Because he was too ashamed to face his mother Ulu, Gray and Leon found it hard to speak to her, let alone mention Jellal and Meredy.
Feeling lonely and helpless, ultear sought her own path to redemption from Chase someone who didn't follow rules, loved to stir up trouble, and was completely unruly.
"Are you talking about me?"
"Mm."
"How could I be wrong? The only thing wrong is this world!"
"..."
ultear stared wide-eyed at Chase, who didn't seem to be joking at all, then let out a long sigh.
Why did I suddenly have a moment of inspiration and think that Fiore's number-one destroyer could offer something proper...
Just as she was about to end the conversation, she heard Chase change the topic:
"It's impossible to wipe out all the evil in this world. Since you're already carrying sins, why not become a witch and let those who truly deserve punishment taste a little of hell?"
"The so-called 'giving up your life to atone' is just an excuse for cowards to escape. Punishing evil won't erase past crimes, but it can save more people."
Hearing this, ultear's pupils suddenly contracted, and she murmured, "Become a witch..."
"As a member of the Magic Council, isn't that the most fitting form of redemption for you?"
After saying this, Chase didn't speak further. He simply waved at ultear and turned to walk down the village wall.
The guild "Crime Sorcière" was originally a special organization formed by ultear and Jellal after their awakening.
All Chase did was guide ultear toward that path a little earlier.
He believed that since the Tower of Heaven incident had yet to occur and ultear was still a councilor, she might do even better this time.
As for how to face Jellal and the Seven Kin of Purgatory from Grimoire Heart that was something ultear would have to resolve herself.
It wasn't until Chase's figure disappeared down the stairs that ultear snapped out of her daze.
"Chase Lin Edogatang... just who are you really..."
Having made up her mind, she drank the beer in her hand. Her once-confused gaze gradually became firm.
At the same time
In a quiet corner of the demon village, beside a long-extinguished bonfire
The three reunited disciples and master Ulu, Gray, and Leon sat on the ground together.
"So, Ulu, what are your plans from now on?" Leon asked.
Still wearing her cool outfit, Ulu looked up at ultear standing atop the wall.
"Let's head to the northern continent first, visit a few old friends, and learn about how the world has changed along the way.
"After all, I've been gone for so many years. If I don't adapt, I'll be left behind."
Ulu had always been devoted to the path of magic. It was precisely this obsession that once drove ultear's father to leave.
Later, although she "lost" her daughter, she took on two new disciples Gray and Leon and her passion for pursuing magic had gradually faded.
But now, seeing ultear and her two disciples grow into fine mages, her once-frozen heart stirred again with excitement.
"Then… Ulu, will you come back?" Gray asked without thinking.
"Of course! My lovely daughter and my two blockhead disciples are all here, after all," Ulu replied with a smile.
Gray and Leon: "Can you stop adding that ridiculous prefix?!"
"Ahahahaha, it's just a nickname I've always had for you two."
"Damn it, Ulu! You better come back soon! I can't wait to challenge you!" Leon clenched his fists.
Compared to his past fanaticism, those same words now carried a very different tone
Like a student scoring full marks on an exam, eager to show their parents.
"Then I'll be looking forward to it."
As she said this, Ulu looked at Leon with a knowing smile. "By the way, Leon, I noticed something back when we were on the roof of the temple. Actually, you…"
"You're jealous of Gray, aren't you? His guild, his partners… all of it."
"What a joke! Why would I envy him?!" Leon snapped without hesitation.
Ulu reached out and gently ruffled Leon's hair, her smile growing softer. "Still as stubborn as when you were a kid."
Leon's face flushed as she touched him. He turned his head and happened to catch Shirley looking at him fondly from not far away, with Yuka and Toby smiling behind her.
"Hey Leon, guild life is really great!"
Gray, who knew this better than anyone, added the comment right on cue.
"…Fine, I'll think about it," Leon muttered, his tone suddenly flustered. "It's not because I envy Gray or anything! I just want access to better resources. To get stronger. Stronger than you!"
"Yeah, yeah, that's all it is!"
Ulu and Gray exchanged smiles but said nothing.
"Let's head to the northern continent first, visit a few old friends, and learn about how the world has changed along the way.
"After all, I've been gone for so many years. If I don't adapt, I'll be left behind."
Ulu had always been devoted to the path of magic. It was precisely this obsession that once drove ultear's father to leave.
Later, although she "lost" her daughter, she took on two new disciples Gray and Leon and her passion for pursuing magic had gradually faded.
But now, seeing ultear and her two disciples grow into fine mages, her once-frozen heart stirred again with excitement.
"Then… Ulu, will you come back?" Gray asked without thinking.
"Of course! My lovely daughter and my two blockhead disciples are all here, after all," Ulu replied with a smile.
Gray and Leon: "Can you stop adding that ridiculous prefix?!"
"Ahahahaha, it's just a nickname I've always had for you two."
"Damn it, Ulu! You better come back soon! I can't wait to challenge you!" Leon clenched his fists.
Compared to his past fanaticism, those same words now carried a very different tone
Like a student scoring full marks on an exam, eager to show their parents.
"Then I'll be looking forward to it."
As she said this, Ulu looked at Leon with a knowing smile. "By the way, Leon, I noticed something back when we were on the roof of the temple. Actually, you…"
"You're jealous of Gray, aren't you? His guild, his partners… all of it."
"What a joke! Why would I envy him?!" Leon snapped without hesitation.
Ulu reached out and gently ruffled Leon's hair, her smile growing softer. "Still as stubborn as when you were a kid."
Leon's face flushed as she touched him. He turned his head and happened to catch Shirley looking at him fondly from not far away, with Yuka and Toby smiling behind her.
"Hey Leon, guild life is really great!"
Gray, who knew this better than anyone, added the comment right on cue.
"…Fine, I'll think about it," Leon muttered, his tone suddenly flustered. "It's not because I envy Gray or anything! I just want access to better resources. To get stronger. Stronger than you!"
"Yeah, yeah, that's all it is!"
Ulu and Gray exchanged smiles but said nothing.
The Kingdom of Fiore Home of the Saber Tooth Guild.
Cold moonlight streamed through the window of the guild's modest second floor, casting a chilly, oppressive atmosphere across the room.
At the head seat sat Guild Master Germain, his eyes showing only their whites making his face appear disturbingly eerie.
Opposite him stood a figure cloaked in shadows. The dim moonlight filtering through the window barely illuminated a pair of fine leather boots and half of a dark crimson cloak.
"I heard what happened at the last regular council meeting, Master Germain."
The man's voice was sharp and thin, carrying the sinister charm of a wicked temptress. "Coincidentally, I've recently accepted a commission involving Fairy Tail. So how about it? Interested in teaming up to wipe them out?"
"If we succeed, your guild's reputation and resources will soar."
At the mention of "Fairy Tail," Germain's stiff face twisted with fury, veins bulging on his forehead.
Ever since he'd been "ambushed" by Chase, he had stewed in resentment, dreaming of the day he could grind that man beneath his heel.
But he had only recently taken over Saber Tooth. Their strength and influence were still far from first-rate. Fairy Tail, on the other hand, was Fiore's most powerful guild. No matter how he plotted, he couldn't find the courage to take them on alone.
A textbook example of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
But now
Germain looked up at the powerful presence before him, a manic gleam in his eye.
Yes, Fairy Tail may be the strongest in Fiore, but that didn't mean there weren't others just as formidable.
Like the man before him.
Jose Porla, Master of Phantom Lord ranked among the Ten Wizard Saints alongside Makarov. His guild's size and manpower far surpassed even Fairy Tail's!
"It's an honor to work with you," Germain said, standing and extending his hand.
"Then I wish us a victorious beginning… Master Germain."
Jose smiled wickedly as he grasped Germain's hand.
A dark conspiracy against Fairy Tail was quietly taking shape.
...
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