Florentine Estate
"I thank all of you again for taking up this job. This has been a problem for at least more than two weeks now. My connections kept me updated on the situation, but even I failed to catch the culprit…"
A few people could be seen gathered at the scene of the crime. Among them, a middle-aged man looked at the trio with gratitude, his sophisticated presence showcased a true example of his status.
"No problem!" Natsu smiled as he glanced around the room. Broken shards of glass were sprawled around the floor, while the container was completely destroyed. Other than that, there were no more pieces of evidence. It was definitely unnatural for a typical thievery.
He recovered quite fast after stepping down from the carriage. Well, the thought of beating up the usual bad guys reinvigorated him. He was always down for fights, and he wouldn't miss such a chance no matter what.
"This scent…" Natsu walked towards the shattered container as he was followed by Kagura and Happy. They also checked it with him just in case, even if there was nothing to go by at the moment.
"What's wrong, Natsu-san?" The swordswoman asked him, since the expression he displayed was that of uncertainty.
Natsu tried his best to describe the feeling. "Everything's mixed. I could definitely notice the common scent of someone emitting magical power. But there's another I can't put my finger on, it seems more… icky." His visage exceptionally serious.
"That can't be good." Happy remarked in worry. "I don't think I've ever heard Natsu describe a scent like that before. Who the hell is this thief?"
Kagura petted the Exceed. "Do not panic, Happy. We are all in this together." Being in Fairy Tail during these two weeks progressively changed her mindset. Although she took quests solo, she was more open to conversation more than ever.
"Aye! It just caught me off-guard. Natsu overcame near impossible situations! Compared to what me and him experienced, this is nothing at all!" The blue cat's tail wagged, relaxing at the woman's touch.
The dragon slayer chuckled. "You got that right, buddy! Nothing can stand in Fairy Tail's way!" He stood up from the floor, looking right through the window. He put his fist against his palm in excitement.
"I've got the bastard's scent memorized. Follow me guys, we will go along the path he escaped to!" He enthusiastically zoomed towards the estate's doors as he ignored the surprised Florentine and Chris.
Kagura sighed as she excused herself along with Happy. "It appears we will return here after our job's complete. We will meet again around that time. Thank you for accommodating us, Butler Chris and Lord Marquis."
"Aye! We're very sorry about Natsu. That's just how he rolls for the most part." Happy hastily went after the two who went ahead, leaving the remaining two who witnessed them with speechless expressions.
They look at each other and wryly shook their heads in amusement.
"Wizards truly act according to their desires, Chris."
"They're certainly something, my lord."
Wishing the best for the trio to solve this issue with no additional complications.
…
Sound.
It's an important function for the human body, a natural occurrence in daily life, and an integral part for every living being.
To be born with a disability in relation to it is a mental challenge to the spirit. Either they accept their flaws and make the most of it, or succumb to negativity and lament on the unfairness of it all.
Ordo was the opposite of such a thing. He was born with a variant of Sound Magic, one that nullifies noise around him like a curtain. In the eyes of normal people, they could only gawk in awe at its uniqueness. In the eyes of the magic world, he was someone with great potential.
Unfortunately, the world was a big place. Instead of a representative from the council, or even a light wizard… The group who discovered his existence first was a branch guild that was under the banner of Tartaros.
He's heard of the Baram Alliance. Three behemoths who were at the top of all dark guilds, garnering fear and malice through the might of their wizards alone. Yet two of those untouchable factions fell like dominoes.
Each member of Oracion Seis were all currently rotting in prison, thanks to the combined might of the Light Guild Alliance.
Grimoire Heart was said to have been defeated while trying to invade Fairy Tail. Their status unknown due to the destruction of Tenrou Island.
Tartaros was the only one left, lurking in the shadows as if waiting for the right moment.
Many rumors surrounded the last of the Baram Alliance. They were the most secretive and didn't like to announce themselves to the public. But that still made it even more eerie, since doing large-scale operations while completely avoiding the watchful eye of the Magic Council is frightening in itself.
Other than that, there was one fact that made them completely different from the usual dark guild… All of them were devil worshippers, fanatics even. People who treat other fellow humans as offerings to the being they revere: The Black Wizard, Zeref.
This could even unnerve the vilest of criminals, because disregarding one's humanity in mind, body, and soul is beyond insanity.
Ordo witnessed it personally… The cruelty under that dusk-filled sky that descended on his crimson-stained hometown.
Kill them all! We only need this person as the only one alive.
He could only blame himself for existing.
This is incredible… I feel the power flowing through me! This is something that magic can't even replicate.
These monsters revel in the joy of slaughter with no purpose.
Boss stated that you are a very useful piece, cause your magic is aligned with our guild's goals. So you better follow our orders with no question asked.
Dying here wouldn't return those innocent lives that were taken.
We've received a great present from Lord Jackal, and boss is truly benefiting from it. An Obsidian Crystal that could absorb all types of Ethernano!
Playing along with their grandeur illusions was the only option for now.
Listen carefully, useful tool of ours. Boss is currently in slumber as he's circulating the magical items the others found. I assume you understand what that means, yes?
He nodded while as he did his best to veil the spark of vengeance hidden in his heart.
This will be your role from now on. Whether it would be to kill, negotiate or steal. Gather as many as magical items that you can find during these two weeks, then add them as fuel to strengthen the boss who is in slumber.
One window of opportunity… The right people that could stop this group's ambitions.
Once the boss awakens, all those weaklings shall bow down before us! Hahahaha! Heck, maybe a spot would be available to work under Lord Jackal. I could see our future already!
That won't happen. He will turn all those delusions into nothingness.
Ordo's escapades of stealing all kinds of magical items while not being detected at all was something that's special even among the most skilled of thieves. Whether it would be from Tracking Magic, Tracing Items, or even trained Magical Beasts… His magic nullified everything with ease.
This was in layman's terms, the essence of his magic. Erasing sound was simply the basic function, the more advanced one… obscures the nature of any type of Ethernano itself.
It wasn't like an Anti-Ethernano technique per say, he could simply trick the senses of a wizard as they use their own magical power. From circulating their magical container beyond what they thought, to even misjudging the power output of their spells.
A simple yet practical skill that makes him a dangerous wizard.
Which was how he managed to avoid capture all this time. He was so efficient that he could walk among the crowds within his own scene of crime. This was also one of his objectives as he tip-toed under the tolerance of those monsters.
He discreetly observed the reactions of those involved. Rune Knights, Light Guild Wizards, Mercenaries…
All of them were decent, but not enough for that slumbering evil.
The disappointing results didn't stop him at all, it even motivated him more. Due to his diligence in helping out the branch guild, their wariness around him gradually lowered. Meaning he could move as freely as he wished, only making sure to get the job done.
Then, he targeted Marquis Florentine. Nobles like him usually issue their problems to the biggest guilds because of their immense fortune. And as he expected, a light at the end of the tunnel showed itself.
One of Fiore's strongest light guilds accepted the job. Well, former is the correct description. The fire wizard known as Salamander held the fort with unrivaled vigor, and if you add it with his reputation among dark guilds… Most would think twice before provoking him.
"If it's them, there is a chance!" Ordo muttered as he leaned on a tree that was of decent distance from the estate. He's lowered the effects of his obscurity to make his presence more noticeable.
After a while, he spotted a pink-haired young man gunning for him, already infusing his fists with fire.
"Kagura, Happy! I could see him just in front of me!"
"Really!? Did he even try to run away?"
"Natsu-san, please be more cautious! This thief must be truly skilled to avoid pursuit until now."
Ordo gazed at the trio with a calm and expecting expression. "I come in peace, Salamander. I have to intention to---! Urgh!?"
A good ol' whack to the face interrupted him, letting him taste a mouthful of fire.