"Master Adam, these restless guys… you punished them like this?"
Vetto's tone carried both awe and worry as he made a slicing gesture across his neck.
Good grief—he was even more murderous than Adam!
"Violence can't solve everything," Adam replied calmly. "They only planned the act but didn't carry it out. So I'll deal with them differently."
He gave Vetto a sidelong glance. "Has your despair attribute still not been purged?"
The man was way too extreme.
"So you made them help rebuild the country—starting with the most devastated region of Huiwai?" Rhya asked, frowning. "But will they really obey?"
Rhya could easily read lies in people's hearts. He knew those trembling cowards might revert to arrogance once they felt safe again.
"Don't worry," Adam said, smirking. "The Shadow Ninjas will handle it."
Sure enough, the moment the "Demon Smashers" left Rain Town to join the reconstruction effort, some began to plot escape.
"Run now! That guy's magic is evil. While he's—"
Before the man could finish, a sharp cry echoed through the air. The Shadow Ninja lurking in his shadow slit his throat in a flash.
He collapsed with a dull thud.
The others froze in horror, staring at the lifeless body. The reality of Adam's warning hit them harder than any punishment could.
From that moment on, none dared to rebel.
These sinners could only atone for their crimes honestly—by rebuilding what they had helped destroy, serving the very people they once oppressed.
Adam's "kill the chicken to scare the monkeys" tactic had worked flawlessly.
"The Akatsuki Organization's next mission," Adam declared, "is to bring the guilty to justice. Those with minor offenses will atone by serving the people. Those with grave sins…"
He paused, his eyes gleaming coldly.
"…will go straight to hell."
With the Shadow Legion under his command, Adam could finally put his plan into motion—to cleanse the continent's corruption and let everyone live with dignity once again.
Idealistic? Perhaps. But Adam believed only action could prove one's conviction.
"Yes, sir!"
Sunny Village
After leaving Rain Town, Rhya led Adam to the barren Sunny Village. The new base had been constructed beneath the Central Church.
Since the elf invasion, few people remained here—its remote location made it the perfect hideout.
Akatsuki could easily recruit villagers as peripheral members. These humble folk didn't care about politics; they just wanted food and shelter.
"Very nice," Adam nodded approvingly.
He followed Rhya down into the underground tunnels of the church. The network stretched far, the deepest path even linking all the way to Rain Town.
"The excavation's still in progress," Rhya explained. "But with your Shadow Soldiers, we'll soon have a proper sanctuary."
Just then, a Shadow Ninja appeared, kneeling and presenting a letter.
"It's from Fana."
Adam's expression shifted the moment he read it. His eyes lit up.
"What's wrong?" Rhya asked.
"They've done it!" Adam grinned. "Let's move out!"
Near the Elven Secret Realm
Far west of the strong magic zone lay Elysia—the hidden realm of the elves. Deep within stood an ancient altar said to seal a legendary dragon.
"Where are we heading?" Rhya asked as they teleported.
"Elysia!" Adam said eagerly.
Spade Kingdom — Royal Capital
"Damn it… I won't fail this time!"
Disguised as a Spade Kingdom soldier, Ladin slipped through the castle gates. He had two goals—avenge himself against that man, and gain the power of a devil.
Without the crystal orb, finding the remaining eight evil spirits was impossible. So he'd turned to the Zogratis family—the infamous Dark Triad—who possessed the forbidden art of devil contracts.
"It's said that devil power can connect one to the other side… maybe even bring my parents back," he muttered, sneaking past patrols.
The castle was eerily quiet. Every step made his heart pound faster.
"Little mouse… I've found you."
A crushing gravity slammed down on him. Before Ladin could react, a black circle formed under his feet, dragging him down.
"Who—who are you…?"
From the shadows, Dante emerged, smirking arrogantly. His eyes flickered as he sensed traces of intruding mana.
"Guards! Over here!"
A squad of soldiers rushed in.
"Lord Dante—"
Before the lead soldier could finish, Dante's gravity magic smashed him into the floor. The sickening crack of breaking bones echoed.
"Lord…"
The others froze in fear.
"There's an intruder," Dante snarled. "Find him. If you fail…"
He stomped, and the crushed soldier's body sank into the stone floor, lifeless.
"Yes, sir!"
The troops scattered in terror, while Dante looked on with disgust. "Pathetic vermin. If you weren't still useful, I'd turn you all into fuel."
He turned toward the shadows again, his eyes narrowing. "Now then… where are you hiding?"
The Elven Realm — Elysia
At the westernmost tip of the continent, surrounded by towering trees and ancient magic, lay Elysia—the hidden sanctuary of the elves.
Guarding this place was Dryad, a being revered as a goddess among elves.
"Lord Adam," Rhya whispered. He had never been here before; otherwise, he would have used Space Magic to teleport directly.
"Thank you for your efforts," Adam said warmly. His excitement was hard to contain—his subordinates had truly outdone themselves.
"Take me there quickly," he urged. "If the Dragon Altar is really holding the Snake's power, then I'll only need the Rabbit, Horse, and Dog to complete the twelve Zodiac Talismans."
"Master Adam," Patolli said, stepping forward awkwardly. "The guardian of this realm, Lady Dryad… she wishes to meet you personally. She was the one who discovered the altar."
Patolli's tone was uneasy. He knew Adam was unpredictable—someone who acted purely on instinct.
"Lead the way," Adam said.
He gave Patolli a look that made the elf even more nervous.
Why did he seem so pleased?
Inside the ancient tower at the heart of the secret realm, Dryad awaited them. She was about the same size as the water spirit Undine, her body radiating gentle green light infused with plant magic.
"So big…" Adam's eyes widened in awe, excitement bubbling within him.
This was even better than finding the Dragon Altar!
The elegant elf smiled brightly the moment she saw him. Before anyone could react, she rushed forward and pulled Adam into a tight embrace.
"Lord Adam! You're finally here!"
Adam froze.
What the hell was going on?!
Rhya and Patolli were dumbfounded. The elven guardian—worshiped like a goddess—was hugging their leader like an old lover?!
Soft warmth enveloped him, and Adam's thoughts went completely blank.
Maybe this was just the fate of a protagonist.
Might as well enjoy it!
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Black Clover: I Awakened the Power of the Twelve Zodiac Talismans is now on Patreon!
🔥 I also have a Additional 18+ fanfics now available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
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