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Let's split the narrative.
While Noah was going all out in the royal palace, his companions, far away in a corner of the continent, were also quite busy.
With Noah handling everything, Makarov and the others, who had formed a sightseeing party, naturally had a good time.
Makarov was fishing by the sea, incidentally enjoying the youthful and beautiful scenery on the adjacent beach volleyball court. The Western Continent's dress style could be described as "passionate and unrestrained," especially with girls revealing much more than in Ishgar.
Mira and Erza went to the vicinity of Caracole City, claiming to be gathering information, but seeing them return to the hotel laden with shopping bags, it was hard not to suspect they had gone shopping.
Gajeel blended into a heavy metal rock club, where he found kindred spirits and felt like he had known them forever.
Laxus, surprisingly, was pursued by a group of young women.
In this empire that revered strength, Laxus, who looked undeniably strong, was handsome, and acted domineeringly—such a "tyrannical CEO" stood out as brightly as a firefly in the dark.
However, Laxus, surrounded by a bevy of beauties, was not happy.
Women were just too much of a bother. He was a man destined to become Fairy Tail's strongest Mage.
Unlike the popular Laxus, Gray's experience, compared to his companions, was utterly miserable.
While the Western Continent was open-minded, it didn't mean its people lacked moral sensibilities and would allow a pervert who stripped down to his underwear in the street to wander freely.
His stripping habit, developed from his magic training, predictably landed Gray in trouble yet again. While others came to the Western Continent to relax and sightsee, he was subjected to two days of stern lectures from the peace officers.
Released from the police station for the third time, Gray's hands trembled from having copied the "Code of Conduct" over one hundred times in total. He had written more in these two days than in his entire preceding seventeen years.
"Sigh... I should have known not to come to the Western Continent to join the fun."
Gray's current feeling was one of regret. He shouldn't have worried about Natsu's safety. Wouldn't it have been better to stay at the guild, making his own music and dancing to his own beat?
Checking the time, Gray, with a resentful expression, arrived at Caracole City's Central Plaza. This was the meeting point his companions had collectively decided upon, as the Big Eater competition was being held there.
When Gray arrived, the others had already been waiting for a while.
Mira, holding a drink, looked at the unenthusiastic Gray and teased him with interest. "Oh, look, if it isn't the famous Gray! Even when Erza and I went outside the city, we heard tales of your legendary exploits!"
Erza nodded. "Indeed. 'The Exhibitionist's Three Visits to the Police Station'—truly an educational story."
Caracole City wasn't that big. Gossip from the morning could spread throughout the streets by afternoon. It was only thanks to the police station's professional ethics that they didn't release Gray's portrait, otherwise he'd be recognized walking down any street.
He was completely disgraced.
Gray's face darkened, suddenly wishing he could leave this world...
Thankfully, Makarov, somewhat concerned about the young man's reputation, changed the subject. "I heard that a very important person will be a judge at this Big Eater competition. Be careful not to expose yourselves then."
Laxus disdainfully curled his lips. "It's just a mere eating competition. What's there to care about?"
Makarov was long accustomed to his grandson talking back. In truth, he didn't care much either. He was just giving his usual advice.
Moreover, how "important" a big shot attending such a competition could be was debatable.
Just then, excited shouts rang out in the street.
"Lady Irene has arrived!"
The sightseeing party instantly perked up, looking in the direction of the sound, as they had heard this name many times since entering Alvarez.
People on the street quickly retreated to both sides.
Regardless of gender or age, everyone was highly enthusiastic, their faces filled with fervent admiration and reverence, welcoming the arrival of their "Lady Irene."
Such an exaggerated scene—let alone for the young ones like Laxus, even the well-traveled Makarov had never witnessed such an ardent atmosphere.
Because the newcomer held an extraordinary and absolute position within the Alvarez Empire.
One of Alvarez's Spriggan 12, second only to one and above all others, a terrifying existence whose formidable strength earned her the title "Empire's Twin Pillars" alongside Wizard King August.
The Scarlet Despair—Irene Belserion!
It was truly unexpected that such a prominent figure would serve as a judge in a city's Big Eater competition.
Step... step...
Moving through the crowd, the sightseeing party quickly spotted the figure of the "Scarlet Despair" in the middle of the street.
Irene did not travel by carriage. Despite her status, she walked into the city, without a grand retinue or an escorting guard.
Only two young women, appearing to be around twenty years old, accompanied Irene.
One wore a white dress, the other a black leotard. Both were very youthful.
The "Scarlet Despair" lived up to her name.
Irene wore a wide-brimmed black magic hat, her scarlet hair braided into four plaits hanging in front of her. She had black gloves reaching her forearms, black over-the-knee high-heeled boots, and finally, a black cape emblazoned with the imperial crest.
Irene's attire perfectly matched the continent's unrestrained style. Beneath her cape was a very revealing black brassiere, and her lower body was covered only by a black cloth concealing her intimate undergarments.
Fair, delicate skin, a half-revealed, proud fullness, shapely Tmovement.
Yet, despite being such a beautiful woman—scantily clad, with a great figure, and exceptional demeanor—no one dared to cast a lewd or disrespectful glance at her.
Because once you felt her terrifyingly vast Magic Power, you would understand what "Scarlet Despair" truly meant.
The organizer of this Big Eater competition, the Mayor of Caracole, scurried obsequiously to Irene's side, his expression fawning. "Lady Irene, it is truly Caracole City's honor to have you grace us with your presence..."
Mid-flattery, the Mayor realized Irene wasn't paying him any attention, but was staring at a specific spot in the crowd.
With a puzzled look, the Mayor followed her gaze. In the crowd, a young woman with similarly scarlet hair instantly caught his eye.
The Mayor's mouth dropped open.
If it were just the same hair color, it wouldn't have shocked him so much. What stunned the Mayor was that the young woman's appearance was almost an exact replica of Irene's.
Not identical, but at least ninety-eight percent similar.
The only difference was that Irene's demeanor was more mature than the young woman's.
The Mayor's reaction caused more and more people to turn their gaze toward Erza. Yet, the usually perceptive Erza seemed oblivious, merely staring intently at Irene, whose eyes met hers.
An indescribable emotion burst forth from the depths of the young woman's heart.
Feeling her heart suddenly quicken, Erza's breathing became somewhat ragged, and the stirring in her heart prompted her, as if by an unearthly impulse, to speak to Irene:
"Who... are you?"