Black Star

Page 46: Virtues

3rd person's POV

Those words painfully ring in the back of Julius' head as he stares at that strong back walking away from him. He feels outclassed by Astraea, and a certain sentence makes it heavier. 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal. Now listen carefully what's around you.'

Julius knows he has not a single advantage to use for the issue. The only thing he could say was to threat to ban Y/n, but is completely useless now. He, better than anyone, knows that saying those words would just humiliate him more. But even if his image, pride and honor will be destroyed, he's willing to try. He cares for his people and he won't leave them alone when they need a guide the most.

Once out of the palace, Finral, Asta and Yuno spots the Wizard King and they are shocked to see him begging so hard for something. The Magic Knights quickly get that the meeting did not go well, and it's time to backup their king.

"Sorry kids, I can't help you." with a cold voice, Astraea walks past Asta and keeps heading forth.

"Please sir, it's my family!" the boy though is stubborn and he's gonna show that off. "I just want to know if they are safe! I will do everything else by myself!"

"They won't be until Clover will be led like this. They could get killed by bandits and you won't know it."

"I beg you!" Asta hits his head on the road, but Astraea walks past him with a cold demanor. "Please sir!" Yuno joins his friend just to receive the same heartless reaction.

After a few minutes, the kids got everyone's attention. Yuno because he's kneeling and begging when it's not his character to do so, if he does it, it must be very important. And Asta because he's bleeding from his forehead but he keeps smashing it on the ground to implore. His lack of self-care it's starting to get Astraea's guard who stops for a few seconds, then follows his leader again.

"My Lord, the kid is bleeding..." He whispers with a concerned tone."We should stop him. He might have brain traumas and such."

"Ignore them Leo."

We got his soldier's attention. There's no way I'll let them walk out of Clover without telling me what do I have to do to save my family! Yuno put his brain to work and he comes up with a plan. Asta's senior said that the drawing was Araceli, so if they see it, they won't ignore us no longer.

Yuno kneels for the nth time and let them walk past him, ignoring Bell's complains. He waits for the guard to stop to check on Asta and that's the moment when he jumps into action. There, he shows the drawing without saying a word and waits.

"My Lord." Leo grabs Astraea's arm and the man stops for him. "Look..."

I got you, asshole. Yuno smirks with himself as Astraea fully turns to face them for the first time.

"Who drew that?" when that question falls from the Lord's lips, Yuno knows his plan worked. "It's awfully detailed."

"One of the children did this, sir." Yuno holds the papers in hope they will inspect the image better. "Me and Asta grew up in a church, where now live children very cherished by both of us. Sister Lily wrote me a letter, asking for help and the image came with it."

"May I read what she said?" Astraea exposes his palm and the young knight quickly gives him permission to know even personal stuff.

"Asta, raise your head." in the meantime Leo crouches on his knees and pats the kid's back. "Let me see what you have done to yourself."

"I won't move until you help my family!" his head is moved up with force and funny noises since the kid without magic pressed it even harder against the concrete. "I will do anything you want, just-"