DCGB EP 22 -Protagonist's Turn

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No matter what, his mission was to defeat Lotus. It didn't mean he had to kill him, and the old man would play a significant role in the plot later on, so he decided to let him live.

After Yuji subdued Lotus, the thick smoke that had cloaked them began to disperse. The haze lifted, revealing Yuji, standing tall in his dark knight armor, the obsidian plates gleaming ominously under the dim dungeon light. In his hand, he gripped a halberd, its blade still glinting with a fierce edge. Lotus lay unconscious in a crater at his feet, the ground around him cracked and scorched from the battle.

"Noelle!" Yuji turned to see Noelle racing towards him, her silver hair flowing behind her like a banner. She flung herself into his arms, her face a mix of relief and concern.

"Yuji, are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I'm fine," Yuji replied with a reassuring smile, his eyes softening. "But we need to keep moving. We still have a mission to complete, remember?"

"Oh, right! I almost forgot!" Asta exclaimed, his eyes wide with sudden realization. They had been tasked with exploring the depths of the dungeon, a mission that could not be delayed.

"Let's move!" Asta shouted, sprinting ahead with his usual boundless energy. But—

"Um, Yuji... which way are we supposed to go?" Asta stopped abruptly, turning back with a sheepish grin, his eyes filled with confusion.

"You idiot!" Noelle snapped, smacking Asta on the head. "Always rushing without thinking!"

Yuji chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll lead the way," he said, stepping forward. "Asta, you take care of Luck," he added, nodding towards Luck, who was still dazed from the recent fight.

"Got it!" Asta responded with a mock salute, carefully picking up Luck and slinging him over his shoulder.

Yuji and his companions navigated the labyrinthine passages of the dungeon, their footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. The air grew thicker with each step, filled with the scent of damp earth and ancient stone. Torches flickered as they passed, casting long shadows that danced and twisted along the corridor.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the entrance to the dungeon's treasure chamber. The grand doors were ornately carved with runes and symbols, hinting at the treasures that lay beyond. However, their attention was immediately drawn to the intense battle unfolding before them.

In the center of the chamber, Yuno, his emerald eyes focused and determined, clashed with a slender, pale young man. The stranger's short purple hair clung to his forehead, his gaunt frame moving with a serpent-like agility. Wind and magic crackled in the air, the sheer force of their duel causing the very walls to tremble.

The fight was reaching its climax, each combatant pushing themselves to their limits. Yuno's magic surged, creating a whirlwind of power, while his opponent countered with equal ferocity, their attacks lighting up the chamber in a dazzling display of strength and skill.

Yuji and his team paused at the threshold, the gravity of the scene before them sinking in. They knew they had arrived at a pivotal moment, one that would determine the outcome of their mission and perhaps the fate of many more battles to come.

At that moment, the slender, pale young man with purple hair conjured a massive crystal sword with his magic. He swung it down towards Yuno, who appeared exhausted and out of strength to defend himself. It was clear that Yuno was on the losing side of this battle. And suddenly...

"Yuno!!!" 

"Hey, emo-face! Who gave you permission to attack Yuno?!" Asta yelled, his voice booming with fury.

"Yuno is my rival!" Asta declared, launching himself at the pale young man. With a powerful strike, Asta shattered the crystal sword into pieces, saving Yuno from a crushing defeat.

Meanwhile, Yuji and Noelle hurried to assist Klaus, who was engaged in combat with a massive crystal golem. The golem, animated by the slender young man's magic, posed a significant threat. Yuji quickly deduced that the golem was indeed a creation of their enemy.

Klaus, struggling against the formidable golem, was startled when a dark knight slashed through the golem, splitting it in two.

"Who are you?" Klaus asked, astonished as the knight's dark armor glinted ominously.

"It's me, Yuji," Yuji said, removing his helmet to reveal his strikingly handsome face. Klaus was left speechless, not expecting the Black Bull Squad's intervention, let alone from someone as imposing as Yuji.

"Y-Yuji-kun," Mimosa whispered softly from her perch within a cradle of intertwining vines. The cradle was spherical, with a budding flower at its top and countless glowing lilies surrounding it.

From her vine cradle, Mimosa gazed at Yuji, who stood in his dark knight armor, and she felt like a princess awaiting rescue from a valiant knight. This vision of Yuji as her knight in shining armor made her heart race even faster.

"Hey, Mimosa! I'm right here too, you know!" Noelle grumbled, her voice tinged with irritation. She had come to help Mimosa, only to be ignored. Who could tolerate such a slight? To make matters worse, the person Mimosa was enamored with was none other than her Yuji. How could she not be upset?

"Both of you, stop arguing. What's in front of us is more important right now," Yuji commanded, his voice steady and authoritative. His eyes were fixed on the slender, pale young man with purple hair, who stood confidently, ready to unleash his magic against Asta and Yuno.

Without warning, the young man cast his spell, his voice echoing through the chamber.

"Crystal Creation Magic: Talos Puppet Cluster!"

Instantly, the ground around him shimmered and cracked as crystal golems rose from the earth, each one a mirror image of their creator. These crystalline warriors, with their cold, lifeless eyes, marched forward, targeting the weakest member of the group—Mimosa.

But just as they closed in, Yuji sprang into action.

"Lightning Spree!"

In an instant, countless small, glowing sigils appeared behind Yuji, each one resembling a tiny fairy. From these sigils, beams of intense light shot out, striking the crystal golems with unerring accuracy. The beams tore through the golems, reducing them to glittering shards that scattered across the dungeon floor.

The spectacle left everyone momentarily stunned. Klaus, in particular, was awestruck. He couldn't believe how powerful the Black Bull Squad members were. His eyes widened further when he noticed Yuji's grimoire.

'A four-leaf clover grimoire, and it looks just like the one the first Wizard King had!'

This revelation wasn't lost on Mimosa either. As she lay within her magical creation, the 'Dream Healing Flower Basket,' her mind raced. Vines and flowers formed a protective cocoon around her, their gentle glow illuminating her features. The basket had a spherical shape, with a large, budding flower at the top and glowing lilies surrounding it.

A sudden resolve filled her heart.

'I've decided. I will make Yuji-kun mine!'

Never before had she felt such a strong desire for something—or someone. Normally sweet, gentle, and easygoing, Mimosa was now driven by an intense, almost primal urge. The fact that Yuji was the object of Noelle's affection only added to her determination.

"Asta, you and Yuno handle him," Yuji instructed, his voice calm but firm. He stepped towards Mimosa, who lay nestled in her magic. Reaching out, he gently took her hand. "I'll protect the rest."

'Healing Star.'

Immediately, a soft, radiant glow enveloped Mimosa. Tiny, twinkling particles of light descended upon her, each one warm and soothing. The light seeped into her skin, healing her wounds and filling her with a comforting warmth.

'So warm,' Mimosa thought, closing her eyes as the healing magic worked its wonders. The warmth spread through her body, bringing with it a sense of safety and reassurance

In truth, Yuji was reluctant to rely too heavily on magic at the moment. With only three-tenths of his mana remaining, pushing himself to the limit could lead to unconsciousness, a dangerous outcome indeed.

Meanwhile, Yuji focused on healing Mimosa's wounds and ensuring everyone's safety. On the other hand, Asta and Yuno teamed up to confront the mysterious young man with pale skin and violet hair.

But why didn't Yuji join the fight?

The answer lay in his desire not to impede the development of the world's protagonists. Simply by competing for Sylph with Yuno, he had already weakened him significantly compared to his anime counterpart. Therefore, Yuji decided to let both of them hone their combat skills against the enigmatic youth.

"Hold on... that brat's name is Mars," Yuji realized, temporarily breaking his habit of forgetting names. After all, if a character didn't strike a chord with him, their name often escaped his memory, especially if they were minor characters like Mars.

Before long, Asta showcased the might of his Anti-Magic, ultimately prevailing against Mars.

"The ones who will enter the trial chamber are..."

"Us, the Magic Knights of the Clover Kingdom!" Asta exclaimed, his voice booming as he raised his black sword high.

While Asta's voice reverberated, Mimosa found herself engaged in a cheerful conversation with Yuji. The closeness of their interaction nearly took his breath away, and Mimosa's fervent affection for him was palpable, exacerbating Noelle's growing agitation.

"Mimosa!"

"Yuji belongs to me," Noelle asserted, swiftly inserting herself between Mimosa and Yuji, staking her claim on his arm.

"Noelle-san, Yuji and I were just talking. What's the big deal?" Mimosa countered, her tone defiant.

"And where do you see ordinary people getting so cozy with each other?!" Noelle retorted, her frustration evident.

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