"Buzz~"
Just then, the magic crystal in front of King Toma lit up.
A figure appeared in the crystal projection, it was the captain of Fiore's border knights.
"Your Majesty!"
The captain dropped to one knee immediately upon seeing the king.
"At ease. What's the status at the front?"
King Toma asked calmly from his throne.
"Your Majesty, Lord Evan has already ended the war!"
"It only took a single exchange! I didn't even see it clearly, but the entire enemy force, the whole million-strong army, including all their generals… they're all down!"
"We now have 1.3 million prisoners of war. What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
The knight commander's tone trembled with excitement as he recounted the moment Evan unleashed his overwhelming aura and changed the very color of the sky.
"Eh? Prisoners? Let them go!"
"It's almost New Year's, let the soldiers go home. As for the generals and mages, detain them. Contact the Council and send them to BLACKVOX. I doubt those nations are crazy enough to try attacking the Council's prison…"
King Toma nodded lightly. His expression was calm, as if Evan defeating a million soldiers in one move was perfectly natural.
"As you command!"
The knight commander stood tall and bowed respectfully to the king.
"Mm…"
"Everyone, well done. Happy New Year."
King Toma raised his glass high.
"To serve Fiore and His Majesty is our greatest duty!"
The knight commander straightened proudly. To be toasted by the king himself, what an honor!
"Buzz~"
The magic crystal flickered and then faded out.
"Everyone, you heard that clearly?"
King Toma turned to the assembled ministers and generals seated in the hall.
His voice was quiet, but firm. It echoed clearly through the entire hall.
"This…"
The ministers glanced at one another in disbelief. The report they'd just heard seemed absurd. Could Evan Belserion, number one of the Ten Wizard Saints, really be that strong? Defeating a million-man army in a single move?!
"Continue the music, continue the dance!"
King Toma ignored their expressions. With a serene face, he gave his command.
Immediately…
The musicians resumed playing. Elegant dancers began their exotic performances once more.
"Hisui, you saw that. This is the power of a mage. The strength of one individual can be limitless. That's why I insist you study magic."
"No matter how clever your strategies are, in the face of absolute power, they're nothing. No amount of scheming can beat a strong enough fist."
"The reason the Wizard Saints command respect across the continent isn't because they represent the Council, it's because they're truly powerful. Powerful enough to crush entire nations."
King Toma turned to Hisui. Gone was the usual jovial air, his eyes were deep, like an abyss, as he spoke seriously to his only heir.
"Father, I understand now…"
Sweat beaded on Hisui's forehead. She nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of her father's words.
At last, she understood why he always told her to stop reading about politics and study magic instead.
Because in this world, there really were individuals whose power could break the rules and overturn reality.
"Good."
King Toma nodded at her thoughtfully. He said no more.
Some truths Hisui would have to grasp on her own. After all, this kingdom belonged to her future. He was growing old, and wouldn't always be there.
Let her ponder the path forward herself.
"Buzz~"
Just then, the communication crystal in front of King Toma lit up again.
"Yo, King Toma. Something came up on my end, I'll have to skip the victory banquet."
Evan's figure appeared in the magical communication crystal before King Toma. He was smiling as he spoke.
"Haha, don't worry, go take care of your business."
"What's happening here isn't important. I've already heard what happened at the border. Thank you for your help…"
King Toma's expression immediately shifted as he looked at Evan through the crystal. Smiling warmly, he responded courteously.
"No need to mention it. It was just a small favor. I'll hang up now, I've got things to do."
With that, Evan ended the transmission. His image vanished from the crystal in front of King Toma.
"Heh…"
King Toma chuckled softly. Holding his wineglass, he remained calm, his eyes filled with hope for the future of the Kingdom of Fiore.
On the other end…
After finishing his call with King Toma, Evan returned to the Fairy Tail guild.
"Erza~"
Evan scanned the guild hall until his eyes locked onto a girl with long, beautiful scarlet hair and a lovely, noble face.
"Evan-nii?"
Hearing Evan's voice, the girl turned around, her eyes filled with mild confusion.
"Erza, how about a trip? I've found a great place for sightseeing~"
Evan recalled that the Kingdom of Stella, home to the reclusive dragon, was a famous tourist destination, popular with travelers from many lands.
"Okay!"
Erza didn't expect Evan to invite her on a trip. Her eyes lit up with joy as she nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright, next let's go find Irene."
"It's been a while since our family took a trip together. This is the perfect chance for some time away."
Evan had already planned everything before inviting Erza.
Honestly, ever since joining Fairy Tail, trouble just kept piling up, and he'd barely had time to go out on a peaceful trip with Erza and Irene like they used to.
Now that the kingdom housing the reclusive dragon was also a tourist hotspot, Evan decided it was the perfect opportunity for a Belserion family vacation.
"Yay! It's been so long since I went on a trip with Mom and Brother~"
Erza nodded eagerly. Ever since joining Fairy Tail, she'd been constantly fighting or rushing toward her next battle. Sure, she'd gained friends and bonds…
But she had also lost a lot of time with her brother and mother.
A long-awaited trip with them sounded like a dream.
Having agreed on their destination, Evan and Erza headed to the Scarlet Empress Magical Item Shop, where Irene was.
With joy in their hearts, Evan and Erza pushed open the shop's door, only to be greeted by an unexpected sight,
Two stunningly beautiful, elegant women, sitting inside and clearly locked in a quiet standoff.
One had moonlit blonde hair, voluptuous curves, and a sultry expression.
The other had vivid crimson hair and a face nearly identical to Erza's, a grown-up version, really.
Yes, those two women were none other than Irene and Selene, the Moon Dragon from the world of Elentear.
"Oho~"
"Little Erza and Evan are here~"
"Aren't you happy to see big sis paying your family a visit?"
Hearing the chime of the door, Selene turned her head. Her foxlike eyes sparkled as she smiled sweetly at them.
"Sorry for the interruption~"
Evan smiled and gently closed the door behind him.
A light breeze blew past, gently nudging the door open again.
"Oho~"
"Little Evan, so heartless. It's not like I'll eat you~"
"Well, I wouldn't mind if you wanted me to…"
Selene licked the corner of her lips with a playful, pink tongue and gave Evan a teasing look.
"Maybe… we should come back later?"
Evan glanced at Erza, asking in a low voice.
"Eh? Uh… okay…"
Erza hesitated briefly before nodding. In moments like this, it was best to follow her brother's lead.
"Since you're already here, you might as well sit down."
Just as Evan and Erza were preparing to tactically retreat, Irene, who was seated across from Selene, elegantly sipping tea with her legs crossed, finally spoke.
"Uh…"
"Well… alright."
Caught off guard by Irene's invitation, Evan gave a faint, helpless smile and led Erza into the shop.
"Hmph~"
Irene's lips curled up as they walked in, her expression seemed to say, "See that, you shameless blonde bi**? Evan is my child, of course he listens to me!"
"Click."
Selene smacked her lips. This round, it seemed she had lost.
"So, Erza, Evan, what brings you here today?"
Irene ignored Selene's pout and looked warmly at Evan and Erza, speaking with the gentle poise of a powerful, loving mother.
"Well…"
"Irene, are you sure this is the best place to talk about it?"
Evan hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at her.
"Haha, don't worry~"
"There's no one else here. Even if you say it in front of this lewd dragon, it's no big deal~"
Irene smiled calmly, completely unbothered.
"Mom, I think it's better if we wait a bit before discussing it."
Erza joined in, trying to reason with her mother.
"Hmm?"
Irene raised an elegant brow, clearly thinking it over.
"Sniff, sniff…"
"So you never really saw me as family… even though I have the same mark as you…"
Sigh "I guess I was just fooling myself~"
Selene sniffled dramatically, putting on a full theatrical performance of heartbreak.
"Go ahead. It's fine."
Irene shot Selene a disgusted glance before turning back to Evan.
"Well, here's the deal. I've discovered another dragon in Ishgar."
"But this one's hiding in a country called Stella."
"So I plan to go and have a little chat with it. Also, since the Kingdom of Stella is a famous tourist destination known for its crystals…"
Evan explained the real reason for his visit as he sat beside Irene.
"Tourism? I love tourism!"
Before Irene could respond, Selene immediately brightened up and clapped with joy.
"..."
Irene went silent for a moment.
Now she understood why Evan hadn't wanted to bring this up earlier, it was obviously supposed to be a family trip with just him and Erza.