Rebby was in a great mood today; the new book she ordered finally arrived.
Even though the delivery guy dropped it at the wrong address and she only managed to pick it up this evening, she was still thrilled.
"Sarusuk, Dolael, could you two keep me company?"
"Hahaha, no trouble at all."
"Being by Rebby's side is our greatest wish."
Sarusuk and Dolael flanked Rebby on either side, their sycophantic smiles and behavior the very definition of a devoted follower... In truth, Rebby never asked them to come, but the two shamelessly tagged along.
That's just because Rebby has a good personality; otherwise, anyone else being hounded like that might have already been hauled off by the constable for a lesson.
Rebby and her two adoring companions passed the massive tree in the center of South Gate Park; a short distance across the park stood three houses—that was their home. As locals of Magnolia, they each owned a place.
But then, a sudden anomaly erupted.
A slender iron whip slashed out from the shadows toward the trio, snapping straight at the frontmost Rebby. Fortunately, Sarusuk reacted in time, using his "Divine Foot" to pull Rebby out of the way.
Dolael tossed a few seeds, instantly invoking magic to make them sprout into large‑leaved defensive plants that sprang up before the three of them.
"Who are you?!"
"Come out right now!"
Sarusuk and Dolael shielded Rebby from behind, their eyes scanning the surroundings anxiously.
Even with their not‑so‑bright minds, they guessed the assailant's boldness was probably tied to the recent guild sabotage.
A figure leapt down from the rooftop of a building in the park.
The person was muscular, his face adorned with metal studs, exuding a cocky swagger; his wild black hair flailed behind him, and his whole demeanor screamed "I'm the best in the world."
Rebby watched the attacker step forward, and just from his aura she could tell that the Shadow Gear squad stood no chance against him.
"Sarusuk, go get help quickly; Dolael and I will hold him off." Without a second thought, Rebby made the most sensible decision.
Magnolia may as well be the headquarters of Fairy Tail, and with Sarusuk's "Divine Foot" magic, reinforcements could be summoned in a flash.
Sarusuk was reluctant to let Rebby face the seemingly powerful foe. "Better you go, Rebby—how can a man let a girl get into danger?"
"Exactly, Rebby, you run. The two of us will risk our lives to hold him down!"
Sarusuk and Dolael echoed each other, terrified to death yet trying to appear heroic in front of Rebby.
Come on, it's ridiculous to keep playing macho now.
If they had any time left, maybe reinforcements would have arrived... Watching her two lifelong friends, Rebby felt a mix of urgency and frustration, her mouth opening and closing without managing a word.
"Enough, you trash."
Glancing at the still‑struggling Dolael and Sarusuk, the attacker growled impatiently, "None of you can get away from me."
Though her heart raced, Rebby kept her composure, "Who are you? Why are you attacking us? Does the guild's sabotage have anything to do with you?"
He grinned, "Happy to tell you trash; you'll find out soon enough. I am the ace mage of the 'Phantom Overlord,' the Iron Dragon Gajiru."
Sarusuk and Dolael stared blankly, still preoccupied with how to confess to Rebby and missing all other details. From the title, however, it seemed the opponent was a dragon‑slaying mage like Natsu.
Rebby sensed trouble; dragon‑slaying magic is a formidable combat spell, and the three of them were now in serious danger.
Gajiru had been dispatched by his own guildmaster to stir trouble in Magnolia, and being forced into unwanted tasks already irritated him. Seeing Rebby's panic only made his mood worsen.
"Hmph, you trash."
Gajiru's hands morphed into iron swords; a single slash cleaved the magical plants Dolael had summoned in half. "Your annoyance is your fault. Now lie down obediently for me."
"Stop looking down on us!"
Dolael roared, slamming his seed‑filled hands onto the ground; countless vines erupted, coiling around Gajiru's legs like serpents.
Almost simultaneously, Sarusuk's figure blurred into a streak of light behind Gajiru, and he launched a full‑body kick powered by high‑speed impact.
"Too slow."
Gajiru didn't even turn; he snapped his iron‑gray hand back, gripping Sarusuk's ankle with a crushing squeeze, a crisp crack echoing as bone snapped.
Sarusuk didn't have time to scream; he was flung upward, his body hurled toward Dolael.
The two collided in a heap, and the magical plants halted instantly.
"Next up is you, little girl."
Seeing Gajiru rush forward, Rebby swiftly inscribed magical runes in the air with her right hand, shouting, "I'm just short!"
"Three‑Dimensional Text: Shield!"
The moment the rune‑shield materialized, Gajiru's iron sword swung again. With a loud *bang*, the shield shattered, sending Rebby sprawling; the new book in her arms scattered across the ground under the blade.
Gajiru looked at the dazed Rebby trying to get up, lifted his foot, hesitated briefly, then stomped down hard, "Trash belongs in the trash can."
Sarusuk and Dolael strained to look up just as Gajiru's foot descended; their eyes widened in horror, knowing Rebby's frail frame couldn't survive the blow.
At that moment, a wooden stake dropped from the sky.
Gajiru swung his iron sword upward, cleaving the stake in two, and when he looked down again, Rebby had already been rescued by Sarusuk.
He didn't seem to care, turning his gaze toward the massive tree at the park's center. "You hidden‑behind creature, come out already!"
"Sir? You look more like a delinquent to me."
From within the great tree, a figure emerged—Hop, who had slipped into the tree earlier using the 'Tree Arc' technique to watch the show.
"Yo, three of you, out for a midnight stroll?"
Hop, still holding an unfinished piece of bread, grinned at the stunned Shadow Gear squad, "Your park's looking a bit chaotic tonight—maybe you should head home early."
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!