Inside the wooden box were two jars of pills. One was labeled "Anti-Toxin Pill," and the other was labeled "Detoxification Pill," each containing thirty pills.
These were the medicines Porlyusica had researched specifically to counter Bane Particles. A set of instructions was also included in the box, which read:
"The Anti-Toxin Pill is to be taken beforehand; the Detoxification Pill is to be taken after being affected. The effects of both drugs only last about one hour."
"Furthermore, due to a lack of Bane Particles and experimental subjects for further efficacy testing, there is no guarantee that these two pills will definitely work."
On the way back, the group couldn't wait to open the wooden box and pass it around. After carefully reading the "Pill Instructions" and learning that these were merely semi-finished products, everyone was deeply disappointed.
"They haven't conducted specific experiments; is this medicine really useful?"
"Having something is better than nothing. Besides, it shouldn't kill anyone!"
Descartes still had great faith in Porlyusica's medical skills. She had treated those rowdy fellows at Fairy Tail for decades without a single medical dispute—that alone proved her medical expertise was exquisite!
Upon returning to the academy, the group made their final pre-battle preparations and departed.
One week later. Inside a dense forest in the Kingdom of Fiore.
The Magic Council's forces were assembled, and the elites of the Seven Kin were gathered. Their objective was a massive, square-shaped "hill" in the northern wildlands of the forest.
Calling it a hill was a stretch; it was completely barren, without a single tree or blade of grass—even the rocks looked uninteresting. This was because it was not a peak shaped by nature and time; its true identity was the Demon of the Books of Zeref—Alegria.
High up in the trees, Descartes and the others held binoculars to their eyes, spying on the movements of the distant hill. However, after waiting for a long time, nothing happened, as if it really were just an ordinary hill.
"Is that the 'Tartaros' lair? Why is it so quiet? I don't see any trace of demons..."
"The demons live inside that stone mountain. We definitely won't see anything from the outside!"
Hearing this, Serena grew impatient. "Then how much longer do we have to wait?! Let's just charge in!"
Layla cautioned: "But the Council's reinforcements haven't fully arrived. If we act prematurely, we might alert the enemy!"
After determining the location of Tartaros, Descartes' team had received orders from the Council to head to the destination and prepare for action. The seven of them had traveled by magic train, then carriage, then foot—a three-day journey that tormented Serena—before finally arriving.
Yet, upon arrival, they were told: "No independent action," "Support is arriving soon," and "Just follow and cooperate." This nearly infuriated the seven of them. Fortunately, they were well aware that the gap in numbers was too large; going in alone would be suicide.
Helplessly, the group stayed put to rest and wait for the "good news."
Finally, a voice full of vigor echoed from beneath the tree.
"Friends up there, are you all ready?"
"If you're ready, it's about time we made our move!"
The group froze, then looked down. Standing under the tree was a handsome old man who looked to be in his sixties or seventies but was brimming with energy.
Bluenote couldn't hold it in: "Please don't tell me this old man is the 'support' the Council sent!"
Silver craned his neck to look further out and saw no other figures. "Unfortunately, it looks like the situation is exactly as you thought. He's the only one!"
"So you're saying we waited for nothing?" Serena let out a 'tch.' "Sending one old man to help... I don't know if they underestimate 'Tartaros' too much or have too much confidence in us."
"Or maybe 'waiting for support' was just a random excuse to pad this old man's combat credits. Looking at him, he probably doesn't have many years left to live anyway..."
"If I knew it was going to be like this, we should have just fought our way in earlier!"
As the three finished speaking and prepared to move, they noticed the others beside them were unnaturally quiet. They were staring at the old man below with wide eyes and faces full of shock.
"What's wrong with you guys? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
"Uh... nothing." Gildarts wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Let's move. The Council's support is actually... more than sufficient! Also..."
He patted Serena on the shoulder. "Brother, take care of yourself."
"What do you mean?" Bluenote, Silver, and Serena tilted their heads in confusion.
But in the next moment, they understood. They finally felt it—the terrifying magic power emanating from the white-haired old man! This magic power was so vast it exceeded the sum of the entire "Seven Kin of the Holy Knights"!
"What incredible magic! Why couldn't I sense it at all just now?!"
"Who... who on earth is this old man? Is he one of the Wizard Saints?"
"No, even for a Wizard Saint, this kind of strength shouldn't be possible..."
The three were hit by a "pupil earthquake," sweating profusely and feeling deep fear for their previous dismissal. Even the normally battle-hungry Serena and Bluenote were trembling and didn't dare speak a word.
"This person... you should ask Descartes. He's the one most familiar with him here!" Gildarts spoke evasively, yet revealed an unusual connection.
Everyone turned to Descartes. Seeing Gildarts "sell him out," Descartes complained about him being a blabbermouth, then bit his lip, his face showing a hint of embarrassment.
"He's my grandfather!"
Descartes' grandfather?! Then that means...
Ur subconsciously swallowed and whispered: "The... Guild Master of the Council?!"
Descartes nodded.
"Hiss—" × N
The group was struck with immense shock, sucking in a collective breath of cold air. To deal with Tartaros, the Magic Council had actually dispatched their guild master?! This wasn't a gesture of underestimation—they were taking this exceptionally seriously!!
"Um..." Serena's face was deathly pale. "Do you think 'Grandpa-sama' holds a grudge for what I said earlier?"
"I wouldn't dare say..." Descartes shook his head repeatedly, giving Serena a look that said he was beyond help. "Experience it for yourself."
Serena: "..."
I'm totally screwed!!