Meanwhile, the battlefield deep within the Vast Woods was already in a state of total chaos.
Before reaching the temporary base of the Oración Seis, the Guild Alliance was intercepted.
Gray and Lyon stood back-to-back, both covered in wounds. One of The Six Members of Grimoire Heart, "Laxus," stood before them with a relaxed smile on his face.
"Is this all you've got?"
Laxus taunted. His speed was incredibly fast; the creations of 'Ice-Make' couldn't even touch him. Although Gray had caused him some trouble by freezing the ground in a moment of quick thinking, it was nothing once he adapted to it.
Seeing Laxus's smug expression, Gray gritted his teeth: "Dammit, how are we supposed to deal with his speed magic..."
On the other side, Natsu was in the middle of a heated battle with another of The Six Members of Grimoire Heart, "Cobra."
Cobra had a large purple venomous snake wrapped around him, but he was a Dragon Slayer Mage just like Natsu. However, he was a second-generation Dragon Slayer Mage who learned 'Poison Dragon Slayer' magic through a dragon-slaying crystal, and his abnormal combat power was stronger than a first-generation like Natsu.
Furthermore, Cobra possessed a magic called'Sound.' Similar to the mind-reading of 'Telepathy,' he could "hear" his opponent's next moves.
With 'Poison Dragon Slayer' magic that perfectly synchronized with the venomous snake, plus the'Sound' magic that could predict actions, Cobra easily suppressed Natsu.
The worst situation, however, was on the other side.
The Blue Pegasus The Thunder God Tribe had already fallen, and Sherry from Lamia Scale had also suffered a crushing defeat. Lucy and Wendy were struggling to hold on under the onslaught of one of The Six Members of Grimoire Heart, "Hoteye."
If not for Happy and Carla carrying them through the air, they likely would have been pressed into the mire by Hoteye's 'Earth' magic, just like their defeated companions.
Dodging a massive earthen spike shot toward the sky, Lucy, scurrying away in a panic, complained to Happy with a bitter face: "Why aren't Mystogan, Jura, Ichiya, and the christina here yet!"
Happy, however, looked with a face full of concern at Carla, who was carrying Wendy. She could also use 'Aera' magic; she was simply the cat of his dreams.
The aloof Carla didn't even spare Happy a glance. "Wendy, are you alright?"
At this moment, Wendy's face was written with fear.
This was the first time in her life she had seen a battlefield filled with rolling smoke. The world outside was so dangerous; if she had known, she would have listened to the Guild Master and Carla and not come out to adventure.
"Hey! Can you do this or not!"
Someone outside the battlefield suddenly shouted at Hoteye: "You're still dilly-dallying against just two women!"
Lucy looked in the direction of the voice, her face changing drastically.
The person shouting at Hoteye was actually a former cadre of Phantom Lord, Sol of the Earth from the Element 4.
Seeing Lucy's shocked expression, Sol laughed loudly. "Miss Lucy, do you remember me? My Lord Jose and I have missed you dearly!"
Seeing Sol's arrogant attitude, Lucy screamed in her heart that they were doomed.
Most of the members of Phantom Lord had left with Jose back then. Now, they might have reached a cooperation with the Oración Seis.
That was a former Ten Wizard Saints after all. Although he was crippled, his strength wouldn't have dropped too much.
Sol came to Hoteye's side and looked at this tall man holding a book. A hint of wariness flashed in his eyes. Although they had reached a cooperation with the Oración Seis, it didn't mean their status was equal.
This guy codenamed "Hoteye" was powerful; even the current Lord Jose wasn't sure he could take him down.
Watching Hoteye toy with Lucy and Wendy like a cat playing with mice, constantly attacking with earth magic, Sol's eyes darted around as he suddenly remembered Hoteye's obsession with money.
"Ahem, Hoteye, did you know that the blonde girl in the sky was the young lady of a massive conglomerate not long ago? Although that conglomerate has gone bankrupt, do you think rich people would let themselves live a penniless life?"
Hearing Sol's words, Hoteye's playful expression instantly switched to one of fanaticism. "So that blonde woman is worth a lot of money. Then I'll have to get a bit more serious."
Closing the thick book in his hand, Hoteye finally got serious. He clenched his hand toward Lucy in the sky, and immediately, dust filled the air around Lucy and Happy, forming a constantly expanding sphere that trapped them inside.
Hoteye pulled his hand back, and the earthen sphere rolled in front of him.
However, in the next second, a giant axe broke through the earthen sphere from the inside. The heavy axe strike from Taurus gave Sol a start.
But Hoteye easily blocked the blow with a defense constructed of earth magic. He looked at Lucy with burning eyes. "A Golden Celestial Spirit! You really are rich!"
Before Taurus's next attack could arrive, a massive clay fist extended from the ground and dragged him into the deep earth. Soon, Lucy could no longer sense Taurus's presence.
Because he had lost his combat capability and was forced to return to the Spirit World.
With Taurus defeated in an instant, Lucy thought quickly and hurriedly took out the virgo key. "Open, Gate of the Maiden! Plue!"
Immediately, a pink-haired girl wearing a maid outfit and shackles on both hands appeared from the celestial gate. She bowed respectfully to Lucy,
"Princess, are you going to ravish me?"
"What kind of wild words are those!"
Lucy was startled by Plue's lines. She was still a pure girl, after all, and didn't understand anything about S&M... Seeing Lucy summon another Golden Celestial Spirit, Hoteye no longer saw her as a woman, but as a walking vault.
If he could snatch those two golden keys and sell them, he would be a huge step closer to gathering the money to buy back his younger brother!
"Woman! Hand over the money!"
Hoteye repeated his previous trick, clenching his hand toward Lucy again. An even larger and sturdier earthen sphere enveloped Lucy, Plue, and Happy.
However, in the next second, the reinforced earthen sphere was easily pierced from the inside. Plue landed not far away, holding Lucy with one hand and Happy with the other.
Plue's primary ability was also earth magic, and she was quite experienced in "digging holes." This was why Lucy had summoned her.
As long as they could stall until Jura and the others arrived, it would be a success.
But the prey escaping twice in a row made Hoteye lose his patience. He hadn't wanted to harm Lucy, the "valuable goods," but now it didn't matter.
Hoteye slammed both hands onto the ground. "Earth Magic: Violent Spikes!"
In an instant, the ground shook, and countless hard earth spikes shot into the sky, instantly blasting Plue into a shower of scattered starlight. Lucy's current magic power was ultimately unable to let a Celestial Spirit exert its full strength.
If Happy hadn't reacted quickly and taken Lucy into the air, they would likely have suffered the same fate.
But in his enraged state, Hoteye's magic intensity far exceeded before. Previously, Happy could rely on speed to dodge while carrying Lucy, but now they were overtaken by the dense magic in the blink of an eye.
Wendy watched this scene in horror: "Sister Lucy!"
Just as Lucy and Happy were about to be skewered by the pursuing spikes, three Magic Circles of different colors silently unfolded behind them, overlapping to form a magnificent combined Magic Circle.
In the distance, Mystogan slammed three magic wands heavily into the ground.
"Three-Layered Magic Circle: Mirror Water."
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