Mimosa's magic was still at work, revealing every single one of Salim's most venomous and despicable thoughts, without missing a word.
"Hmph..."
Klaus took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the emotions surging within him.
He first glanced at Yuno, then fixed his gaze on Salim, his expression now only a cold, businesslike one.
"With both human testimony and physical evidence, you orchestrated an attack on Magic Knights and attempted to abduct civilians as a threat. Your crime is unforgivable."
Klaus adjusted his glasses, his voice returning to its usual seriousness. "Yuno, it seems we'll have to escort this fellow, along with those thieves, back to the Royal Capital."
After he finished speaking, his gaze turned to Ryoma, who was floating nearby. His expression was somewhat complex, but still carried a hint of professionalism.
"Black Bulls fellow, you don't have any objections, do you?"
Although his tone still carried some of the arrogance typical of Golden Dawn, it was far less overbearing than when they first met.
After all, if it weren't for this member of the Black Bulls, their mission would have gone awry, and even their squad members might have been in danger.
"Whatever."
Ryoma yawned, then waved his hand, showing no intention of interfering.
For him, Salim's fate was already sealed. Colluding with thieves, attacking Magic Knights, and doing so while on an escort mission.
The Hapshass family wouldn't be able to protect him. Instead, they would be implicated by him.
Since the outcome was the same, he couldn't be bothered to expend the effort contemplating troublesome matters like vigilante justice.
If he were to be labeled as someone who laid hands on nobles, and those tiresome individuals seized upon it, that would be truly troublesome.
"Hmph."
Klaus seemed somewhat displeased with Ryoma's casual attitude but found it difficult to act on it.
He counted the number of people, then commanded Ryoma, "In that case, unfreeze those thieves. We need to restrain them with specialized magic tools."
Although the Eternal Ice Coffin was powerful, they couldn't just transport several large ice sculptures all the way back to the Royal Capital.
"Got it."
Ryoma responded impatiently, raising his hand and snapping his fingers.
The lifelike ice sculptures instantly began to disintegrate from within.
Crack... Crack...
The ice shattered, turning into specks of cold light that dissipated into the air.
The frozen thieves all slumped to the ground, their bodies still trembling uncontrollably, their skin covered with a thin layer of white frost, clearly badly frozen.
"Done."
Having completed all this, Ryoma no longer paid attention to the three members of the Golden Dawn.
He turned and prepared to fly in the direction of the church.
At this moment, Yuno, riding his broom, flew in front of Ryoma.
"Ryoma."
Yuno spoke solemnly.
"Thank you."
He couldn't imagine what would have happened to Hage if Ryoma hadn't arrived in time. He didn't even dare to think about the consequences.
"It's nothing."
Ryoma's reply was as simple as ever.
He looked at Yuno, a rare curve gracing his lips. "After all, I owe the church quite a few favors."
Yuno nodded, saying no more. He had noted this debt of gratitude.
The three members of the Golden Dawn, taking Salim and the group of thieves, changed direction and flew towards the Royal Capital.
In Hage, at the church, Ryoma briefly bid farewell to Lily, Orsi, and the children. He then set off again, returning to the Black Bulls' base.
Meanwhile.
Outside Hage, atop the giant skull of the demon.
An old woman, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly glowed with a soft light. As the light faded, the old woman's figure vanished, replaced by the Wizard King, Julius.
"Oh my! How interesting."
Julius leisurely lay on the giant skull, his hands clasped behind his head, looking in the direction Ryoma had left, his eyes filled with excitement.
"The Black Bulls... Yami has recruited a good new member." He muttered to himself, the smile on his lips growing wider.
"Eternal Ice Coffin... This magic is really good. Ice that doesn't melt normally, huh?"
"I was still thinking of using transformation magic to replace one of the thieves, and then making a move in the most dangerous situation to give that kid named Yuno a little surprise."
Julius sighed regretfully. "Turns out I didn't need to make a move at all."
However, this regret was quickly replaced by new curiosity and anticipation.
"Another genius with a four-leaf grimoire..."
"This year's newcomers are making things more and more exciting."
...
The next morning, the Black Bulls' hall was as noisy as ever.
Just then—
"Everyone, quiet down! You bastards!"
Accompanied by a furious roar, the door was kicked open.
Yami, cigarette in mouth, walked in with an annoyed expression.
Everyone instantly quieted down, sitting up straight.
"There are two things to announce today."
Yami looked around, his gaze lingering on Ryoma and Asta.
"First thing."
He held up one finger.
"Golden Dawn was awarded a star."
Hearing this news, the crowd didn't react much.
After all, Golden Dawn was recognized as the strongest Magic Knight Squad, and earning stars was commonplace for them.
It was Asta who was most surprised.
However, Yami's next words made everyone, especially Asta, widen their eyes even further.
"Also, for assisting Golden Dawn in resolving a serious attack incident, Ryoma was also awarded a star."
"Huh?!"
Asta was the first to let out a strange cry.
He sprang up from his seat, pointing at Ryoma, who was leisurely reading a book nearby, with a look of disbelief.
"Why?! Ryoma, didn't you say you had something to do yesterday? How did you get a star?!"
"That's too sneaky!"
Asta's eyes were filled with resentment.
He had worked so hard fighting in Sosshi and only got one star.
Yet Ryoma easily got another star.
Was there no justice in the world?
Ryoma put down his book, glanced at him sideways, and a slight smirk appeared on his lips, revealing a punchable smile.
"Can't help it, I'm just lucky."
He held up three fingers and wiggled them in front of Asta.
"Counting this one, I'm a man with 3 stars now."
He paused, then slowly said in a tone full of superiority, "Asta, you... only have 1 star."
"So lame."
"What did you say?!"
Asta instantly bristled, veins throbbing on his forehead, ready to pounce and argue with Ryoma.
"Too noisy!"
Yami punched Asta on the head, pushing him back into his seat.
"Listen to the important part!"
Yami's expression grew serious, and the atmosphere in the entire dining hall became heavy.
He exhaled a smoke ring and slowly spoke, "The second thing, and the most important thing."
"Just yesterday, in the border region adjacent to the Diamond Kingdom, a new dungeon was discovered."
Hearing that a new dungeon had been discovered, Magna excitedly shouted, "Dungeon? Is that true, captain Yami?"
Asta's attention was also diverted by the excitement, and he roared along, "Ohhh!"
"What's a dungeon?"