Reunion at the Church.
"Achoo!" The king sneezed while standing guard at the Church of Hage Village, the heart of their newfound unity.
From a king to a mere guardian, what an unexpected journey for a King. Yet, there was a sense of fulfillment, of being part of a grander purpose, that eclipsed the loss of title.
After meeting the First Wizard King Lumiere, the current king felt swelling gratitude, a reassurance that every tribulation had led to this pivotal moment.
Inside the church, everyone gathered in front of the Statue of the Human God Edward.
Asta, Yuno, and Annie were directly teleported to the Church where they came face to face with There stood both the inaugural and reigning Wizard Kings, an embodiment of the legacy they aspired to uphold.
Asta and Yuno stood on the precipice of tears, facing their dual inspirations, their role models converged in a singular embrace of time.
Noelle, overcome with relief, enveloped Asta in a heartfelt hug.
Nozel's eyebrows twitched in annoyance but he told himself that he has no right to interfere with Noelle's life.
Father Orsi and Sister Lily shared a glance, a silent exchange of gratitude for the return of their two boys. Yet, Julian's absence weighed heavily on their hearts.
The revelation of Julius's self-sacrifice for the Kingdom struck a chord, deepening their admiration for his unwavering commitment.
The startling truth that William Vangeace was to host Patry's soul reverberated through the chamber, a shocking revelation that rewrote the narrative.
All the important figures in one place, Prince Lumiere started reciting the entire set of events that took place five hundred years ago starting with his relationship with the elves and ending with Secre sealing him.
Even now Lumiere's body was made of stone which was currently functioning due to Secre's seal.
"Devils..." Asta spoke the word, a declaration laden with the weight of truth, only to be interrupted by an enigmatic voice: "Indeed, the devil is our true foe."
Spatial fluctuations heralded Julian's emergence, accompanied by the ethereal presences of Licht and Patry, the room transformed by their gravitas.
Licht and Lumiere emanated strength, yet Julian's aura eclipsed them, his crimson gaze sending ripples of unease through all, even Mereoleona and Nozel.
'He got stronger again….I have to get stronger too' Mereoelona thought with a smirk.
'So he is Julian….no wonder why everyone was waiting for his arrival.
His mere presence is enough to make people give up the will to fight' Lumiere thought.
Secre's gentle smile welcomed Julian back, a silent testament to a connection deeper than words.
Lumiere read Secre's smile and immediately understood their relationship.
Unexpectedly, Julian entered accompanied by Patry, a convergence that defied expectations, setting hearts pounding.
With Lumiere approaching Licht in a heartfelt embrace, memories of their battle against an ancient menace surged, forging a bond undiminished by time.
"I'm grateful to see you again, Licht…"
"The feeling is mutual, Lumiere. Our reunion warms my heart," Licht responded.
While Lumiere's and Licht's reunion struck a chord, the focus shifted to Patry, an individual burdened by a shadowy past.
"I apologize for everything I did….I was blinded by vengeance against the humans and overlooked what shouldn't have been overlooked" Patry said bowing down but nobody was buying his apology.
"Like hell, we are gonna forgive you !!! " Asta expressed his anger against Patry.
"Right….he can't be forgiven but he will be making up for it in a different way"
Julian said snapping his fingers as Rades was teleported in front of him.
Patry was surprised to see him since he was sure that Rades was killed.
Rades was shocked to find himself there too since he was just outside the Church listening to their conversation.
Rades, who had been eavesdropping just outside the Church, now stood within, his astonishment echoing the unexpected turn of events.
"Patry seeks forgiveness, whether it's granted or not is yet to be determined. Another apology is owed," Julian declared, his Mangekyou Sharingan spinning as he seized control of Rades.
Rades clapped his hand as a zombie started to materialize in front of everyone.
As the undead entity took form, Julian directed Secre to enact a forbidden sealing magic—a power she had acquired from Atlante.
[Forbidden Sealing Magic: Body and soul inverse release]
Secre come forward and punched Patry in the guts. Secre's punch expelled a spectral figure from Patry's form, an eerie smoke-like entity that seemed to personify Patry's essence.
The scene unfolded as Patry's soul was seemingly expelled, an uncanny transformation altering his physical form.
[Abyssal Magic: Chains of Body and Soul]
Julian's incantation summoned chains from the zombie, enveloping the ethereal figure, and pulling it within.
[Abyssal Magic: Phoenix Rebirth]
Julian's spell invoked a magic circle, causing the zombie's appearance to change, a phoenix-like rebirth that transformed the grotesque figure into a mirror image of Patry.
In a breathtaking transformation, William Vangeace and Patry were severed, two distinct entities coexisting within the same realm.
The miracle left all in awe, Patry testing his new body, while Julian's gaze rested on Licht, reaffirming a promise.
Julian's eyes bore into Licht as he stated, "I told you, Licht, I'd offer the elves a chance at rebirth."
William, his eyes fluttering open, sank to the ground before Julius, his remorse palpable, his voice a trembling admission of guilt.
The noble William Vangeace in such a humbled state evoked mixed emotions—unsettling yet profound for Mereoleona, Nozel, and Yuno.
"Rise, William… Your misdeeds are undeniable, the harm inflicted upon this kingdom, is unforgivable.
Yet, your valor over the years also demands acknowledgment," Julius pronounced.
Julius continued with a mix of sternness and understanding, "While I extend forgiveness, we cannot negate the sacrifices made in the wake of your actions. As a guardian, I'm obligated to impose punishment.
William Vengeance, with respect to your crimes and past achievements, you are stripped of your rank as a captain and demoted to the lowest rank of fifth-class Junior Magic Knight. "
"Tha-Thank you, sir Julius...I shall spend the rest of my life relaying you for this kindness" William said wiping the tears off his face.
With humility, William accepted his fate, his noble visage streaked with tears, an unexpected decree binding him to a new path.
Julian allowed a moment of reflection before Kirin manifested, introducing himself and his connection to Secre and Julian.
'You want a physical body too?'Julian asked Cera who was staying in his mind-space.
[Not interested, I like this place.
Don't want to be working in the last moments of my life. I am perfect here ] Cera replied.
Seeing that things have calmed down a bit, Julian decided it was time to follow through with the plan.
First, Julian would be recreating the Tree of Sephiroth that connected Heaven and Earth.
Second, the apostles of Sephirah will use the stone tablet to open up the Shadow Palace.
Third, the team of Patry, Licht, Lumiere, Secre, and Julian will enter the shadow palace and awaken the devil.
Lumiere, Julian, and Secre would lower their presence and be using Grey's transformation magic to transform themselves into Elves to blend in perfectly.
Devils are creatures of yin-type magic so they can only be killed with yin-type magic. Power of Licht, Patry, and Lumiere are Yang-type magic making Julian the perfect devil slayer since his abyssal magic has the property of both Yin and Yang magic.
Asta, Yuno, Noelle, and Annie would be standing around taking care if any variables arise while the rest will stop the rampaging elves in the country.
Julian's strategic foresight resonated with both Wizard Kings, a testament to his leadership.
"Today marks the beginning of the campaign against the devil!" Julian's voice carried the weight of determination, uniting them all in purpose.