Chapter 281

Assault on the Kingdom (王国への強襲) is the 281st Page of Yūki Tabata's Black Clover.

Summary
Zenon Zogratis explains that a demon is born from a person's hatred and the power of the underworld, and that long agoin the Spade Kingdom, two royal youths who had phenomenally strong magic became demons after their friendly rivalry turned into hatred. The two fought each other but were sealed away, and House Grinberryall were guarding the two ancient demons until the Dark Triad woke the demons and released them. Zenon then asks Yuno and Langris Vaude if the Clover Kingdom will be able to protect itself with so many of their mages away. Outside of the Spade Castle, Mereoleona Vermillion notices that the demon is absorbing mana through its wings and increasing its power.

At the Clover Kingdom, Julius thinks about how he is no match against the demon with the way he is right now. He figures that he will need time to release his full power and thinks about how the others will have to hold on until he is done. He then asks for Damnatio Kira's assistance and apologizes for the imposition since Damnatio is not a Magic Knight. As the demon charges toward the Royal Capital, the citizens flee in panic. Suddenly Kaiser Granvorka, with the assistance of several Purple Orcas, blocks the demon's path with Area Helix. As the Purple Orcas struggle to hold the barrier, the Blue Roses, Green Mantises, and Crimson Lions evacuate the citizens. In Clover Castle, King Augustus Kira Clover XIII pleads for someone to stop the demon. The demon prepares to attack the castle, so Kirsch Vermillion and Nebra Silva use their Magic Cherry Blossom Storm of Petals and Transient Illusion spells to block the demon's sight. As the demon fires its blast, Solid Silva's Sea Serpent's Bellow diverts the blast into a wall, but is frustrated that he is not capable of more, even after six months of training his magic. The demon overwhelms the Magic Knights, dispersing their spells and knocking them down.

The demon fires another beam, but Damnatio shrinks the attack and notices that the blast is too powerful to negate it completely. As Julius blocks the rest of the beam, Damnatio notes that the only way to fight this phenomenal magic is to strike back with equally phenomenal magic. The citizens recognize Julius's magic and see him overhead in his adult body. As the people are glad to see the Magic Emperor, Julius thinks about how he was able to advance body by ten years, although his time and abilities are limited. Julius and Damnatio then combine their magic to attack the demon, but Julius ends up reverting to his child form during the attack. Julius is shocked that he is out of time already, while Damnatio struggles to hold the demon in place. The demon then prepares to fire a large blast; however, Asta suddenly arrives and drives Black Divider into the charging mana. He then unites with Liebe.