The next week was one of the best weeks that Mimosa had ever had. Although she was never bored with her duties as a Magic Knight, which she was still getting used to, she was very content with how things were since she was always by Alucard's side.
This was something else, however, being alone with Alucard made her feel a freedom that she didn't know was attainable. Out here, she didn't have to worry about keeping on the mask, didn't have to worry about some sleazy noble trying to steal her away, or even have to pretend to be an airhead!
She could just be herself, and that was what made it amazing. Alucard didn't pamper her as most nobles would, but he did indulge her during the week. To start by letting her sleep in, something rare that she hadn't done in years. On top of that, he even made her breakfast each morning, waking her up to the smell of cooking food.
The only thing that might have startled her was the lack of training. Normally, she had to drag Alucard out of the training grounds since he'd be up destroying targets or the landscape in general at ungodly hours in the night.
So for him to not train for an entire week was a little strange to her, but he more than made up for it with the sights he showed her.
Since most of her view of a forest was from the sky, she'd never really appreciated how diverse and interesting the forests of the Clover Kingdom were. Already she'd been shown two types of deer, three dozen bird species, and fifteen types of bugs!
Although she kept the bugs at an arm's length, she was still fascinated by how much Alucard knew about the natural world. Seeing his face's micro expressions light up when he spotted another animal he knew she'd find adorable, or a tree type that didn't grow often near the Capitol.
It was wonderful to see her (future) husband come out of his shell in such a way as she'd never seen. It brought them closer together since he also started to lower his various masks now that it was just the two of them, if only a little.
Seeing him smile made her heart flutter. Gone was the practiced noble smile for every event that he was obligated to attend as Julius' son; gone was the deranged smile that appeared during combat; here was his true smile.
Bright as the sun, lighting up her days as she thoroughly enjoyed her time with Alucard. She would forever be thankful for this moment in time that she'd gotten to share with him, wishing it could last even longer as she could tell, day by day, how Alucard was becoming more tense.
When the day finally arrived for them to leave, she could tell he was on edge as she shoved everything into his storage space, only leaving them with what they carried as she frowned.
"What's wrong, my love?" She poked his cheek as he gently removed her hand that was exploring his chest. "Nothing. Just a feeling." She didn't believe him, not with him glancing at the sky, especially not with the waves of mana pouring off of him.
She stood in his way as he tried to go past her. "Don't lie to me, I can feel you reaching out, looking for something." He looked moderately surprised to learn she could sense his mana as he filed it away for later.
He sighed, knowing she wouldn't move until he told her, so he did. "A few days ago, I felt the mana signature of one of the Black Bulls enter the Witches Forest. Several others arrived a few hours ago, and just now, unknown ones teleported close by."
She looked worried at that, as he took to the air and spread out his mana even more. Although the Witches Forest was shielded by a thick barrier of mana, he could still faintly feel Noelle and the others, as well as the new arrivals who were trashing the place.
Suddenly, a shockwave of mana slammed into them, nearly throwing them to the ground. "What was that!" She cried as Alucard looked worried for the first time she could recall, "The barrier around the Witches Forest."
'Even I would have to bring out Devil Magic to shatter that.' All that ran through Alucard's head as he gently picked Mimosa up by the waist and held her close as he took to the sky.
He beat his wings while using the wind to boost his speed as they got closer, and he could better feel the chaos in the magic, as well as see it. "Is that Salamader?!" Mimosa cried out, seeing the dragon burn a cluster of trees, as he nodded solemnly.
Reaching the battle, he spots several witches about to ambush Diamond soldiers and leaves them alone as he casts an earth spell in front of Asta. Salamander snarls when its flames do nothing as Alucard sets Mimosa next to Noelle.
"Where did you guys come from?!" Finral shouts, but he gets no answer as Alucard feels the Witch Queen's mana flicker around him before withdrawing. He then turns his attention to the human/elf that Salamander is contracted with.
Fana glares at them as she recognizes Alucard. "You. I'm going to kill you for hurting Licht!" Asta tries to get in a word, but is unable to as Alucard fires off dozens of spells.
Salamander tanks or destroys them as Fana lunges forward. As he battles the two, Asta glares at him for a moment before explaining his plan to Finral and Vanessa.
While this is happening, Mars, Dominante, Fanzell, and Mariella are busy leading Ladros towards Asta's group as Fanzell explains. "Asta has the Anti-Magic we need to cancel out Ladro's mana absorption. There is also another kid there named Alucard, Asta told me he can 'eat' mana, so that is another option."
Mars looked less than convinced upon hearing who they were going to for help, but another blast from Ladros changed his mind as they felt the heat rise from getting so close to Salamander.
'Mhmm, this mana. So strong, and tasty.' Alucard had to force down his glee as Salamander seemed to focus only on him. Fana was busy trying to kill Asta after something he said, as several mana signatures raced towards them.
He then sent out a small trace of mana and was surprised when something ate it. 'Another one? Certainly not!' "Wind Magic: Tempest Fury!" Salamander roared in anger as the miniature hurricane threw it around, but Alucard was more focused on the pit of mana, chasing after the diamond mages.
Ladros readied another spell, but before he could finish casting it, something slammed into him as he hit the forest floor. "Argh, what the heck?!" He tried to shake the weight off of him, but the foot now planted on his chest didn't budge.
"What peculiar magic, are you ready to die?" Alucard asked as Ladros freaked out and expelled a wave of destructive mana. Several trees were toppled, and Salamander was given the boost it needed to break free as Alucard remained right where he was. "Are you done?"