"What the heck is going on?"
"Captain, even if you dislike him, there's no need to slash first and talk later, is there?"
Magna and the others were dumbfounded, while Charmy even dropped her cake in shock.
However, Ethan Hayes' figure quickly dissipated into a breeze, scattering like mist.
"Captain Yami, what's the meaning of this?"
On a nearby tree, Ethan stood glowing with green magical energy, his face filled with displeasure.
"Not bad, your abilities are decent. The Four-Leaf Clover hasn't been wasted on you."
Retracting his katana, Yami took another cigarette and lit it nonchalantly.
Ethan Hayes.
A name as peculiar in the Clover Kingdom as its owner.
Yami had done his research. Like himself, Ethan hailed from across the ocean. But that was about where their similarities ended. Yami hadn't detected any hint of Ki reading ability in Ethan. So, despite the shared foreign origin, they were likely from entirely different places.
"Tch..."
Ethan clicked his tongue in annoyance and leaped down from the tree.
He knew Yami's strike wasn't meant to kill him—he wouldn't have dodged it otherwise. After all, a Magic Knight Captain wasn't a title handed out lightly.
Yami Sukehiro was easily one of the top five strongest mages in the kingdom, second only to the Wizard King himself.
But still, slashing at someone without warning? That was seriously irritating.
"Alright, alright. Don't pout. To make up for it, I'll teach you a skill. How about that?"
Ethan's scowl softened into curiosity as he smirked. "Would it happen to be Ki Reading, Captain Yami? The legendary ability to anticipate your opponent's moves before they act?"
Yami sighed in exasperation. This kid sure knew how to aim for the good stuff. But he had intended to teach Ethan Ki Reading anyway. Consider it a gift to a fellow traveler in a foreign land.
"Fine. Once you finish this mission, I'll teach you. And hey, Asta, if you prove yourself out there, I might just teach you too."
"WHAT?! REALLY?! I PROMISE TO WORK EXTRA HARD, CAPTAIN! YOU WON'T REGRET THIS!"
Asta practically bounced with excitement, radiating enough enthusiasm for an entire team.
The Mission Begins
With mission details in hand and goodbyes said, Ethan led Asta and Noelle toward their objective: suppressing a rogue group of bandits near the border.
The journey was anything but peaceful.
"Ethan, what kind of magic does the Wizard King use?!"
"How come you get to visit all nine squads?!"
"Hey, do you know what Yuno's been up to lately?!"
Ethan felt like his brain was being pecked apart by Asta's endless chatter. If "Screaming Emperor" wasn't enough of a nickname, maybe "Chirping Sparrow" would do.
"Alright, listen up," Ethan said, gathering them to discuss strategy as they neared the bandits' camp. "Our intel says there are around 30 rogues, mostly small fry. But a third of them are dangerous, with magic levels around the eighth or ninth domain. Their leader, Summers, is at the seventh domain. To take them out cleanly, we'll need a solid plan."
"Plan? Nah, just charge in and slice them up one by one! Oh, and Ethan, did you know my grimoire can cancel out magic?"
Asta swung his sword enthusiastically, as if he had already defeated all 30 bandits in his head.
Ethan sighed. He knew Asta had a point, but rogues weren't just targets standing still. Glancing at Noelle, he wasn't entirely reassured either. Despite her royal lineage and strong magic, her control was... questionable at best.
"If she doesn't accidentally target me, I'll count that as a win," Ethan muttered under his breath.
That night, under the cover of darkness, the three reached a clearing near the bandits' camp. A campfire flickered on a small, bare hill surrounded by patrols.
"Smart choice, setting up camp in an open area like this," Ethan remarked.
If the bandits had camped in the dense forest, he could've easily picked off the patrols one by one. But the hill's openness left no room for stealth.
"We have no choice. Asta, you'll attack head-on and draw their attention. But listen, your job isn't to fight them all. Just distract them and stay alive. If things go south, retreat immediately."
"Noelle, you'll provide support from the side. Keep your distance and focus on making noise. I don't care if you miss, just make it flashy."
Asta was already holding his anti-magic sword, nodding with determination. Noelle, however, frowned and muttered, "So, you're saying my only role is to look good and make some noise?!"
Ethan placed a hand on her head, ruffling her twin ponytails with a smirk. "Just don't get cocky. This isn't a game."
Noelle froze, flustered, while Ethan chuckled and turned to Asta.
"Let's go!"
With a war cry loud enough to wake the dead, Asta charged toward the camp.
"Intruder alert!"
"Intruder alert!"
The patrols immediately spotted him, eight of them closing in. Meanwhile, Noelle opened her grimoire, preparing her water magic.
"Let's see what you've got," Ethan murmured as the battle began.