In Black Clover, the tragic massacre of the Elf tribe was a major turning point, caused by the devil Zagred. Zagred had a sinister plan to turn Licht’s four-leaf grimoire into a five-leaf clover grimoire. This transformation would allow him to take control of Licht by turning him into a dark elf, which was part of Zagred’s grand scheme to break into the living world.
Zagred’s ultimate goal was to manifest in the human world, either by possessing a dark elf or by using magic stones to summon his own body from the underworld. To make this happen, he manipulated the royals, spreading hatred and prejudice against the elves, which eventually led to their betrayal and massacre during Licht and Tetia’s wedding.
During this tragic event, Licht’s grimoire was corrupted into a five-leaf version. This new grimoire was meant to turn Licht into a dark elf, but Licht fought back and resisted the transformation. Instead, he became a demon. Ultimately, Lumiere defeated him in battle, and Secre Swallowtail sealed Zagred away before he could claim the corrupted grimoire for himself.
However, Zagred wasn’t entirely finished. Using the magic stones, he cast a spell that trapped the souls of the elves, keeping them in a state of suspended reincarnation. Centuries later, Zagred was able to take over Ronne’s body and used the stones to bring forth his original form.
Zagred’s plan was all about gaining power in the living world, where he could cause chaos. His cruelty didn’t just wipe out the Elf tribe—it also changed the course of history in the Black Clover universe. If Zagred hadn’t interfered, the Clover Kingdom might have embraced the Elf tribe, which would have completely shifted the kingdom’s power structure.
The massacre, though devastating, also set up several key events in the story. For example, Asta and Liebe eventually obtain Licht’s corrupted five-leaf grimoire and swords, giving them a crucial edge in their own battles. Additionally, Secre Swallowtail’s long life allowed her to later help the Black Bulls centuries after the massacre.
Zagred’s actions didn’t just destroy the elves; they set in motion the rise of the Wizard Kings and the redefined power balance within the Clover Kingdom. His schemes, while eventually thwarted, left deep scars that shaped the characters and events in Black Clover for generations to come.