A thunderous wave of screams echoed through the guild, followed by the rumble of heavy footsteps pounding against the cobblestones outside.
Then, a towering figure stepped into view, framed by the entrance like a looming shadow. Slung over their shoulder was a massive demonic horn, emanating an aura of sheer pressure that sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"W-Wait a second, Erza... is this the person Natsu mentioned earlier?"
Lucy caught sight of the startled expressions on everyone's faces. Just the tension in the air made her mind conjure an image of some monstrous beast spewing fire and kicking over mountains.
"There's always a bit of debate about who the strongest person in the guild is," Mira said as she walked over with her usual gentle smile, "but Erza is definitely the strongest woman in Fairy Tail."
Honestly, Lucy would've preferred not knowing that. The moment Mira said it, she felt her knees weaken. She couldn't help but recall Laxus's menacing face from yesterday the one who loudly proclaimed himself the strongest and nearly turned the guild upside down.
And now, someone even scarier was about to walk in?
Before Lucy could process it all, the sharp clack of steel boots echoed against the floor and then, bam! Something heavy hit the ground with a thud that made the floor tremble slightly.
"W-Wait a minute... She's gorgeous..."
Taking the chance to peek, Lucy finally laid eyes on the one who had stirred up so much fear. What she saw caught her completely off guard.
It was a woman. A wizard clad head to toe in shining armor, her long crimson hair flowing behind her like a banner. Her sharp, commanding eyes sparkled with unmistakable confidence.
This… this wasn't the flame-spewing monster Lucy had imagined. Not at all.
All the newcomers in the guild exchanged looks, sighing silently in their hearts.
So much for Natsu's terrifying description...
"I'm back. Is Master around?" Erza asked calmly, her voice strong and clear as she stood tall at the guild's center.
Erza's firm voice rang out through the heavy silence of the guild like a blade slicing through fog.
"Welcome back," Mira replied with her usual gentle smile. "As Master mentioned earlier, he and Chase headed to Kulubara Town for the regular council meeting."
"I see... so not just Master, even Chase isn't here." Erza's gaze sharpened slightly, her demeanor turning more serious.
A curious guild member cautiously raised a finger and pointed at the massive object Erza had dragged in.
"Um, Erza... what's that thing next to you?"
"That?" Erza glanced sideways at it. "It's the horn of a monster I defeated. The locals gave it to me as a gift."
Then her eyes narrowed slightly. "What, is it in the way?"
"N-No! Not at all!" The man flinched, frantically shaking his head in fear.
Erza took a few steps forward, her armored boots clicking as she moved.
"On my way back, I heard about what all of you have been up to."
A cold hush fell over the guild once again as Erza's intense stare swept across the room like a sword unsheathed.
"Kana! A young lady shouldn't be sitting with her legs wide open while drinking!" she barked.
"Bisca! If you want to dance, take it outside!"
"Wakaba! Your cigarette ash just fell on the table!"
"Makao... honestly…"
Each person named shrank in place like guilty children. Heads bowed. Shoulders hunched.
Makao trembled as if he were walking on a frozen lake. He gave Wakaba a desperate look that screamed: Say something! Say anything!
But before anyone could answer, Erza pressed her fingers against her temple and sighed deeply.
"Forget it. I have more important matters to handle today, so I'll let you all off for now."
Lucy blinked in silence. You just gave a whole lecture…
Still, after that little "greeting," Lucy had a clearer idea of what kind of presence this S-Class wizard held in the guild.
She might as well be in charge of the guild's moral conduct... like a walking rulebook in armor.
"Where are Natsu and Gray?" Erza asked suddenly.
"Right here!" a familiar voice called out.
"Aye, sir~!" Happy chimed in with his usual cheer.
Gray and Natsu immediately threw their arms around each other in an exaggerated hug, responding in perfect unison.
The sight was so shockingly wholesome that Lucy's jaw nearly hit the floor.
Since when did those two get along so well?!
"I see," Erza said with a nod, her tone softening. "Seeing that your friendship hasn't changed puts my heart at ease."
But then, her eyes narrowed again, and her voice took on a far more serious edge.
"On my way back, I heard some troubling news. I had planned to speak with Master about it, but it seems there's no time. This matter needs to be dealt with immediately."
Her gaze swept over Natsu and Gray.
"Chase isn't here either, so you two will come with me."
At those words, the entire guild exploded into murmurs.
What kind of urgent situation could make Erza skip the usual formalities?
She didn't elaborate, simply instructing Natsu and Gray to meet her at Magnolia Station the following morning.
Faced with her iron will, even a grumbling Natsu couldn't protest. He crossed his arms with a pout, but still gave a reluctant nod.
He knew better than to say no to Erza.
Meanwhile, in the quiet town of Kulubara, a small mansion stood at the end of a winding forest path.
With its medieval towers and ivy-covered stone walls, the castle-like building served as the venue for the regular gathering of guild masters.
After presenting credentials to the gate guards, Makarov and Chase were escorted through the front entrance into the meeting hall.
The meeting hadn't officially begun, but the hall was already buzzing with activity. Guild masters from all over Fiore had arrived early, forming small clusters as they chatted and exchanged news.
Chase took a quick look around.
Most of the faces were familiar seasoned masters he had seen before but there were quite a few newcomers as well. Unfamiliar robes, unfamiliar guild crests.
Looks like a lot has changed while I was away on that ten-year mission, Chase thought to himself.
As he and Makarov entered, the conversations around the room suddenly quieted. Heads turned. Eyes tracked him.
Some of the masters whispered to each other behind fans or over teacups.
A few even pulled out newspapers with the day's hottest headlines, sneaking glances at the printed image and comparing it to the tall young man standing beside Makarov.
"Hey! Isn't that Chase from Fairy Tail?"
Unlike the many guild masters standing back and observing from a distance, three presidents each with their own distinct flair stepped forward to greet him directly.
They were Bob of Blue Pegasus, Goodman of Four Hounds, and Oba Barbossa of Lamia Scale.
These three guilds had long enjoyed friendly ties with Fairy Tail.
"Presidents," Chase greeted them with a warm smile. "It's been a while."
"I heard all about the incident on Demon Ruins Island," Bob chimed in, his voice sing-song and syrupy. "Compared to last year, little Chase's charm has bloomed even more~"
The flamboyant and slightly unsettling guild master of Blue Pegasus wasted no time in strutting up to Chase, striking a pose and inching far too close.
Chase instinctively recoiled. Every hair on his body stood on end.
Why does it always have to be this guy?!
If Bob weren't a fellow guild master someone to be respected Chase would have seriously considered summoning his fists into battle mode on the spot.
"Hahaha! Looks like everyone's heard about Chase's heroics, huh?" Makarov puffed out his chest proudly. "You see that? That's our Fairy Tail wizard right there!"
He placed both hands on his hips and laughed heartily. "No offense, but compared to us, you all still have a long way to go!"
Makarov never cared much for what the media said about Fairy Tail good or bad. But in front of these long-time friends? There was no way he was letting a chance to brag pass him by.
"Huh? Wait a minute, Chase, who's this guy?"
Goodman, president of the Four Hounds, squinted suspiciously at Makarov, who was currently dressed in a sleek black suit. His four loyal dogs no, hounds circled his feet lazily.
Chase didn't respond.
Instead, he silently walked up to Makarov and gently adjusted the black formal hat perched crookedly on the old man's head.
"...It's Makarov!!" the three presidents shouted at once.
The three presidents all jumped at once, eyes wide and faces blank with shock.
Oba Barbossa, the eccentric president of Lamia Scale, was so startled she began spinning in circles right where she stood.
Their over-the-top reactions left Chase wondering whether they were truly face-blind… or just messing with Makarov on purpose.
"You brats! Don't play dumb with me!" Makarov roared, clearly more familiar with their antics than Chase was.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry! I didn't recognize you for a second," Goodman chuckled, scratching his head sheepishly.
"That sharp black suit reminded me of my younger days… Oh, how handsome I used to be. I'm blushing just thinking about it~" Bob cooed, pressing his pudgy hands to his cheeks in a gesture that was, frankly, hard to watch.
"Help! I can't stop spinning!" Oba cried out, having apparently turned herself into a one-woman whirlwind.
Thanks to the arrival of Makarov and Chase, the previously quiet guild meeting hall had erupted into a storm of laughter and energy.
But while the room bustled with joyful noise, one corner remained cloaked in tension.
There, a broad-shouldered man leaned against a marble pillar, arms folded tightly across his chest. His hardened expression and wild, pupil-less eyes resembled those of a furious tiger stalking prey.
His intense gaze never left Chase.
That brat… because of him, Minerva's heart softened again! The compassion she had long buried started to surface once more!
Despite being on the verge of mastering the forbidden Magic of the Eighteen Battle Gods, and standing at the threshold of becoming the strongest in Fiore, Chase still dared to interfere.
The man's lip curled into a snarl.
Fairy Tail… you've got some nerve.
He clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his arms bulging.
The man was none other than Jermain, Guild Master of Saber Tooth and he had not forgotten what Chase had done on Demon Ruins Island.
Ever since Minerva returned, she had spoken less of domination and victory, and more about mercy. Even after Jermain struck her on the head in frustration, she continued to praise the wizards from other guilds, especially Fairy Tail.
His pride as her father and as a master was burning.
Just then, Chase's eyes narrowed slightly. He had clearly sensed it.
That murderous aura.
It was intense, unfiltered, and aimed squarely at him.
He turned slowly toward the source of the bloodlust, instantly recognizing the man based on his rugged build and distinct attire.
What a surprise. So Saber Tooth showed up at the meeting too?
A faint, knowing smile curled at Chase's lips.
Under the curious gazes of Makarov, Bob, Goodman, and the still-dizzy Barbossa, Chase calmly began walking toward Jermain.
Keep supporting me with you comments and if you like the story please drop a power stone and your support is very much appreciated. Please do support my new Fanfiction "Naruto: Dream of the Uchiha Flame"
Want to read, chapters ahead , share your fandom thoughts, or just fuel my translation caffeine habit? or if you want to support me please Join me on Patreon here! :
patreon.com/Keep_ItUp