After parting ways with Asta and the others, Yuuki continued wandering through the festival.
At first, Rebecca didn't notice anything unusual. But as Yuuki kept moving with the flow of people—looping around the massive festival grounds again and again—she gradually realized something.
Yuuki wasn't simply sightseeing.
Even after noticing this, Rebecca didn't ask any questions. Instead, she stayed beside him with a relaxed smile, occasionally accepting the snacks Yuuki handed her.
Only after quite some time did Yuuki finally stop near a fountain attraction, casually sitting down on the raised stone ledge along its edge.
"Notice anything?" Yuuki asked lightly, looking at the bustling crowd ahead.
Rebecca's teal eyes flicked around their surroundings as she answered in a low voice,
"There are far fewer people tailing us now."
"You're getting better and better at controlling your magic," Yuuki said, nodding in approval.
Rebecca hesitated, then spoke with a trace of confusion and frustration in her voice.
"Even though we've shown more than enough goodwill… Even though you genuinely want to help solve the Eye of the Midnight Sun problem…"
"Why do they still doubt us?"
She couldn't understand it.
Yuuki had taken full responsibility for Leon Town. He had even paid out of pocket to rebuild it. And yet, the hostility hadn't disappeared.
Yuuki picked up a skewer of freshly grilled squid, took a big bite, and chewed contentedly. Only after swallowing did he speak, unhurried.
"They aren't just suspicious of us," he said calmly.
"They're suspicious of anyone who might threaten them."
"If I hadn't displayed sufficient strength from the very beginning, the wealth I showed alone would've been enough to attract the attention of countless minor and major nobles."
He chuckled softly, then added with clear intent,
"Don't forget—our goal was never to join them, let alone blend in. What happened with that peasant girl earlier only reinforced something for me."
"Perception itself needs to be shattered."
Rebecca looked at Yuuki with unwavering seriousness.
"No matter what you want to do, I'll help you."
Yuuki paused briefly, the skewer held mid-air—then resumed eating as if nothing had happened.
At that moment—
A man dressed plainly, with an utterly forgettable appearance, stepped out of the crowd and walked toward Yuuki and Rebecca.
As he approached, Rebecca's gaze sharpened. Her arm tensed instinctively.
The man didn't give off any particularly strong magical aura—yet she felt a faint sense of danger.
Other mages might have doubted themselves in such a situation.
But Rebecca didn't.
She knew better than most how effective magic tools that concealed mana could be.
Under her wary watch, the man reached Yuuki's side and sat down casually, like an ordinary passerby taking a rest.
Yuuki turned his head slightly and gave Rebecca a reassuring look. Then he glanced at the man beside him and said flatly,
"You're late."
"You know how it is," the man replied with a helpless smile.
"I'm not familiar with the Clover Kingdom—let alone the capital. If I hadn't spotted you in the crowd earlier, it would've taken me much longer to find this place."
This man was none other than Mars, one of the Eight Shining Generals of the Diamond Kingdom.
"The materials you wanted have already been handed over to Mariella," Mars continued.
"There were quite a few items in there that nobles across different kingdoms strictly prohibit from being sold. What exactly are you planning to do with all that?"
He paused, then shook his head.
"Never mind. Whatever you're planning is none of my business."
"And… thanks for what you did for Fana."
Only then did Rebecca fully understand.
Yuuki hadn't been circling the festival just to shake off surveillance.
He'd deliberately drawn attention away from the tavern—so that Mars and Mariella could safely complete the handoff of the materials for the magic arrays.
"And coming to the festival itself," Rebecca realized,
"was part of that plan."
"She's my companion now," Yuuki said calmly, pulling out another skewer—this time beef.
"There's no need for thanks."
Mars blinked, then let out a wry smile.
"That's probably for the best. Fana staying with you is far better than returning with me to the Diamond Kingdom as it is now."
When he mentioned his homeland, a burning intensity crept into his voice.
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like you've secured control over the Eight Shining Generals. Not bad."
"With the old faction already under pressure, and Fanzell—posing as a veteran general—helping you from the inside, pulling over the remaining two wasn't difficult."
"You also gained Ladros' support in the Witches' Forest. Counting yourself, that's already five."
"If you still couldn't take control of the Eight Shining Generals under those circumstances," Yuuki added lightly,
"you'd be better off giving up entirely."
Mars' eye twitched violently.
Why did something so difficult sound so effortless when Yuuki said it?
Yet, when he thought it through… Yuuki wasn't wrong.
Under those conditions, failing to seize control really would have been incompetence.
Mars suddenly realized that, in front of Yuuki, he had very little to feel proud of.
Yuuki had maneuvered between two mortal enemies—the Eye of the Midnight Sun and the Clover Kingdom—without being purged by either side.
Mars knew, without doubt, that he himself could never have pulled that off.
Still, that was only the current situation.
In Mars' eyes, no matter which side eventually won, Yuuki's position afterward wouldn't be easy.
And yet—
Looking at Yuuki, relaxed and leisurely enjoying the festival, Mars was certain of one thing.
Someone this sharp wouldn't overlook such an obvious danger.
Which meant… Yuuki undoubtedly had contingencies prepared.
Mars pushed those scattered thoughts aside.
This wasn't something he needed to worry about.
Just as he was about to leave, Yuuki held out a small vial.
Mars froze.
Inside the vial was a single, perfectly rounded droplet of dark crimson liquid.
He looked up at Yuuki, confusion clear on his face.
"This is the 'Puppet's Blood Tide' elixir I obtained from the Witch Queen," Yuuki said calmly.
"It should allow your nearly dead king to survive a while longer."
"If your king dies, the advantages you've gained will be greatly diminished. This way, you can also secure his trust."
"A single move—multiple benefits."
As he spoke, Yuuki casually tossed the vial over.
Mars caught it with utmost care. He looked at Yuuki deeply, said nothing more, then stood and disappeared back into the crowd.
(End of Chapter)
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims
Bonus Chapter at 2800 Powerstones.