"Me too?" Ur was curious as she started reading the request.
The moment he saw the name written on the request sheet, Makarov took it seriously.
He straightened in his seat, his expression turning several degrees more solemn.
Client: Warrod Sequen
'Old Man Warrod?' Raizel raised a brow, thinking it over.
"Natsu, Gray! It's another request specifically naming the two of you."
"Why is it us again?!"
"This is a rare case of the two of you being specifically requested, so you'd better get along for once."
"The job site is… Sun Village." Laxus glanced at the paper, his brow tightening.
'Why Sun Village, all of a sudden?' Laxus felt a flicker of concern, but this was a named request for Ur, Natsu, and Gray.
He had gone to Sun Village himself two years ago, and he'd gotten along well with the villagers.
They were giants, yes, but they didn't reject ordinary humans—so long as you didn't get any funny ideas about stealing the Eternal Flame.
Ever since obtaining the flames of the Hellfire Dragon Atlas Flame there, Laxus made a point of stopping by whenever he passed nearby on a job.
"I don't want to go with this guy."
"Same here. I'm never working with this brat again."
"Ur's name is on there too," Mira added, holding up a finger.
"..." Natsu and Gray both fell silent on the spot.
If Gildarts was basically a father to Natsu, then Ur easily filled a motherly role for many of the guild members.
Not just for Gray—Natsu respected Ur deeply as well.
If Gildarts was like blazing fire, becoming brothers-in-arms with the boys, then Ur was like a gentle rain soaking into the earth, quietly looking after the guild with patient care.
Makarov's tone was dead serious. "No. You two are going, and this time you absolutely aren't allowed to mess it up."
Laxus looked surprised. "Old man?"
"This request came from Warrod Sequen, fourth among the Ten Wizard Saints, and one of the Four Gods of Ishgar."
Lucy stared in shock, lips parted. "A member of the Four Gods of Ishgar is putting out a request?"
Wendy was just as confused. "If he's that powerful, why would he need to issue a request at all?"
Erza frowned. "What kind of job is it?"
Makarov handed them the request sheet. "Take a look. First, you need to go to this location and meet Senior Warrod."
He looked at Ur with a grave expression. "Ur, I think I'll have to leave this to you."
Ur shook her head and smiled softly. "It's fine. It's been a while since I last took on a job anyway. And going with Natsu and Gray sounds like it could be pretty fun."
Ultear pressed her lips together, hiding her worry. "I'll go along and take a look too."
A request from one of the Four Gods of Ishgar, specifically naming Natsu and Gray, with Ur added on top? There was no way she wasn't reading into it.
Erza rested her chin on one hand. "In that case… why don't we all go together?"
Kagura nodded. "I think that sounds fine."
The corner of Laxus's mouth twitched.
'Isn't this lineup a little too extravagant?!'
He turned to Raizel. "I wanted to go too, but… forget it. Just tell me what happens over there."
Looking at him, Raizel remembered.
"Right—Sun Village. The place where you got those flames."
'Was this Silver's doing? Or will we only find out after meeting Old Man Warrod?'
Laxus nodded. "That's right. I'm friends with the giants there. Mention my name and they'll know."
...
The traveling party ended up being ridiculous overcrowded.
The Women: Ur, Ultear, Erza, Kagura, Lucy, and Wendy.
The Men: Natsu, Gray, and Raizel.
Once they got near the requested location, Wendy sighed in admiration.
"It's such a peaceful place."
"Yeah, and the air is so fresh!" Lucy spread her arms, breathing it in.
Happy raised both paws. "This feels just like we're here for a picnic today! So fun!"
Carla turned her head with mild exasperation, looking toward the back. "Yeah… except for that part ruining it."
They'd been fine on the train—mostly because Natsu was too carsick to argue—but the moment they stepped off, Natsu and Gray hadn't stopped bickering.
"No need to look at the map. I'll lead the way. This is my second time here." Raizel took the map from Ultear, folded it up, and tucked it into his pocket.
"You've been here before?" Ultear arched a brow.
Erza and Kagura glanced over as well.
Raizel answered without changing his expression. "Yeah, with the First Master. It has something to do with her. Once you meet Warrod-senpai, you'll understand."
The First Master?
Everyone's ears practically perked up, hoping to catch some juicy gossip.
Unfortunately, Raizel just wore a mysterious expression. "I think it'll be more interesting if Warrod-senpai tells you himself."
That did it.
Now their fists were itching!
Lucy ground her teeth. "That expression makes me want to punch you!"
If she had any chance of winning, she would've smacked Raizel on the spot.
With a helpless look, Lucy added, "I still don't get it. Someone that powerful… why would he specifically request those two?"
At that moment, Natsu and Gray were arguing inches from each other's faces.
"You'd better hope Erza eats you alive!"
"No, you should be the one Erza swallows whole!"
Erza frowned in suspicion. "...Are they insulting me right now?"
"Everyone, look! There's a house over there!" Wendy pointed toward a brick-and-stone house on a small hill.
"That's the place," Raizel nodded
. Lucy brightened. "We finally made it! The home of Warrod Sequen, one of the Four Gods of Ishgar!"
"It looks so run-down!" Natsu said.
"It really is run-down!" Gray agreed.
Lucy shot back, "The places you guys live in aren't much better, you know?"
Knock, knock— Ur knocked twice on the door, but no one answered.
"Just open it." Hearing Raizel, Ur turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Wendy quietly called out, "Is anyone there?"
Ur followed up at once. "We're wizards from Fairy Tail!"
Happy and Carla were instantly distracted by the flora. "There are way too many plants in here!"
The house didn't feel like a residence at all—it felt more like a giant greenhouse.
The room was dimly lit, and Lucy could just make out the silhouette of someone's back.
"Shh!"
"A person?" Lucy asked tentatively.
The tall, lean figure watered the flowers as he spoke. "Keep it down. Plants prefer silence. If you understand that, then shut your noisy mouths."
Wendy and Lucy immediately covered their mouths.
Ultear, Erza, and the rest, on the other hand, were already used to this sort of thing.
Some clients just had odd tempers.
"Just kidding!" A warm smile curled on the figure's lips, and sunlight suddenly streamed in through the window.
At once, the plants in the greenhouse burst into brilliant bloom.
And only then did Ur and the others finally get a clear look at his face.
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