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Noah didn't enter the cemetery, because the person Mystogan wanted him to meet had already walked out with Makarov's group.
Mystogan respectfully spoke to the only elderly woman present. "Porlyusica, this is Noah, my younger brother."
Porlyusica wore a long crimson cloak, with dragon horn-like decorations on her upright collar, and her long pink hair was secured at the back of her head with a long hairpin. She exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay.
"Follow me," Porlyusica said coldly, walking straight toward the large tree outside the church.
Looking at Porlyusica's back, even though it was their first meeting, Noah felt a strange sense of familiarity with her—he didn't know why.
Sixty years ago in the Edolas World, Faust's elder sister, who was Noah's aunt, suddenly disappeared mysteriously and couldn't be found anywhere. Her name was also Porlyusica.
Considering her age, if Noah's aunt were still alive, she would be around the same age as the Porlyusica he saw today.
Noah didn't think much of it. After all, he'd already met several parallel world counterparts, so there was nothing to dwell on.
Under the big tree, Mystogan introduced Porlyusica to Noah. In fact, Noah already knew about her without Mystogan's introduction—Porlyusica's name was in the Guild Chronicles.
She was a teammate of Makarov in his youth and possessed superb medical skills.
Later, for some unknown reason, Porlyusica suddenly grew tired of human conflicts and secluded herself deep in the East Forest outside Magnolia, disliking anyone disturbing her.
"Greetings, Senior Porlyusica."
Noah respectfully greeted Porlyusica. Mystogan had said that Porlyusica took good care of him, so for both emotional and logical reasons, Noah had to be respectful.
Porlyusica didn't reply, only scrutinized Noah up and down, muttering in a low voice, "So alike, so very alike..."
Mystogan didn't hear clearly, but Noah did, and he asked, puzzled, "Senior, do I resemble someone you know?"
Porlyusica nodded, her cold tone becoming much gentler. "Yes, you resemble my brother, whom I've been separated from for a long time."
Mystogan was a little surprised. Having known her for so long, this was the first time he'd heard Porlyusica mention her family, and her attitude toward Noah was perhaps too gentle.
It was well known that Porlyusica had secluded herself in the forest because she disliked humans—even with Makarov, an old friend, her tone was always indifferent.
"Your family..."
"I won't have a chance to see them. They're in another world."
"..."
Listening to Mystogan and Porlyusica's conversation, Noah suddenly realized something: he couldn't feel any Magic from Porlyusica's body!
There were only two possibilities for this situation.
One was that her Magic was powerful enough to be completely contained, making it imperceptible to weaker Mages.
However, Porlyusica was a healer, and she was old—it was unlikely her Magic could surpass Noah's, who possessed the ability of Life-Magic Interdependence.
And the second possibility... Noah looked at Porlyusica. "Senior, do you know? My brother and my father;s is named Faust, and coincidentally, he's also in another world, and he's a king."
Seeing Noah suddenly bring up matters from their old home, Mystogan's eyes widened. Hadn't they agreed not to reveal their identities for the time being? Why was this kid suddenly spilling the beans?
Noah noticed a fleeting look of surprise in Porlyusica's eyes, and immediately made up his mind, continuing with a smile. "It seems you don't understand, big brother, why Senior Porlyusica takes special care of you."
"What if I told you that Senior Porlyusica is also from Edolas?"
Mystogan was startled, but in fact, he'd long harbored a similar suspicion.
When Porlyusica treated injuries, she always used healing Magic tools and her extensive medical knowledge. So Mystogan had long suspected that Porlyusica was the same as himself.
He just didn't want to disturb or displease Porlyusica, so Mystogan hadn't confirmed it. Luckily, Noah directly revealed this point.
Even through his mask, Noah could see Mystogan's emotional changes. "Big brother, we actually have an aunt, but she mysteriously disappeared when our father was a child."
"What do you think our aunt's name is?"
Listening to Noah's words, Mystogan remained silent, only looking at Porlyusica.
Sighing, Porlyusica no longer concealed it, her expression softening. "That idiot Faust, to be able to have two clever sons, he's truly lucky."
It turned out that Porlyusica's mysterious disappearance back then was due to accidentally being caught in Anima. No wonder she was neither seen alive nor dead—she'd been transported to Earth Land.
After only asking about the Magic depletion situation in Edolas and Faust's recent condition, Porlyusica left.
"She says she hates humans, but she can't help but care about her companions and family."
"Our aunt, her personality is really twisted."
After complaining a couple of times, Noah also planned to leave. He figured he might as well take this opportunity to go back to the dorm and catch up on some sleep. As for the Guild's expansion project, Noah chose to trust the strength of his companions.
In short, just trust them.
"Don't even think about it, Noah. Come on, come back with me and continue working."
The red-haired girl always appeared at the perfect moment. She gripped the white-haired boy's shoulder with one hand, forcefully dragging the tearful boy toward the construction site.
"Wait, I object!"
"Why does Mystogan get to do nothing?!"
Noah knew he couldn't escape Erza's clutches today, so he made a last-ditch effort, which was to drag his older brother down with him.
If I can't slack off in peace, then no one else should have it easy!
However, the next second, Mystogan disappeared in a puff of smoke. What Erza saw when she turned back was only Noah's face, equally divided between indignation and bewilderment.
As if heartbroken by their 'plastic' brotherhood, Noah wore a pained expression. "How could you heartlessly abandon your beloved younger brother, Mystogan—you're so mean!"
Erza chuckled, then became serious again. "Hmph, you'd better worry about yourself first, Noah. If you don't finish the work assigned to you today, I'll make sure you regret it!"
"No!"
"'No' won't help!"