Hyberion nodded solemnly. "You could say that. As one of the Ten Wizard Saints, it was only natural for Lent not to ignore a distress call. While covering the retreat of those fleeing mages, he fought the creature alone… and fell in battle. In the end, only one of those mages survived."
The room fell quiet.
"After that fight, two-thirds of the Moonlit Watch Guild were wiped out. Even their Guild Master never returned. With its strength crippled, the guild disbanded soon after."
At the mention of a guild's downfall, everyone present glanced instinctively toward Makarov and Rhodes. Fairy Tail had endured more disasters than most, its survival truly bordered on miraculous. Perhaps this resilience was the true foundation of a great guild.
Makarov's voice was heavy. "For it to be that brutal… an enemy even Lent couldn't defeat? What kind of 'sea monster' was it?"
Hyberion leaned back, his expression grim. "According to the sole survivor, the so-called 'sea monster' was no ordinary beast. He couldn't say what it truly was, but I suspect it may have been a Demon. The most alarming detail… is that it didn't fight alone. It had companions. I believe it may be connected to Tartaros, the Gates of the Underworld."
Wolfheim slammed the table with his fist. "What?! That cursed guild?! Don't tell me they've been reviving Demons from Zeref's books!"
"I said it's only my speculation," Hyberion replied calmly, sipping his milk before continuing. "After the incident, I went to Bellum myself to investigate. The 'monster' was already gone, but the traces left behind carried a distinct aura, one I have only ever felt from Zeref's Demons."
Jura's brow furrowed. "The last pillar of the Balam Alliance… Tartaros." He recalled the dossiers the Council had released: Oración Seis with their Six Demon Generals, Grimoire Heart with its dangerous Lost Magic, and Tartaros… assassins who were themselves Demons born from Zeref's books.
The names rose unbidden: Deliora, destroyed sixteen years ago. The Demon Carniber, slain seven years back. And now… another.
"Where are those bastards hiding?!" Wolfheim had already risen to his feet, itching for battle. "Since we're all here, why not tear their base apart right now?"
"Unfortunately, we have no idea where they are," Hyberion said with a weary shake of his head. For all his strength, he could not fight an enemy that left no trail.
Warrod, uncharacteristically serious, spoke next. "That guild has always been like smoke. Their location is unknown, their members a mystery, their goals unclear. If they didn't surface now and then to cause calamity, I'd almost doubt they truly existed at all."
Rhodes reflected on what little he actually knew about Tartaros, the Gates of the Underworld. Beyond the name and their connection to the Balam Alliance, he realized he knew almost nothing concrete.
With that in mind, he asked, "Wouldn't Oración Seis or Grimoire Heart, since they're also part of the Balam Alliance, know anything about them?"
Hyberion, Wolfheim, and Jura paused to consider the question. Almost instinctively, all three turned their eyes toward Warrod and Makarov.
Oración Seis would be easy enough to reach, except for their Guild Master, most of the Six Demon Generals were rotting in Council prisons. As for Grimoire Heart, however… only Fairy Tail could answer that.
Makarov didn't attempt to hide his guild's history. "Precht never spoke of anything like that to us. And now… I don't even know how to contact him."
Warrod chuckled softly. "He never mentioned it to me either."
Hyberion and Jura both believed them. But Wolfheim's suspicious glare lingered on Warrod, as though ready to say, 'Don't tell me you're about to laugh and claim he actually did.'
Yet Warrod only chuckled again, lifted what looked like a showerhead-shaped kettle, and poured water straight into his mouth as though it were tea, saying nothing more.
Hyberion finally broke the silence. "In any case, I'll speak with the Council and see if we can extract anything from the imprisoned members of Oración Seis regarding the Gates of the Underworld."
Just then, a knock came at the door. Everyone turned to see a man dressed like a waiter bowing nervously. "Excuse me, the food is ready. May I bring it in?"
"As the host, I insist," Hyberion replied. "Bring it in, we may as well have lunch."
"Yes, sir." The waiter bowed again and quickly left. Moments later, three attendants entered, pushing in food carts.
The servers moved stiffly, their eyes betraying nerves. They weren't mages themselves, but anyone in Bosco had at least heard of the Wizard Saints. To serve six of them gathered in one place? That was something most people couldn't even imagine.
Hyberion introduced the dishes for their sake. "I ordered the house specialties: Bosco giant lizard steak, Valeri smoked bacon with bamboo shoots, and Strim pine mushroom soup. It's the best combination this inn offers. If you'd like other drinks, feel free to order."
He swirled the glass in his hand as he spoke. Of course, it was filled with milk, not wine.
Makarov wasted no time requesting Bosco's finest red wine.
Wolfheim ordered the strongest liquor on the list. Jura quietly requested sake.
Warrod, ever eccentric, said he'd take tea, but in truth was still happily gulping down plain water from that showerhead kettle.
When it came to Rhode's turn, he simply waved his hand dismissively, signaling he didn't need anything. He thought it unwise to drink while out on official business, soup was plenty.
At worst, mushroom soup could be poisoned, but alcohol? That could actually get him drunk.
As he ate, savoring the surprisingly fine lunch, Rhodes silently reviewed the discussions from before the meal. Soon, though, his thoughts began to drift, wandering to what Mira might be doing back at home.
The answer was simple, she was babysitting.
After several days of idleness, Alzack and Bisca had finally decided to take on a mission. Asuka was still far too young to bring along, so they had no choice but to ask their guildmates to help watch her.
And Mira, who had been arriving late at the guild these past two days, spending her time sketching or giggling to herself, seemed the perfect candidate.
Bisca leaned over curiously to peek at Mira's paper and caught sight of two figures, one tall and one short. "What's this?"
The sudden voice startled Mira, and she instinctively covered her "masterpiece." But then, deciding there was nothing to hide, she smiled sweetly and admitted, "I'm trying to design a dress."
"Ohh…" Bisca drew out the sound, then gave the figures another glance. Her expression grew a little complicated. "So… this is you and Rhodes?"
"Mm." Mira nodded happily. Remembering that the woman beside her was already married, she asked eagerly, "What did you wear when you got married?"
Bisca laughed. "Just a simple wedding dress and suit. I've got a photo album at home, 'll bring it for you tomorrow."
She said it was ordinary, but clearly, it must have been beautiful. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so eager to show it off.
"Okay!" Mira's eyes sparkled with interest at the thought of seeing Bisca's wedding photos. Then she pushed the paper toward her. "What do you think of my design?"
"Well…" Bisca hesitated, recalling all the times she'd been forced to "evaluate" Erza's armor sketches years ago. "It looks very well done. Honestly, it feels as good as one of Erza's armor designs."
"Really? Really?" Mira's smile bloomed like sunlight. Erza's armor and outfits were always so beautiful, it felt like too much praise, but Mira's joy was genuine.
Bisca, meanwhile, felt a twinge of guilt… though with her chest swelling proudly, that pang of conscience quickly faded.
Taking advantage of Mira's happy mood, she added quickly, "In that case, could I ask you to look after Asuka for a while?"
Mira readily agreed without hesitation.