Silence filled the chamber again—heavy, unyielding. Even the flickering candlelight seemed subdued, as if wary of the weight in their discussion.
Julius leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. "Then our window is narrow. The devil's influence will only grow the longer those souls remain bound." His golden eyes shifted toward Dave. "We'll need to act faster than I expected."
Mereoleona's voice broke through the tension, fierce and unwavering. "Good. I've been itching for a real fight anyway. Point me at this devil, and I'll turn him to ash before he knows what hit him."
Yami smirked faintly. "Heh, maybe I'll cut him first—just to make sure he's worth burning."
Charlotte sighed. "This isn't a competition, you two." Her tone was sharp but her gaze betrayed a trace of worry. "If the devil's magic truly anchors the reincarnation curse, destroying it won't be easy."
Dave nodded, steady and clear. "It's simpler than we feared. This isn't some widespread infestation or a hive mind. There's one devil anchoring everything. If we find the magic stones that tether it here, free the souls bound to them, then destroy that anchor, the threat ends."
Fuegoleon's brow lifted. "So the plan is straightforward: locate the stones, rescue the souls, kill the devil."
"Exactly," Dave said. "No convoluted schemes, no gradual spreading. The stones are the link. Destroy the anchor and you cut the head off the problem."
Julius's expression sharpened. "Then our work is clear. Discreetly search the noble districts and artifact caches for any unusual stones. Secure them, don't destroy them—rescue the souls properly—then prepare to strike at the anchor."
Dave nodded. "Each squad takes a region. Share findings only through secure channels. Move fast, move quietly. If we handle this cleanly, the kingdom won't even need to know the full horror."
Mereoleona cracked a grin. "Good. I like simple. Point me at the devil when you find him."
Yami snorted. "Same here. I'll cut whatever needs cutting."
Julius rose and clasped his hands on the table. "Then it's decided. Find the stones, free the bound, and then destroy the anchor. Dave will lead the identification and rescue. The captains will coordinate field operations."
One by one the captains nodded and stood. Their footsteps faded as they left the chamber—calm, deliberate, ready.
Dave also emerged, leaving with his own squad from the Capital. Returning to the base, Fuegoleon said " You shuld go back and train leave the Magic stones to us" he siad as Dave nodded understanding what he is meaning to say, as he is one o fteh guy who can fight the devil, he wants him to be ready for it.
The next morning, the sun had barely risen when Dave met Mereoleona at the Crimson Lion outpost. Her fiery aura flared even in the soft dawn light, a silent warning that she meant business.
"Do you need something?" Dave asked.
She smiled, smirking. "Well, my brother said to train you. No one is better than me in the captains when it comes to controlling mana—not even the Wizard King. So here I am."
Dave's mind raced. Wait… isn't she a devil instructor from this world? he thought, letting a faint hesitation show.
"Well, I am in your care," he said, though he didn't need any assistance. Aside from Alt Asta, who wielded the Void-Magic powers, Dave had other abilities from Mumud too—mana, magic constructs, and manipulation. Still, he recognized that facing her directly would be interesting, even as a training.
Dave squared his shoulders, letting his aura flare faintly. "Alright then. Let's see your full power. No holding back—both of us, full out."
Mereoleona's eyes sparkled with excitement, her flames licking higher around her arms. "Finally. I was hoping you'd say that. Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're… Newbie."
With a sudden burst, she lunged forward, flames trailing her movements like a comet streaking through the air. Dave's senses sharpened, his mana forming a subtle barrier around him in anticipation.
He didn't move immediately—he wanted to feel her approach, read her rhythm. Then, as Mereoleona's fist ignited in a blazing punch aimed straight for him, he countered with a quick sweep of mana, deflecting the attack in a flash of light.
The impact sent shockwaves across the training ground. Dust and residual sparks hung in the air as they circled each other, neither giving an inch. Mereoleona grinned, eyes burning. "Not bad. Let's see how you handle this!"
She unleashed a spinning strike, flames extending outward like whips of fire. Dave leapt back, countering with a lattice of shimmering mana constructs that collided with her attack, sending arcs of energy scattering.
For several minutes, they exchanged blows, each strike and counter testing the limits of their mana control. Dave's precision and analytical style clashed with Mereoleona's raw, overwhelming power, creating bursts of fire and energy that lit up the early morning sky.
Finally, both paused, breathing heavily, a smirk tugging at Mereoleona's lips. "Hah. You're stronger than I expected. Not bad at all, brat."
Dave allowed himself a small smile, his mana still pulsing around him. "You too. But don't think I'll make it easy the next round."
She laughed, the sound sharp and fiery. "Good. I like it when someone can actually give me a challenge."
The air between them hummed with residual energy, the promise of another full-out spar not far off.
Mereoleona's eyes narrowed, her smirk fading into a sharp, disciplined glare. "Enough chit-chat. Let's see if you can actually keep up this time."
Dave tightened his stance, mana thrumming around him in steady waves. "Understood. I'll match you blow for blow."
She lunged immediately, every movement sharp and precise. This time, however, Dave didn't just dodge—he flowed with her strikes, moving at her pace, predicting her attacks with fluid confidence. He matched her thrusts with counters that carried subtle force, testing her limits while keeping himself protected.
"Not bad," she muttered under her breath, eyes narrowing as she accelerated. She no longer held back, unleashing her full repertoire—combinations of sharp strikes, sweeping arcs, and bursts of condensed mana aimed to overwhelm even the most experienced fighter.
Dave responded instantly, his own constructs flaring to life as shields, blades, and tendrils of mana weaved seamlessly around him. He moved not a step behind, adjusting mid-attack, parrying her blows and forcing her to readjust, all while pushing his own strikes forward with precision.
"Impressive," Mereoleona admitted, her voice sharp but tinged with excitement. "You're keeping up… even improving mid-fight."
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