escape its bindings.
"Let's finish it quickly then." Alice suggested. "We do have citizens to check on to make sure that they're safe, after all." Valeria couldn't help but lightly laugh.
"Well, some of them, anyway." She snickered.
"Oh Valeria!" Lily couldn't help but lightly scold her fellow Amber Phoenix squadmate. "No need for that right now!"
"Oh alright." Valeria chuckled in agreement. She quickly had to evade as the Giant Demon God finally broke free from the Earth Magic bindings Valeria used on it. "Well shit."
"Let's get it!" Elf Fana called.
"Agreed!" Alice responded through her armor. "All together now!" The 4 women fighting said Giant Demon God began to charge up their spells. Not long after, the 4 woman released their chosen spells at the Giant Demon God.
"Storm Magic: Storm Pillar!"
"True Earth Magic: Giga Crush!"
"Ultimate Golden Eye Magic: Final Flash!"
"Ultimate Flame Magic: Phoenix Formation!" All 4 spells connected on their target, causing said target to cry out and roar as it fell through the ground due to Valeria's True Earth Magic Spell, followed by a bright flash of Golden Eye Magic blasting it with full force thanks to Alice's Ultimate Golden Eye Magic Spell. After that, it got blasted with strong winds and lightning from Lily's Storm Magic Spell, and lastly, getting burnt alive roughly 5 times over-no, 10 times over (If said creature was considered normal, like a human.). Several flashes, smoke, dust, earthen chunks, and lightning sparks filled the now gaping hole in the street where the Giant Demon God laid/partly stood. For several moments, it was unmoving. As a result, the 4 women Magic Knights wanted to breathe a sigh of relief and gratitude at there teamwork for defeating such a monstrosity. After a few more moments of silence from both sides of the fight, the 4 women couldn't help but cheer.
"Yes!" Lily smiled.
"Frickin finally…!" Elf Fana couldn't help but smirk lightly. "That bastard was actually pretty tough to deal with."
"Yeah." Alice nodded in agreement after opening up the headpiece of her Enchanted Armor.
"I'm really glad that Shirley Silva convinced me to come back here to help." Valeria gave a small smile.
"Ah, so Lady Acier's Mother." Lily hummed. "Well that's good."
"Agreed." Elf Fana smiled, with Alice nodding in agreement. While the 4 were chatting, they didn't pick up on the fact the Giant Demon God was stirring. They didn't even have time to turn around to fight back when the Giant Demon God got cut in half by Black Flames imbued on a scythe.
"Black Flame Magic: Repentance Slash!" The quartet saw Friede, now bearing her 60% Angel Power form.
"Friede!" Lily called out, concern evident in her voice for the young girl. "Where were you? Are you okay?" The Angel Host of Jehoel turned around and nodded at her squadmates.
"Yes, I'm fine." She answered. "And I'm glad I got here when I did."
"Though if you must know, we were handling it just fine." Elf Fana told her. Lily gave her elf squadmate a look, to which the pinkette female elf shrugged lightly. "I'm just saying that we were."
"Either way, I have a proposition." An apparition of Jehoel appeared next to her blackette-haired girl host.
"Oh? And what's that?" Alice asked curiously, while Lily merely frowned, wondering what the Devil-Hating Angel could be thinking. Jehoel took notice of Lily's frown and scowled.
"Oh come now, former Nun." Jehoel chided. "Even you must know what I'm about to propose is the best option."
"If you're suggesting that we leave for the Spade Kingdom, then I must refuse." Lily retorted firmly.
"Oh I never said that you'd be going." Jehoel replied, which caused Lily to raise an eyebrow out of confusion.
"Me and Jehoel talked about it, and we figured that if we were to go and aid those in the Spade Kingdom, it'd be best that I and Valeria go." Friede vouched for her Angel partner. "Naturally, Jehoel thought about including the Angel Host to Tarmiel, that being our own former Nun, Sister Lily."
"I see…" Lily hummed, still frowning. "But why ask for me in particular? You know that Alice, Elf Fana, and Valeria all have True and Ultimate Magic." Jehoel gave a deadpanned look before sighing.
"It's because you're an Angel Host." Jehoel replied. "As such, you, Friede, Grey, and Noelle are the most effective in dealing with the Devils outside of those with Saint Stage."
"I see your logic." Elf Fana noted. "I think I can say for the others that we all agree with it." To which Alice and Valeria nodded. "But 11 chosen fighters were sent. 10 if you don't include Ren. As such-"
"My oath is to protect the Clover Kingdom." Lily interrupted. "It's all of our oaths. As Elf Fana said, we understand your logic. But us going now will leave our own personal squad weak. Without our Captain, nor Elf Fana present, outside of myself, our squad would have no healer to help the wounded. So no Jehoel, we won't go." She gave an apologetic smile. "We're sorry." She expected the young female Angel to lash out and attack them for their "incompetence" or something of the sort. But no such lash out or attack came. Instead, Jehoel looked at her host, who nodded with a light smile, to which got the Angel to turn back to face them.
"We understand." Jehoel replied. "Though unfortunate, it's also an expected response." Friede, still in her 60% Angel Power form, flew up into the air, the apparition of Jehoel vanishing. After a bit, Friede's mouth opened to speak, but it wasn't her voice, instead, Jehoel's. "Our offer still stands on the table if any of you change your mind." And before the 4 women could speak out to respond, Friede flew off towards the Spade Kingdom.
Liebe went flying backwards after getting hit with the force of his own Anti-Magic. As he began to stand back up, he noticed Licita, now without the black helmet covering her face, walking towards him.
"Ugh…!" Liebe grunted, sitting upright. "What the hell did those bastards do to such a kindhearted woman like you…..?"
"It is impossible for you to defeat me." Licita told Liebe blankly. "If you surrender now, I promise I'll make your death as quick and painless as possible." At her proposition, Liebe merely laughed. Not filled with villainous intent, but rather with genuine laughter.
"Kek. Tempting, but no thanks." He told her. "I promised Asta and Noelle that I'd make it out alive. And I intend to fulfill that promise." Licita stared at him. And for a brief moment, her green eyes flickered between void of emotion to filled with emotion before reverting back to being empty.
"I see." She replied. "Then you can return to them dead once I'm done with you."
"We'll see about that!" Liebe retorted, preparing to attack with the Demon-Dweller Sword in combination with the Demon-Destroyer Sword.
Using the Demon-Slayer Sword in this situation would be a mistake. Liebe thought.
"Kek. Time to set you free, Mother." Liebe vowed, mainly to himself since Licita either didn't hear him or outright ignored his words as he charged at her. "Anti-Magic: Demon-Dweller Sword: Black Judgement! Plus Anti-Magic: Black Delete!" At incredible speed after leaping into the air, several black slashes and black orbs of Anti-Magic flew towards Licita at high speeds. While some of the slashes cut her cheeks, she didn't seem too bothered by Liebe's attacks as she used her raised right hand to absorb the black orbs from Anti-Magic: Black Delete. Naturally this surprised Liebe, given that Anti-Magic is the enemy to all magic attributes.
"How…..?!" Liebe gaped. "Tch…! Not again…!"
"For someone who has one of the most powerful abilities ever known, you are somewhat of a slow learner." Licita told him. "Allow me to help you learn faster. Counter Magic: 50%." And just like earlier, Liebe's own attacks were sent back at him with an extra 50% power due to Licita's Counter Magic. But this time, Liebe was ready and used the Demon-Dweller Sword to dispel his own Spells. Despite being forced to be enemies, Licita couldn't help but give him a small smile. "So it seems I was wrong to say that you're a slow learner."
"Kek. You got that right." Liebe remarked. "Counter Magic or not, I'll still defeat you."
"Oh? And how will you manage that?" Licita wondered aloud. She didn't receive a direct answer via words. Instead, she gasped as she herself went flying backwards into the wall.
How….?! She thought. How did he move so fast to punch me straight in the stomach….?! My Magic should have warned me of his movements! She shakily got up, coughing up a bit of blood in the process, making Liebe wince as he held his hands up in a battle ready stance. That's when she noticed that he had sheathed his swords.
"Why would you…." She coughed again. "Why would you leave yourself open like that?" Now it was Liebe's turn to smirk.
"I won't need the power of my swords to defeat you." Liebe told her. "And it's not because I underestimate your power. No. In fact, I overestimated myself." Licita blinked at his choice of words, moreso surprised than anything else.
"You….overestimated yourself?" She repeated.
"That's right." Liebe nodded. "I've been relying so much on the power of those swords that I haven't tried to fight without them. But that changes now." As he talked, he began to make subtle movements towards her that she didn't notice.
I think I found a weakness in her Counter Magic. Liebe thought. If I move and strike faster than her Counter Magic can react, then my attacks will go through. He then frowned. Of course in order to free her permanently, I'll have to use the Demon-Destroyer Sword. Which as I've come to notice, isn't an easy feat to pull off. Still… He closed his eyes and grinned, then reopened them.
"If there's one thing Asta, Noelle, and Acier have taught me…" He began. "It's to not give up no matter what!" Licita opened her mouth in surprise as Liebe's hands glowed a dark red, signifying that they've been imbued with his Anti-Magic. "And that's what I'll do!"
0713MM: And that does it for 61st Chapter! Sorry for the long wait (3 months to be more accurate, but still.), I got a bit of writer's block, then the heat kicked in and slowed me down even more. So this chapter covers Valeria's struggles on what to do and she should do. Acier's Mother, whose been named Shirley Silva, helps out the ex Spirit Guardian for the Heart Kingdom by sparring her to prove a point. As for that point, it's that even if she were to face Megicula with anyone willing to aid her reclaim the Heart Kingdom from Megicula, is that Megicula wouldn't go all out against her or her pitiful band of Rebels. Valeria accepts this and finally agrees to go back to Clover to help defend her new home. She arrives just in time to save 3 of squadmates from one of the Giant Demon Gods, then Friede shows up to help them finish it off for good. Afterwards, she and Jehoel give the other 4 a proposition to join her in helping the fighters sent to deal with the Zogratis's and any Devils that come through thanks to the Tree of Qiphorth Ritual. Unfortunately, the other 4 refused, especially Lily, pointing out that they couldn't afford to split their fighters too much. Jehoel and Friede accept the answer before flying off towards to Spade. And lastly, we have Liebe's started fight against his adoptive Mother in Licita. Now I know what I've given her isn't her actual magic attribute, so I got inspiration from another Black Clover author to give Licita this magic attribute. All in all, fell like giving a quick summary of the chapter. Also, apologies for the long outro. *AHEM* One more thing! Chapter 62 will have the Dazu vs Dante fight! And to be honest, I'm pretty excited to be writing it! I'll see you guys again once I finish Chapter 62! :)