Magnolia.
Even though it was already late morning, the air still carried a suffocating heaviness—even worse than the night before.
The empty streets were completely devoid of their usual liveliness and bustle.
To prepare for Phantom Lord's possible attack at any moment, Mira, Erza, Lucy, Levy, and the others had already evacuated the residents.
Inside the battered Fairy Tail guild hall.
Although the massive iron pillar Gajeel had created had been cleaned up and the holes temporarily patched,
the damage was simply too extensive.
Not only did these repairs fail to stabilize the building, but it now seemed to sway slightly in the breeze—much like the gathering storm clouds on this gloomy day.
Inside the main hall, nearly every Fairy Tail member was present except for a few who couldn't be reached. The crowd packed the space.
Makarov, draped in his Ten Great Mages' exclusive cloak, stood on the ruined bar counter. Beside him were the three S-Class mages—Ches, Mira, and Erza.
"Insults, disrupting jobs, destroying our hall—these are all minor issues as far as we're concerned."
"But—"
Makarov had shed his usual unserious, sly old man demeanor. His gaze was sharp and terrifying.
"Since Phantom Lord and Sabertooth have the audacity to attack our people, don't expect this to end prettily."
"No father wants to see his children bleed and cry. So if Phantom Lord dares to start a war—
No—even if they hold back, this matter won't just fade away!"
"We must make them remember, deeply, what terrible price they'll pay for attacking Fairy Tail!!"
Last night, after learning from Erza and the others who rushed over that Shadow Gear had nearly been wiped out,
Makarov, who had been holding back, immediately exploded.
His children being attacked—this was the one thing he could never tolerate.
The fury this brought was something even the Magic Council couldn't quell if they came to mediate. Things were destined to turn upside down!
So Makarov approved of Ches's approach without a second thought: You want war, Jose? Then bring it on!
He had interrogated the captured Sabertooth extra on the spot.
The man, knowing when to yield and when to stand firm, wet himself at a single glare from Makarov. He spilled everything he knew—
Phantom Lord and Sabertooth's alliance, their plan to enrage Fairy Tail through attacks, Wind Element Aria hiding inside the guild waiting to strike...
All their schemes came to light. And so, today's pre-battle rally was born.
"OOOOOH!!!"
Fairy Tail's members roared, responding to Makarov's will with uncontrollable fighting spirit.
They weren't the type to swallow insults. Ever since their home was destroyed, they had been holding in their rage. Now, unleashing it after such heavy suppression was naturally explosive.
"Still, it looks like the guild might collapse from all this shouting," Lucy muttered from the crowd.
"Aye~ Lucy, that's no big deal!" Happy flew over.
"Ahahaha! Hurry up, you Phantom Lord bastards! I'm already fired up!" Natsu slammed his fists together, flames bursting forth.
"I understand the excitement, but the guild really can't take much more—"
Lucy watched the sawdust falling around them. Just as she was about to stop Natsu, she caught sight of her comrades' faces—brimming with excitement and passion.
"The building is just an external vessel. As long as everyone is here, even a pile of ruins is still the guild."
A cool figure appeared beside her.
Loke looked around as well, remarking, "These guys have been holding back too long. Let them let it out."
Hearing this, Lucy was momentarily stunned. "Loke, you—"
"Ahh, no! I still can't get too close to you!"
Loke's cool demeanor lasted barely three seconds before he scurried off to hide behind Elfman, who was shouting about being manly.
"What are you even afraid of?!" Lucy shouted.
But soon, her emotions steadied. She closed her eyes, soaking in the fiery atmosphere around her.
He's right. I can't spoil everyone's mood at a time like this.
"OOOH! Let's crush Phantom Lord!!"
When Lucy opened her eyes again, she was shouting along, fully immersed.
At the bar counter, Makarov shifted his gaze from the children to Mira, standing beside him.
"Mira, still can't reach those few?"
He was referring, of course, to Gildarts, Laxus, and Mystogan.
Not that he needed them to rush back for support, but war with Phantom Lord was too big a deal. Giving them a heads-up was only prudent.
"Laxus just got back to us, but..."
Just recalling Laxus's words made even the usually mild-mannered Mira angry.
"But what?" Makarov raised an eyebrow, already guessing the situation.
"It's better if you talk to him yourself."
Mira went behind the bar and activated the communication lacrima in the corner.
The call connected quickly, and Laxus's face appeared in the crystal, wearing his spiky headphones.
His Thunder God Tribe was with him, and the background seemed to be some barren mountain forest.
"Laxus, where are you right now?" Makarov asked in a deep voice.
"Doing a job. What, old man, you want to talk me into coming back like Mira did?"
Laxus in the image spread his arms defiantly, completely unconcerned. "I'm not getting involved in something that boring. You and Ches and the rest of those weaklings can defend your pathetic guild yourselves!"
If Fairy Tail was going to war with Phantom Lord over who was the strongest in Fiore, he'd charge to the front and wipe the floor with them.
But if this was about protecting useless weaklings—
What did that have to do with him?!
He'd be happy if Phantom Lord's attack made Makarov realize that the weak had no place in the guild, finally "wake up," and lead Fairy Tail to true strength!
"Laxus, do you know what you're saying?!" Makarov's face darkened as he scolded.
But Laxus, in his rebellious phase, had no intention of answering. Leaving a curt "I've got a job to do," he unilaterally ended the call.
"That goddamn brat!"
Makarov was furious.
Just then, Bisca, who had been on lookout duty on the roof, hurt inside.
"Master! Six hundred meters from the front gate—a group of mages we've never seen in Magnolia before."
"The one leading them is a big man with huge prayer beads around his neck and pale eyes!"
Hearing this, the noisy guild instantly fell silent. Everyone clenched their fists, battle spirit surging.
"So you finally came... Jiemma."
Makarov's face darkened. He crushed his wooden cane in his grip, then jumped off the counter and led the fired-up crowd out of the guild.
Ches followed close behind, silently offering his condolences for Jiemma.
Getting used as a pawn is one thing, but you had to show up right after the old man's call with Laxus?
You're practically gift-wrapped!
***
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