Chapter 22: The Foggy Mukuro and the Fairy Queen (2)
"Anyway, hurry up and pick a job already."
"Last time we picked it without you, so it's your turn now, Lucy~!"
"Don't joke around! That team's already broken up!"
"Why?"
"Ughhh~?"
"You just wanted any blonde girl to begin with!"
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"See?! I knew it!"
While Mirajane was out, Lucy found herself grumbling with Natsu about which job to take.
"Still, I picked you, Lucy. 'Cause you're a good person~!"
Even though she grumbled, Lucy couldn't help but feel a mix of irritation and embarrassment at Natsu's innocent, cheerful grin.
Watching from nearby, Gray seemed like he couldn't take it anymore and spoke up.
"You don't need to force a team or anything."
"Gray?"
"I heard what you did. You were amazing, weren't you? You'll probably be drowning in job requests soon."
"What are you talking about?"
"You took down two members of the mercenary guild Thousand Wolves and some gorilla-like woman, right? That's crazy."
"Th-that was all Natsu..."
Feeling burdened by how much the story had been exaggerated, Lucy quickly corrected them—Natsu had handled everything. All she'd done was interpret the book's contents.
Hearing that, Gray stood up and grabbed Natsu by the collar.
Seeing Natsu steal the spotlight again had clearly gotten to him, and the two quickly fell into another shouting match, leaving Lucy sweating nervously.
"Was it you, you bastard?!"
"You got a problem, punk?!"
"..."
"Gray… your shirt's gone again."
"Aaaagh! I forgot—again?!"
Just then, the door opened and Mirajane walked back in, cutting through the tension between the two.
Well, rather than breaking up the fight, she just pointed out Gray's half-naked state—but that was enough to stop them.
As Mirajane entered and took off her coat, Lucy hurried over to the counter.
"Um, Mira…"
"What's up, Lucy?"
"I… I'm sorry…"
"Huh? For what? You didn't do anything wrong."
"No, I mean… When I heard you go to the cathedral, I thought you were meeting your boyfriend or something… I assumed too much. I'm really sorry!"
To Lucy's apology, Mirajane simply smiled.
"In a way, you're not entirely wrong. He was the only man I ever loved… and my protector."
"Your protector?"
"Well, you see—"
"Big news! Natsu! Gray! Something's happened!!"
Before she could finish, a shout rang out as Loki burst through the doors, out of breath from running.
Everyone stopped mid-conversation, except Natsu and Gray who were still at each other's throats—until Loki's next words froze them both.
"Erza… Erza's back!!"
"Whaaaaaat?!!!"
"EHHH?!"
The moment the name "Erza" was mentioned, the once rowdy guild fell silent with tension.
Not even a second later, the guild doors burst open as a girl walked in with bold, commanding steps.
She had blazing red hair, and piercing black eyes that seemed to look straight through everything. She wore armor over her upper body, and on her shoulder rested the massive horn of a defeated monster—easily three times her size.
She walked all the way to the counter where Mirajane and Lucy were, dropped the massive horn onto the ground, and opened her mouth.
"I'm back. Is the Master in?"
"Welcome back~ He's out at the regular meeting."
"I see…"
"Um… Erza? That… that huge thing—what is it?"
"Oh, this? Just the horn of a monster I hunted. The people in that region decorated it for me… I thought it was pretty, so I figured I'd bring it back as a gift… but maybe it's a bit much?"
At her words, the guild members frantically shook their heads and waved their hands, insisting it was fine—very fine.
Even the ones behind her had gone completely still, cold sweat trickling down their backs.
Erza looked around, sharp gaze scanning the room, then began to speak with weight in her voice.
"More importantly… I heard you all have been causing trouble again. Even if the Master forgives you, I won't."
"Ugh…"
"Cana, what kind of drinking posture is that?"
"Ah… uh, y-yes, ma'am…"
"Bisca, if you're going to dance, take it outside. Wakaba, your ashes are falling everywhere."
At Erza's words, Cana quietly set down her barrel of alcohol and sat properly. Bisca stopped her daily dance, and even Wakaba—an old veteran—lowered his head respectfully.
Lucy was the only one who couldn't comprehend what was happening.
"Wh-what is going on…? Everyone in the guild just calmed down...?"
"Erza's really strong!"
"Nab, are you still lurking in front of the job board? Go pick a job already. Seriously, so annoying... But fine, I'll let it slide just for today."
That sounded like a lot of words for "letting it slide"…!
But before Lucy could dwell on it, her jaw dropped at the shocking sight in front of her.
"H-h-hey, Erza… w-we've been getting along really well… no fighting or anything…!"
"Aye!"
"Natsu turned into Happy?!"
Natsu and Gray—who usually launched into a fistfight just by looking at each other—were now standing shoulder to shoulder, fake smiles on their faces, with sweat dripping down their foreheads.
It was a miracle Lucy thought she'd never witness, and she could only stare in disbelief.
"I see… well, friends fight sometimes. But I like seeing you getting along."
"N-no… like I always say, we're not exactly—"
"Aye!!"
"I've never seen this side of Natsu before!!"
"Natsu and Gray are both afraid of Erza."
"Eh?! W-wait… do you really have to draw that? You're not even good at drawing..."
"Back in the day, Natsu challenged Erza… and got absolutely wrecked."
"No way! Natsu got beaten up?!"
Lucy was speechless.
To her, Natsu was the strongest wizard she knew—someone who could split harbors in half and demolish mansions like it was nothing.
The idea that someone stronger than him existed made sweat bead on her forehead.
Seeing Lucy's reaction, Mirajane began to recount tales of Erza's "disciplinary" actions.
"Gray once got caught wandering around naked—she beat the crap out of him. Loki tried hitting on her once and nearly died. Cana got punished for drinking too much. Honestly, every single member in this guild has been scolded by Erza at least once."
"Oh dear…"
Erza looked at the cooperative display Natsu and Gray were putting on, then gently placed a hand on both their shoulders and spoke in a calm, even tone.
"Actually, I have a favor to ask. I heard something troubling at the place I just returned from. Normally, it'd be up to Master to decide, but I believe resolving it early is for the best… I'd like to borrow your strength. Will you come with me?"
"Eh?!"
"Whaaat?!"
The entire guild stirred at her words.
Erza Scarlet.
Currently considered one of Fairy Tail's top contenders for strongest member—just behind Gildarts, Laxus, and Mystogan. An S-Class wizard who handled monster-hunting requests solo.
It was extremely rare for someone like her to ask others for help.
"W-what's going on?!"
"I've never seen Erza ask for help before."
"She's the one who takes down monsters like that?"
"Just what the heck is this mission…?!"
Whether she noticed the commotion or not, Erza continued speaking in her usual firm tone and walked toward the exit.
"If Ciel were still here, I bet he would've been happy to take on a mission with his me again... Anyway, we depart tomorrow. Be ready."
"W-wait, hold on a sec—!!"
"Who said we're going?!"
"I'll explain the details on the way."
With her one-sided declaration, Natsu and Gray weren't the only ones thrown into chaos—the entire guild buzzed with nervous energy.
Lucy, seeing even Mirajane visibly trembling, tilted her head in confusion and called out to her.
"Mira…?"
Still shivering, Mirajane answered her in a hushed, fearful voice.
"Erza… Natsu… and Gray… I never imagined this before, but… this might just be Fairy Tail's second strongest team ever…"
"Wait… what?!"
...
The Dark Guild – "Eisenwald."
In a desolate ruin-like building reeking of gloom and decay, the wizards of Eisenwald were preparing to move out.
"That woman in armor—what guild is she from?"
"No idea."
"She looked pretty weak… damn it. I should've at least tried talking to her."
"You? Not a chance."
"What was that?!"
"Has Kageyama returned yet?"
"If you're talking about that, unsealing it isn't exactly easy. He'll be a while."
Gruff-looking wizards, each chatting about different things, gathered under one roof.
Among them stood a towering man with dull silver hair and a massive scythe slung across his bare upper body. With an air of dominance, he directed the others standing behind him.
"No time to drag our feet... This is the perfect opportunity. While the old fools are away at the regular council meeting... it's time to use Lullaby."
The Master of the dark guild Eisenwald—"Reaper" Erigor—rested his enormous scythe on his shoulder and pushed open the guild's front doors.
"The operation begins soon. It's time for the so-called light wizards to fall into the abyss. Let's show them the full force of our might."
"Kehihihihi... I'll crush every last one of those legal guild bastards!"
"Can't wait to see the looks on their crying, sniveling faces!"
"Heh, our Reaper really is on another level!"
With Erigor's words rousing them, the wizards burst into laughter and poured out of the building.
As the entire guild of Eisenwald moved out together, a single pure-white owl perched on a rotting tree nearby silently watched their every move—then flapped its wings and soared high into the sky.
["Lullaby"…One of Zeref's demons…
Jackpot.]
----------------
If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky