A comfortable Makarov turned to a new page of the newspaper, looking at the travel section:
"Oh?"
"Galakol Island."
"Haven't been there in over twenty years, should I go take a look?"
"Has it developed this much? So many new buildings."
"The Starbeam Ice Cream there is quite delicious."
Makarov looked at the introduction to the tourist destination in the newspaper while drinking coffee, turned his head to glance at the scenery outside the window, then looked back at the newspaper, suddenly froze, and sharply looked out the window.
Although that ray of light flashed by, Makarov's mind kept replaying it, confirming that he hadn't seen wrong:
"Was that a meteor?"
Looking at the direction where that 'light' fell, Makarov suddenly felt that treasure hunting was much more interesting than traveling.
And if he really found some 'good stuff', he wouldn't have to hide from debt anymore.
The more he thought about it, the brighter Makarov's eyes became. In broad daylight, not everyone had the sensory ability of a Ten Wizard Saints like him. That meteor definitely wasn't seen by many people. If he found it first, he might just strike it rich.
As long as he found that 'meteor' and sold it for a good price.
Then for a long time afterward, he wouldn't have to worry about tickets anymore.
Thinking of this, Makarov felt completely energized.
He felt several years younger. Glancing at the direction the meteor fell, Makarov put down the newspaper in his hand and pulled open the train window.
Whoosh—
The newspaper flew out.
And accompanying it as it flew out was Makarov's figure.
—
On the other side.
In front of the Eclipse Gate.
Layla collapsed onto the ground unconscious, and Capricorn, one of the Twelve Zodiac Celestial Spirits, placed his hands on Layla's back, continuously inputting Magic Power.
Capricorn, who always had an expressionless goat head, rarely showed panic. The Magic Power input into Layla's body was far from keeping up with the rate of consumption. Zoldeo, standing nearby, asked nervously:
"How is it, Capricorn?"
"Why isn't Lady Layla awake yet?!"
Capricorn had cold sweat on his forehead and said in a deep voice:
"It's not enough, completely unable to replenish it."
"Kasha!"
Kasha, the Cancer Celestial Spirit, had a solemn expression and walked over. Only when two of the Twelve Zodiac Celestial Spirits simultaneously transferred Magic Power were they barely able to plug the Magic Power deficit within Layla's body, but this situation wouldn't last long.
The power within their bodies couldn't keep up with this consumption.
At this moment.
Leo, the Leo Celestial Spirit, stepped forward, also placed his hands on Layla's back, inputting some Magic Power, then said with a solemn expression:
"I'm afraid it's not going to work."
"This is extremely severe magic power depletion syndrome."
"She won't live much longer."
Using her own Magic Power, she replaced the Magic Power of Aquarius, Aqua.
It was forcefully drained and overdrawn by the Eclipse Gate.
Two of the Twelve Zodiac Celestial Spirits continuously input Magic Power, barely plugging the deficit. Once their Magic Power is exhausted, it will start consuming Layla's life force. One day's consumption is at least equivalent to someone else's a year.
Zoldeo heard Leo's words and said with a furious and distorted expression:
"What are you talking about!"
"You bastard! How could Lady Layla..."
Layla's weak voice came:
"Zoldeo..."
Zoldeo quickly turned back, his face showing joy:
"Lady Layla."
Layla nodded weakly, then said to Leo with a hint of apology:
"I'm sorry, please don't take it to heart."
"Zoldeo was just a bit emotional..."
Leo nodded and didn't say anything.
After all, they weren't Layla's Celestial Spirits either.
Layla finally recovered a bit of strength through the continuous Magic Power input from Capricorn and Kasha, and instructed Zoldeo:
"Zoldeo, I still need to trouble you."
"Find the holders of the other Celestial Spirit keys, and give them the agreed-upon rewards and keys."
"And then..."
"Take me back..."
Zoldeo's expression was anxious:
"But Lady Layla, in your current state, how can you go back?!"
"Why not leave all these keys here and let them take turns inputting Magic Power for you? With the strength of the Heartfilia Family, as long as there's time, they'll definitely find a way!"
Hearing Zoldeo's words, except for Capricorn and Kasha, the other Celestial Spirits all frowned.
However, seeing Layla was about to die, they didn't say anything, but one by one returned to the Celestial Spirit World, leaving only their keys falling to the ground. Zoldeo's expression became ferocious:
"Damn it! These guys!!!"
Layla shook her head and said weakly:
"It's useless, Zoldeo."
"Send those keys back, and then take me back."
As a proper Magician, having received a Superior education since childhood, she knew the horror of magic power depletion syndrome far better than Zoldeo, because there was simply no treatment for this condition, and there had never been any survivors.
Even with the financial resources of the Heartfilia Family, constantly buying materials to restore and replenish Magic Power wouldn't be enough for the consumption.
Every day was an astronomical figure of consumption, calculated based on the daily consumption relative to a normal lifespan.
Let alone the Heartfilia Family, even ten or a hundred Heartfilia Families wouldn't be able to sustain it for a few years before going bankrupt.
This was also why there had never been any survivors, because no one could afford such consumption.
But Layla's face showed a smile, because the four-hundred-year destiny of the family ended with her, and she was also fortunate that it ended with her, though it was a pity she wouldn't see Lucy grow up.
Zoldeo knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly, clenching his fists:
"Yes, Lady Layla."
In his heart, he was filled with hatred for Grammi, who had been entrusted with the Aquarius Celestial Spirit key by Layla but hadn't arrived in time.
Kill her... He must kill that guy!!!
It's all because of her... Lady Layla...!
Zoldeo collected the other Celestial Spirit keys, and according to Layla's instructions, took out the corresponding rewards and returned them one by one to the other Celestial Spirit Magicians waiting in the city. Then, without stopping, he rushed Layla towards the Heartfilia Family.
—
Fiore Kingdom.
Magnolia Town, station.
Gar boarded the train with Lisanna, Elfman, and Cana.
Magnolia itself was a border city, and not many people departed from here. The four of them chose a quiet corner to sit down. Gar looked at Elfman and said:
"Lisanna, Elfman, what kind of quests did you take?"
Lisanna took out a quest sheet from her small bag, her face full of smiles:
"I took this one."
"Exterminate the Flame Rabbits that are infesting the village."
Elfman also took out several quest sheets:
"There's one to exterminate the Green Phosphor Lizard, one to exterminate the Gale Lion, and also... the Black Bear Monster that destroyed the village granary."
Cana propped her chin and said:
"Eh—"
"They all sound like ferocious beasts."
"As expected of a real man."
"If you're going to tame, tame a ferocious beast."
Elfman scratched his head sheepishly:
"Hehe."
-------------------------
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