Chapter 60: Phantom LordAttack (4)
Crucified to the cross was a girl, bound by iron rings.
"Levy!"
"This is too cruel! How could they do this to her?!"
"Bastards! Let Levy go right now!"
Lucy's face paled. "How can they be so heartless…"
The Fairy Tail members erupted in fury, shouting curses toward the Phantom Lord Guild headquarters. Levy was one of the guild's youngest members—sweet-natured and kind, someone who could talk to anyone. Everyone treated her like a little sister. Seeing her gravely injured and tied to the Jupiter Cannon was beyond inhuman.
"BOOM!!!"
The ground began trembling violently. Everyone turned toward Dino. His usual warm, big-brother demeanor had completely vanished, replaced by a murderous intent radiating from his eyes that could have killed a man a hundred times over.
Makarov, riding in the carriage, felt the earthquake immediately. He knew Dino well enough to recognize this wasn't normal. Dino rarely caused tremors of this magnitude unless his emotions reached a critical point.
"Damn you, Jose! What have you done?!"
Jose's voice carried a mocking sneer through the communication lacrima. "Done? Makarov, I haven't done anything terrible. I simply separated my hostages and kept one close by. Originally insurance against any desperate moves on your part, but it seems I've found a better use for her."
"No wonder Makarov seems so calm. You managed to bring that monster back with you."
Makarov's voice thundered with rage. "Dino is NOT a monster—he's my family!"
"Only Makarov would adopt such a creature as family. Everyone outside the guild whispers about him, you know. But I must thank you for keeping that monster chained up all these years. Otherwise, this entire country would have been destroyed long ago."
"JOSE!"
Jose's voice echoed across the ruined Fairy Tail guildhall, dripping with false concern. "Oh my, how terrifying! Dino Maxim, stay right where you are and don't move a muscle. If you do, I might accidentally kill this little girl. That would be quite unfortunate, wouldn't it?"
He didn't demand Dino's suicide or anything so crude—that would only corner a dangerous animal. Better to dangle hope just out of reach, wearing down the opponent until they had no strength left to resist, then finish them in one stroke.
The ground's shaking gradually subsided. Dino dispersed the white spherical aura forming around his fists and stood motionless.
Jose let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He'd genuinely feared the man would attack regardless—because if their positions were reversed, Jose knew he'd never stop for a mere hostage.
Makarov's sickening emphasis on bonds and family had actually worked in his favor this time.
"Excellent! Element 4, move out! Charge the Jupiter Cannon! The next shot fires in ten minutes! I want to watch this brat and his precious guild reduced to rubble with my own eyes!"
"Jupiter Cannon charging! Firing in ten minutes!"
Suddenly, countless Phantom Lord soldiers began rappelling down from the walking guild headquarters, rushing toward the Fairy Tail position.
"Crap! Enemy soldiers incoming!"
Natsu cracked his knuckles, flames igniting around his fists. "Ten minutes, huh? I'll rescue Levy before then! Happy!"
"Aye, sir!" Happy grabbed Natsu and launched into the air, flying toward the massive mechanical guild.
Elfman pounded his fists together. "I'm going too! A real man protects his nakama!"
Gray's expression turned serious as ice began forming around his hands. "Let's destroy that Jupiter Cannon. Levy's going to be heavily guarded—probably even Jose himself is watching her." The two charged toward the enemy headquarters.
Mirajane bit her lip anxiously. "But we still don't have enough people! They have the Element 4, plus Gajeel the Iron Dragon Slayer…"
"Worst of all, Jose is one of the Ten Wizard Saints. Without the Master here, and with Dino unable to fight, nobody can stop him."
A familiar voice cut through the despair. "I'll handle Jose."
Everyone whipped around to see Erza striding forward in her Heart Kreuz armor.
"Erza!"
"Thank god! Erza's back!"
Joy spread across the faces of the guild members. As Fairy Tail's strongest S-Class mage, Erza's power and presence were legendary. In this desperate situation, her arrival was like a miracle.
"Sorry I'm late!"
Dino smiled despite the tension. "You're right on time. Things haven't gotten that bad yet. You didn't have to push yourself rushing back."
Even though Erza's face remained composed, it was obvious she'd depleted significant magical power. She must have forced the magic mobile to run on her own energy to arrive this quickly.
"Still acting tough at a time like this." Erza shot him an exasperated look.
"They're just Phantom Lord. What's there to worry about? Do you understand the situation?"
"Jose was shouting loud enough that I heard everything from kilometers away. If you want to chat, we'll do it after this is over. I'm going!" Erza broke into a run. Phantom soldiers tried to intercept her along the way, but she cut through them effortlessly with her blade.
"That's Erza for you—always so decisive."
Macao raised his voice. "Enemy contact! Prepare for battle!"
"Engage at will!"
The guild members unleashed their various magics against the charging soldiers.
Nearly half the Phantom forces veered toward Dino. Jose's voice rang out mockingly: "Remember, Dino Maxim—you can't do anything. I wonder what might happen to that little girl if you do?"
Dino's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And what makes you think I need to fight?"
"Dino!" Cana and several others saw the bulk of enemy soldiers converging on him. Their faces filled with alarm as they moved to help.
Dino held up one hand sharply. "Don't come near me! Everyone stay back—it's dangerous here! These small fries can't touch me."
As he spoke, Dino closed his eyes and began concentrating. The nearest Phantom soldier raised his weapon, blade descending toward Dino's head.
Suddenly, every soldier within a ten-meter radius of Dino began… disintegrating. Their bodies broke apart into particles of light and dust, dissolving into nothing as if they'd never existed.