After the trial concluded, a unit of Green Mantis Magic Knights stepped forward with swift precision.
They were the designated task force responsible for all operations regarding the Clover Kingdom's prison system, including security, transport, and containment of high-level prisoners.
Led by a senior Green Mantis officer, the knights approached the group of convicted Liberators.
"By order of the Clover Kingdom and Parliament Speaker Damnatio Kira,"
the officer announced,
"We will now begin the secure transfer of all prisoners to the kingdom's maximum-security prison."
Dumbledore, Sirius, McGonagall, Gandalf, and their accomplices, including Seraphina Rapul and her team, were all tightly restrained with enchanted shackles.
One by one, they were escorted out of the courtroom.
Some, like Gandalf, walked silently with lowered eyes.
Others, like Sirius, threw defiant glances at the watching crowd.
Seraphina, her pride still intact, glared directly at the captains—
and at Mereoleona,
"____"
"____"
who met her gaze without flinching.
The Green Mantis squad formed a protective formation, surrounding the prisoners from all sides as they were teleported via specialized spell runes to the Clover Kingdom prison facility—
where they would spend the rest of their lives.
As the heavy atmosphere of the courtroom faded and the convicted Liberators were escorted away, Ben remained seated for a moment, deep in thought.
The courtroom buzzed with quiet conversations, but his mind had already moved elsewhere.
He stood up, his royal cape trailing behind him as he turned to Henry, who stood nearby with a respectful bow.
"Henry,"
Ben said with a faint smile,
"I'm heading to the Blue Rose Magic Knight base. It's been far too long."
Henry nodded.
Nod~
"Shall I prepare an escort, Your Majesty?"
Ben shook his head lightly.
"No need. This is a visit I want to make… as just Ben."
Ben stepped away from his throne-like seat and turned to the poised woman standing nearby—
Captain Charlotte Roselei.
Dressed in her Blue Rose robes, with her arms folded and her usual cool expression in place, she had watched the entire trial with the sharp eyes of a seasoned knight…
Ben gave her a soft smile.
"It's been a while since I've visited the Blue Rose base,"
he said casually, but his voice held something warmer.
"I was thinking… maybe we could go together? For old times' sake."
Charlotte blinked once, caught off-guard by his sudden suggestion.
A faint, barely noticeable pink brushed her cheeks—
but she quickly composed herself and nodded.
Nod~
"…Alright. They'd probably appreciate seeing you again."
As Ben and Charlotte landed gracefully in the courtyard of the Blue Rose Magic Knight base, the place momentarily fell silent—
then burst into excitement.
"Is that—?!"
"The King?!"
"Captain Charlotte's here too!"
But two people didn't wait for the whispers or the fanfare.
Marie and Anny had already charged forward from the entrance, their faces lighting up with a mix of shock and joy.
"BEN!!"
they both shouted in unison.
Before he could say a word, they slammed into him with a triple hug, nearly knocking him off balance.
"Oof—! Still as dramatic as ever,"
Ben laughed, holding them tightly.
"You didn't even tell us you were coming!"
Marie pouted.
"We would've prepared something!"
Anny added, her eyes misty but her grin wide.
"I wanted to surprise you two,"
Ben replied warmly.
"It's been too long."
The trio stood like that for a moment—
three best friends reunited in the place where it all began.
Charlotte watched quietly from the side, a soft expression on her face.
Just then, Peggy, the easygoing squad member who had always acted like the chill big sister when Ben entered the squad, strolled out with a grin.
"Well, look what the wind brought in. Thought you ditched us for a fancy crown, Your Majesty."
Ben smirked.
Smirk~
"I did. But I missed the real kingdom—this one."
Peggy chuckled.
"Come on in. I'll have someone throw together a feast. You three can catch up, and you,"
she pointed at Charlotte with a wink,
Wink~
"Our captain is going to pay, of course."
As they stepped inside, laughter echoed through the halls—
old jokes, stories, and a few jabs about Ben's new royal life.
They started preparing things for the fest.
While laughter echoed in the base and the kitchen buzzed with preparations for the unexpected celebration, a gust of wind swept into the Blue Rose base courtyard as Sol Marron landed with her usual flair—
dust flying, boots skidding, and hands on her hips.
She had just returned from an important mission, her armour scuffed and her expression fierce—
until a fellow Magic Knight ran up to her with wide eyes.
"Sol! You won't believe it—the King's here! Ben came with Captain Charlotte!"
Sol's jaw dropped.
"Ben?! The Ben?!"
Without another word, she stormed through the halls, marching straight toward the inner rooms—
her pace loud enough for half the squad to hear.
She found Charlotte in a corridor, casually chatting with Ben, Marie, and Anny.
"Sister!"
Sol called, breath huffing from the trip.
"I heard Ben's back—why didn't you tell me?!"
Charlotte's eye twitched at the word.
"Sol. How many times must I remind you... I am your captain, not your sister."
Sol blinked.
Then grinned.
Grin~
"Sorry, Captain Sister!"
Charlotte sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Ben chuckled.
Chuckle~
"Still the same dynamic. I missed this."
Marie and Anny laughed, and Charlotte gave a soft humph before letting it go.
Hmph~
before letting it go.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen and common hall area, Puli, Selena, and a few other Blue Rose Magic Knights were hard at work putting together a proper feast.
Puli was barking orders, organizing dishes and spices with military precision, while Selena levitated plates and bowls into position using her magic, humming cheerfully.
"I swear,"
Puli said with a grin,
"if the food isn't perfect, I'll turn Ben into a potato."
Selena giggled.
"I don't think Captain Charlotte would allow that."
Sol popped her head in.
"You all better hurry! This is the king we're feeding!"
Peggy, lazing nearby with her feet up on a barrel, muttered,
"He'll eat anything. I've seen him eat burnt mushrooms and call it 'bold.'"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Hahaha~
The mood in the Blue Rose base was—
warm, loud, filled with camaraderie and joy.
The return of their former squadmate—
now king—
had reminded everyone what made the Blue Rose Magic Knights more than just a squad.
As the feast preparations continued and the aroma of roasted meats and spiced vegetables filled the Blue Rose base, a pair of Blue Rose Magic Knights—
still in field gear, dust clinging to their cloaks—
hurried into the main hall.
They approached Captain Charlotte, who was speaking with Ben, Sol, Marie, and Anny near the stairwell.
"Captain Charlotte,"
one of them saluted.
"Reporting from the perimeter patrol."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
"Is something wrong?"
"Not exactly,"
the second one added, a bit out of breath.
"We spotted a group of Royal Knights stationed a short distance from the base. They haven't approached, just... keeping watch. Most likely because His Majesty is here."
Charlotte crossed her arms and exchanged a brief look with Ben.
"That's reasonable. Standard protocol. No need for concern unless they move in closer."
Ben gave a small nod, casually sipping from a cup of warm tea someone had handed him earlier.
"Henry must've sent them to stay nearby. Just in case."
Marie smirked.
Smirk~
"Looks like even royalty gets babysitters when they sneak out to party."
Anny elbowed her gently, chuckling.
Chuckle~
"Better safe than sorry."
Charlotte waved off the report.
"Thank you for the update. Resume your posts and keep an eye out. Let them know that they're welcome to come in if they get cold feet outside."
The patrol duo saluted again and left, their footsteps echoing in the corridor.
Sol stretched and cracked her knuckles.
"So, no surprise attack or invasion. Good. That means more time for eating!"
Peggy, who had wandered in just in time to overhear, leaned against the doorframe.
"As long as they don't touch my plate, they can camp wherever they like."
The laughter picked up again, the base glowing with warmth and camaraderie.
With trusted guards nearby and close friends at his side, Ben allowed himself a moment to truly relax.
Tonight wasn't about duty.
The dining hall of the Blue Rose Magic Knight base had been transformed.
Long tables were set up, lined with food steaming hot and drinks flowing freely.
The lights of enchanted lanterns floated above, casting a golden glow over the polished wood and the faces of smiling knights.
Ben sat at the centre table, flanked by Charlotte, Marie, Anny, and a rather smug Sol who had claimed her spot directly across from him.
For some reason, she seems bold.
Peggy, of course, had already filled two plates and was bargaining with a squad mate over dessert portions.
Once everyone had settled and the clatter of chairs and silverware calmed, Captain Charlotte stood up, raising her glass.
The room grew quiet.
"Today is... unusual,"
she began, her voice calm but clear.
"Not just because our former squadmate and current king is here... but because it reminds me that even in all the changes this kingdom faces—some things remain constant."
Her eyes drifted to Ben.
"Like the bonds formed here. The camaraderie. The pride of being a Blue Rose Magic Knight."
There was a chorus of cheers and raised glasses.
Charlotte looked at Ben.
"Your Majesty, would you like to say something?"
Ben stood, smiling warmly.
He didn't bother with formality.
"I may wear a crown now,"
he said, glancing around at familiar faces,
"but my roots are here. With you all. Marie, Anny, Peggy, Sol, Selena, Puli… every one of you helped shape me. Even when I was just another rookie with more heart than brains."
Laughter broke out—
especially from Peggy, who yelled,
"Still true!"
Ben grinned.
"Tonight isn't about rank or title. Tonight's just a reunion of friends, a squad that made me feel like I belonged. So, let's eat, drink, and be loud—like proper Blue Roses!"
A thunderous cheer filled the hall.
Clink~ Clink~
Glasses clinked, plates were passed around, and music started from one corner—
someone strumming a lute while another beat rhythmically on a table.
Marie and Anny dove into stories after Ben become king, recalling missions gone sideways and victories earned with grit and guts.
Sol bragged about a recent mission until Charlotte scolded her with a dry glare—
and then softened when Ben teased her for blushing.
Puli and Selena made sure no plate was ever empty, while Peggy challenged three knights to an eating contest, claiming she was
"just getting started."
The night carried on, vibrant and heartfelt.
It wasn't just a feast—
it was a celebration of their past, their friendship, and the path they had all walked together.
And for the first time in a long time, Ben felt at peace—
not as a king, but simply as a comrade.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Author's POV)
(A/N):Thanks for reading the chapter!
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