Welbor Town.
Inside a room of a tavern's second floor, a man and blue cat watched that brief yet destructive beam of light slowly fade into nothingness.
"Heh." Warren smiled knowingly. "It looks like our Ace is going on a rampage out there."
"Aye!" Happy floated beside him. "He really was eager to pummel some dark wizards once everyone was free to engage."
"You guys were the first ones to do that…" Warren glanced at him as he sweatdropped, recalling the trio's encounter with Rale back at Calio Village.
Both of them managed to rendezvous without problem, avoiding potential suspicion from the people lurking in the shadows.
Warren was mostly fine, considering that he blended with the locals seamlessly. It was Happy who needed to be slightly cautious, courtesy of his escape under Natsu's reminder.
When Happy accompanied Natsu and Kagura, they passed through crowds of island employees or residents who were guided by the dark wizards in order.
This meant that his appearance will definitely be remembered, so openly flying right above plethora of hidden enemies would not bode well for him, especially if he's suddenly alone.
Therefore, once he safely distanced himself from the battle, he made sure to take note of his altitude, combined with his mobility in using Aera Magic to stay undetected throughout his journey in leaving the central district.
While in flight, Happy also activated his signature etched into the Telepathic Link, contacting Warren with the intention to regroup.
As soon as their conversation finished, he went towards the direction of the tavern Warren used. The vacant alleyways and patches of darkness masked his small frame, which allowed him to smoothly enter the establishment.
Though a talking cat would still be a wonder to normal people, so he garnered some attention. Warren's presence helped in lowering such curiosity, even initiating small talk to not make a scene.
After a few interactions, they excused themselves and returned to Warren's designated room, planning to discuss about the current situation.
"Nah, his actions were on the borderline of stalking already." Happy understood who he was referring to and sagely nodded. "You can say it was just a natural obligation since no one would want a creep lurking near their home."
"Fair point." Warren chuckled at the cheeky feline's logic.
He then looked down at the two opposing parties below, noticing the shift of tension after the bright spectacle from the island caught their attention.
Unlike the previous cordial atmosphere of questioning, it was now getting louder and louder causing some to even invoke their magic due to the arguments.
In fact, anyone with the slightest bit of rational thinking would conclude that something seemed off about this so-called 'skirmish.'
The locals raised their eyebrows at the surprising intensity of the explosion, while the Rune Knights increased the pressure of their insistence.
Ultimately, what response can these dark wizards come up with other than to continue playing dumb with denial? Even Warren didn't expect this level of patience, but it was proof of how they went under the radar for half a decade.
"This is bad." Happy followed his gaze and remarked in worry. "What if they suddenly hold those people hostage?"
"I don't think they would risk exposure that easily after all this time." Warren rubbed his forehead to analyze possible scenarios. "But we also can't just rule that out."
Involving oneself with the underworld required no logic, because there was no law to speak of or adhere on. To survive its brutal social hierarchy and environment, a person would need a decent decorum of intellect and a good head on their shoulders.
Predictability and unpredictably may come hand-in-hand in the most straightforward of ways. The scene that Happy and Warren are intently observing right now perfectly encapsulated such a contradiction.
Either the dark wizards maintain the facade until the end, or suddenly drop the act of being escorts. It was a fifty-fifty chance hinging on the foundation of Paramount Tide, and there was no wrong answer.
Wrrnngg!
Warren sensed a magical signature rippling throughout the Telepathic Link, prompting him to put his fingers onto the side of his head.
[Are you alright, guys? What's the situation?] A slightly weak voice inquired.
[Men~! Hibiki, my junior!---kughk!] Ichiya replied with a strained tone. [… I'm glad to know that you're recovering steadily! Is it the same with Max-kun?]
[He's still unconscious, Boss.] Ren said. [It's a good thing that you gave me one of your Healing Perfumes. Their injuries weren't light, so it's been a great help.
[Don't worry about us, Boss.] Hibiki assured. [Me and Max will manage just fine thanks to you.]
[That's a huge relief!---ghgk!] Ichiya abruptly paused again, which was a bit obvious to everyone who heard it.
[No point in trying to act tough, Ichiya.] Lyon interjected helplessly. [What happened on your side?]
[I wasn't trying to hide anything!] Ichiya denied comically [We've managed to defeat another of their S-Classes, Gilrid. At least that's who I think it is, if I base it with the physical information you shared.] He stopped for a moment, before he continued.
[One of his strongest spells managed to catch us off-guard.] Ichiya wryly sighed. [I managed to regain consciousness in time due to my Power Perfume, but Eve got knocked out instantly and is currently recovering.]
[As long as the two of you are intact, then I'd say it's a victory in paper.] Lyon tried to lighten the mood.
Everyone who was present in the link giggled. They didn't mind some temporary form of mental relaxation, since most of them were fresh with injuries while doing hit and run tactics to take care of the remaining dark wizards.
[Well, and I feel extremely useless.] Waynir grumbled. [I'm ashamed for not being able to do a damn thing!]
[You don't need to feel that way, Mr Waynir.] Hibiki answered on behalf of the rest, considering he was with him right now. [You already did your best, especially given your circumstances.]
[Yeah, and you can't really account for a dark wizard's behavior.] Ren added as he clicked his tongue. [It was that Hana escalated this whole fiasco.]
Waynir was simply a lone craftsman that put his foot down to stay neutral. Although if he attempted to lean towards a particular side, nobody would dare ignore his stance.
That was how much sway he had, just because of his close relationship with Mack. Paramount Tide were business partners at first, while he was already apart of it during its early phases.
Fortunately, Mack's plea for him to choose the passive approach worked in his favor. There was only so much a normal person could do when dark guild activity is in the picture.
[I know, I know.] Waynir reluctantly agreed. [But this still doesn't feel right.]
[Cheer up, will ya?] Ren was also with him at present. [You carried both Max and Hibiki as I covered the perimeter, and that's each time we needed to transfer to a new spot under your guidance.]
[Without someone who had mapped a decent portion of this side of the island, more dark wizards would've sniffed out our trail.] Hibiki followed up.
[Okayyy, enough with the chummy crap!] Waynir responded in embarrassment, making the others smile and chuckle.
After another round of short banter, the group returned to the situation at hand. Warren specifically called their attention, updating them of what him and Happy are observing right now.
[That's the gist of it.] Warren finished his explanation. [Heck, I wouldn't put it past the council for deploying a separate investigation unit altogether.]
[It does seem weird…] Hibiki pondered on the Rune Knight's involvement. [Did anyone of you manage to gleam critical information and somehow sent it towards them?]
[When all of us were busy against bloodthirsty dark wizards?] Lyon scoffed. [We weren't even given the chance to maintain our investigation the moment that stupid Hana wanted to scrap!]
[Their instantaneuos response also didn't help.] Ren sounded annoyed. [If you add in to the fact that they had every district covered with eyes and ears, then nobody could really gather substantial information.]
[I dunno about that.] Happy chimed in. [They're definitely dumb for making it easier, or else we would've been lead on like a bunch of headless chickens.]
"______"
The Telepathic Link became silent for a moment, as if common sense got smacked back into their senses.
[... Happy isn't really wrong.] Sherry softly laughed. [Overthinking it will simply turn our brains to mush, and that isn't gonna be beautiful for everyone.]
[Haha!] Lyon did the same. [That's right! Don't forget that most of Paramount Tide's elites are already taken down by us, although those from Raven Tail seemed to be taking back a step.]
His analysis wasn't unfounded, because he clashed against some pursuers who bore the latter guild's mark. However, they were mostly average, which made it look too easy.
[Whatever the reason is, we should quell this chaos first and foremost!] Ichiya suggested, pushing their suspicions back to focus on the present. [Let's collect our thoughts and discuss this once everything is over.]
No matter how it happened, timely assistance would naturally be welcomed. The remaining grunts weren't a major problem in terms of combat capability, but such numbers can shave off their reserves for the most part.
Given the communication network within the island, they assumed that a portion of their pursuers will be forced to regroup at the town, where the Rune Knights confronted the final batch of dark wizards.
Subsequently, this move gave the group an opportunity to breathe and recover more of their magic power.
[Going by process of elimination, only Hana and Vandis are left.] Warren said. [So we'll leave the central district to Natsu and Kagura.]
[Obviously.] Lyon chortled in amusement. [Pretty sure the raging pillar of fire a while ago meant something, no?]
[Indeed!] Ichiya hummed in praise. [They're the strongest wizards among us! I trust in their strength completely!]
[Can't argue with the facts.] Ren admitted. [Those dark wizards should be the ones who need to worry instead.]
[Yep!] Happy joyfully responded.
[An accurate assessment.] Hibiki stated.
[True.] Sherry agreed. [Their chemistry is also lovely!]
[I guess everyone's on the same page, then.] Warren joked, before laying out the plan. [We'll have to gather around the town's perimeter in case the locals get implicated under the crossfire from a potential battle.]
[A simple yet great approach! I'm fine with this.] Ichiya was on board. [It's better to be safer than sorry.]
[How about our current looks?] Lyon asked. [Anyone would be surprised to see battered wizards if we reveal ourselves.]
[Paramount Tide announced it to be a skirmish, right?] Hibiki emphasized. [Returning the provocation back at them will definitely grind their gears.]
[That's snarky!] Happy giggled mischievously. [I like it.]
It was a risk that they were willing to take, considering the current situation. Especially if the unconscious S-Classes were found, updating those who are still awake and able.
The possibility is slim, but preparing countermeasures for the worst outcome was normal when fighting against active criminals.
This was the final stretch, meaning there's no luxury to let one's guard down until it truly ends.
…
Welbor Island, Central District.
Whoosh!
A slash of concentrated fire that was aimed towards Kagura, who immediately leaped to avoid it with practiced ease.
BOOM!
The building behind her got affected as a result, cleaving the entirety of its lower floor like butter. The stoic swordswoman didn't flinch from such an explosive display, and only focused on the battle maniac that followed up to intercept her in midair.
CLANGG!
Qualitative amounts of magic power rippled across the area, their collision powerful enough for any sane individual to not interfere in such an intense fight.
"Aren't you having fun? Cause I am!" Hana grinned excitedly, clashing against Kagura with two greatswords. The one on her right hand is of orange-red color, while the one on her left was made of pure flames.
Her trifecta of homing blades were naturally useless since Kagura dealt with them without struggle. She could only fuse them into a formed weapon to increase their offensive output, intending to match it alongside the other.
Yet, it could barely budge the stable posture of woman before her.
"I do not share the same sentiment." Kagura's cold gaze met hers evenly as they both got into a stalemate.
Wrrnngg!
After a short instant, she channeled her gravity onto her arms and Archenemy, applying more weight in the process. This gave her the edge to push Hana back slightly, which allowed her to overpower the dark wizard during that brief opening.
CLANG!
Kagura sent Hana downwards with a strong swing.
BAMM! Krrrsssshhhh!
The fierce momentum forced Hana to skid across the ground, creating deep gashes due to using her greatswords in an attempt to stop herself.
"You're so rigid!" Hana chortled as if she wasn't getting chased afterwards once Kagura landed. "Why don't you try and see the joy of fighting for the sake of it? Even Guild Master Vandis is no exception to such a feeling."
"Joy? You only irked me from the very start." Kagura quickly dashed towards her, transitioning into her a drawing stance.
"What a hurtful thing to say~" Hana twirled her grip on her right greatsword, flipping it to aim at the pavement she was standing on. More flames manifested as her magic power flared alongside it.
Whoosh!
She slammed the greatsword down before Kagura managed to reach her.
BOOOM!
Flames fanned out like a barricade, engulfing all that was in front of her vicinity. Hana took this opportunity to recover---!
"Archenemy: Slice Form."
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
However, in the next moment, Hana's flames dispersed under the flurry of rapid slashes. Though she successfully stopped her skidding, she instinctively did a defensive posture to block.
CLANG!!
"It's a bit unfair to simply extinguish flames like that, you know? This greatsword produces extremely potent ones." Hana remarked in actual surprise as she clashed blades with her another time.
"Perhaps in your standards." Kagura coldly responded. "But compared to his flames, it's still lacking."
"Heh~ Are you referring to Salamander?" Hana raised an eyebrow, pouring Ethernano into both of her weapons in succession.
Boom!
She created a small yet condensed explosion to separate them again. Hana mildly rolled her shoulders and adjusted her hold on the greatswords, using this window to take a short breather.
"Yes." Kagura also had the same intention. "He would render them useless in an instant." She clutched Archenemy, steadily circulating her magic power while waiting for the dark wizard to make her move.
… They stared at each other for a little longer.
"I didn't expect the sudden boast about him." Hana stated.
"It's not a boast if it's true." Kagura coughed in quiet embarassment.
"Haha! The showcase earlier definitely adds substance to that." Hana cackled in amusement, then glanced at the headquarters in the distance. Her expression unreadable as she got lost in thought.
She suddenly licked her lips.
!!
Kagura's features immediately darkened from the suspicious action, unconsciously tightening her grip on Archenemy in annoyance.
"Master Vandis rarely encounters wizards of his level due to being bounded by his meticulous nature and plans for the commerce." Hana said, panting in excitement. "Ahh~ To think I could witness a Cataclysm again, how wonderful!"
"A Cataclysm? Isn't that term exclusive for Wizard Saints?" Kagura inquired sharply, her rising irritation almost tethering to full blown anger thanks to the dark wizard's antics.
"Not really." Hana shook her head. "This applies to any individual who could arrive at that height of power. The council merely dubbed it as a fancy term, and not everyone likes them anyway."
"Understandable." Kagura couldn't deny that, since even she came to that conclusion in just a month of entering the environment of guild work.
Rumble!
Rumble!
Coincidentally, they felt slight tremors coming from the headquarters. The Ethernano in the air began to flail wildly, as if to acknowledge the pair of calamities battling inside.
Although a bit far, both of them sensed the absurd volume of magical power that managed to appear within their vicinity. Just the impacts of Natsu and Vandis' clashes alone scaled widely, which was probably extremely intense at its source.
"Hehehe…. HAHAHAHA!" Hana embraced the oppressive feeling. "In light of the impending phenomenon, let's be the opening show to its appearance!"
"Gladly." Kagura prepared for round two.
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AN: Natsu is above the Tenth Rank, and just below the Ninth Rank. He's basically in the middle.
This arc will finally end in three chapters. I really didn't intend to make it this long…