Chapter 28: Phantom Lord – The Beginning of War (1)
With the crimson sunset at her back, Mirajane made her way to Ciel's grave at the Cathedral of Kardia.
In her arms was a large bouquet of pure white baby's breath—the flowers he had loved most.
...
"Ciel, isn't there something you like?"
"Something I like…? If I had to say, right now it would be you, Elfman, and Lisanna, I suppose."
"Not that! I mean something like a favorite item, a flower, something you want to have!"
"Ah… you mean that sort of thing. As for possessions, everything I want is already in my hands, so I've never had much interest. But… there is a flower I like."
"What is it?"
"Baby's breath."
"Baby's breath…?"
"Its pure white color is like a single ray of light in my pitch-black darkness… It gives me comfort, a sense of peace amidst anxiety. It's the only flower I always wish to keep by my side."
"You like surprisingly simple things."
"Yes. But compared to baby's breath, you all are far more precious to me. So please, don't get jealous of a flower."
"Even I'm not jealous of a flower!!"
...
The baby's breath Ciel had loved in life…
Mirajane placed them on the graves of both Ciel and Lisanna—so that, at the very least, his soul might never be lost in darkness and could rest in eternal peace.
"Ciel, Lisanna… I'm here. Have you been well today?"
She greeted them, but of course, there was no reply.
Only the rustle of grass swaying in the cool breeze welcomed her.
"You know, something big happened today. Natsu, Lucy, and Gray snuck off with an S-Class request without Master's permission~. Erza rushed after them, but oh, you should've seen how furious Master was… Sometimes I have to admit Natsu's recklessness really is on another level."
She chatted to them about the events of the day.
After some time, she waved toward the gravestones.
"Ciel, Lisanna, that's all for today. If something fun happens tomorrow, I'll come again, so look forward to it."
[ ... ]
With a smile, she turned and left.
From the shadowy woods of the graveyard, a snow-white owl watched her departing figure with gleaming eyes.
...
A few days later…
Inside the Council headquarters of Era, in Siegrain's private office.
There, Siegrain and Ultear were deep in a private conversation.
"The Deliora affair… how unfortunate."
"Well, nothing to be done. I never imagined it would already be dead. If we'd gotten our hands on it, I thought it would bring me one step closer to the goal…"
"I'm sorry, Lord Siegrain. I didn't expect that woman's magic to be so powerful…"
Siegrain gave her a faint smile.
"Don't say it like that, 'Tears of Ul'… Ultear. I respect your mother."
He showed her the pendant at his neck—the symbol of the Ten Wizard Saints.
"Had she lived, she surely would have become one of us."
But Ultear smirked bitterly.
"You overestimate her. My mother was a pathetic woman who became so obsessed with magic she was abandoned by my father… The greater the loss, the stronger the power one gains. To her, I was nothing more than something small and insignificant."
"Are you sure? Perhaps raising that young pupil was her way of holding on to you…"
"That's enough of that♥"
Her cold yet silky fingers pressed against Siegrain's lips, silencing him.
Knowing she didn't like to speak about Ul, Siegrain let the matter drop—until…
"But… you…"
"What—? Kyaaa! What is this?!"
Ultear shrieked as she realized one side of her cheek had swollen up badly, and Siegrain burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! So the swelling finally shows! Well then, how was your fight with Natsu?"
"Ugh… Even though I didn't use half my strength, it was incredible. That boy will only grow stronger."
She rubbed her swollen cheek as she spoke.
"Of course… He's Igneel's son. For my ideals, Natsu must continue to burn ever brighter…"
"Siegrain…"
"But for now, our top priority is eliminating the 'Phantom of the Mist' who threatens our plans."
"You mean… him…?"
Siegrain clenched his fist as he spoke, but Ultear tilted her head slightly in puzzlement.
It was no wonder—this so-called "Phantom of the Mist" he referred to was nothing more than a dying remnant of will, unable to muster even a fraction of its former power.
She couldn't see why such a being needed to be dealt with at all.
"True… I know better than you how strong that man is—I watched the Lullaby incident from behind the scenes, after all. But with the little power he has now, he couldn't even get in our way."
"Yes… He is neither truly alive… nor fully dead. Just a phantom barely clinging to existence in this world. But his presence is not something to ignore."
Siegrain's expression grew heavier, his gaze sharpening.
"That phantom is a monster on par with Zeref… and it must be eliminated while it's still weak."
...
Magnolia Town
After several days away on an unauthorized S-Class request, Natsu's team finally returned.
"We're back!!"
"We're home—!!"
Though they had only been gone for a short time, Natsu and Happy shouted their return with all the enthusiasm of those who had truly missed home.
Gray, however, was a little less cheerful.
"After all that trouble, and our reward is just a key…"
"It was an S-Class request, after all."
They had set out because of Natsu's recklessness, but after safely completing the request, they had been expecting the promised reward of seven million Jewels.
However, since it hadn't been an officially sanctioned job—and because, as Erza reminded them, taking money for an uncommissioned task would tarnish Fairy Tail's honor—they had refused the payment and instead accepted a "special reward": a celestial spirit key.
While Gray grumbled, Erza and Lucy both looked satisfied.
"It wasn't an official job. This is just right."
"Yeah, yeah. Stop complaining, everyone~!"
"You're the only one who lucked out here, Lucy~"
"Is that so~?"
"…Let's sell it."
"What are you talking about, you thieving cat?!"
At Happy's remark, Lucy pulled the golden key from her pouch and once again reminded everyone of its significance.
"Like I said before, golden keys—the Gate Keys of the Zodiac—only number twelve in the whole world. They're incredibly rare."
"You mean like that bull and that maid?"
"Once I get more training in, my spirits will be way stronger than you!"
Since there was no money to be had, Gray let the matter go and instead asked about the new key.
"So… which one did you get this time?"
"Sagittarius, the Archer of the Zodiac♥"
...
While the lively chatter continued, Erza suddenly remembered the reason she had come, her expression flattening as she addressed them.
"Sorry to interrupt your small talk, but we need to return to the guild so your punishment can be decided."
"Uwoah?!"
"Ah!!"
"I completely forgot!"
Seeing their flustered reactions, Erza gave a faint smile.
"For my part, I think you can be forgiven for this. But the decision lies with Master. And I have no intention of defending you, so you'd best be prepared for some sort of punishment."
"Don't tell me… it's that?!"
"Wait! Anything but that! I'm never doing it again!"
"What's 'that'?"
"No… it's already been decided… Fufu… It's been a while, let's see your skills."
"Noooo! Anything but that!!"
"Seriously, what is 'that'—?!"
...
As they bantered, they began to notice people around them whispering, eyes fixed on the returning group.
"What's going on…? The guild seems… off."
"Hm?"
"Weird… What's this…?"
"This is…"
The closer they got to the guild, the louder the murmurs became.
And when they finally reached the front, the reason became clear.
"What… happened here…?"
"Our guild…!!"
"Just what in the world…"
Before them stood the Fairy Tail building—its walls riddled with massive iron stakes, the structure looking as if it might collapse with the slightest touch.
------------------
If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky