Chapter 41: Reunion and Resolve (1)
Five days had passed since Phantom Lord's assault.
In the eastern forest of Magnolia, Porlyusica stepped into her garden to gather herbs.
"The trees… the earth… even the air is still trembling in fear…"
Sensing nature with all her being, Porlyusica suddenly recalled the events from five days ago and angrily kicked the basket where she had collected herbs and fruits.
"Humans! All they ever do is fight! They can't get through a single conversation without raising fists! That fool Makarov! Was he so eager to die?! Then he should've just gone and done it already!!"
Five days earlier—when Makarov lay on the brink of death and she was worrying about how to heal him—a snowy white owl had flown to her.
That owl was Ciel.
At first, Porlyusica doubted such a thing. But when the owl dissolved into mist and reformed as Ciel, she had no choice but to believe it.
What he handed her was a lacrima, infused with the fragments of Makarov's magic that had scattered into the air.
What startled her even more was that, as Ciel slipped in through the window, a knock came at the front door. When she opened it, there stood Mystogan.
He had brought rare herbs to restore stamina quickly, and without hesitation, he slung the owl-shaped Ciel over his shoulder before vanishing.
It was enough to make even ghosts gape, but saving Makarov took precedence. She immediately worked to restore him.
And yet, despite needing absolute rest, Makarov ignored her words and went back to fight Phantom Lord.
Someone worried that much for him, and he still treated his life so lightly. For someone who devotes herself to preserving life, it was infuriating.
Kicking the basket over and over, Porlyusica suddenly felt a presence nearby. She froze, then turned her gaze.
"Mystogan… and…"
"Mind if I eat this?"
"Kufufufu… so that anger means you must care quite deeply for the Master, hm?"
"Ciel…"
On a tree stump sat Mystogan, face hidden beneath a black robe and hood.
And perched on his shoulder—was the snowy owl. Ciel.
"Who says I care about that old fool?!"
"Judging by your energy, it seems you're still in good health, Porlyusica."
"Ciel…"
The owl scattered into mist, reforming into the shape of a man.
And as the form solidified, Ciel appeared before her.
Seeing him, Porlyusica raised her staff and swung with all her strength.
If he was this alive and well, why had he not returned to Fairy Tail? Why had he stayed away for three years? The thought made her furious.
Especially when she recalled the nights Makarov had come to her, weeping over Ciel's death, seeking comfort. Even now, her heart ached at the memory.
"If you're alive and well, then go home already! What have you been doing all this time—three years!!"
"…"
Her staff passed right through his body.
It was as if nothing stood there at all. She struck at him again and again, but the result was the same. At last, realizing the truth, her face darkened.
"Don't tell me… your body is…"
"I'm sorry. I awakened only a year ago. I am neither living nor dead… a wraith. Only my will lingers in this world."
"Then… where is your real body now? Tell me. It may take time, but I'll find a way to help you."
Hearing his words, Porlyusica instantly understood his condition.
And because she knew, her healer's instinct pushed her to try and treat him.
But Ciel shook his head gently.
"No… my body has fully recovered. It rests safely, cared for in the home of a great senior wizard. You needn't worry."
"A senior wizard…? If your body has recovered, why haven't you returned?"
"My magic… Though my body is whole, awakening requires an enormous amount of magical energy. To regain it naturally would take decades—perhaps even longer. So for now, I…"
Realizing what he meant, Porlyusica cut him off with a heavy nod.
Humans in this world exist as a union of body, soul, and the vast reservoir of magic that is the source of life.
Even if his body had healed, without that life-force, it was no more than a lifeless shell.
"Then you mean to live like this for decades? While those who love you still drown in grief?"
"…I am searching for another way. A path back, even if it takes time…"
"W–wait…! Ciel, Mystogan! Where are you going?!"
Leaving behind only that cry, Ciel departed the forest together with Mystogan.
...
Far east of Magnolia, in a nameless forest.
When night fell, Mystogan set up a tent and lit a campfire.
On a makeshift wooden chair sat a snowy white owl, staring silently into the flames.
"…Back then, could you not have at least exchanged a few words with Mirajane?"
"No… I couldn't let her see me in such a pitiful state."
As he spoke, Ciel once more created an illusory image of his form. Sitting before the fire with sorrowful eyes, he whispered:
"Even with these insubstantial hands… or the cold hands of a puppet… I could never hold hers."
Just before losing consciousness in the puppet's body, he had heard Mirajane's voice.
Yet he had no choice but to leave.
He could not bear to let her see a body so shattered, so wretched.
And more than that… he felt he had no right to reach for her with nothing but an illusion—or with the lifeless hands of a doll.
So once again, he had to endure a painful farewell.
"Someday… we'll meet again. I believe it. Even if, when that time comes, her voice is filled with resentment…"
"…."
From Ciel's face, Mystogan could feel the deep weight of sorrow and longing. He said nothing—only sat beside him, gazing into the fire as well.
"…I want to meet Mira again in a body of living warmth."
"Then, I'll be going. Thank you for cooperating this time."
"…I'm learning illusion magic from you in return. That's payment enough."
"Kufufufu… What a sharp disciple."
"…."
"Then, as your master… may I ask one more favor?"
Like mist dissolving into the night, Ciel rose to his feet.
Mystogan silently nodded his assent.
With that answer, Ciel faded away, his expression sorrowful.
"…That request—I'll accept it."
After Ciel vanished, Mystogan stood, packed his belongings, and began walking westward—toward Magnolia.
...
A week has passed since the war with Phantom Lord ended, and only now have we finally regained some sense of peace.
…Though, truth be told, the days after were grueling.
The Council's army—the Rune Knights—surrounded us.
"Everyone, don't move! We are the Rune Knights, the Council's Enforcement Division!"
They escorted us to the army's garrison for investigation.
Day after day, we were interrogated. And only now, after a week, have we begun to settle down again.
Fairy Tail's punishment will be decided when the Council convenes.
But don't worry, Mom. I don't think it will be too severe.
The circumstantial evidence and the witnesses all confirm that Phantom Lord was the aggressor.
As for Phantom Lord… their Master, Jose, has completely lost his mind. He's no longer capable of leading anything.
He deserves the punishment he brought upon himself… but seeing him trembling, drooling, reduced to such a pitiful state, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry.
"…Mom… do you think all of this was really orchestrated by him from behind the scenes?
Even for him, to go this far…
But… if it's that man, then of course he could. He'd do it without hesitation.
So why now? Why suddenly try to take me away?
He's never cared for me before.
And because of me… I've brought nothing but trouble upon Fairy Tail.
Especially Mirajane.
Because of me, her family's grave was desecrated… and the last keepsake she had is now gone forever.
Mirajane must be grieving—but even worse, the Ciel who returned because of me… left again without being able to see her. Just thinking about how much that must hurt her makes my own heart ache.
The wizard who saved me in childhood, the one I admired above all… is no longer of this world.
And his rest… was disturbed because of me.
Mom… if it's him, he'll do it again.
The same cruelty… with money as his weapon.
That much—I cannot allow…."
...
South District of Magnolia.
Fairy Tail's members had all gathered, working together on rebuilding the guild.
"Ughhh—so heavy!!"
"That's because you're trying to carry ten times the weight anyone else would… huh?"
Gray scolded Natsu, who was straining under an absurdly huge pile of building materials. Carrying smaller loads back and forth would've been far more efficient, but Natsu's recklessness made him insist otherwise.
Gray suddenly froze, a strange prickling sensation running down his spine. He turned, scanning his surroundings—but the intense gaze he felt had already vanished.
"…Was that… something just now?"
"Hah! You're just weak—that's why you can't carry this much!"
"What?! If I wanted, I could lift your scrawny body, no problem!"
"Hey! You two! Less bickering, more carrying! The guild won't rebuild itself!"
Erza, dressed in a work uniform, barked sharply at the two quarrelers.
Watching the exchange, the other guild members sighed, murmuring among themselves.
"Erza's really fired up."
"The Master too."
"He even drew up plans to completely remodel the place."
"Yeah, but the perspective on these sketches is totally wrong."
"Perspective is just an illusion, like an old painter's trick! Art must be free!"
"…How do you expect us to finish construction with this mess of a design?!"
Jet angrily tossed aside the Master's so-called "blueprints"—childish scribbles that barely resembled a building, with no notes on proper materials. Still, Makarov and Erza were engaged in an oddly serious discussion over them.
"Foreman, where should I put this timber?"
"Ah, over there."
"…Foreman? Really?"
By lunchtime, construction halted for a break.
Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Elfman sat on the ground, receiving meals handed out by the waitresses.
"Mmm! Delicious!"
"Food always tastes best after hard work!"
"…Elfman, you don't look well."
"…It's nothing."
But Gray caught his unsteady expression. Normally Elfman would be shoveling food into his mouth while shouting "manly!"—yet now he only picked at it.
"…Last time, we all got to meet Ciel—even talk with him. But my sister… she was the one who longed to see him most. And yet… all she got was to watch him disappear again right before her eyes. And worse… the keepsake she wanted to lay to rest with him is gone too…"
"After the investigation, she locked herself in Ciel's room and hasn't come out since…"
"Her grief must be deep," Erza murmured. "Of all of us, the one who wished most to meet Ciel again was Mirajane."
The group fell silent. They had all spoken with Ciel, even received his aid. But Mirajane—who should have had that chance more than anyone—had lost it once more.
No words of comfort came to them.
"…If only I had held onto him longer…" Gray muttered.
"It wasn't your fault," Erza replied firmly. "There was nothing you could do."
"Damn that Ciel… shows up just to help, then leaves again. He even appeared before Lucy and gave her a strange key, but not Mirajane?!"
"Natsu, I'm sure Ciel had his reasons."
"Cheh. Next time he comes back to life, I'll punch him once on Mirajane's behalf!"
As the four exchanged their thoughts, a familiar but frail voice called out.
"…Hey… guys…"
They turned. Loki, his face gaunt and body weakened, approached.
"Loki! What happened to you?!"
"You've been gone for so long—where were you?"
"Weren't you injured by Ciel too? You look awful—are you okay?"
Loki gave them a bitter smile, then slowly held out the bundle of keys he carried in his hand.
"Th–this... Could you give this to Lucy?"
"A key?"
"Is this Lucy's?"
"Uh... y–yeah..."
"Wait a second! That face! No wonder you've been missing lately—you've been looking for this the whole time?!"
"No, haha... it's just... really tough, you know? A gentleman has to look out for a lady..."
"You should've said something earlier—we would've helped you."
"Exactly!"
"But... how's Lucy doing?"
"She's probably at home."
Natsu hurriedly stuffed food into his mouth, swallowed it all at once, and took the bundle of keys from Loki.
"Then, why don't we head to Lucy's place and return this to her?"
"Yeah... honestly, I'm a little worried too. She still blames herself for what happened to Ciel's grave..."
"Idiot!"
Gray knew Lucy had been tormenting herself, thinking she'd caused trouble for Mirajane and Ciel. From his perspective, it was natural to worry about her state.
For once, even Natsu, who normally acted recklessly, had a good idea. Gray nodded in agreement, and they stood to leave together.
"Loki... this your first time going to Lucy's house?"
"No... but I'm not going. You know why—bad memories with Celestial Spirit Wizards..."
"You brats! Where do you think you're going?! Get back to work!!"
"Huh?!"
"Run!!!"
As Natsu and Gray tossed off their work clothes and bolted, Erza grabbed a hammer and chased after them.
After a long chase, Erza finally gave in to their persuasion and agreed to join them in visiting Lucy's home—though she first changed out of her clothes.
....
Magnolia, south side of town. A little ways from Fairy Tail stood Mirajane's house.
She sat holed up in Ciel's room on the second floor, staring blankly out of the open window, her eyes brimming with endless tears.
"Ciel..."
Ciel Illusian.
The grave of her beloved family had been desecrated. Revived under Jose's control, Ciel had ultimately broken free of his manipulation and destroyed Phantom Lord. And then... he disappeared.
Not only had the man she loved been forced into someone else's control, but even the last keepsakes he'd left behind were gone.
Yet more than that—it was the pain of losing him before her very eyes that crushed her.
At the very least, she had wanted to say goodbye.
To apologize for the childish tantrums of her younger days. To tell him she was doing fine now, so he didn't have to worry.
And most of all—to tell him she loved him.
She wanted to give him her answer to the last letter he had left behind.
"I'd only just... finally found you again..."
But she never managed to say a single word.
For three long years she had held onto these feelings. And now, with the realization that she would never see him again, that the very existence of Ciel had vanished from this world, the grief tore her apart.
"Ciel... I thought... I thought I had finally pulled myself together..."
Collapsed over the desk, Mirajane buried her face in her arms, weeping until her tears drenched the wood.
She knew he had died. She knew what had come back wasn't truly him. She knew she had to let him go once more.
But the image of Ciel disappearing right before her eyes kept replaying in her mind, and her tears would not dry.
"…Ciel... Ciel..."
As she sobbed his name, something warm draped over her shoulders. Startled, Mirajane raised her head.
The door was locked. She had been alone in the house.
Then who had placed this blanket over her?
Bewildered, she turned—and behind her came a voice she could never forget.
"Mira... you're still the same crybaby as always."
"...C–Ciel?!"
It was the very person she had longed to see, the one she had wished to speak with—Ciel himself.
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