During the following period, Ankh and Frey Cureniar had been completely occupied with work matters.
They were a whirlwind of activity—signing contracts, approving merchandise, and establishing the groundwork for Ankh's new brand. This grueling schedule left Ankh with little time to participate in the usual chaotic activities with the Strongest Team.
After the initial burst of promotional tasks was completed, however, Ankh finally entered a lull in his schedule. The machinery of fame was now self-sustaining. This allowed him the rare opportunity to slip away from the prying eyes of the public and return to the solitude of his private manor on the outskirts of Magnolia.
In the dimly lit oak-paneled study, Ultear, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, stood before Ankh, reporting recent intelligence.
She wore her Council robes, but her demeanor was far less formal than usual.
"...That's the situation," Ultear concluded, her voice low. "Jellal's construction project—the Tower of Heaven, or the R-System—has been completed. Only the final step remains. They need a sacrifice to activate it."
She paused, her dark eyes meeting his. "It's highly likely they'll make a move against Erza soon."
The light in Ankh's crimson eyes grew obscure and unreadable.
He tapped his finger rhythmically against the armrest of his chair, the sound echoing like a ticking clock.
'Jellal Fernandes...' Ankh thought.
After pondering for a long while, Ankh stopped tapping.
He stood up, his decision made.
"I will personally go to the Tower of Heaven," Ankh declared, his voice cold. "I need to ensure Erza's safety and deal with Jellal myself. The Council matters will be left to you."
Ultear nodded, her expression serious. "Don't worry, Master. We have two votes here—yours and mine. With just a little provocation and fear-mongering about the R-System's potential for destruction, those old fools on the Council will certainly agree to deploy the Etherion."
"Good," Ankh nodded. "But remember, I'm seeking a position for Anselion in the new Council that will form after this disaster. So Anselion cannot openly support you or be seen as reckless. He must be the voice of reason. Understand?"
Ultear smiled knowingly with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Understood. I will play the warmonger, and Anselion will play the reluctant hero who is forced to agree. It's a classic play."
"After this mission is completed," Ankh said, his tone softening into a tease, "you can return to Grimoire Heart. Must be feeling quite relieved to get away from me, aren't you?"
Ultear chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Not at all. It's just changing places to have 'fun' elsewhere. Besides, serving you has been... educational."
Through their time together, Ultear had come to understand Ankh's temperament.
He was terrifying when crossed, but surprisingly fair.
As long as she didn't go too far and, crucially, didn't involve matters related to harming Fairy Tail members, their relationship remained quite harmonious.
Ankh stretched lazily, cracking his neck. "By the way, I know you have an adopted daughter you picked up. Meredy, right? Be good to her. She's still just a child after all..."
Ultear's pupils slightly contracted.
She stiffened.
He even knows about Meredy?
Well, as the leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory, Ultear knew her identity had been completely exposed to Ankh.
But Meredy was a secret she kept close to her chest. It was unnerving how much he knew.
Ultear curled her lips, watching Ankh's deliberate attempt to intimidate her with his omniscience.
Suddenly, she felt somewhat indignant.
'Does he think he can scare me so easily?'
And so, Ultear began recklessly testing the boundaries as a playful smirk forming on her lips.
"Meredy can't really be considered my adopted daughter," Ultear purred, walking closer to his chair.
"Our age difference isn't that big... But if Master is interested in younger girls... I could introduce you~ She has pink hair, very cute."
Cough!
Hearing Ultear's seemingly suicidal words, Ankh choked on air.
He didn't get angry, but instead awkwardly picked up the teacup beside him to hide his face.
'Meredy?' Ankh thought rapidly. 'She didn't have much storyline in the original work until later, but I remember her. She's a loli around Wendy's age! And pink hair...'
'Better not think about it. That would be crossing several lines of morality and legality.'
Seeing Ankh fall silent and flustered, Ultear pressed further instead of backing off.
She enjoyed seeing him squirm.
Pretending to ponder, she smiled sweetly. "Then again... if Meredy were with Master, what would happen to Mira-nee? She seems quite attached to you."
Ankh's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
He glared at her.
"Stop pretending to be young," Ankh snapped. "You're older than Mira, yet you call her sister? Have some shame woman."
Ultear propped her chin on her hand, pouting like a teenager. "Hmmp I'm not the favored one, am I? After all, she's your legitimate wife in the public eye!"
"PFFT—!"
Ankh finally couldn't hold it back. He sprayed a mouthful of hot tea across the desk.
Fortunately, Ultear had been prepared.
She ducked under the table with practiced ease, shielding her head with a file folder before cautiously peeking out like a cat.
Startled by Ultear's brazen words, Ankh wiped his mouth in a fluster with his sleeve.
He glared at her under the desk.
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Ankh scolded, though his voice lacked real heat. "Legitimate wife? Who said that?!"
Ultear shrugged without responding, climbing back up.
'What was going on?' Ankh wondered, eyeing her warily.
Why was this woman growing less afraid of him by the day? He had punished her thoroughly in the past—shouldn't that have intimidated her? It made no sense...
Ankh stared at Ultear in bewilderment before hastily changing the subject to regain control.
"There's another matter," Ankh said, clearing his throat. "Have you handled it?"
"Since you commanded it, of course I have."
Then, under Ankh's gaze, Ultear extended her hand toward her chest.
She reached into the soft cleavage between her boobs...
Ankh: "..."
'Where is she keeping it?'
...and retrieved a set of colorful tickets.
They were still warm.
"Here," she said, handing them over.
Ankh took them gingerly.
These were tickets to the Akane Resort—a famous vacation spot with a massive casino and water park.
It was the destination for the Strongest Team's upcoming trip. It was also the place where Jellal's minions would likely make their move to kidnap Erza, which was why Ankh had ordered Ultear to procure them to ensure they were in the right place at the right time.
Though none of that mattered right now...
Ankh looked at the tickets, then at Ultear's boobs, then back at the tickets.
'Is this the legendary 4D pocket?' Ankh wondered. 'The human physique designs in this anime world are truly unreasonable... and convenient.'
Ankh rubbed the tickets in his hand, staring strangely at Ultear.
After a long pause, his curiosity got the better of him.
He finally managed to ask:
"So... uh... Ultear."
"Yes, Master?"
"Does your face get hit when you run?"
Ultear blinked. "What do you mean?"
Ankh scratched his head, looking for a polite way to phrase the physics question.
"Well... that is... when you entered my study just now, which part of you passed through the doorway first? Was it your nose or... your boobs?"
Ultear looked at him, puzzled. "My legs, of course. Why?"
Ankh nodded sagely. "I see."
Then he fell silent, his mind completely occupied by calculating the aerodynamics of her stride.
Seeing Ankh's distracted expression, Ultear realized he was thinking about something inappropriate again.
She sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Master, stop calculating. I'll take my leave now."
Ankh snapped back to reality and nodded, composing himself. "Alright. Go. Next time we meet will probably be when I deal with Grimoire Heart directly."
Ultear turned to leave.
She thought back to the past, to all the things this hateful, confusing, powerful man had done to her. Instead of feeling relieved to be free of his immediate oversight, her heart felt strangely unsettled.
Finally, not knowing what came over her, Ultear paused at the door.
She turned back with a soft, melancholy smile on her lips.
"From now on, Master," she whispered, "there won't be anyone for you to bully or punish anymore... Take care."
After saying this, Ultear's face flushed slightly as she realized how intimate that sounded!
She quickly exited the study, closing the heavy oak door behind her with a click.
Leaving Ankh sitting there bewildered.
"..."
He continuously pondered her words.
'Wait, what did Ultear mean by that?' Ankh frowned. 'No one to punish'? I wasn't some pervert who enjoyed punishing people! I only did it for discipline!'
'Wait, uh... Could it be... that she actually enjoyed it? Or that she... likes me?'
'This woman is so fucking weird...'
Ankh sighed, looking around the empty study.
The silence pressed in on him. He had to admit, he actually felt somewhat reluctant to see her go.
Having one less living creature at home felt exactly like when your pet cat runs away.
Meanwhile, in the hallway, Ultear sneezed twice.
"Achoo!"
She rubbed her nose. "Someone is talking about me."
Back in the study, Ankh shook his head.
'No wonder everyone prefers staying at the guild. Being home alone in this big house is just too boring.'
Ankh put the warm tickets in his pocket and stood up.
He decided to go find Erza and the others to liven up the mood.
Just as he reached the front door, noisy shouts suddenly came from the courtyard outside.
"Hey—Ankh! Are you in there?!"
'Natsu's voice?'
Ankh walked out of his house.
Standing in the sunlight on his front lawn were the four members of the Strongest Team, all looking like they were ready for an expedition.
Natsu and Happy were jumping around excitedly, vibrating with energy.
Gray was standing with his arms crossed, but he couldn't hide the happy grin on his face.
Erza had gone all out.
She was already fully equipped in a one-piece swimsuit, wearing a sun hat, and holding a swim ring.
She was pulling a small cart loaded with luggage, beach balls, and picnic baskets.
"We're going to the beach!" Erza declared.
Lucy excitedly waved a fan of tickets in her hand. "Ankh! Look! Loke gave us five tickets to the Akane Resort as an apology for disappearing! Let's go together!"
Ankh was taken aback, pulling the tickets from his own pocket. "Five? But there are six of us including Happy... wait, you have tickets too?"
Natsu grinned and hugged the blue cat. "Happy doesn't count as a person! We can just stuff him in the luggage if they ask!"
Happy: "Aye! Wait... no! I may not be human, but you're really cruel Natsu!"
Ankh shook his head with a wry smile.
He put his own tickets back in his pocket—'better to keep them as spares or sell them later.'
"No need for such trouble," Ankh said, walking down the steps. "I'll handle Happy's entry. Let's not stuff him in the bag."
Natsu was overjoyed, pumping his fist in the air. "Alright! Then let's set off! To the resort we go! I'm gonna eat all the buffet food!"
"Yeah!"
Watching the others raise their hands high with satisfied smiles, the sinister scheming and dark thoughts of Jellal and the Magic Council that had filled Ankh's heart moments ago were instantly pushed aside.
They were replaced by warmth and light.
'This,' Ankh thought, looking at their faces. 'This feeling is not bad.'
Ankh gradually relaxed his mindset. His shoulders dropped an inch.
'For now, at least, I will head to the beach and enjoy myself properly!'
'As for those who dared to attack...'
A cold glint flashed in Ankh's eyes for a brief second.
'If Jellal or anyone else dares to disrupt their fun... I will kill them on the spot!'
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