The hot spring training ended as the King's Selection Knights' selection was about to begin. During that time, Asta and the others witnessed Drake and Mereoleona's intense training. Drake broke several bones daily, resulting in significant strength gains. He learned many Magic Territory techniques from Mereoleona.
Crucially, Drake discovered Fal could help him bear the burden of Mana Zone, allowing him to sustain it longer towards the end of the training.
Others also improved during the training and were confident about the selection. Let's just forget about Yami forcing them to peek at the women's bathhouse!
The King's Selection Knights' selection began, but Asta couldn't find Drake; Drake had disappeared. He remained absent until the selection ended.
When Asta asked Yami, Yami replied, "Does Drake look like he needs your concern? Do you have time to worry about him? Worry about yourself!"
Yami didn't know why Drake was absent, but he trusted Drake had his reasons. Drake had said he wouldn't forget he was a Black Bull.
Yami told Asta to worry about himself because Asta had been selected for the King's Selection Knights and was awaiting orders to attack the Eye of the Midnight Sun.
Despite defeating Vetto and Fana, the Eye of the Midnight Sun remained a threat. The Clover Kingdom's confidence stemmed from the newly formed, undeniably powerful King's Selection Knights.
Without Drake's interference, the selection proceeded as in the original story. The selected members were elite, including three Captain-level figures: Mereoleona Vermillion (Crimson Lion acting Captain), Nozel Silva (Silver Eagle Captain), and Rill Boismortier (Azure Deer Captain).
Mereoleona, the strongest, was appointed Captain of the King's Selection Knights.
But the attack order was delayed. A month later, Mereoleona stormed Black Bulls headquarters, taking Asta, Noelle, and Luck.
Mereoleona explained the situation. The Eye of the Midnight Sun's base, the floating dungeon within the Gravito Rock Zone.
Everyone believed the King's announcement at the Star Fruit Festival had prompted their escape, further worsening his reputation—an unexpected bonus.
The Magic Knights reinvestigated and discovered the Eye of the Midnight Sun had moved to the world's largest Mana Zone.
The continent had four countries, named after playing card suits. Clover, Diamond, and Heart Kingdoms bordered each other; only the Spade Kingdom was separated by a massive Mana Zone.
The Mana Zone's size rivaled the kingdoms. The Eye of the Midnight Sun moved within it, making a decisive strike incredibly difficult.
Julius changed tactics, deploying many Magic Knights to encircle the Floating Magic Palace. Even Gauche, who hadn't participated in the selection, was deployed.
The Floating Magic Palace's location was finally pinpointed. Mereoleona summoned the selected members to attack.
On the Diamond Kingdom border, Drake, cloaked, held someone by the neck, lifting him high. A grimoire with the Diamond Kingdom's mark was shattering. Grimoires and souls are linked; when the owner dies, the grimoire shatters.
After the grimoire vanished, Drake dropped the body. Two more bodies lay at his feet, both with magical tools embedded—artificial mages from the Diamond Kingdom.
"The plan's about to start; what are you doing?"
A spatial portal opened; Rhya emerged, complaining.
Drake, still uneasy, used several "Fire Dragon's Blazing Inferno" spells on the corpses until nothing remained.
"This guy was troublesome; I couldn't leave him."
Rhya, whose evil intentions weren't fully removed, felt no sympathy. "Finish up; we have much to do!"
Drake nodded, following Rhya into the portal.
Drake had eliminated Morris, the Diamond Kingdom's former leader. Mars, having met Drake, had gone to the Witches' Forest and found his lost childhood friend. For his recovered love, Mars resolved to change the Diamond Kingdom's cruel system; he gave the king sleeping pills from the Witch Queen, disguised as longevity medicine.
Mars seized power and began reforms, expelling Morris.
Drake knew Morris would go to the Spade Kingdom and become a demon's apostle. He'd later extract "Wisdom"—the accumulated magical knowledge—from the Heart Kingdom's queen.
He'd shorten the Evil Tree ritual, completing it after the Dark Triad's defeat, opening the Netherworld's gate.
Drake felt he'd soon leave this world. His understanding of World Magic was limited; he wasn't sure if he could return after the final battle with the demon. He wanted to resolve some issues beforehand.
After separating from Asta, Drake had tracked this major troublemaker, eliminating him.
Morris was a skilled scholar but a weak mage. Without demonic power, his modification magic was mediocre. Only the two artificial mages were challenging; they were former Eight Shining Generals. But they were no match for Drake.
Drake noticed his growth in this world had slowed. He'd learned and obtained everything he could. Further growth required time.
This was why he hadn't participated in the King's Selection Knights' selection; there were no worthy opponents to improve. Drake didn't want to rely on time; he didn't have much time before facing Acnologia. He decided to leave for the next world after defeating the demon.
But he hoped the demon would make it a worthwhile final battle!
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