"Talk big once you manage to escape. The kingdom's strongest executioners are here!" Princess Jade spoke with a commanding presence before cutting off the communication.
"Damn it! That princess really knows how to get under my skin!" Calvin clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead as anger surged. He felt an overwhelming urge to give her the same punishment Pascal had endured.
As for his earlier declaration of destroying the castle, it was mostly bluster. Though furious, Calvin hadn't lost his composure entirely. His goal was to prevent the release of the dragon horde, not to overthrow an entire kingdom.
"But who are these 'strongest executioners' she mentioned? Could it be those five sneaky guys lurking around?" Calvin glanced toward a hidden area. When he arrived, he'd sensed the presence of five individuals with considerable strength.
However, he still couldn't detect the future Rogue, who had followed him into the pit.
"Forget it. I need to figure out how to get out of here first. But what should I do afterward? If I get close to the Eclipse Gate, I won't be able to use magic. Am I really going to have to resort to kidnapping the princess?"
The profound misunderstanding between Calvin and Princess Jade revolved primarily around their differing views on the Eclipse Gate. Both were aware that a massive horde of dragons was coming, but Calvin was convinced they would emerge from the Eclipse Gate, while Princess Jade believed Rogue's future self.
Or perhaps, deep down, Princess Jade simply refused to invalidate the plan she had worked on for years.
If she admitted that Calvin's theory was correct, everything she had worked on would be a complete joke. Her pride wouldn't allow for that.
Her status as royalty shaped her personality. Though she tried to present herself as approachable, she had an undeniable air of superiority.
After Calvin had been thrown into the Naraku Palace, the castle went into motion. Upon learning about the imminent dragon threat, the king immediately summoned all the mages in Crocus and explained the situation.
Of course, not everything was revealed, but the impending dragon attack and the castle's plan to use the Eclipse Cannon to strike them down were made clear.
Summoning all the mages wasn't about fighting over 10,000 dragons head-on. It was merely a precaution in case some dragons slipped through the Eclipse Cannon's barrage.
"Could Calvin's theory be wrong? Maybe the dragons aren't coming through the Eclipse Gate?" Hearing the king's confident speech, even Makarov doubted Calvin's earlier warnings. After all, no matter how convincing Calvin's reasoning was, it was still just a theory.
Now that the kingdom was preparing for the dragon invasion, and the preparations seemed thorough, plus the Eclipse Gate was no longer being used for time travel, Makarov felt unsure.
Yet, there was still a sense of unease gnawing at him. He couldn't help but ask the king, "Your Majesty, the princess summoned Calvin earlier. Do you know where he is now? His strength will be crucial for the upcoming battle."
Makarov wanted to discuss everything with Calvin in detail, as his doubts about the Eclipse Gate had not completely dissipated.
"The princess has already discussed everything with Calvin. He will be guarding the Eclipse Cannon until it's fully operational, preventing any enemies from taking advantage," the king replied seriously. This was a lie meant to appease Makarov, but it sounded convincing and logical.
Makarov wasn't sure if Calvin would agree so quickly, considering he had always opposed using the Eclipse Gate. However, Calvin might have changed his mind.
Pressing the king for more information didn't seem wise, given the tense situation, as they all prepared for the upcoming battle.
Fortunately, within Fairy Tail, there was one person who could make decisions without drawing too much attention.
"Lucy, Natsu, Mirajane, the three of you should investigate the castle and find out what's going on with Calvin," Mavis instructed calmly.
In this situation, Lucy, a Celestial Spirit mage, was the key, especially with her connection to the Eclipse Gate. Natsu's tenacity and Mirajane's strength would ensure Lucy's safety.
Hearing Mavis's order, the three nodded subtly and slipped away unnoticed, along with their three agile feline companions.
Meanwhile, Dutton efficiently carried out Princess Jade's orders back at the castle. With the help of many soldiers, the Eclipse Gate was successfully moved to the surface, ready to be activated and fire its devastating cannon.
As Princess Jade stood before the imposing gate, her heart raced. Her decision would determine the fate of humanity.
This was a burden she could not easily bear.
"Your Highness, no matter the outcome, I will always be proud of everything you've done," Arcadios said reassuringly from behind, his steady tone comforting Princess Jade.
Clad in gleaming white armor, Arcadios looked imposing and dependable, his presence making her feel braver.
Not only did she have his support, but also that of the defense minister and countless soldiers. Their trust only strengthened her resolve.
"Now, it's up to Rogue to keep Calvin Macaro at bay," she thought.
Calvin wandered around in Naraku Palace for a while, but as expected, he found no way out. The five executioners hiding there also didn't make an appearance.
"Executioners who don't take action… are they just trying to buy time?" Calvin wondered though he didn't feel impatient.
The quiet of Naraku Palace gave him time to think. He didn't believe Princess Jade was just a spoiled, unreasonable person. Yet, her inexplicable hostility toward him remained baffling.
Her plan with the Eclipse Project, no matter the reasoning, was still aimed at defeating Zeref and Acnologia—a goal aligned with humanity's interests. So why couldn't she see the flaws in her plan after Calvin had explained them so clearly? Why was she so determined to stick to her course?
Especially when she learned about the dragon horde coming.
She refused to believe his theory. Was her self-esteem really that fragile?
On top of that, the appearance of the future Rogue was troubling. He was working with the princess. It must have been future Rogue who first informed her about the dragon attack. He might even know where the future Lucy was.
The more Calvin thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He decided it was time to beat down those five executioners hiding nearby, locate future Rogue, smash through the floor above, and confront the princess.
If she still wouldn't listen, he would have no choice but to punish her publicly. And Arcadios would be next in line to face his wrath.