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Hearing Noah was from the Eastern Continent, August had yet to react, but Invel couldn't sit still.
As August's assistant and successor, and the most likely candidate for the next Grand Strategist, Invel's intuition was incredibly sharp.
"What tourist, what child looking for elders? I think these are just disguises for your entry into the Empire."
"You even dared to infiltrate the royal palace, a truly treasonous act. You are spies sent by Ishgar, attempting to gather intelligence on the Empire."
Invel pushed up his glasses and began to speak like a master detective. "Since you sought assistance from Grand Strategist August, it means the person your three missing companions are supposedly looking for must be a high-ranking official of the Empire, because mid-to-low level officials are not worthy of the Grand Strategist's attention."
"I dare say, that person must be one of our Spriggan 12. The Ishgar Council has tried to probe our information more than once or twice."
Neinhart clapped his hands in praise. "As expected of the Winter General, who embodies both wisdom and might, and the Grand Strategist's successor! He saw through the true colors of the scoundrels in an instant."
Invel frowned. He wasn't someone who enjoyed flattery. "Neinhart, say less of such words. Even if you praise me to the heavens, I will not go easy on you for your upcoming assessment to join the Spriggan 12."
So this clown is a Spriggan 12 candidate.
Noah looked at Neinhart, who was fawning over August, with a hint of disdain. This man looked at least twenty-five years old. It was one thing to be outmatched by Brandish, who was younger than him, but he was actually trying to use connections.
August didn't care about the two juniors and continued to stare at Noah. "Young man, do you admit to Invel's words?"
Admit? Admit his grandmother's leg.
Noah couldn't help but admire Invel's associative ability. He had clearly spoken the truth, only without revealing his specific identity, so how did Invel manage to mistake him for a spy?
Could it be because of the Fairy Tail emblem on the back of his hand... Wait a minute!!
Looking at the guild emblem on the back of his hand, Noah froze.
He had been pretending for so long, yet he hadn't even hidden his guild emblem. What was this if not burying his head in the sand...
August stroked his beard. "Hahaha, you finally realized it, young man from the Ishgar Magic Guild Fairy Tail."
As expected, he was recognized. Given Fairy Tail's standing in the Ishgar Magic World, the Alvarez Empire must have investigated them, so it was impossible to hide it.
Even with Noah's thick skin, he couldn't hide his current embarrassment.
Humiliating, it was so damn humiliating.
However, the embarrassment came and went quickly. Noah's face, which was comparable to a city wall, immediately returned to normal. "Since that's the case, I won't pretend anymore. I am indeed a Fairy Tail Mage, and my previous words were not lies."
"The situation between the Eastern and Western Continents is tense, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, I disguised my identity."
August nodded, acknowledging Noah's explanation, but more so because Noah was from Fairy Tail.
If he weren't a member of that guild, August would probably have killed Noah the moment he discovered him in the palace. Why else would he calmly listen to his rambling?
Noah didn't know the Wizard King's thoughts. "Old man, I'd like to ask for your help in finding my companions. As for compensation, I will try my best to satisfy you within a reasonable range."
August stopped stroking his beard. "First, tell me about your three companions and who they are looking for."
Noah revealed everything about Natsu's team and the relationship between Lucy and Brandish, without hiding anything, as hiding it would be useless anyway.
With the Alvarez Empire's intelligence network, while Fairy Tail might be somewhat protected, the Heartfilia Konzern couldn't possibly block their investigation. It was better to just tell them and avoid bringing trouble to Jude.
"I see, so that's how Brandish's mother passed away. What a pity."
August showed a look of regret.
After Brandish became an orphan, he adopted her. For all these years, August had treated her like his own granddaughter, so he couldn't possibly be unaware of Brandish's hatred for the Heartfilia family.
If Lucy fell into Brandish's hands, her fate would be hard to predict.
But now, having learned the truth about Brandish's mother's death, August felt that as a grandfather, he had a duty to stop his granddaughter from making a mistake.
Brandish was a good child. If she knew the truth, she would surely not blame Lucy.
August thought this to himself, but what came out of his mouth was another matter. "I can help you, but I only need one thing as compensation."
Noah nodded. "What do you need?"
August slowly uttered a few words, "Fairy Heart."
Fairy Heart is also known as Lumen Histoire.
Noah's expression hardened, then he smiled and said, "You know quite a lot. This is our guild's top secret."
"A top secret cannot withstand someone prying, nor can it stop me from viewing the memory of someone who had ambition but no power."
So that's it, it was leaked by Ivan.
Noah was helpless. He wondered if Makarov had been so angry back then that he had expelled Ivan from the guild after Ivan peeked at the guild's secret.
Perhaps not long after being expelled from the guild, Ivan was targeted by August, who used Memory Magic to learn about the existence of Lumen Histoire.
Doesn't this mean that the Alvarez Empire has always been keeping an eye on Fairy Tail?
Seeing Noah remain silent, Invel, uncharacteristically, began to persuade him. "Fairy Tail Mage, I know you are in a difficult position, but if you hand over Fairy Heart to us, it can prevent our Empire from waging war against Ishgar in the future."
"As long as you hand over Fairy Heart, I guarantee your companions will be safe and sound, and the Empire will also offer generous resources in exchange."
"Being able to avoid a war that is destined to be unwinnable, I believe you will make the right decision."
The threat of war has arrived.
It seems they have been eyeing Fairy Heart for a long time.
Noah still had a smile on his face, but he had already rejected this transaction in his heart. He had never even seen that thing himself, so why should he hand it over?
The atmosphere in the palace quickly dropped to freezing point.
"Young man, I sincerely advise you not to be so quick to refuse."
August sighed. "How about this, I personally can also give your guild ten learning slots for any magic as compensation. Whether it's 'Lost Magic' or 'Super Magic,' I can teach it."
Seeing that August and Invel had both spoken, Neinhart also chimed in. "Agree to it, otherwise you will have a very difficult time today."
"Difficult? Then don't do it."
Noah scoffed and overturned the table.
Fortunately, because of Natsu's team, he had come to the Western Continent, allowing him to discover Alvarez's coveting of the guild early.
Since these people knew about the existence of Fairy Heart, to avoid future trouble, it would be better to nip the troublemakers in the bud.
First, destroy the Spriggan 12, then kill the Emperor!