Chapter 39: The Silent Invasion
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The Calm Before the Storm
The Clover Kingdom's days remained peaceful on the surface. Citizens went about their lives, celebrating their recent victories over the devils, praising their heroes. Even nobles who had once scorned Asta were now forced to recognize his growing status.
But deep within the Akatsuki dimensional base, Avi's system glowed with warnings.
> [System Alert: Spade Kingdom Devil Ritual Preparation — Phase 2 Initiated]
[Enemy Threat Level: Catastrophic]
Avi stood before a massive floating projection showing every corner of the Spade Kingdom. His puppets delivered continuous intelligence: soldiers being trained, civilians subjugated, devil experiments progressing, and forbidden rituals underway.
Avi (coldly):
"The Dark Triad is moving faster than expected. Lucius… your ambition knows no limits."
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Akatsuki Council Chamber
Inside the central chamber of the Akatsuki base, Avi gathered Asta, Yuno, and several trusted members of the squad.
Asta's eyes burned with determination as he looked at the projected information.
Asta:
"So they're already trying to open the gates of the Underworld? We can't let them succeed!"
Yuno (calm but serious):
"Their power is immense. This will not be like fighting Zagred."
Avi placed a reassuring hand on Asta's shoulder, his manipulative mind working several steps ahead.
Avi (smiling slightly):
"That's why we prepare early. You both are stronger than ever, but information will be our greatest weapon. The Dark Triad's power lies in overwhelming brute force, but they're blind to subtlety."
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Nacht's Investigation Deepens
While the Akatsuki continued preparations, Nacht Faust had become increasingly obsessed with finding the mysterious puppeteer manipulating events from the shadows.
Through his devils, Nacht scouted forbidden territories and obscure information sources. His research brought him closer to discovering traces of Avi's indirect interference in the Elf War, Zagred's defeat, and even the dimensional disturbances he couldn't fully comprehend.
Nacht (whispering in his chambers):
"There's someone playing a long game… someone far more dangerous than the Dark Triad."
Still, even with his suspicions growing, Nacht couldn't connect the dots entirely. Avi's careful concealment of his identity remained nearly flawless.
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Meanwhile — The Spade Kingdom
In the heart of the Spade Kingdom, Dante Zogratis stood atop the fortress tower, overlooking legions of soldiers.
Lucifer's voice echoed within his mind.
Lucifer (demonic laughter):
"Soon, Dante. The gates will open, and I will fully descend into this world."
Zenon continued gathering spatial magic resources for stabilizing the Qliphoth Tree, while Vanica tortured Heart Kingdom prisoners to perfect her blood curses.
But none of them noticed the dozen tiny, invisible Origin Puppets Avi had already placed inside their inner sanctums. Each puppet acted like a floating invisible camera, feeding Avi real-time data.
> [System Report: Dark Triad Ritual Timeline — 18 Days Until Phase 3.]
Avi now had near-perfect knowledge of their rituals, layouts, and weaknesses.
Avi (internally):
"Even the strongest fall before perfect preparation."
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A Secret Mission — Indirect Intervention
With precise timing, Avi issued silent orders to several of his spy puppets embedded deep within the Spade Kingdom:
Sabotage minor devil magic conduits.
Delay certain key rituals.
Disrupt blood-curse experiments without drawing attention.
The goal wasn't to stop the ritual entirely — not yet — but to slow its pace and allow the Clover Kingdom time to prepare.
> [System Notice: Sabotage Successful — Estimated Delay: +10 Days]
Avi (smirking):
"Every day bought is another victory."
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Asta and Yuno's New Training
To prepare for the inevitable conflict, Avi designed advanced simulation chambers for Asta and Yuno, capable of simulating battle scenarios against devil hosts using his Origin Puppets.
The simulations grew harsher each day.
Asta (panting after a brutal round):
"These puppets feel almost alive! It's like they know my every move."
Avi (smiling calmly):
"Good. You need that kind of pressure to surpass your limits before the true battle comes."
Yuno (serious):
"This is exactly what we need. We cannot lose."
Avi was pleased. His indirect manipulation made the Black Clover protagonists exponentially stronger while keeping his own role hidden.
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System Hidden Development — Shadow Vault
Avi quietly expanded a new secret facility inside the dimensional world:
> [System Project: Shadow Vault]
- Purpose: Storage of forbidden artifacts and captured devil essence samples.
- Status: 60% Complete
His long-term plan wasn't just to counter the Spade Kingdom threat but to fully control devil power for future contingencies.
Avi (to himself):
"Control of devils cannot be left to fools like Lucius. It must belong to those who can govern it responsibly."
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The Heart Kingdom's Secret Pact with Avi
While officially the Heart Kingdom worked closely with Clover Kingdom leadership, Queen Lolopechka had, in secret, entered into a private alliance with Avi himself.
Lolopechka recognized the value of Avi's vast information network and accepted his indirect protection in exchange for access to Heart Kingdom resources.
Lolopechka (smiling nervously):
"Your methods… are mysterious, Avi. But I can see you care deeply for this world."
Avi (with his usual manipulative smile):
"I only wish to maintain balance. Chaos serves no one."
This secret alliance would prove crucial when the Spade Kingdom launched its full assault.
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The Dark Triad's First Strike
Despite Avi's sabotage, the Dark Triad launched their first wave of attacks.
Zenon personally led an elite force of spatial magic knights into the Diamond Kingdom's border regions, annihilating multiple cities in hours. Blood-curdling screams echoed as devils began infiltrating through early Qliphoth cracks.
Even as Zenon stood atop piles of rubble, Avi's Origin Puppets remained hidden, observing every tactic, every weakness.
> [System Analysis: Zenon's Combat Behavior Recorded — Weakness Patterns Updated.]
Avi (coldly calculating):
"You're strong, Zenon… but not invincible."
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The Clover Kingdom Prepares for War
As word reached the Clover Kingdom of the Spade Kingdom's open aggression, the Magic Knights gathered in emergency councils. Julius Nova Chrono called upon every squad for mobilization.
In the Akatsuki base, Avi held his own private war meeting.
Avi:
"We cannot allow the Spade Kingdom to complete the Qliphoth ritual. When they fully open the Underworld gates, even I cannot predict the scale of destruction."
Asta clenched his fists.
Asta:
"Tell us what to do, Avi. We're ready!"
Yuno nodded, his expression cold and determined.
Yuno:
"We'll crush them before they open the gates."
Avi smiled inwardly.
Avi (thinking):
"Perfect. The time to move my pawns onto the battlefield has arrived."
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The Hidden Player Watches
Far above them all, unseen even to Avi's network, Lucius Zogratis smiled as he watched the coming conflict unfold.
Lucius (softly):
"Fascinating. Your strings are elegant, Puppeteer. But soon, we shall see whose vision guides fate itself."
The real war behind the war was only just beginning.
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[To be continued...]