After eating and drinking their fill, Erza finally accepted Natsu's challenge.
"Go Natsu! You're the strongest!"
"Take down Erza! Take down Erza!"
Everyone in the guild ran out to the door to watch, cheering excitedly.
Lucy watched as the two of them squared off and was suddenly shocked: "Are you guys for real?"
Mirajane took her hand and smiled: "Of course. Both of them are very serious people."
Elfman said with high spirits: "A real man gives it his all!"
"But Erza is a girl!"
"Are Erza and Natsu the two strongest in the guild?" Lucy asked expectantly.
Since joining the guild, she had seen many people fight, and Gray, Natsu, and Erza seemed to be the most powerful.
Gray shook his head: "Who told you that? The undisputed strongest in the guild is Gildarts. Erza is a candidate for the strongest, while a weakling like Natsu can't even beat me."
As he finished speaking, he noticed Mirajane's resentful gaze and suddenly laughed awkwardly: "Oh, it was you!"
As the guild's biggest gossip and fan of shipping couples, it could only be Mirajane.
Levy added from the side: "The candidates for the strongest are Mystogan and Laxus. You'll see them later!"
If Erza were a bit older, she would definitely have the ability to compete for the strongest. After all, Erza's talent could almost be described as unprecedented and unmatched.
Lucy marveled in her heart; it turned out there were still powerful comrades in the guild she hadn't met yet.
However, she felt that Acnologia and Irene were also exceptionally strong. Although they were newcomers, they should be at the level of S-Class Mages.
In the center of the battlefield, Erza said with a smile: "It's been many years since we've faced off with magic like this!"
Natsu laughed loudly: "Once I defeat you, I'll go challenge Acnologia!"
Erza's expression suddenly turned cold: "Are you saying he's stronger than me?"
She was an S-Class Mage, while that unreliable father of hers was just an ordinary Mage. Erza would never admit he was stronger than her.
Natsu didn't notice Erza's expression at all, his face full of fighting spirit: "I'm all fired up! I'm definitely winning today!"
"Requip! Flame Empress Armor!"
A red magic circle expanded, and Erza instantly donned a set of fiery red armor with the strongest fire resistance.
"Erza, let's fight!!!"
Natsu laughed, flames soaring from his body, the terrifying heat making everyone retreat.
Boom!
The two collided instantly, and a terrifying shockwave swept out, leaving everyone stunned by the power.
In an instant, flames rose everywhere and dust flew.
Dong!
The sound of a gong was heard, making everyone stop.
Then, a fellow who looked like a standing turtle walked into the center of the battlefield and said calmly: "Everyone, stop!"
"I am an envoy from the Magic Council. Regarding the Eisenwald incident, Erza is under arrest on multiple charges to stand trial. Come with me!"
"What, arrest Erza?" Everyone looked shocked.
Lucy asked anxiously: "Why? We were the ones who defeated the Dark Guild and the demon!"
The envoy remained expressionless: "This is an order from the Council. You have no right to question it!"
Natsu shouted angrily: "No way! If you want to take Erza away, you have to go through me first!"
Acnologia couldn't sit still either. He reached out to shield Erza and said coldly: "What Council? To try my daughter, I'd like to see what right they think they have!"
The envoy said calmly: "Do you intend to make an enemy of the Council?"
"You can try!"
Acnologia sneered. A few mere small fry dared to point fingers at his daughter.
Although he liked this era, he didn't mind clearing away some eyesores.
"Acnologia, don't be impulsive."
Makarov said: "Don't worry, I will protect Erza!"
Erza stepped forward calmly: "I'll go with you!"
She didn't believe the Council would actually do anything to her, and more importantly, she didn't want to see her father fighting the Council.
She looked at the indignant crowd, as well as Acnologia and Irene: "I'll return safely!"
With that, she stepped forward and followed the Council envoy away.
"The Council..."
Irene's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of murderous intent.
Acnologia frowned slightly: "Don't worry, no one dares to hurt our daughter."
Although he had forgotten this part of the plot, Erza would definitely return safely.
However, he felt a bit annoyed!
Once he found out which bastard was behind this, he would definitely not be lenient!
Everyone in the guild was also very angry, but since the Master had given his word, they could only suppress their rage.
If Erza didn't return safely later, even if the Council was strong, they would charge in!
...Magic Council Branch
The envoy led Erza along the path, and soon she saw a blue-haired man ahead smiling at her, as if waiting for her.
"Siegrain?"
Erza frowned slightly. She had fought this man before, and his strength was very formidable.
In the original plot, Erza and Siegrain shared hardships in the Tower of Paradise and formed a deep bond. But now, Erza only knew that this person was very powerful, far beyond what she could currently face.
She asked warily: "What do you want?"
Siegrain smiled: "I quite like the Fairy Tail Guild. Each of you has justice in your heart and loves life; it's something I've always longed for."
"What are you talking about?" Erza's eyes showed confusion; this person was being quite nonsensical.
"There is one thing I'm not sure is right or wrong. I hope you can help me decide..."
"Forget it, it's not time yet. Goodbye!"
Siegrain waved his hand to himself and turned to leave.
Soon, Erza was brought to the Council's courtroom, where the envoy from before announced her crimes one by one.
Chairman Crawford Seam had a cold expression and said calmly: "Erza, do you plead guilty?"
"Plead your ass!"
Boom!
Suddenly, an incredibly vast magical power descended. The terrifying pressure instantly forced everyone to their knees on the ground, and the Council buildings all collapsed and were destroyed.
Then, a giant eye opened in the sky, looking down coldly at the terrified crowd below.
Whether they were ordinary Mages or the Thought Projections of the Ten Wizard Saints, all were pressed to their knees by this terrifying magical power.
What kind of monster was that in the sky?
"Just the magical power alone... even the Ten Wizard Saints can't resist it..."
Erza frowned slightly. She felt a strange sense of familiarity with this magical power, and that giant eye seemed like she had seen it somewhere before.
Where could it have been?
"A bunch of trash gathered together, and you really think you're qualified to judge the continent?"
A cold voice came through, making everyone tremble. Siegrain's body was also cold all over; he never dreamed such a powerful existence existed in the world!
Was the lord he believed in even this strong?
Crawford Seam lost all his previous composure and shouted in terror: "Who on earth are you?"
"Trash like you isn't worthy of knowing my name!"
Boom!
Crawford Seam's Thought Projection exploded instantly.
Then, under the gaze of the giant eye, the Thought Projections were destroyed one by one.
In the end, only Siegrain, Makarov, Ultear, and Erza remained, along with the ordinary Mages.
"Consider this a small lesson."
The giant eye closed and vanished.
"What kind of terrifying existence was that?"
A strong sense of lingering fear appeared on Makarov's face. The others were Thought Projections, but he was there in person. Fortunately, no move was made against him.
Ultear was also uneasy: "Could our Council have unintentionally offended him?"
Siegrain managed a forced smile: "Who knows? The Council points fingers everywhere; there are plenty of people who don't like us."
"However, this person isn't truly evil. Otherwise, he wouldn't have just killed the Thought Projections."
Seeing everyone's shaken state, Makarov pulled Erza back quietly and said: "Everyone's gone. Erza, let's go home."
"Okay."
This trial was originally just for show, meant only to maintain the Council's dignity and the order of the Magical World. If the terrifying giant eye hadn't intruded, she might have already returned.
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