Welbor Town.
Warren returned to the town's vicinity after separating with Lyon and Sherry, choosing to reside in a public tavern that was swarmed with people who wanted to relax at this time of evening.
Given his role as the operation's anchor of communication, he made sure to lay low while overseeing the stability of the Telepathic Link.
There has to be no room for any margin of error, especially due to Hibiki's current condition. His temporary absence may have increased the workload, but Warren didn't mind since this is something that could support the others.
"Did you see those batches of employees that were being escorted? The spectacle is attracting the attention of the entire town."
"Yep, my friend managed to ask around, and he said that the island transformed into a skirmish battleground, so it's off-limits for now."
"A skirmish battleground… this late into the night? I've been living here since Paramount Tide established themselves, and I've never experienced such an event like this."
"Beats me, man. We're just ordinary folks at the end of the day. It ain't possible to understand a wizard's mindset without becoming one."
Warren frowned as he eavesdropped on the various gossips that were filling the place, his mind swirling with thoughts.
How scary… The locals didn't even bother to question it any further. He took a deep breath. Guess staying under the radar in plain sight does wonders if the setup aligns perfectly.
The situation already became chaotic once it turned into a full-scale conflict, which is why he needed to navigate these waters carefully.
Warren fully understood that the dark guild's response would be of utmost vigilance, making sure that no additional variables could interfere in the current moment.
In fact, he spotted small groups of Paramount Tide's dark wizards while going through the streets. Obviously, it would be stupid to wantonly waste decent manpower to only focus on what's happening in the island.
He assumed that they meticulously accounted for numerous possibilities after their ongoing investigation was discovered, specifically regarding the existence of multiple parties involved.
So it was safe to say that the town was being closely monitored from the shadows, indicating that Paramount Tide's remaining forces were enough to cover its entire perimeter.
Plus, the announcement of a skirmish alongside the escort of the island's employees? It's just a marvel for the locals, while Warren saw it as a blatant provocation for those who were aware.
Right now, the optimal approach for this was to gather information silently. He knew that surface-level inquiries were fine, since it could help him blend within the crowds.
Attempting to go deeper would garner suspicion though, and it wasn't worth the risk because of his important task.
However, even unbreakable veils can be pierced when one would least expect it.
"Hm?"
Warren heard the commotion outside becoming rowdier, and those with him in the tavern were a bit startled at the sudden rise in noise.
"Hey! I saw some Rune Knights confronting those from the guild!"
"Well, such a scene would definitely pique their interest."
"I don't think a skirmish would be that serious, right?"
Warren pondered for a moment, before calling for the bill. Once he was done with the payment, he exited the premises to join the small crowd that was watching the source of the disturbance.
Multitudes of eyes landed on a group that wore the standard uniform that every Rune Knight uses. Their expressions were filled with skepticism and confusion as they persistently questioned these so-called escorts.
Although they were fewer than usual, which meant that they probably were here as representatives of the council for business like all other clients. It doesn't mean one would shrug off their expected duties to bring order to the world of wizards, at least, this was the case for the average Rune Knight.
Only a few councilors should be aware of the investigation. Warren observed. Even the units who cleaned up the incident weren't notified about it.
Mack's survival is a delicate matter, considering that he accused an official guild without hesitation. His statements prompted the council to put his status on hold from the public, letting his supposed death steer the attention away for them to move forward with the operation.
These were not light accusations, because Paramount Tide's already proved to be a genuine part of Welbor by the locals. If you also add in the fact of his unique… reputation, attempting to shed light on their target's real identity would've backfired immensely.
Warren definitely doesn't mind the unexpected assistance from the knights. But he had thought of numerous possibilities of what prompted them to inquire further in the first place.
They could be a specialized unit discreetly deployed by the council, leveraging on their presence being a deterrence due to Paramount Tide wanting to keep their true identity hidden.
Heck, maybe he's also overreaching it since anyone would react with curiosity at the sudden influx of civilians being escorted for a guild's personal affairs. Not that they have a choice due to the possibility of them getting caught up in it…
The Battle of Fairy Tail was a great example: They were lucky that no resident of Magnolia got injured, or else that would've been a reason for a bunch of sanctions and serious warnings.
This was a cunning move if one knew the context behind it, and Warren could only mentally sigh for the most part.
Although there was a little nagging feeling at the back of his mind, that perhaps these knights were put into action for a completely different reason.
Well, this is still good for us. He stopped speculating as he shook his head.
…
Sixth Floor, Devala Headquarters.
Ultear and Meredy were almost done scouring the entire floor, failing to sense any hint of Ethernano trails related to the private sections.
"Three floors left." The pink-haired young woman dragged another unconscious dark wizard, dropping him beside a new pile of victims that she took down alongside her foster mother.
Ultear nodded as she frowned, circulating her Arc of Time to close the gap in the wall afterwards.
"What's wrong, Ultear?" Meredy noticed her silently contemplating.
"This floor compared to the rest…" Ultear cautiously scanned every crook and nanny, her orb humming with activity. "It doesn't feel normal."
Ever since entering the sixth floor, there was some sort of prickly sensation that she couldn't describe with words. She didn't know if it was just her imagination, but the air itself around them felt heavier.
"I apologize for not being able to detect such an anomaly."
Meredy immediately raised her guard after hearing that, completely trusting the time wizard's words. She concentrated her senses even more, finally detecting the unusual activity from the Ethernano in the area.
It surprised her a little bit, since this unique strand was so inconspicuous that she understood why she didn't manage to sense it the moment she entered. The strand blended in seamlessly, giving out the same wavelength as natural Ethernano.
Natural Ethernano in essence, is composed of all known elements that the wizards from every era uses. Once they practice the method of meditation and refine it within their bodies to form a magical container, their spiritual connection would result in the manifestation of their magic, marking it as the start of their wizard journey.
So when a wizard unleashes their magic power, the now refined essence would be considered its own brand of Ethernano that originates from said magic. This is how they identify each other just from aura alone.
Ultimately speaking, they are distinct in quality, which meant that it is difficult to perfectly replicate the pure and raw feeling of unrefined Ethernano.
However, magic never stops developing thanks to the endless thirst for knowledge and discovery. This brought forth an abundance of theories that could be used for a plethora of situations.
One of those techniques emphasized on temporarily masking one's own magic power without the hassle of imitating it down to the last detail: A complex application of Ethernano Manipulation that required finesse, letting an individual create a spell akin to basic stealth.
"Don't beat yourself down with that, Meredy." Ultear realized that she already arrived at the same conclusion, so it prompted her to loudly remark across the whole empty space. "As much as I want it to be a false alarm, your hostility is spilling out."
Wrngggg!
After saying her piece, a calm yet heavy presence fell upon the two women. It was as if a miniature ocean was ready to drown them, intending to crush their spirit with its terrifying weight.
"Impressive." A relaxed voice responded to Ultear. "I can understand why my seals were bypassed with such skills. You ladies are quite dangerous, delaying their inner functions like that… I got a bit frazzled, you know?"
The pair glanced at the source, seeing a blue magical circle appearing on the ground. Small streams of water sprouted from it, forming a rotating sphere that was big enough for two people.
Then, the sphere slowly parted, revealing a short light blue-haired man and a short purple humanoid.
The blue-haired man exited first, leisurely walking through the floor with steady steps, followed by the latter who matched his pace. Each step echoed like a drum, and each one further increased his pressure on Ultear and Meredy.
It wasn't a wanton release of magic power, no.
It was controlled and intentional.
Only a single description entered the duo's mind as they solemnly gazed at the man in front of them.
Strong.
Perhaps not up to the standards of monsters such as Bluenote or Hades, yet still strong enough to the point where Ultear knew she couldn't win.
... He's stronger than Jellal. She estimated his strength while being suppressed, resisting the pressure by unleashing her own.
Ultear might have successfully casted a brainwashing spell on Jellal, but that was during his most vulnerable moment resulting from numerous untold sufferings within the tower.
It was a chance she took, simply picking someone suitable to resume the project of the R-System.
However, this doesn't mean that he was weak in every sense of the word. One that was granted the epithet of Wizard Saint was the elite of the elite, and not anybody would be worthy of such status.
For all of the incompetence that the council had displayed over the years, they were genuinely competent in nominating qualified wizards for the position.
All those times on where she worked beside him, she always felt that suffocating presence when he showcased his power, as if the particles of Ethernano bowed their heads without protest.
Ultear even assumed that the spell would be detected the longer she stayed, which is why she mildly sighed in relief when the heavenly wizard fell under that blazing fist of rage.
Fairy Tail's Salamander…
Watching that relentless, primal display of a dragon slayer's domination through her spell's connection was a marvel. It made her realize that the world was a big place, and many hidden powerhouses were casually swarming about.
As such, if you factor in these facts, there were those like Ur who had rejected the offers they received when a Wizard Saint seat was vacant. There were also individuals who never bothered to expand and improve their reputation, content with fading into the background.
This meant that anyone could only curse their luck if they encounter a wizard of that caliber. Fiore alone was already huge for a single person, what more if you survey the rest of Ishgar?
An example stood before her and Meredy.
"Oh? So it's silent defiance then?" The short light blue-haired man raised an eyebrow in amusement, observing their tense stances.
"You tell me." Ultear calmly stared at him. "Why don't you stop this childish flaunt of power first? I'm sure that's beneath for someone who likes to be cunning and meticulous, Vandis."
"What a feisty attitude, madam." The purple humanoid joined in, adorning a wide yet chilling smile. "But you must remember that the two of you are the intruders here, so provocation should be the last thing on your mind."
There wasn't a need for introductions, because the new arrivals were included in their list of targets.
One of Raven Tail's Elites, Nullpudding.
Paramount Tide's Guild Master, Vandis.
"And it's very kind of you to give pointless threats." Ultear chuckled, glancing at Nullpudding. "That tone of yours is annoying."
"Hm. This is just how I sound." Nullpudding politely responded. "I'll have that noted for future interactions." He tilted his head as he hummed, scratching his… uniquely shaped chin.
Meanwhile, Meredy stayed quiet as she endured the unrelenting force of Vandis' pressure, already preparing for the impending battle.
Both of them obviously didn't expect the infiltration to go smoothly, considering that they needed to navigate the floors filled with guards, lacrima surveillance, and hidden private sections.
It was a gamble in exchange for high-risk rewards, a race against time. They already did their best with their current circumstances, especially with the assistance of Ultear's Lost Magic.
Unfortunately, it seems that the enemy had senses that were sharper than the average wizard, managing to notice the subtle nullified effects of his seals.
"Alright, we can save the small talk for later." Vandis clapped his hands, brushing off Ultear's response to him. "Let's move on to more… important things."
His eyes glinted with an azure glow, specifically scrutinizing the older woman with interest. "I didn't think you were still alive. A former councilor who revealed herself to be an accomplice with Wizard Saint Jellal during the Etherion Incident, now branded as a deceased criminal in the council's records."
"The council saved your image to remind themselves of that shame, you know? Vandis continued. "Having more than one traitor within the top brass is beyond embarrassing."
"Frankly speaking, I wasn't that interested in their situation after I finished my role there." Ultear scoffed. "But it's an honor to be a part of their naughty list as a dead person, I guess."
It was a delicate problem to say the least, so they had to play their cards right. This was especially the case for Jellal, who's considered to be the main culprit that drove their approval for firing it in the first place.
He may have been a councilor, but he was also someone with another title: The Tenth Wizard Saint. A separate identity with immense influence, an individual that is deemed to be qualified to represent the embodiment of strength.
Even though they were under the jurisdiction of the council, they couldn't be fully controlled for the most part. As such, when they go rogue and burn bridges altogether, the council could reason that it was an oversight of choice
Furthermore, delegating a replacement for a Wizard Saint position is far simpler compared to assigning a new councilor.
Basically, Ultear was free to roam around as long as she avoided patrol routes or common locations that the council uses.
"Which raises a few questions…" Vandis said. "Don't worry, I won't resort to torture unless it's truly needed." He nonchalantly followed up with a threatening statement.
"Wow, how very magnanimous of you." Ultear discreetly poured magic power into her orb, shifting her left arm slowly to signal Meredy.
The pink-haired young woman instantly noticed her actions, understanding their next move. She made sure to not give herself away as she waited for Ultear to begin.
"Let's just say it's curiosity about your stance." Vandis replied. "What even is your purpose for doing all of this? Are you telling me that you ladies are cooperating with those light wizards out there?" He asked in a low voice.
"Maybe… maybe not." Ultear vaguely answered. "Personal benefits don't discriminate, you know? As long as they don't find out about my real identity, then I'm fine." Sending a snarky jab towards Vandis.
She wouldn't dare to make a mistake in revealing their true intentions. Raven Tail was aware of them targeting their network, but they still couldn't trace them down successfully.
Since Vandis was a huge investment partner for Ivan, he would be definitely in the know about the situation. Her and Meredy have been progressing steadily, so they must maintain this momentum of being under the radar.
Letting Vandis create his own conclusion based on the present was her best bet, given it was impossible to ignore the island's current state of affairs.
"A valid point." Vandis incredulously agreed, not denying such reasoning. "But I don't think someone who stabbed the Magic Council in the back would have a change of heart that easily."
Wrnnggg!
"Do you take me for a fool, Former Councilor Ultear?
He unleashed more of his magic power, shaking the vicinity around them.
Nullpudding's smile dropped a little, getting affected by this increased blast of Ethernano.
Ultear and Meredy felt the pressure even more, yet neither of the two ladies budged an inch. They're still hardened and experienced, former elites of Grimoire Heart, so this method of intimidation wouldn't work in the slightest.
"It's up to you about whether you want to believe it or not." Ultear chuckled.
Krrrkkk!
!!
As soon she as finished with her response, a hole opened beneath her and Meredy's feet, dropping them into the fifth floor again. It was as if the ground suddenly aged faster, contradicting the rest of the structure's designs.
"Get ready, Meredy! I can only give us a moment to breathe before they'll react!" Ultear glanced upwards while she was still falling, directing her focus to close the gap swiftly.
Escaping wouldn't be that easy, since she assessed the strength of two before using her Arc of Time. One was someone who's powerful enough to deter them by himself, and one was threatening enough to be a problem.
"Understood!" Meredy needed no words to sync with her intentions, already knowing what to do next. "Nullpudding shall be my priority, so please be careful in dealing with Vandis."
"We'll get of out this predicament like we always do, silly girl." Ultear chided jokingly, making sure to calm the young girl's nerves. "Worries would simply distract your thought process, so don't lose focus."
They formed specific strategies during their deeds of taking down other dark guilds, especially for situations when they are at a disadvantage, because they were merely just a pair in the end.
Their goal was simple: Forcing a separation between Vandis and Nullpudding, which would give more opportunities for retreat in case they manage to lose them. This option was better than gunning for a 2v2.
"Her magic is quite convenient."
Ultear's analysis was right on the money, because the dark wizards recovered from their shock in the next moment.
Nullpudding immediately dashed towards the hole that was quickly repairing itself, his right arm morphing into a weapon filled with spikes.
"Needle Expansion."
BOOM!
He slammed into it with great momentum, prying it back open without struggle. The purple spikes protruding from his arm extended like branches as they pierced through the ground, engulfing that portion of the fifth floor.
"That barely delayed them, huh?"
Ultear remarked as she barely landed with Meredy before Nullpudding's launched a counter in tandem, observing the canopy of purple spikes that surrounded them like a cage, alongside the supposed closed opening where she also saw the purple humanoid descending afterward.
They evaded the ones coming towards their direction, which caused them to split up. This was their intention anyway, so the next step was to bait their assigned foes.
"Hm?"
Surprisingly, it seems that there was no need to exert effort in that regard, because Meredy saw Nullpudding targeting her as he dived down with unstoppable velocity.
"Maguilty Sodom."
She didn't panic in the slightest and motioned her hands to summon a batch of blades, hovering around her with unseen sharpness.
Nullpudding merely widened his creepy grin, pulling back his extended spikes back into his right arm while lifting his left, then combined them to morph into some sort of shield.
"Make sure to rendezvous in one piece, Meredy." Ultear briefly gazed at their impending clash, genuinely believing in her foster daughter to come out on top.
Whoosh!
"What?"
A sound interrupted her musings, followed by the sensation of forcefully getting carried towards the sixth floor. She promptly glanced at a modest stream of water that stuck to her body, and tried to remove it as she trailed across the air.
The stream never gave her the chance, directing her through the hole with instantaneous speed.
"Hello there." A voice snorted in mirth.
"Thanks for the short and fun ride." Ultear managed to land smoothly, letting her see the stream return to its owner, who was obviously Paramount Tide's Guild Master.
"Compliments won't spare you from capture." Vandis had a slight change in his appearance, for he was now accompanied by bundles of small water streams that radiated indomitable weight.
The familiar pressure fell on the time wizard like a raging tide, which only made her unleashed her magic power without restraint.
"You can try." Multiple orbs manifested within her vicinity, matching the man's intensity.
The two women braced for battle.
------------------------------
AN: Unga bunga! The final stretch of fights has finally arrived! I didn't plan the arc to be this long, because it's been quite a while since it started… So I apologize if it feels a bit dragged, because some snippets of information within those chapters are set ups for future arcs. I'm also eager to finish it, although it's best to not rush lulz.