Makarov panicked as he saw everyone clutching their mouths and noses in agony. "Damn it, this is too despicable..."
"This is bad, this black mist is going to spread across the entire town!"
"Be careful, don't inhale it..."
"Let me burn this black mist away!"
Natsu didn't dare to delay. He opened his mouth and unleashed a Fire Dragons Roar, a sea of flames sweeping through and clearing a section of the black mist.
"It's working!"
Everyone's eyes lit up, but they immediately noticed the black mist surging back in, seemingly endless.
Mavis said anxiously, "Everyone, evacuate quickly! This black mist is continuously polluting the Ethernano in the air."
Seeing his comrades in pain, Laxus let out a roar and began to devour the mist. The entire black cloud turned into a tornado and converged into his mouth.
Everyone was shocked by Laxus's actions. "What are you doing?"
Makarov shouted sternly to stop him, "Laxus, don't do this!!"
Although a Mage's stomach is different from an ordinary person's, it was impossible to swallow so many Magical Barrier Particles.
Natsu's eyes narrowed, and then he also began to devour frantically. Countless black mists swept toward him; if Laxus could eat it, so could he.
Makarov roared, "Natsu, you stop it too!!"
"We're coming too!"
Gajeel and Wendy also stepped forward, opening their mouths to devour the mist. They were also Dragon Slayer Mages and could do the same.
"We're coming too!!"
The members of Fairy Tail stopped their retreat and began to devour the surrounding Magical Barrier Particles. Even if their stomachs weren't as strong as Dragon Slayer Mages, they would share the burden. As long as the Magical Barrier Particles were diluted within everyone's bodies, it shouldn't be fatal.
Everyone shared the same thought: devour as much as possible. The more they took in, the less their comrades would suffer. Even Happy and Carla were devouring with all their might.
"Everyone!"
Mavis watched this scene, her eyes shimmering with tears.
Logically, having only one person devour the Magical Barrier Particles would have been the best arrangement, as it would allow the others to maintain their combat strength to face Tartaros.
But working together and never abandoning a comrade—that was Fairy Tail, the ideal guild she had envisioned.
Three minutes passed, and all the Magical Barrier Particles were completely devoured.
One after another, people collapsed to the ground. Most were unconscious, and those who weren't felt as if their lungs were filled with sand, the pain unbearable.
Now, the only one still standing was Erza.
She had also devoured a large amount of Magical Barrier Particles, but her body felt no discomfort. She didn't know the specific reason why.
Erza looked at her many fallen comrades, feeling momentarily at a loss. "First Master, what should we do now?"
Mavis suddenly thought of something and said in alarm, "Now that all of us have lost our combat strength, if those from Tartaros return, we'll have no way to resist."
"There's only one way now, and that is to ask the Magic Council for help."
They had saved the entire town; the Magic Council would definitely not sit idly by.
"But if I leave, who will protect our comrades?"
She was the only one left with combat strength. If Tartaros returned, they could easily wipe everyone out.
Mavis was naturally aware of this problem, but she could only hope that Erza's request for help would be fast enough.
Zera suddenly said, "I'll go!"
Although she was an illusion from Mavis's memories, she wasn't like Mavis in that only Fairy Tail members could see her; she was now effectively a semi-living person.
Mavis thought it over and said, "The Magic Council forbids resurrection magic. You absolutely cannot go there."
Zera was serious. "Even if I'm discovered, I must go!"
Although she was a bit socially anxious, for her Fairy Tail comrades, she had to be brave just this once. Even if she was required to return to death afterward, she would accept it.
"Wait, I'll go to the Magic Council!"
"I'll go find Granny Porlyusica and see if she has a way to eliminate the Magical Barrier Particles!"
Natsu and Gajeel stood up staggeringly. They were in relatively better shape; though the Magical Barrier Particles were continuously eroding their internal magic, they could still move.
Mavis saw how much pain they were in and knew there was no other way. She said softly, "Go and come back quickly. We'll look after things here."
...Thirty minutes passed in a flash, and all the guild members had been moved to Eclair's small shop.
She and Momon had been looked after by Fairy Tail before. Upon discovering the situation, they immediately came to help and cleared out their house to let the injured rest.
Though it was a bit cramped, it was at least better than the guild ruins.
Seeing Lucy's pained expression, Eclair ran to pour a glass of warm water and slowly fed it to her.
She was also a bit at a loss regarding this situation and could only pray they would get better soon.
She looked at the dejected Erza and asked, "What exactly happened? What kind of enemy did you encounter?"
Erza's eyes flashed with anger. "It's those bastards from Tartaros. Not only did they want to kidnap Natsu and the First Master, but they also released Magical Barrier Particles in the town."
She explained the origins of Tartaros and what the Magical Barrier Particles were.
"Happy and Carla also swallowed the Magical Barrier Particles."
Momon couldn't help but worry seeing his two good friends like this.
"Yes, everyone swallowed a lot."
The Magical Barrier Particles had spread too quickly. Laxus alone couldn't possibly have swallowed them all. Everyone did it not just for Laxus, but for the town's residents as well.
Erza sighed softly. Now she could only hope that the Magic Council or Granny Porlyusica would have a good solution.
Right now, several of the guild's strongest members were away. Gildarts was out on his own mission, and Mom and Dad were nowhere to be found.
At the critical moment, not a single one of them was reliable.
Gajeel arrived with Granny Porlyusica. After a round of examinations, even she frowned deeply.
Erza asked worriedly, "How is it? Can they be treated?"
Porlyusica said gravely, "It's very difficult. I will help them suppress the condition for now. Go see if any of the enemy's blood was left at the scene of the battle. If so, I might be able to create a vaccine."
"Blood? I'll go right now!"
Erza was a woman of action. Before her voice had even faded, she rushed out.
Porlyusica looked at the unconscious Makarov and shook her head slightly. "At this age, still acting as reckless as the youngsters."
Compared to the others, Makarov's condition was the most serious. With his aging heart and lungs, he had inhaled even more than the younger ones. If a vaccine wasn't made within half a month, he might be beyond help.
Gajeel also felt difficulty breathing. He sat down against the wall, looking at Levy on the sickbed and clenching his fists tightly.
Compared to his other comrades, he had a special feeling for Levy. He perhaps knew what that was.
"Demons of Tartaros, I won't let a single one of you go. I'll make you regret becoming enemies with Fairy Tail!"
"I definitely will!!!"
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