This time, Irene activated her Enchantment Magic and sped along, arriving at the Bondre Forest.
This place was crawling with magical beasts, many taller than hundred-meter trees, but they weren't very strong and were easily dealt with by the team members.
Led by Eclair, the group soon reached an underground ruin containing many books and cooking utensils, suggesting someone had lived there long ago.
Acnologia casually pulled out a book and blew off the dust; it recorded history from four hundred years ago.
"An even more ancient era, a war between Phoenixes and Dragons?"
He was slightly curious; the historical records of this era basically stopped at four hundred years ago, and even the many kingdoms of Ishgar didn't know what had happened before then.
"What an ancient workshop..."
On the other side, Eclair looked at the photos of her childhood with her parents on the wall, her face showing sadness. Just as she reached out to touch them, a crystal ball on the table glowed, projecting an image.
A white-haired old man appeared, seemingly seeing Eclair, and said gently, "Eclair, if you are seeing this, I'm afraid it means the clutches of those searching for it have reached here."
"I also heard from the survivors of the Fire Village. I am glad you are safe, but when I think of your destiny..."
At this, the old man looked sad: "But the Fire Village needs you, the Priestess, and I also bear the mission of breaking the seal on the phoenix stone."
Eclair whispered softly, "Breaking the seal, dispelling the magic..."
The old man said softly, "I have successfully dispelled the magic, but I suppose it won't be needed anymore, because I am gravely ill and cannot wait for you to bring me the phoenix stone."
"I'm sorry, Eclair, my dearest daughter!"
Bang!
The crystal ball shattered, and the projection vanished.
Tears unconsciously fell from Eclair's eyes: "Father..."
Her gaze became firm again. Since her father had spent his whole life without breaking the seal of the phoenix stone, she would be the one to complete it.
Lucy saw what she was thinking and said seriously, "I'll help you!"
Erza said with a smile, "Leave it to us; consider it part of the request!"
Eclair looked at their sincere smiles, her heart filled with complex emotions. After a moment of silence, she said, "Thank you!"
...The next day, the group was already on the train. Their next destination was Veronica, a small country to the north of the Kingdom of Fiore.
According to Acnologia, the previous attack was by the Carbuncle Guild, sent by Prince Cream of Veronica. Their goal was to seize the other half of the phoenix stone. If the two pieces were combined, the Phoenix would return, and he would gain eternal life.
Erza and the others' mission was to seize the phoenix stone and crush Prince Cream's plot.
Rather than waiting for the enemy to attack, it was better to strike first. They wouldn't feel bad even if they wrecked the enemy's kingdom in the process.
Natsu lay on his seat in despair: "Why do we have to take the train again!"
Erza was somewhat speechless: "Honestly, those two walked away so easily."
Irene and Acnologia were both absent. After reading an ancient book, the two had left, and no one knew where they had gone.
Wendy smiled: "Sister Irene said they would rush back if we ran into danger."
Erza said confidently, "Even without those two, we can definitely complete the mission."
Three hours passed in a flash. Just as everyone got off the train, a smoke bomb enveloped them, making everyone cough.
Lucy quickly shouted a warning: "Eclair, their target is you, be careful!"
"Is the enemy here!"
Natsu's whole body erupted with power as he soared upward, quickly dispersing the smoke. However, the enemy was gone, and Eclair had disappeared with them.
"Eclair?"
Lucy realized the person behind her was gone and suddenly panicked.
Erza pressed a hand on Lucy's shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry. Since we know who the enemy is, we'll just charge in and rescue Eclair!"
Gray clenched his fists: "They dare to snatch someone from us? We'll make them pay!"
"Let's go! We're moving out!"
...By this time, Eclair had been taken to a dungeon. Prince Cream, a yellow-haired and ugly-looking man, walked over.
He picked up the phoenix stone, wiped it with a tissue, and said with feigned elegance, "Thank you very much for delivering the phoenix stone. I must thank you properly!"
Saying this, he untied the cord from the phoenix stone and threw it onto Eclair's head.
Eclair shook the cord off her head forcefully and said sharply, "You must never let the Phoenix be revived! It's not something humans can control!"
Cream leaned in and said with a smile, "I just happen to have a way to control it!"
Thud!
Eclair headbutted Cream's nose, making his nosebleed flow immediately.
"You bastard!"
Cream clutched his nose with a look of fury and kicked Eclair to the ground.
He said in a rage, "I've decided, you brat! I'll use you as a sacrifice and execute you tomorrow!"
"Just you wait!"
Cream wiped away his nosebleed and turned to leave angrily... Time moved to the next day.
In a dark secret chamber, Prince Cream placed his hand on a stone door carved with a phoenix pattern and whispered, "Guided by the blood and bones of my ancestors, I command you to come forth. Open, Sesame!"
The stone door slowly opened, and the red half of the phoenix stone floated in mid-air, emitting an eerie light.
Cream chuckled and took the phoenix stone in his hand: "My wish is about to be fulfilled!"
Outside, a grand celebration began. The entire royal city was enveloped in a joyful atmosphere. Balloons and sparkling decorations hung on both sides of the streets, and wonderful music played, adding a festive cheer to the city.
Watching the kingdom's army advance in uniform formations, people's faces were filled with excitement as they cheered; this was a manifestation of their kingdom's strength.
Cream was now standing on the city wall, looking down at the army and his subjects. Seeing Eclair being escorted by soldiers, a smile he couldn't suppress appeared on his face: "Excellent, I've finally waited for this moment."
Just then, a fire Roar blasted through the city gate, sending many soldiers flying.
"Let's go save Eclair!"
Natsu, Erza, Wendy, Gray, Lucy, Happy, and Carla—the five people and two cats—rushed in quickly. Gray cast his magic, freezing all the soldiers along the way.
A soldier walked up to report: "Your Highness!"
Cream raised his hand with a faint smile: "Don't worry, my lovely loyal dogs will go bark for me."
On the other side, as Natsu passed through a small path, he was instantly blasted away by a beam of light and crashed into a wall.
A blue-haired man, Dist, stood in mid-air with a faint smile: "Pathetic!"
Erza encountered a blonde woman in golden armor, Kardia, and the two were locked in a fierce battle.
Gray, meanwhile, ran into Cannon, who was holding a magic machine gun. Across a river, a rain of bullets and ice spikes shot at each other.
Wendy and Carla encountered an enemy hidden in the shadows.
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