Three days later, in Magnolia—
"Phantom… It's Phantom! Why are they here? Don't tell me they've come to start a war with Fairy Tail?"
"How could that be? The Council has explicitly forbidden guild wars. Would Phantom dare to break the law of the Magic Council?"
"But this is Phantom we're talking about—the number one guild in Fiore. Their master, Jose Porla, is one of the Ten Wizard Saints, and he commands the Four Elemental Wizards along with the Iron Dragon. With influence like that, they even have representatives in the Council itself.
Do you think the law can restrain them?"
"Phantom is strong, sure. But Fairy Tail isn't weak either. Their master, Makarov, is also a Wizard Saint. Then there's Gildarts, Laxus, Mystogan, the Fairy Queen, the Fire Dragon… how much weaker than Phantom could they be? If you ask me, Fairy Tail might even be—"
The man didn't finish his words. His companion quickly covered his mouth and dragged him away. "Are you crazy? Saying that in front of Phantom?"
On the streets of Magnolia, Jose Porla himself led Phantom Lord's procession straight toward the Fairy Tail guild. The townsfolk wisely stepped aside, clearing a path.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some whispers made Jose smile with satisfaction, but others darkened his face. His expression turned cold as fury boiled in his chest:
"Fairy Tail…!!"
Catching his master's eye, a Phantom member slipped out of the marching ranks. He knew exactly what to do—track down the bystander who had dared to slander Phantom.
Meanwhile, beneath the ruins of Fairy Tail's guild hall—
"Master, Phantom Lord's master is on his way here with a group. Should we prepare for battle?"
"Jose? He's personally leading them?" Makarov's hand trembled, nearly spilling his drink. He was astonished. Jose Porla was a man obsessed with status and reputation, narrow-minded and arrogant. For someone like him, even offering an apology was unthinkable—so why would he personally come to Fairy Tail?
Makarov had been prepared for Phantom to stall, refuse payment, and refuse any apology.
Yet here they were. He turned to Jet (one of Levy's Shadow Gear trio, the speed mage), and asked: "How many people has he brought? Are the Element Four with him?"
Jet quickly reported: "He brought over a hundred people. Aside from the guild master and the Air Element wizard, the other three Elements and the Iron Dragon aren't here."
"That's strange… If he came to fight, he wouldn't leave half his forces behind. But if he came to apologize, Jose's pride would never allow him to march with so many men." Makarov stroked his chin, sinking into thought—then a name surfaced in his mind: Piapia.
Forgotten by most, Piapia's existence was almost erased from memory. Among ordinary people, his presence was so faint it was as though he didn't exist. Even many in the Council were unaware that he was alive. But the true upper echelons—those sharp, cunning ones—knew.
And if they knew, then they also understood.
To erase not just memories but even documents and records of his existence, effortlessly influencing the minds of even strong mages and Wizard Saints alike—this was not even Piapia's true strength, but merely a side effect of his ability.
If such a man truly revealed his full power, how terrifying could he be?
This silent intimidation was far more dreadful than Etherion. Etherion could have been avoided if it had never fired. Piapia, however, was always there, constantly bending the world around him.
Once, when forgotten, no one worried. But now that Piapia had been remembered, now that he intended to step out into the world, the Council could no longer ignore the consequences.
"If the Council pressured Phantom into this… then it makes sense."
Even so, unease lingered in Makarov's heart.
Piapia had been erased from memory for six or seven years. In that time, many Council members had been replaced by younger men and women. Could they truly grasp the threat and act to restrain Phantom?
Makarov took a heavy swig of ale, shaking his head. He was falling into his old habits again. Right now, with Fairy Tail's twin pillars of strength standing tall, it was not his job to bend over backwards appeasing others. It was the world that should be making way for Fairy Tail.
Let them go to hell.
One mug of beer after another slid down his throat. His cheeks flushed, his drunkenness mingled with the smoldering anger from the destruction of their guild. It all fermented into something fierce.
He grew angrier the more he thought. By the time Phantom arrived, Makarov had already decided: no matter what, he would not give Jose a pleasant reception. And if the Council wanted to interfere, then they could taste his wrath too.
Soon enough, Phantom Lord arrived.
Jose lifted his eyes, gazing at the ruins of Fairy Tail. He noted the scorched ground, the footprints, and the battle scars. The scene confirmed what Aria had reported. His lips curved slightly in cruel satisfaction—this was exactly what he wanted: to see Fairy Tail brought low.
But then, his expression darkened.
At the guild's entrance, not a single Fairy Tail mage had come out to greet them. For Jose Porla, the master of Fiore's so-called number one guild, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, this was an unforgivable slight!
Without even needing his signal, his followers began shouting—
"What kind of pathetic 'Fairy Tail' is this? Our master comes in person, and they can't even send someone to welcome him?"
"They must've been planning to provoke us all along! This proves it!"
"Arrogant bastards! Our master Jose is here giving them face, and they spit on it?!"
Jose raised a hand, quieting them. He straightened, feigning magnanimity as he shouted toward the ruins: "Yo, Makarov! Long time no see, eh? The last time must've been at a Council meeting. What's wrong? Won't you come greet me?"
"Jose. I've got nothing to say to you. Leave the money. Issue a public apology. Then this ends."
From the underground chamber, Makarov strode out with his guild behind him—Natsu, Erza, Gray, Lucy, and more. Their presence radiated strength.
"What fine young mages you've raised," Jose rasped, his sharp gaze sliding past Makarov to linger on Natsu. He examined him closely, then glanced over the others.
"Sometimes, I truly envy you. To have discovered so many outstanding talents, to bring Fairy Tail to the point where it can stand shoulder to shoulder with Phantom Lord… not an easy feat."
"They are my family. That's what makes us different from you," Makarov shot back coldly.
"Heh…" Jose chuckled darkly. With a signal, two of his men stepped forward, each hefting a briefcase. They opened them, revealing stacks of cash inside.
"This is Phantom's compensation."
"Good. Set them down, then leave." Makarov's expression finally softened as he glimpsed the money. Relief swelled in him—this time, Phantom truly had come to apologize.
"What's this? Not even going to check? Aren't you afraid I might have… slipped in a little trick?"
With a flick of his magic, Jose pulled the two cases into the air before him, as if daring Makarov to inspect them.
"Of course I'll check." Makarov, slightly drunk and distracted by the sight of funds that could ease Fairy Tail's financial strain, walked forward. Suspicion slipped from his heart as he opened the briefcase.
That was when the trap was sprung.
Aria, who had been utterly silent, materialized behind Makarov. His hands clasped together, and magic power surged violently as his domain expanded. The very air was sucked away, exploding in a sharp vacuum blast.
Tears streamed down from beneath his blindfold as he whispered—
"Airspace: Extinction."
"Stop!!"
The moment Aria moved, Fairy Tail's mages sensed something wrong. They leapt to intercept. But they had let their guard down. Jose, prepared for this, unleashed a barrage of black energy orbs that blasted them back, cutting off their rescue.