Chapter 16: Blaze — Formation of the Strongest Team and the Ten-Year Quest (3)
After some commotion, I calmed everyone with illusion magic, and we were finally able to sit down and discuss the subjugation mission.
I placed the communication lacrima I'd received from Council Elder Yajima on the table and unfolded a detailed map.
The lacrima projected a live feed, showing the Badrach Whale thundering beneath the earth as it moved.
"This is the creature we must subjugate—the Badrach Whale, a massive, ancient magical biological weapon created 400 years ago. It remains alive to this day, still rampaging out of control."
The footage shifted to a scene of the whale swimming beneath the ground. Ichiya and Jura both furrowed their brows as they watched its enormous silhouette tear through the earth.
"As you can see, the Badrach Whale does not swim in the ocean but through the underground soil, sustaining its energy by consuming lifeforms imbued with magic."
"Magic-infused lifeforms, you say? Then… wouldn't lacrima crystals work as well?"
"I'm not entirely certain, but from what we've observed, it devours only living beings. And wherever this whale passes, all life in its path is annihilated."
The next clip showed mangled, unrecognizable human remains stuck between the creature's massive teeth. Ichiya gagged, unable to watch, turning his head away.
Gildarts, who had been sipping his drink, set his flask down silently, while Jura closed his eyes, his expression hardening.
Laxus managed to keep his gaze on the screen, but his scowl was deeper than ever.
The once-light atmosphere had vanished, replaced by a heavy silence as everyone understood the true gravity of the threat.
Once I was certain they grasped the situation, I pointed to the map and explained the strategy I had devised.
...
"Our operation will proceed as follows: According to the Council's analysis, the Badrach Whale is expected to breach the border here, near Snowplate, and traverse across the entire continent. But our mission is to stop it before it crosses into Fiore—while it is still outside our borders."
"Outside the border?"
"Hmm… Makes sense. If we fought it here, the city would suffer the same devastation we just saw in that footage."
"Exactly. First, I want Gildarts, with his Crash Magic, and Jura, with his Earth Magic, to work together to restrict its movement. We'll block its path by pulling up massive slabs of rock and use Crash Magic to shatter the ground beneath it, forcing the creature to surface. Even a whale that swims through earth will be helpless if it has nowhere to dive."
"Understood."
"Heh, teamwork, huh? Well, I'll make it work somehow."
"Let's give it our best, Gildarts."
...
The plan was to reroute the Badrach Whale's path toward the edge of the Guiltina Continent, lure it to the surface, and then immobilize it.
Jura would create a single narrow path to guide the creature, while Gildarts' Crash Magic would destroy the terrain, ensuring the whale could no longer "swim" through the ground.
Both Gildarts and Jura nodded in agreement with the plan.
Then, Laxus spoke up.
"If you shatter all the ground, we won't have anything to stand on. Don't tell me you're expecting us to fight on top of the whale itself?"
"Of course not. We'll be attacking from above—using Blue Pegasus' aerial warship, the Christina."
"The Christina…?"
"Meeeen~! Yes, indeed! Our Blue Pegasus' ultimate weapon, the pride of the Ishgar Continent—the Heavenly Stallion! Our master recognized the gravity of this mission and sent me, the only one capable of piloting the Christina, to assist."
"As surprising as it may sound, Ichiya here is second only to Master Bob himself in Blue Pegasus. He possesses the immense magical reserves required to control the Christina single-handedly."
"Even with all that flattery, Ciel-kun, I won't be sharing my fragrance secrets, mee~en."
"I'm simply stating the facts."
...
If we fought on the ground, the battle would be far more difficult and dangerous.
Instead, with the Christina, we'd have a tactical advantage, attacking from directly above the whale.
Ichiya would provide support fire from the warship's magic cannons, while the rest of us would unleash our most powerful attacks to bring the beast down.
The plan was clear: we would end the Badrach Whale—
on the farthest edge of the Guiltina Continent.
We had already informed the city's mayor and the border guard of the situation.
If our operation succeeded, the people of this city would go on living their everyday lives without ever realizing that a battle had taken place right beneath their feet.
Failure is not an option.
If we were to fail, the city would be devoured by that monstrous whale before anyone even realized what was happening.
"Let me be clear—this mission must not fail. If we do, we'll be facing the living hell we just saw in those recordings."
"So this is one of those 'absolutely-can't-fail' kinds of missions, huh?"
"Tch, that damn whale—I'll roast it whole."
"Yikes... having so many lives riding on us like this... that's one heavy burden."
"Meeeen~, if it's the strongest wizards gathered here, then I'm certain—we'll succeed."
The four of them responded with unwavering resolve in their eyes.
Seeing them like this, I smiled to myself.
They bicker and clash like children on a normal day, but when it truly matters—they unite.
Something divine beings, demons, angels, or gods could never understand...
The human ability to find common purpose in the face of adversity.
It had been so long since I'd seen something like this...
...
"We'll rest today. The operation begins tomorrow at 11 a.m. But, Laxus, I'll need you to handle early-morning reconnaissance. You're the fastest among us."
"You always give me the annoying jobs... but fine. Knowing you, something bad'll happen if I refuse... whatever, I'll do it."
According to projections, the Badrach Whale would cross from the Guiltina continent into the borderlands of Ishgar around 1 p.m.
We would be ready before then.
After the meeting ended, everyone left the hall and took some brief personal time before the mission.
I returned to my room to finish the jewelry I had been working on during the train ride.
Two hours passed, and at last, it was complete.
"Even now, just like in my past life… crafting accessories is as delicate as ever. I've made plenty of these before, but I don't think I've ever made one with this much care."
It was a golden chain with a solid gold locket pendant.
The outer surface was adorned with antique-style carvings and embedded with seven gemstones, each the color of the rainbow.
Inside, there was space to insert a photo—and I engraved my illusion magic sigil within it.
In my previous life, I would inscribe those sigils onto jewels or objects as a crude way to track subordinates' locations—a symbol of the organization.
But this... this was the first time I had ever made one with sincerity.
It was proof of how much I cared for that girl.
"She's been into skull-themed clothes and accessories lately... I hope she still likes something like this. But I couldn't very well give her a skull necklace as a birthday present…"
I set the crafting tools down and carefully placed the necklace into a case. Then I wrapped it gently and pulled out a sheet of local stationery—bright white and sky blue, adorned with regional patterns and colors.
I dipped my pen into ink.
I had never written a message like this before.
I never had family or friends to say such things to.
Something others could write in seconds took me agonizing minutes of thought. I struggled with what to say, and even more with how to say it.
Despite all the knowledge I'd gained through countless lifetimes and karma, I found myself powerless at a moment like this.
"It really is awkward, writing something like this for the first time… Maybe if I'd lived one life with something like a family... things would've been different."
I finally wrote a short congratulatory message, sealed the letter, and stamped it with my personal seal.
The gift for Mira was complete.
"Whew… I hope she likes it."
Lying back on the bed, I gazed up at the moon outside my window.
And slowly, I closed my eyes.
...
Four hours before Ciel fell asleep — inside Fairy Tail.
Mirajane had the Master by the collar, furiously shaking him and shouting in frustration about Ciel being sent on the mission.
"Master! How could you give such a dangerous quest to someone who just barely returned from his last one?! That's insane!"
"M-Mirajane… calm down. This mission can only be handled by an S-Class wizard…"
"And what am I, then?! I'm also an S-Class wizard now! There's no reason I couldn't have gone with him!"
"Mirajane, please, calm yourself."
"Calm down, sis…"
"Do I look like I can calm down?! And don't even get me started on Ciel! That idiot just left without a word! Seriously—he's so frustrating!"
She knew the Master didn't really have a choice.
The mission Ciel had taken on was beyond even SS-Class.
It wasn't just a joint S-Class quest—it was a 10-Year Quest, one so dangerous that not a single person had been able to complete it in a decade. Even someone like Erza or Mirajane, newly appointed S-Class wizards, wouldn't be allowed to attempt it.
Sending Ciel, Laxus, and Gildarts—the strongest candidates in Fairy Tail—proved just how dangerous this mission truly was.
Still, it wasn't just the Master's decision that had Mirajane upset.
What truly infuriated her was something else.
Ciel had left without so much as a goodbye.
Not even a proper sendoff.
He had simply lulled her to sleep and vanished.
She had become an S-Class wizard for his sake.
Not because she needed recognition. Not for praise.
She just wanted to be able to stand by his side.
Even if he never acknowledged it, that was fine.
Because it had been her own decision.
But lately… Ciel had been treating her like a child.
Always disappearing without a word.
Never letting her shoulder even a fraction of his burden.
That's what made her angry.
"Would it really have killed him to at least let me see him off?"
After a while, she let go of the Master and stormed out of the guild, unable to hold in her frustration any longer.
...
That night—
After confirming that Elfman and Lisanna were fast asleep, Mirajane quietly stepped into Ciel's room and lay down on his bed.
"Idiot… always disappearing without saying anything…"
She buried her face in his pillow and mumbled to herself, her cheeks puffed out in a sulk.
He always came back with a casual "I'm back."
But whenever he left, there was never a word.
No hint. No goodbye. Just silence.
She was sulking—yes—but her pride made it difficult to admit that she missed him.
She wanted to say something first… but never had the courage to.
"I finally became an S-Class wizard… just wait till you get back. I'm gonna give you a proper punch and tell you straight to your face…"
That she wasn't a little girl who needed protecting anymore.
That she could stand beside him now.
That she could help carry the weight on his shoulders.
Because they were family.
And she wanted—just once—for him to lean on her.
With those thoughts in her heart, the girl drifted to sleep in the room of the man she was waiting for.
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