Chapter 38: Looming Shadows — The Spade Kingdom Stirs
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A New Calm Before the Storm
The Clover Kingdom had returned to relative peace after the fall of Zagred. The scars of the battle remained, but the people celebrated their heroes.
Asta, Yuno, Noelle, and others were praised endlessly in the streets. Promotions were awarded. The Magic Knights were rebuilding their strength.
But in the far reaches of the Akatsuki dimensional base, Avi sat in his hidden command chamber, monitoring distant activities few even knew were unfolding.
> [System Analysis: Spade Kingdom Military Movements Accelerating.]
[Threat Level: Extreme.]
A holographic map projected from Avi's system displayed the movement of armies, strange devil magic fluctuations, and the rapid growth of the Dark Triad's power.
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The Puppeteer's Long Preparation
Avi's long fingers danced through his system interface.
He had foreseen this expansion. The Dark Triad was no mere political faction — it was the gateway for even greater devil interference.
> "Lucius Zogratis… your puppets are moving exactly as expected."
The difference this time, however, was that Avi would no longer simply observe. His network of influence had grown exponentially since the Zagred event.
The Akatsuki base was now filled with multiple divisions:
Resource Division — Gathering rare artifacts and forbidden knowledge.
Dimensional Research Lab — Exploring other world connections.
Clone Development Chambers — Producing Origin Puppets with ever greater sophistication.
Information Division — Spies, listening posts, and shadow agents placed secretly throughout every Kingdom.
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System Panel Update — Hidden Expansion
> [Akatsuki Dimensional Base Status: Expanded]
- Origin Puppets: 300 Active
- Spy Units Planted: Clover (50), Heart (15), Diamond (8), Spade (5 – recent infiltration).
- Dimensional Sub-Labs: 4 Operational]
Avi read through the updates with a small smirk.
> "Soon, we'll begin influencing even the Spade Kingdom's internal politics."
Yet even as his influence expanded, Avi remained cautious. The Dark Triad's connection to high-level devils posed an entirely new level of danger.
Avi (thinking):
"Lucius's manipulation of time, Vanica's blood curse, Dante's body magic combined with Lucifer's power — any direct exposure would risk my hidden identity. Indirect control remains the key."
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A New Player Arrives — Nacht's Approach
Not all players remained ignorant of hidden movements.
Within the Black Bulls, Nacht Faust, the Vice Captain and Devil host, had returned to the squad after Zagred's defeat.
Unlike others, Nacht's sharp intuition sensed subtle irregularities around the major events that had occurred.
Nacht (thinking):
"Someone... helped us during the Zagred fight. But no one remembers seeing it. As if fate itself shifted events quietly."
Nacht's knowledge of devils and shadowy operations made him naturally suspicious. While he didn't know about Avi's existence, his instincts told him an unknown force was at play.
Nacht (murmuring):
"I will find out who's been manipulating events from the dark."
Unknowingly, Nacht would soon become both an ally and a test for Avi's ability to maintain secrecy.
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Meanwhile — Lucius Zogratis Watches
Far to the north, within the heart of the Spade Kingdom's castle, Lucius sat calmly, staring into a floating mirror of temporal vision.
Lucius (whispering):
"Avi Caesar… your strings are beautiful. But in the end, all strings tie to me."
He could not yet see Avi's full identity, but Lucius sensed a force in the shadows subtly opposing his plans.
> "Let's see who controls the final narrative."
The chessboard of the future was being arranged carefully by two master manipulators, both unaware of each other's full capabilities.
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Asta's Growth Continues
Back in the Clover Kingdom, Asta continued training harder than ever.
Though now a national hero, Asta knew that Zagred was only the beginning.
In secret training grounds deep under the Akatsuki base — unknown even to his squad — Asta sparred against high-level Origin Puppets created by Avi to simulate Dark Triad-level opponents.
Asta (panting, smiling):
"Stronger! I have to get even stronger if I want to protect everyone!"
Avi watched the training from an upper balcony.
Avi (smiling inwardly):
"Yes, Asta. Keep rising. You'll be the sword that cuts the devils — while I remain the hand guiding the sword."
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The Heart Kingdom Pact
During this period of relative peace, the Clover Kingdom began its diplomatic outreach to the Heart Kingdom.
The Heart Kingdom, led by Queen Lolopechka and her spirit Undine, had deep knowledge of devil magic and powerful natural runes unknown to the Clover Kingdom.
This partnership would prove essential for the battles to come.
But Avi had long ago planted his agents within the Heart Kingdom as well.
> [System Report: Heart Kingdom Spy Network Functional.]
He allowed the alliance to progress naturally, manipulating only when required to keep events aligned toward his desired trajectory.
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The Spade Kingdom's Dark Ritual Begins
Meanwhile, in the Spade Kingdom capital, the Dark Triad began preparing for their grand Qliphoth Tree ritual — the plan to open the gates of the Underworld and unleash the full tide of devils upon the world.
Vanica experimented with her blood magic. Dante meditated with Lucifer. Zenon grew his devil's spatial domain.
But unknown to them, Origin Puppets were already embedded in some of their lowest-level research facilities.
Avi watched every movement remotely through their eyes.
Avi (coldly):
"You may believe you're the masters of devil power. But I am the master of information."
The time to directly engage would come soon—but not yet.
For now, Avi's power was information, manipulation, and preparation.
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An Unexpected Encounter — Nacht Approaches
Back at the Akatsuki base, a rare alert triggered:
> [Intrusion Detected — Shadow Magic Signature Identified.]
Avi's eyes narrowed.
Nacht had used his shadow magic to slip into the edges of the Akatsuki territory.
While he hadn't reached the core base, Nacht's discovery of even peripheral systems was dangerous.
Avi activated emergency cloaking for his primary facilities.
> [System Cloak Mode: Active — 99% Concealment.]
From the shadows, Nacht whispered to himself:
Nacht (narrowing eyes):
"There's something strange here… not even my devils can fully perceive it."
He quickly retreated, unwilling to risk full exposure yet.
But Nacht's growing suspicions were now planted — and Avi knew he had to watch him carefully.
Avi (calmly):
"Nacht… I'll allow you to sense a glimpse of my network. It'll make your vigilance useful against the real enemy when the time comes."
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System Notice — Timeline Acceleration
> [Spade Kingdom Arc Acceleration: 45% Faster.]
[Lucius's movements becoming increasingly unstable.]
The pace of events was growing unpredictable.
Avi closed his system interface, leaning back with a small manipulative grin.
Avi (quietly):
"The great game accelerates. The next move is yours, Dark Triad."
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[To be continued...]