"Yes, Zorn, long time no see." Erza covered her injured hand with the other, her previous self-reproachful and angry expression instantly melting away into a smile, though her tone remained somewhat flat.
"Oh, ouch, we're finally here. Erza, you guys ran so fast. How was it? Did you catch Erigor?"
Lucy panted heavily, finally reaching the top floor. After Erza dealt with the enemy, she immediately chased after her, forcing Lucy to run with all her might, which was why she only just arrived.
"Yes, we caught him. I'm sorry, Lucy."
"It's fine, it's fine. As long as you caught him. Where is he?" Lucy bent over to steady her breathing, then looked up and froze. She saw that the surroundings were enveloped by a powerful Wind Magic Wall.
"This is?"
"Don't worry, Lucy. Zorn is here. The matter has been resolved."
"Huh~"
Natsu put his arm around Lucy's shoulder, pointing at Zorn in the air, and said happily.
Lucy followed Natsu's finger and saw Zorn, who was smiling at her. Then she looked at the now completely relaxed group, and a sigh of relief escaped her heart as well.
"You'll have to break through this Wind Magic Wall yourselves, or you can wait until I've dealt with Erigor, then I'll rescue you all."
Zorn said with a mischievous smile, ignoring the reactions of the people below, and looked directly at the ruins in the distance where there was some movement.
"Damn it, cough cough, even if you are one of the Ten Wizard Saints, you won't stop me." Erigor slowly stood up from the ruins, coughed twice, spat out the blood in his mouth, and continued to speak harshly, looking at Zorn.
He also reached for the hidden Curse-sealing Flute at his waist. This was one of the reasons why he didn't escape in the chaos earlier. The other reason was that with his speed, he couldn't escape Zorn's pursuit.
So he planned to use the Melody of Death to directly curse Zorn to death. His expression grew increasingly sinister under his fantasy: "Die here!"
"Oh, are you looking for this?" Zorn dangled the skull flute in his hand towards Erigor, looking at him mockingly.
It turned out that just before Zorn kicked Erigor, he had quietly taken the Curse-sealing Flute.
"Damn it, why, why are you stopping me? You're the ones who caused this to me." Erigor murmured in a low voice, his magical power also greatly increased. "Power, only power can get me what I want. Everything that stands in my way must die."
"Storm Break!" Erigor gathered magical power in his hands, and a purple magic circle appeared before him. A powerful tornado rushed directly towards Zorn.
It was easily blocked by a golden Spriggan Shield in front of Zorn, who didn't even raise his hand. This scene further stimulated Erigor, who unleashed all his magical power, making the Storm Break charge even more powerfully against Zorn's defensive magic.
Only the overflowing wind blades had already destroyed the surrounding houses, leaving them as broken walls and ruins.
"Damn it, damn it, die, all of you die!" After Erigor's revenge plan failed, coupled with the vast difference in strength, his heart was now somewhat insane, and he vented recklessly.
After the last infusion of magical power into Erigor's magic, the powerful wind was slowly eroding Zorn's defensive magic. At a critical point, the defensive magic shattered directly, and the powerful tornado directly enveloped Zorn.
Erigor also laughed wildly at this, not even considering how he could possibly defeat a dignified Ten Wizard Saints. It seemed he was truly mentally unstable.
It wasn't until Zorn appeared behind him and struck Erigor down with a raised hand, then bound him with chains, that his laughter stopped.
Zorn then carefully studied the flute in his hand.
He found that just now, when Erigor was filled with resentment, the three eyes on the flute seemed to react, but now they were gone.
————Separator————
On the other side, within the Wind Magic Wall, Erza, Gray, Natsu, and the others.
"Ah~"
"Natsu, are you okay? Don't try anymore." Lucy watched worriedly as Natsu tried his best to resist the hurricane, his body marked with wounds from the wind blades.
After all, it was a double Wind Magic Wall, and Natsu was still bounced back by the wind.
Seeing this, Lucy immediately hugged Natsu, not letting him try again. She didn't care what Natsu was thinking at the moment.
Natsu was also surprised by Lucy's embrace, and as if realizing something, both of them froze for a moment. Erza and Gray already sensed a hint of ambiguity.
It was unclear if Zorn wanted this scene to repeat, which was why he made everyone stay in the Wind Magic Wall.
But Natsu, oblivious to the atmosphere, directly pushed Lucy away, leaned close to her face, and said happily: "Right, you can use your Star Spirits to go through the Celestial Spirit World, and then take us out, just like at the Erbal Mansion!"
"No, that method only works if there's a Star Spirit Mage outside, and humans entering the Celestial Spirit World is a serious breach of contract."
Happy, who was nearby, suddenly remembered something when he heard "Erbal Mansion," and walked towards everyone in a panic, holding the Star Spirit key for "Virgo - Virgo."
"No, how could you steal it without permission? You're a bad cat!" Lucy immediately grabbed Happy's cheeks and pulled.
"It, it was Virgo who said to bring it to you. Her previous owner was arrested, so she broke the contract."
"And, this way we can burrow, and we can get out from underground."
"Really?"
"What did you say?"
Erza and the others looked shocked.
Lucy's face instantly lit up when she heard this, and she hugged Happy happily, like a different person.
"Alright, let's go out now."
Lucy held the key and took a deep breath. Erza, Gray, and Natsu also watched Lucy nervously.
"I am the one who connects the path to the Celestial Spirit World. Respond to my call, cross the gate, open, Gate of Virgo - Virgo!"
As Lucy swiped the key in the air, a blue magic circle appeared, and the slender, maid-outfitted Virgo spun out from the gate.
"Is there anything you wish for, my Master?"
"Who are you?"
"Because I am a Star Spirit very loyal to my Master, I will dress according to my Master's wishes. Do you like this appearance?"
Virgo faintly looked at the whip at Lucy's waist, deep in thought.
"Well, this appearance is quite comfortable to look at," Lucy nodded in approval.
"Then what should I call you, Queen? Princess?"
"Not Queen, but Princess suits me quite well."
Lucy's shy and narcissistic expression made Natsu and Gray stare in surprise, never expecting Lucy to have such a side.
"Uh, hurry up."
"Oh, right, right. Virgo, take us out from underground."
"Yes, Princess."
Gray watched as a large hole quickly formed under Virgo's magic, and he was the first to jump in, followed by the others.
As soon as they emerged from the hole, they found Zorn studying a flute, with the unconscious Erigor bound by golden chains on the other side.
"Oh, you're out. Then let's go pick up the Guild Master. Also, I have this thing to deal with."
Zorn dangled the flute in his hand.
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