Coddiwomple Trivia #10: While seen sleeping quite often, Delphia does not actually sleep for long durations. It's more quick power naps spread throughout the day.

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The captains were solemn as King Julius left them, dismissing the meeting. All sans William and Gueldre were present, the two too busy with their own affairs to attend to. They were given a by your leave by Julius with a notice that reports will be sent to their bases regarding the information shared during the meeting.

Rill stared down at the table in shock, unsure how to process the news shared with them.

"Is that all?" Jack cackled, "I have some newbies to slice up!" Back at the Green Mantis, a certain bah-ha laughing blond shuddered, a foreboding weight falling upon him.

"This meeting was also summoned to part with grave news," Julius frowned.

The captains blinked, a sense of trepidation growing as they noticed the change in several of their members.

"In the invasion... our strategist Delphia Rotta was critically injured. She is presently in a coma and resting in a secured sector of the medical ward."

Rill gasped, the room silent as the bomb was dropped on them. Even the ever sleeping captain, Dorathy, seemed to sense the tension and had stopped snoring.

"Her condition will remain on a need-to-know basis to not rouse any more alarm amongst the citizens. Any rumours spread about her condition will have everyone interrogated and the culprit arrested for treason. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

"It was quite unfortunate that a woman like Lady Rotta was injured so fatally in the midst of battle," Charlotte sighed. Yami must be so worried! Delphia is practically our chi— what am I thinking?! W-we aren't her p-parents!

"Ke ke ke~ That brat has no time lying down! I still need to cut her up!" Jack licked one of his blades.

As Rill's eyes became teary, his luminescent hair seemed to deflate, mirroring his mood.

"How can something like this happen to someone like Delphia-san!" The boy wailed.

Yami grunted, smacking the youngest captain across the back of his head. The boy squeaked, the hit forcing him to faceplant. Tears streamed down his cheek as he clutched his now red forehead as he pouted at the foreigner.

"What was that for?!"

"You're saying it like my vice-captain is gonna die," Yami drawled, quirking a brow, "You really think she's gonna appreciate you crying over something she probably already knows she's gonna survive from?"

Rill sniffed, blinking in confusion, "You think she knew all this was gonna happen?"

"Course I do, you brat. It's Phia we're talkin' bout." Yami rolled his eyes, "Like hell is she gonna go and bite the dust before she sees everyone reach beyond their limits and be the strongest they can." Plus, she has her own dream she wants to see come to life. The dark magic user thought as he glanced at a certain silver-haired royal.

"Since we're done here..." Yawning, the Black Bulls' captain grunted, pushing out his chair, "I'll be telling my squad we can visit Phia now."

Fuegoleon frowned at Delphia's condition being known to Yami's entire squad but deemed it acceptable. The Black Bulls were a rather unruly group. No doubt they'd cause a fuss if they aren't informed of why their vice-captain was missing.

Rill brightened. "Maybe I should make Delphia-san a painting! I'm sure her room needs some colour!" The captains ignored the boy's blabbering brainstorm as they began to disperse to their own squads. Hearing only silence, Rill blinked. "Ehh?! Where'd everyone go?!"

Snore~

The aqua haired boy startled as he turned to the noise, his heart calming as he realized he wasn't left alone.

"Eh hoo hoo hoo~ Looks like we got left behind, Dorathy-san~"

* * * * *

"Captain, welcome back!"

"Yo," Yami greeted as he hopped off his broom.

"How'd did the meeting go?" Finral wondered though he was quite eager to hear any news on Delphia.

"Julius will be givin' a speech later about the attack," Yami stretched out on the couch, not bothering to give any specifics knowing his squad was only fishing for a particular piece of information, "Since Phia is under guard he's letting her have visitors—"

The squad cheered, chattering away as they made plans of what they'd bring for their vice-captain to wake to.

"She needs lots of nummies! I'll bring her pasta~" Charmy planned, skipping to the kitchen, knowing how much Delphia loved her pasta dishes.

"Wine?" Vanessa hummed, mussing her hair in thought, "Phia really needs a chance to loosen up."

"Ne ne, Noelle, you've known Delphia-senpai for a long time, right?" Asta turned to the royal, "What do you think she'd like?"

"Of course, a peasant like you wouldn't know." Noelle crossed her arms, though inwardly she was panicking. This was her idol, after all. What if she didn't like it? What if her gift disgusted her? What if— Noelle was mentally ripping her hair out in frustration and nervousness. What if Lady Rotta took offence to it and started hating her! The royal shook her head. No, no, no! Of course, that wouldn't happen. This is Lady Rotta, after all.

Asta blinked, watching Noelle curl up on herself. He could practically see the doom cloud above her head.

Shrugging, he held his chin in thought as he crossed his arms before he brightened. "Maybe she's like some tatoes!"

Yami chuckled as he watched his squad squabble amongst themselves.

"Yami-san..."

The captain rose a brow, seeing the seriousness in Finral's eyes.

"What do ya want, Finral?"

The blond gulped before nodding his head to reassure himself. Staring straight into his captain's eyes, he gave his request.

Yami frowned but nodded his consent much to Finral's thanks as his shoulders slumped in relief.

* * * * *

It wasn't long before the public was informed by Julius, the captains all present behind him to show a unified front.

The Wizard King concluded that the attack on the royal capital had been the work of anti-Clover Kingdom terrorists. He declared his intent to continue resolutely opposing them, and the masses were fully supportive.

The enemy's invasion was enabled by the disappearance of some of the mages who maintained the capital's magic barrier. Had the enemy done away with them, or had they defected?

This fact was not made public, but the Wizard King was sure of it.

I don't want to believe it, but there's a traitor among the mages in the royal capital.

* * * * *

"Apparently, their master has some absolute unifying force and fearsome magical power," Marx concluded as he walked alongside Julius.

The two had just ended an unsuccessful interrogation between the two members of the Eye of the Midnight Sun that they were able to detain. Marx's attempts to use his magic were fruitless due to the protections both members had on their minds.

"I'm assuming the one who defeated Delphia is also their master."

"Indeed," Julius sighed, "When she wakes up, we may learn something. Even with her memories of the attack missing, her foresight should give us some hint of what is to come. Let us wait for the Augur to awaken."

* * * * *

"Vice-Captain Vaude, a visitor is waiting for you by the gates."

Langris quirked a brow, nodding his acknowledgment. Rather than summon a spatial portal, he took the long way. It probably wasn't anyone important if they hadn't bothered to schedule an appointment. Better they were kept waiting than him.

Seeing a familiar mop of dirty blond hair, Langris's smirk widened.

"Oh? Is there something you need, brother?" He drawled.

"Langris!" Finral jumped, eyes wide before he composed himself, "I-I need to tell you something."

"Well, go on— I actually have work to do as vice-captain, unlike the Black Bulls' transport boy."

Finral winced and sighed. Straightening his back, Langris was taken aback by the seriousness in his half-brother's eyes.

"Delphia was fatally injured in the attack. She's in a coma."

Though inept at any sort of combat, Finral's keen eyes caught the shock in Langris' eyes before it was once more masked by his haughty visage.

"I'll inform my mother—"

Finral shook his head quickly.

"The Wizard King wants her condition kept on a need-to-know basis. There's been a gag order instated so that if there are any rumours spread, we'll be questioned, and the offender arrested."

Langris frowned at his brother, eyes narrowed in thought. The bad blood between him and Delphia wasn't a secret. They were just good at keeping it rather tame in comparison to that of the Silva siblings, mainly taking it out on chess matches or "debates" within their manors.

It certainly wasn't a secret to Finral, who had witnessed many of their bouts of challenges growing up, so he couldn't quite understand his brother's reasoning to inform him. It wasn't as if he and Delphia see each other often enough to notice the other's disappearance. As if reading his mind, Finral explained his reasons.

"You're Delphia's cousin. Her only cousin I know of," Finral began, "You're her blood, and the only one I could really tell her condition to since you're a Magic Knight yourself. I just... I just thought you should know."

Langris stared at his brother blankly, before twisting on his heel to reenter the Golden Dawn's base.

Finral's eyes widened at his brother's retreating back, "She's under guard in the medical ward, but Yami said she's allowed visitors!"

His shoulders slumped as the gates closed, and Langris continued forward. Sighing, he summoned a portal and with a final glance at his brother, left.

From within the walls of the Golden Dawn base, Langris' fist was clenched beside him in frustration as he took in what his useless brother told him.

"You—" He called towards one of the lower-ranked knights who immediately straightened in attention, "Leave a note for Captain Vangeance's arrival that I will be away the next few days. Inform Letoile she'll be in charge until either Captain or I return."

* * * * *

"You did well, kid." Yami praised the ash-blond now that everyone had calmed.

"But Phia-senpai..." Asta's eyes were downcast as he thought on the woman who was becoming much like an older sister.

"Huh? Phia?" Yami ruffled the boy's hair roughly, much to the teen's distress, "Who do you think you're worrying about, punk? That know-it-all paperwork demon of ours won't die that easily. I bet she'll come back even stronger and with some of her crazy strategies ready to go."

"Of course!" Asta and Noelle grinned, the former pumping his fists, "All right! I'm going to train even harder and stronger, too!"

"No, you're gonna rest," Yami refuted, the ash-blond staring at his captain in shock, "You're too injured. You're gonna die. Are you stupid?"

"Yeah! You need a break!"

"Ack! You too, Noelle?"

"How stupid are you?"

Ignoring the two rookies banter again, Vanessa smiled, waving at the spatial user who appeared in the common room. "Oh, Finral, where you run off to this time?"

The dirty blond laughed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Nowhere of importance, Vanessa."

Lying on her stomach, she pushed a bottle back and forth idly on the floor before blinking, pushing herself up on her forearms.

"Oh! Didn't you have a mixer planned tonight, Finral? You'll be late if you don't go soon~" The witch teased, "You've been crowing about it all month once you got those ladies to agree."

Wincing in embarrassment, pink dusted his cheeks as he suddenly remembered his date tonight. He frowned, not really feeling up for such a thing. Seeing his expression, he turned away from Vanessa's knowing eyes as he looked over the squad. He's already asked Luck before the kid left for his mission with Magna...

Seeing the rookies, a light bulb blinked to life.

"Hey, Asta, you're getting some time off?" Finral gave him a thumbs up, "How about you join Luck for a mixer?"

"A m-mixer?!"

The spatial user grinned and nodded. "Yup! I have one set up tonight! Luck already agreed! Just introduce yourselves and have fun~"

Asta nodded slowly. Noelle frowned as she tilted her chin up. "Why does it sound like you aren't joining them? Wouldn't a playboy like you be jumping at this sort of thing?"

Finral laughed nervously though he was mentally crying at his habits being questioned so harshly and bluntly.

"A-ah, well, I'm not really feeling well, but..." Looking around, Finral grinned, bounding up and swinging an arm around Gauche's shoulders. "I'm sure Gauche will be a good enough replacement."

Noelle and Asta blanched, staring at Finral like he was crazy. Guache glared, throwing the spatial user off him. "Don't touch me, you cur! Like hell, I'll go— I need to shower my precious Marie with compliments of her beauty tonight!"

Finral sweatdropped as he held up a bag of yuls, shaking it for the former prisoner to hear. "I'll give you half of my last month's pay to spend on gifts for your sister if you go," He bribed.

Gauche frowned, staring at the bag in contemplation. He was running out of money to buy gifts for his next visit. With a grunt, gave his reluctant acceptance.

"Alright!" Finral cheered, "Well, Luck should be here soon, and I'll drop you off. The mixer is in Nean at a pub called Mibawau."

As the group waited for the squad's trigger happy lightning user, Finral put an arm around the magicless rookie, yanking him down.

"Asta," Finral whispered, "I'm trusting you to keep Gauche's more... passionate hobbies on the down-low, okay? We don't want to scare these girls off."

Asta blinked, staring between the playboy and sis-con.

"I-I'll try my best, Finral-senpai!" Asta held his fist up in determination.

The dirty blond grinned, pulling away as he waved at Luck, who came bounding in excitedly. Opening a portal, he winked at the trio, holding his arm out towards their transport with a flourish.

"Have fun~"

* * * * *

Citizens shuffled out of the way, staring at the large group in confusion and worry.

"Black mantels?"

"Oi, isn't that—"

"It's the Black Bulls!"

"Come on sweetie, we should go-"

Noelle sighed at the commotion the citizens were making. Then again, it was probably rare to see the Black Bulls all out in town together. The group took several detours to confuse anyone following them, even spending a few minutes in the black market. A rather inane action with a group their size, but necessary if they don't want anyone getting curious about where they were going.

The group watched in awe as Yami revealed a hidden entrance to the medical ward, opening the secured sector. One of the healers cowered under their captain's intimidating gaze, and seeing their mantels, quickly gestured down one of the halls and squeaked out a room number before rushing off.

Walking down the hall, the group was quickly stopped by a pair of mages, their uniforms recognized as those of the Wizard King's advisors.

"Apologies, Captain Yami," The one on the right saluted, "We've been given orders to regulate the number of visitors for Lady Rotta. Master Healer Owen had allowed for a maximum of three people to enter at a time."

The Black Bulls shared a look between each other before exploding into chaos.

"As royalty, I should be allowed to go first," Noelle huffed, flipping her hair back.

"No way! I've been in the same squad with her far longer than you, Lady Noe," Magna scowled.

"I've known her since I was a baby!"

"Let's decide with an all-out free for all!" Luck laughed, hands sparkling with lightning.

"I'll go— I promised Marie I'd give Delphia her well wishes."

"YOUNGEST TO OLDEST!" Asta declared, remembering how they'd settle similar disputes back at the church.

"You kiddos got to see her yesterday," Vanessa argued, "Let the others have a chance."

The squad continued to bicker, only getting louder much to the exasperation of the mages guarding Delphia's room.

"All of you— SHUT UP!" Yami yelled, fist punching through and destroying a nearby wall.

One of the mages yelped, the fist barely missing his head. Behind the destroyed wall, Owen facepalmed, while his assistant shakily tried to calm their patient, who had turned a sickly white from shock. With a resigned sigh, he ordered his nurse to have their patient moved now that their private room was destroyed.

"Have some courtesy, Yami. This is a place to heal, not destroy."

Yami looked over his shoulder, grunting at the two new mages.

"Well, if it isn't hot-blooded Mr. Serious and the jaunty braid freak," Yami greeted, "If you're here for my vice-captain— get in line. Only three can be in her room."

Nozel's eyes narrowed, ready to argue with the insufferable foreigner, only for his rival to cut in, much to his frustration.

"Quite right," Fuegoleon nodded his assent. Feeling Nozel's daggered stare, he continued, "It is only fair. They are her squad, and we had the opportunity to see her the day of the attack."

Yami grinned smugly at the silver-haired captain, whose only indication of his annoyance was the twitch in his eyebrow and the click of his tongue.

* * * * *

Having played a quick game to sort out the order, Gauche, Grey, and Gordan stepped into the room. The former resolutely ignored the other two as he shared his well wishes for his vice-captain. With a somewhat reluctant hand, he took out a handmade card that he was sent through the mail from his sister.

Staring at the beautiful drawings of his sister, he placed it reverently on the bedside table.

"Hmph... you better wake up soon and appreciate my sister's hard work." I... I'd be pretty disappointed if you don't come back too.

The mirror user watched in silence as Grey transformed into a wolf, whimpering as their massive snout nuzzled against Delphia's side, letting themselves rest against her before transforming back.

"Delphia, my friend," Gordan murmured, placing a scarily similar doll beside the violet haired mage, "I'm sure when you awaken, we'll be even greater friends."

Not wishing to waste any more time with the duo, Gauche left, the two following soon after.

* * * * *

"Hey Phia~" Luck cheered as he skipped inside, pouncing onto the bed as he snuggled up against the sleeping mage, much like he'd do back at the hideout when she was hanging around the lounge.

"Oi, careful!" Magna scowled, "The vice-captain's injured!"

Luck laughed, much to the fire user's agitation thinking he was being ignored, when in reality, the blond was careful as he rested his head against the woman's shoulder, watchful for all her injuries and his weight on her.

Magna frowned as he stared down at his pale captain and thought back to the night after his first mission with the rookies. He grimaced as he considered how weak and vulnerable Delphia looked in comparison to her usually confident and aloof disposition. Is this the price you pay for changing fate?

"You better wake up soon, Miss Delphia!" Magna exclaimed, "When you wake up, I'll be way stronger! Be prepared for that!"

"Haha~ In that case, I'll be even stronger!" Luck declared, snuggling further into his vice-captain, taking in her comforting scent and feeling a ghost of fingers running through his hair, but knowing no gentle hands will be doing so anytime soon.

"No way! I'll be stronger!"

* * * * *

Noelle greeted her sleeping vice-captain, sitting quietly by her bedside. Hesitantly, she took Delphia's limp hand in her own, squeezing it gently.

Asta followed Noelle, copying her actions on the opposite side of the bed. The two didn't have anything to say, having already made their promises the day she was attacked. Yami sighed, watching the two rookies in silence before turning his gaze on the mage he had given the role as his vice-captain to in full trust and pride.

"Oi, Phia, you better surpass your limits now," Yami drawled dully, though his eyes glinted, "We're all doing good here, so you better hurry up and wake up, or you'll miss out on the best parts."

* * * * *

Vanessa entered next with Charmy carrying a large platter of food in front of her and Finral trailing behind.

"Phia~ We brought lots of nummies~" Charmy chirped.

Taking a seat on the bed beside Delphia, Vanessa took out a hairbrush and began methodically combing through the mage's violet hair, careful to not tug on the loose curls, starting from the bottom and making her way to the top.

"Mou Phia~ Your hair is such a mess," Vanessa moaned, though she was happy to do the younger woman's hair for her, knowing how she usually just left it as it was, stating she had no time to really take care of herself when asked about her messy hair.

Vanessa's eyes were soft and sad as she paused in her work, staring at the woman who had slowly become like a little sister for her. Even if Delphia was the responsible one, even she needed someone to take care of her.

"When you wake up, let's go out for a drink, okay?" The witch smiled, brushing violet hair back with her fingers before putting the brush away.

Seeing Finral standing by the door awkwardly, Vanessa quickly dragged Charmy out with her, knowing the little woman was only stuffing her face with the food she brought for Delphia.

The spatial user nodded his thanks as Vanessa winked, closing the door behind her.

Taking a deep breath, Finral carefully arranged the bouquet of flowers he had gotten for Delphia, replacing the wilted ones that were already available in the room. He blinked, fingers brushing over an already set up chessboard that had one of the pawns moved forward before focusing on his task.

Taking a seat, the spatial user took her hand gently in his, resting his cheek against it. He closed his eyes, breathing shakily as he took in the silence surrounding them.

"I don't really know how you can be all-knowing but so oblivious," Finral murmured, "It's been the same since we were kids. You seemed to know everything, but you never let anyone carry that burden with you... When you wake up... I hope I can help lighten that weight. I'm not a good fighter, and I never will be. I could never fight your battles for you... but I can do this much."

* * * * *

Fuegoleon and Nozel watched Delphia vigilantly from their seats. Fuegoleon didn't show any signs of embarrassment as he held Delphia's hand in his own, tracing along the creases and fleetingly admiring how small her hand was on his own.

Seeing how open his rival was with their third member, Nozel decided to allow himself his moment of reprieve as he moved to braid Delphia's already smoothed and brushed hair.

"I'm unsure if you can see what we're doing, but do not believe for a moment I have gotten soft or am giving you leeway," Nozel warned.

"I will have to agree with Nozel, my Lupa," Fuegoleon chuckled, squeezing Delphia's hand gently. "I believe you won't be leaving our sights for a long while once you awaken."

The captains tensed as the door was opened, quickly removing their hands from their violet haired mage as two teens came peeking in. Noelle winced as she met her brother's eyes.

"Oh! It's the Captain of the Silver Eagles and Crimson Lions!" Asta awed, "We didn't think you were both still here!"

Fuegoleon nodded his head in acknowledgment, "Asta, I had thought the guards restricted Delphia's visitors to three."

"They did!" Asta agreed as he entered, Noelle following after, "But they're switching guards, so no one was there!"

Nozel and Fuegoleon's eyes narrowed, shoulders tense as they were informed in the lapse of security. They'll be sure to notify Lord Julius of this failure. As the two were about to speak up, the door was slammed open once more. Noelle and Asta jumped, turning to the door in surprise.

Seeing the new visitor, Nozel's eyes widened as he and Fuegoleon rose in shock, their chairs nearly falling at their abrupt motion.

Noelle's mouth dropped in astonishment while Asta stared between the guest and royals in confusion.

"S-Sir!" Fuegoleon straightened, bowing his head in greeting.

"Hey, Noelle," Asta whispered, albeit loudly, "Who's the old guy?"

The elder royals winced while Noelle smiled shyly at the man, much to Asta's surprise.

"Welcome back, Lord Rotta," She greeted with a curtsy.

Asta blinked. Rotta? Turning his head to his vice-captain, then the man, then Noelle, he repeated the cycle as the words finally processed in his head.

"EHHHHH?!"

- - - - - - - - - -

OMAKE: Mixer

Gauche scowled, but the thought of money quickly urged him to follow through with this ridiculous mixer. "Gauche Adlai. 19." He paused in thought before his eyes practically began to sparkle as he took out a picture of his precious Marie. "And this is my goddess, my little sister Marie! The most beautiful girl in the world!"

Asta balked, mentally sending his apologies to Finral at failing to contain the sis-con.

He blinked in confusion as one of the girls, Erica he tried to remember, perked up, sifting through her purse as she took out a picture of her own.

"You carry pictures of your sibling too!" She grinned as she held up a photo of a young boy with similar looks to her, "Isn't he just adorable~ My handsome little angel, Gabriel~" She cooed.

Asta and the two other girls stared in shock, while Luck laughed as the two blabbered on, praising their siblings. Ugh... a sis-con and bro-con...

"Your sister is cute, but my Gabriel is the cutest~"

Guache froze as if he was struck by lightning. His eyes narrowed at the woman, jaw clenching.

"Hmph, don't joke around. Anyone with eyes would definitely say Marie is the cutest!"

"No, Gabriel!"

"Marie!"

The group could only sweatdrop as they slowly broke into their own groups and left the two to their own devices. Ah truly... what a match. 

- - - - - - - - - -

A/N A bit late but's it here! I made it longer (4,000+) and added a little omake at the end to make up for it. Hope you like it!

I changed my username! Islander with vowels replaced with numbers, but to make it easier I go my ISLE MAIA or ISLA for short. Welcome to the Island to new readers and old~ 

Question: What is your ultimate anime go to? (Gotta say OHSHC cuz it's something I always rewatch since I was a kid) 

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UPDATED: 20/07/20