Black Clover Trivia #10: Noelle's favourite things are sweets and annoying but cute things.

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The group stood frozen at the news. Noelle felt tears creeping up in her eyes as she covered her mouth in shock. Finral tightened his fists, teeth clenching in frustration as he gazed at Delphia's prone form with watery eyes. The captains were tense, anger welling in them at the state of the tarot user.

"W-what do you mean she might not wake up?" Asta's voice was strained and quiet, cutting through the tense silence like a knife.

"It's as I said, Asta," Julius sighed regretfully, "Owen and the other healers have done everything they could for Delphia. When or if she wakes up is in her hands. There is nothing more we can do."

The Wizard King felt an immense burden fall on his shoulders as he watched the despair grow within the assembled mages. Battles could not be won by perseverance alone. A sacrifice was always made, whether it be the destruction of cities, the wounds of their citizens, or the Magic Knights' lives. Every mage under his orders knew this well, Delphia, most notably.

She knew, and she made her choice. It was that choice that Julius should have watched out for. After years of her service, he's learned much about the young clairvoyant. One of the many traits he's come to know about her is that she always puts her people's lives above her own.

"I'll be summoning the squad captains for a meeting before addressing the public of the situation," Julius explained, "There will be much to discuss in consideration of the kingdom's state and Delphia's condition. For now, I implore you to keep Delphia's circumstance to yourselves. It would do us no good for her vulnerability to be known."

Asta was about to salute when he was cut off by a sharp, cold voice.

"If you'll excuse me," Nozel moved swiftly, his cloak billowing behind him as he made his exit.

Fuegoleon frowned at his rival's back before bowing his head politely to Julius as he followed after.

What is that guy's problem? Asta balked as the two captains left. We're supposed to be showing solidarity right now. Take a hint, man!

"It seems the enemy has awakened the hawk and lion with the fall of their youngest packmate." Julius mused.

Pathetic. What an appalling spectacle. Never let this happen again, Nozel. The Silver Eagle's Captain berated himself, his mind flashing to his vassal's fallen, bloody form. And Delphia... I will find the scum who did this to you and slay them myself.

Yami stared down at Delphia's resting form, his eyes trailing to the glowing orb by her bedside overlooking her overall health. It was glowing a faint green, blinking at the same pace as her heart, which eased his worries. Stretching out his neck, he sighed.

"Come on, kiddos. We got to tell the rest of the squad."

Marx stared at the captain in alarm, "Wait, didn't Lord Julius just say—"

"Marx," Julius smiled, shaking his head much to the mushroom head's confusion, "It's fine. I trust the Black Bulls to keep her condition to themselves. She is their vice-captain... they deserve to know how she's doing."

"Thanks, old man," Yami nodded, "Finral, let's go."

The spatial user nodded. Squeezing Delphia's hand to assure himself that she was alive and well, he took out his grimoire and summoned a portal.

"Yami," Finral and said captain paused, the two rookies having already passed through the portal, "Delphia will be under guard by my advisors for the time being. A protection detail will be drafted and made known during the meeting tomorrow. Until said otherwise, only Owen will be given access to her."

The Black Bull's Captain narrowed his eyes in contemplation before grunting his reluctant approval. With a final wave, he passed through the portal, Finral following behind after a last glance at Delphia.

* * * * *

A heavy atmosphere surrounded the hideout as the Black Bulls lingered around the common room. The base was unnaturally quiet as everyone was left to their own devices as they sulked over the absence of their vice-captain.

The squad had been informed of Delphia's condition, and much to their indignation was not allowed to visit their dear vice-caption less the Wizard King revokes his restriction order.

While Delphia mainly spent her time in her office, she was still a vital part of their squad, always watching out and taking care of them. It was strange for her to be absent and not know when she'll return. It was much like the time she passed out for a week, but a million times worse.

"It's not fair~" Vanessa whined, playing with her wine bottle as she splayed across the couch. She had yet to take a sip of alcohol after hearing the news, "Why can't they make an exception and let us see her!"

"It's a precaution, Vanessa," Finral sighed, "With the attack and her circumstance, the Wizard King isn't taking any chances on her safety."

"You don't get a say!" Vanessa gave the younger mage the stink eye, "You got to see Phia!"

"It really pisses me off that you got to," Luck's laugh was a stark contrast to the dark look in his eyes, "Fight me!"

The spatial user squeaked, quickly summoning a portal to throw the boy across the room as Luck pounced before transporting himself out to save himself.

The blond whined before reinforcing his legs with mana as he sped through the hideout to find his target. With his acute mana sensing skills, it shouldn't be hard for him to find the troublesome playboy. Plus, Finral has only so much mana to cast his magic with... it won't be long before Luck corners him.

"Don't break anything, Luck~" Vanessa cooed, "Phia won't be happy when she wakes up if you do~"

"Yes~"

Grey was transformed into a wolf, Delphia's favoured transformation to cuddle with, whining as they huddled themselves into a corner, hiding their eyes beneath their paws. Gordan was nearby muttering away, eyes teary as he sewed a rather creepy looking doll with a strange resemblance to their vice-captain.

"Would you two be quiet! I have to tell Marie the news," Guache glared at the duo before turning to his mirror, blood already dripping from his nose, "She will surely be sad and need comfort from her big brother!"

"Oi! Captain Yami told us to keep our mouth shuts about the vice-cap's condition!" Magna protested.

"Nah, it's fine," Yami stretched back against the sofa as he took out another cigarette, "Just tell the kid to keep it to herself, unless you want to die, got it?"

Gauche inwardly paled at the not so subtle threat and nodded.

"Will we be able to see her soon?" Charmy wondered, munching sadly on some muffins she had made, "I have lots of nummies to bring her! Maybe she'll wake up to the smell of her favourite pasta!"

"I'll find out during the old man's meeting," Yami grunted, "Where the two rookies at?"

Vanessa hummed as she sat up, head twisting and turning for any sight of the light-haired teens. "Oh? Now that you mention it, they ran off when Finral dropped them off."

Yami sighed, smoke billowing past his lips as he stared mindlessly up at the ceiling. "...Leave 'em. They'll be fine."

* * * * *

Asta grunted, swinging his sword again and again at the tree's trunk. He ignored the ache in his arms as he continued training.

More! More! Sweat dripped from his body as his swords collided. I have to keep going!

The ash-blond gritted his teeth as he recalled the beaten form of his vice-captain. How pale and hurt she was. How close the mage was to dying.

I'll get stronger! The boy vowed. I won't let that happen again!

Asta stopped his strikes, panting. He blinked, ears perking as he heard muffled cries. Frowning, he returned his swords into his grimoire and followed the sound.

A silver-haired teen grunted in frustration in a clearing not too far from the Black Bulls' hideout as she shot water bullet after bullet towards the trees. She watched as some hit, but many more missed, which only increased her frustration. Her mind was a mess; her thoughts clashing as memory upon memory came to the forefront of her mind.

Tears trailed down her cheeks, her heart clenching in her chest as the image of her idol, bloody and broken, was imprinted into her mind.

Why? Why why why!? Why am I so weak?!

With a yell, she shot once more, falling to her knees as she depleted her mana stores. Noelle sobbed, hands fisting in the ground below as she self deprecated her abilities to save her friends.

Her breath hitch as she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the clearing. Glancing over her shoulder, her eyes widened, catching sight of ash blond hair. Twisting back around, she curled over herself as she wiped frantically at the tears on her face. She can't let anyone see her like this.

"Noelle..." Asta called hesitantly.

"W-what are you doing here, Bakasta?!" Her voice shook as she tried to sound like her usual self.

Noelle tensed as she heard him move closer. Her eyes widened when she felt him sit behind her, back against hers.

"...I can't see you, Noelle."

Her eyes watered, her lip quivering as the tears fell once more. Her hands were clasped over her lips as she tried to muffle the sound of her cries, her shoulders shaking with her suppressed sobs. Asta leaned back in silent support, knowing the royal wouldn't appreciate his open acceptance right now. He stared up at the sky, noticing a few stars beginning to appear as he ignored the wetness of his own cheeks.

"We won't let that happen again," Asta promised.

Noelle sniffed as she nodded, her grip tight around her wand. "Un."

* * * * *

Fuegoleon followed silently as his rival trudged into the Silva manor. Nozel frowned when he heard the sound of laughs coming from one of the parlour rooms. Making their way closer, the anger that was already brewing within them began to reach its peak as they could make out the conversation within the room.

"How pathetic! The great Augur, taken down by mere pests!" Nebra chortled.

"She might as well keel over now," Solid sneered, "One less disgrace upon the Silva—"

The two gasped as they were suddenly held up in the air by spelled restraints. Nebra by paws of fire and Solid by tendrils of mercury. They gasped as their bonds tightened, eyes wide in fear as the captains of the Silver Eagle and the Crimson Lion sauntered into the room. The mana encased the two like armour, not to protect them, but their victims from the damaging nature of their flaring mana.

"N-Nozel...niisama—" Solid gasped, hands pulling futilely at the mercury around his neck, the semi-fluid nature of the magic working against him as his fingers passed through uselessly.

"Do not speak, Solid." The eldest Silva glared, practically hissing at his only brother.

"You dare speak such ill words against Delphia," Fuegoleon ignored how the expensive fabrics of the nearby curtains burned as his mana grew, "A Magic Knight who has not only proven her worth time and time again but a faithful vassal of your own house! It is not Delphia who shames the name of the Royal House of Silva, but you. You—Solid, Nebra— who speaks nothing but vulgarity against a proud Magic Knight who had sacrificed her very being for this kingdom."

"I-I apolo—" Solid winced as the bonds tightened once more.

"Give your apologies to Delphia when she awakens," Nozel cut in, tightening the bonds firmly, causing his victim to choke before releasing him completely.

Solid fell to his knees, gasping for air while Nebra shook next to him, having been released far more gently in comparison, but still holding the same healthy dose of fear for the two men before them.

"Leave," Nozel ordered, "Do not show your faces to me, less you wish to incur our anger once more."

The two nodded, standing shakily. Their faces were pale, and their eyes were dilated in terror as they moved swiftly to exit the room.

Nozel glared out the window, his nails digging into his palm to the point he drew blood. Fuegoleon took calming breaths behind him as he collapsed onto one of the sofas.

"... I assume you have already made plans for when Delphia awakens."

Nozel scoffed as he looked over his shoulder to stare pointedly at his rival.

"I'll have her begging by the time I'm through with her." 

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A/N I updated? I know, it's been a while. I actually cut this short and divided the original chapter in half because it was getting waaaaay too long. Plus I love how I ended this chapter lmao. 

So don't worry, I'll actually have them visiting and seeing Delphia in the next chapter! 

I'm really happy to see how many people are reading and commenting~ A lot of you leave such amusing comments. Next update will be posted soon! (aka 2-3 days!) Thank you for all the name suggestions as well! 

Question: What's your go to comfort food? 

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UPDATED: 15/07/20