Chapter 32: Phantom Lord – The Beginning of War (5)
Deep within the eastern forest of Magnolia,
there stood a house carved into the trunk of a massive tree.
It was the home of Porlyusica — an old acquaintance of Makarov's and a wizard specializing in healing.
She disliked humans and lived in seclusion, but as a specialist in curing magic-related injuries, Makarov, Bob, and Goldmine often came to her for medicine.
To treat Makarov's wounds, Alzak and Bisca made their way to Porlyusica's home.
As soon as they arrived, she had Makarov laid on a bed for examination — and then promptly slapped him across the face.
"W–Wait a second!"
"Master— no, patient, what do you think you're doing?!"
"Hmph. This is what happens when you act recklessly without considering your age. Honestly… what a foolish man."
After delivering her biting words to Makarov, Porlyusica turned sharply to Alzak and Bisca, who were standing nearby.
"And what are you two still doing here? Go on, get moving!"
"But… Master's condition—"
"Let us at least stay to look after him."
"Leave. The worst poison for a patient is the sight of worried faces."
"Uh—?!"
Though her words were cold, Alzak and Bisca could tell she truly cared for Makarov. Saying nothing, they prepared to leave.
With her back to them, Porlyusica spoke again.
"This is magic from the lineage of Wind — Drain. It's a terrifying spell that draws out and depletes the target's magic power. The stolen magic disperses into the air until it eventually fades away… If we could gather Makarov's scattered magic, his recovery would be quicker, but… it's already too late for that. This will require long-term treatment."
"…I understand."
"We'll inform the others."
"You two! Are you still here?!"
"Wha—?! You didn't sound like you wanted us to answer just now!"
"Out! The stench of humans is making my head split!"
"Eeek~!! Sorry to bother you!"
With Porlyusica swinging a broom at them, Alzak and Bisca scrambled out the door.
Only once they were gone did her expression soften as she looked down at Makarov.
Though she had spoken harshly, there was no way she didn't worry for her old friend.
Sighing, she spoke quietly to the unconscious man.
"You've always been a handful… For a wizard, magic power is the very source of life. The stronger the magic, the harsher the pain of depletion."
"…"
"If you don't fight to recover… you will die like this. Honestly… such a fool…"
She was just about to reach out a hand toward him when—
"…Hm?"
Through the open window, a pure white owl swooped inside, landing beside the bed.
Its snowy feathers were rare enough, but when Porlyusica noticed its left crimson eye — and the character for "Beast" engraved upon it — her eyes widened in shock.
"Th–This owl…!"
[It's been a while, Porlyusica.]
The voice that came from the owl's beak made her stagger back in surprise.
And with good reason.
It was the voice of a man who should no longer exist in this world.
"Y–You… No, how can you possibly…?!"
[That's not important right now. Give this to the Master.]
"…This is…?!"
Porlyusica accepted the object from the owl, and as soon as she saw it, a faint flush of relief spread across her face.
....
At the same time, in Fairy Tail.
The guild had pulled out all the iron stakes driven into its walls, but the place was still riddled with holes — more like a haunted house than a guild hall. Inside, Fairy Tail's wizards were busy preparing for the coming battle.
"Never thought we'd be forced to retreat like that!"
"Ugh, it's infuriating!"
"Their headquarters is here."
"If we attack from the southwest high ground, we can hit them with long-range magic…"
"This time, we're taking every last explosive lacrima we've got!"
"Hey, go to the storeroom and grab any heavy-duty grimoires for magic item users — bring them all!"
Watching the guild members rush about, Lucy's expression was grim.
Noticing this, Natsu, Gray, and Elfman walked over to her.
"What's wrong? Still feeling uneasy?"
"…No, it's not that. It's just… I'm sorry."
"Well, rich girls are always destined to be targets. And it's a man's job to protect them."
"…Is now really the time to say that?"
When Lucy first told them she was the daughter of the Heartfilia family, everyone had been surprised — but only for a moment.
No matter the reason, Lucy was family.
And when someone harmed their family or their guild, Fairy Tail had all the reason they needed to fight.
That was why they had accepted her revelation without hesitation and gotten straight back to preparing for battle.
But Lucy's heart still felt heavy.
No matter what anyone said, this all started because her father had hired Phantom Lord to bring her back after she ran away from home.
"But I don't get it, Lucy — why didn't you tell us before?"
"It's not like I was trying to hide it… but since I've been on the run, I didn't want to talk about it. My father didn't care at all when I'd been gone for a whole year… so why try to drag me back now? To think he'd go this far just to bring me home… it's the worst."
"…."
"If you look at it another way… it's because I ran away that all of this—"
Seeing Lucy sink into guilt again, Elfman spoke up to comfort her.
"That's not true! The one at fault is your father—"
"You idiot, you don't say that here!"
"I–I mean… Phantom Lord! They're the bad ones!"
"I'm really sorry… If I just go back home, this will all end."
"…Will it, though?"
It was Natsu, who had been listening quietly until now, who finally spoke.
"Somehow… 'Miss' just doesn't suit you."
"Natsu…"
"Laughing, joking, and going on adventures in this run-down tavern — that's way more like you."
There wasn't a hint of falsehood in his voice.
To Natsu, Lucy was simply Lucy.
Her status as a rich girl or a runaway didn't matter at all.
She was the bright, lively girl he knew — his comrade, and part of Fairy Tail's family.
"You said you want to stay here, right? Then what's the point of going back to a place you don't want to be?"
"…."
"You're Lucy of Fairy Tail. This is where you belong."
For the first time in her life, someone had recognized her not as "Lucy Heartfilia, daughter of the Heartfilia family," but simply as Lucy.
Her chest tightened, and she trembled, holding back tears.
Watching her, Gray and Elfman scratched their heads awkwardly.
"Don't cry. It doesn't suit you."
"Yeah! A real man can't handle tears!"
"But still…"
While Natsu, Gray, and Elfman were reassuring Lucy, Cana was trying to use her cards to locate Mystogan.
She turned over each card carefully, but when the reading failed again and again, her patience snapped, and she scattered the cards in frustration.
"No good! I can't get a trace on Mystogan!"
"I see… that's unfortunate."
Hearing this over the communication lacrima, Laxus gave a derisive snort, mocking her words.
"If Lucy's the target, they'll attack again. We've already got too many injured… this is a real mess."
Speaking to Laxus through the lacrima, Mirajane's face was troubled.
"The Master's badly wounded, and we have no idea where Mystogan is. You're the only one we can count on now… Laxus."
"Huh?"
"I'm begging you… Please come back. This is a crisis for Fairy Tail."
"That old geezer finally got what's coming to him. Hahahahaha!"
Instead of concern, Laxus's laugh was filled with scorn.
"This has nothing to do with me. Handle it yourselves."
"Laxus, you—!"
"Come on, it's true. The old man started this war. Why should we clean up after him?"
"Lucy… one of our comrades is being targeted."
"Huh? Who's that?"
Laxus tilted his head in mock thought, then smirked as he seemed to recall.
"Oh, you mean that busty rookie? Tell her I might save her — if she agrees to be my woman. And tell the old man to hurry up and retire so he can hand over the Master's seat to me."
Cana couldn't hold back and was about to snap at him, but Laxus just kept smiling cruelly, ignoring her entirely.
"You really are… the worst kind of person."
"Hey, hey… is that the attitude you take when asking someone for help? Why don't you strip down a bit? I've got a weakness for—"
Before he could finish, the communication lacrima shattered in Mirajane's fist.
Blood dripped from her hand, and Cana, startled, hurried over to wrap it with a bandage.
Tears welled in Mirajane's eyes.
"…Unbelievable… That man is actually a member of Fairy Tail? If Ciel were here… Fine. If it's come to this, then I'll fight too."
Mirajane tried to push away the bandages and leave, but Cana stopped her.
"W–What are you talking about?!"
"But I can't just stand by and let Lucy be taken away! …I have to get Ciel back…"
"No. In your current state, you'll only be a burden."
Cana cut her off, resting a hand on her shoulder. She understood how Mirajane felt.
Lucy, their comrade, might be taken by Phantom Lord.
And already, they had lost another comrade's remains to them — a precious memento of someone who had been the most important person in Mirajane's life.
Cana didn't need anyone to explain that pain to her. But still, she couldn't let Mirajane go.
"Even if you were once an S-Class wizard, you're retired now. You don't have the magic power to fight."
"…"
The words stung. They were unfair — and yet, they were true. Silent tears rolled down Mirajane's cheeks.
Ciel's death, followed by Lisanna's, had left deep scars on her heart. Because of that, she had lost most of her magic power.
The strength she once had was gone.
And that made her feel frustrated… powerless… bitter.
Unable to stop herself, Mirajane collapsed into Cana's arms and sobbed — a cry of helplessness at her own weakness, at not being able to protect either her family or her comrades.
...
Haa…
Hot water poured down in the shower as I went over the situation again in my head.
The Master was down… Laxus was gone… Mystogan was nowhere to be found.
Right now, I was the only S-Class wizard left in Fairy Tail.
And with so many injured, there was no way we could keep fighting this war as things stood.
"Jose will be on the top floor. I'll go and take him out."
When the Master had said that, I should have gone with him.
If I'd been there, he wouldn't have been injured like this.
It was my mistake for underestimating Jose's power.
If I'd gone with him back then…
But at the same time, one question gnawed at me.
The Master and Jose were both members of the Ten Wizard Saints.
When two of the Ten fought, it was said to be like a living hell — a disaster that could rival a natural catastrophe.
Yet this time, the Master had been beaten one-sidedly.
Even if he'd been angry, there was no way he'd have gone down that easily.
Jose must have used some cowardly trick to ambush him.
And I'd let the Master go alone without thinking of that.
"How pathetic… This is all my fault!"
In a burst of anger, I slammed my fist against the shower wall. My hand hurt, but the frustration didn't fade.
And then—
"…Huh?!"
A massive noise erupted from outside, followed by the voices of my guildmates.
"What's going on?!"
"It's outside—!!"
I quickly wrapped a towel around myself and ran out.
"…W-What the…?!"
"No way…!"
When I followed the others out of the guild, the sight before me made me tremble.
A massive fortress — with legs — was walking toward us.
The others were just as stunned, staring at it in disbelief.
"I never imagined… they'd attack like this."
"W-What do we do now?!"
"That's impossible…"
The fortress gates opened, revealing a huge cannon barrel.
The Magic Converging Cannon.
A magic weapon capable of obliterating an entire building in one shot.
That thing was dangerous.
"This is bad! Everyone, get down!!"
I shouted, instantly swapping into my strongest defensive armor — the Adamantine Armor — and moved to the front.
"Adamantine Armor!"
"Adamantine Armor?!"
"No way… You're going to try to block it…?"
"Even with that legendary defense—"
"Stop, Erza! You'll die!"
"Get down, now!!"
I roared the command again, bracing myself for the incoming strike.
A moment later, the giant cannon fired. A massive blast of magical energy tore through the air toward the guild.
I took the hit head-on, the force crashing into me like a storm.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Cracks spread across my armor as my strength drained away.
But if I collapsed here… the guild — everyone — would die.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to endure the magic cannon's blast.
"Ghhhaaaahhh!"
"Erza!"
"Stay with us!"
Somehow, I managed to block it — my armor shattering in the process — and protect the guild.
But my body wouldn't move.
My breathing grew ragged.
While I struggled to draw in even a single breath, a voice boomed through a magical broadcast.
[Makarov… and now Erza as well. Both are out of commission. You're nothing more than rats trapped in a cage. Hand over Lucy Heartfilia. Right now.]
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"What kind of guild would hand over a comrade to the enemy?!"
"Lucy is our friend!"
"That's right!"
"Get lost!"
"We'll never give up Lucy!"
[Hand. Her. Over.]
Hearing my comrades' voices snapped me back to my senses.
The reason we fight… is to protect our comrades — our family in Fairy Tail.
It was far too soon for me to give up.
I forced all the strength I could into my lungs and shouted toward Jose.
"I'd rather die than sell out a comrade!!"
Natsu's voice followed right behind mine.
"No matter what happens, our answer will never change! We'll smash you to pieces!"
[In that case, I'll fire a very special Jupiter shot this time. Fifteen minutes until it's ready. Struggle all you want in your fear until then.]
The Magic Converging Cannon — Jupiter.
He was going to fire it again.
Unease spread through everyone like a wave.
At the same time, from the Phantom Lord fortress, an army of magic soldiers — Shades — poured out, creations of Jose himself.
I tried to stand, to join the fight, but my body refused to respond.
While I was still struggling, Natsu and Happy shot off toward Jupiter's barrel.
Gray and Elfman ran after them, while Mirajane knocked Lucy unconscious and had Reedus carry her to safety.
"Ghhk…!"
"Erza! Don't push yourself. From here, we'll take over!"
"Mira…"
"That's right — we're Fairy Tail wizards too! To protect our comrades, we'll risk our lives without hesitation!"
Before I could answer, Jose's voice returned over the broadcast — this time tinged with something like twisted joy.
[You'd risk your lives for your comrades, would you? Hohoho… Very well. Let's put that 'camaraderie' to the test.]
The moment his words ended, the Shades halted in formation.
Then, from the front line, a black mist began to rise… and someone stepped out of it.
"Th-This can't be…!"
"No way…!"
"You've got to be kidding me…"
"H-Hey… that's… that's impossible…!"
The figure that emerged from the mist made everyone's eyes widen in disbelief.
Beside me, Mirajane — still disguised as Lucy — instantly dropped her transformation and collapsed to the ground.
I was no different.
My eyes flew wide, my lips trembling.
A man with dark blue hair tied into a ponytail.
An elegant, almost delicate face that didn't suit a man.
A long black coat, black gloves, black boots.
Only his white shirt and the black necktie — the kind worn with a suit — broke the darkness of his outfit.
And there he stood, before our eyes.
A comrade who should not exist in this world…
Who had left for a place from which no one returns.
"Ci… Ciel…?"
"Ciel Illusian…"
"…."
Ciel, who had died, stood before us.
And in that instant, I finally understood why the Master had fallen to Jose.
[So… is it the living comrade you'll choose, or the one brought back from the underworld? I'll enjoy watching you decide.]
"JOSEEEEE!!!!"
We had been thrust into the most tragic of battles —forced to face a resurrected comrade as our enemy.
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