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Thunder rumbled across the open ground, and a torrential storm descended.
A terrifying, earth-shattering force tore through Galuna Island.
A perfectly straight fissure extended rapidly outward from the island's center, splitting the ancient island—favored by moonlight for countless years—cleanly in half.
The horrifying scene resembled a natural disaster. The shocking trail of destruction felt like an oppressive display of divine wrath, causing those who had retreated to the cliffs to feel their hearts pounding and their legs unsteady.
Wendy, being timid, fearfully hid behind Roubaul.
Even Natsu—who was usually fearless except when facing Erza—now wore a terrified expression. Unlike his fear of Erza's discipline, this time Natsu was genuinely frightened by the terrible power that had erupted from the battlefield.
Midnight, drenched in cold sweat, was one of only two people present who could still stand, but even his voice trembled slightly.
"Master... have they decided the outcome?"
The old man standing at the front hunched his body. His dry, thin frame, however, was like an anchor in turbulent seas, steadying everyone. It was he who had neutralized the shockwaves that spread when that astonishing power struck the island, keeping everyone safe.
Roubaul turned to look at the expectant eyes behind him and shook his head slightly. "You're putting me on the spot, but..."
"I can feel the evil slowly receding, though it hasn't disappeared yet."
If the evil aura was fading, didn't that mean Satan Soul's rampage was ending? But with such powerful energy fluctuations just now, were Mira and Noah alright?
Worry for his companions overshadowed his inner dread, and Natsu strode toward where the Moon Temple had stood.
The others followed closely.
They all wanted to know if Noah had stopped the rampaging Mira—and if not, whether they could help now.
Running at full speed, Natsu reached the temple ruins in just a few minutes, but the site could no longer be described as mere ruins.
Standing on the cliff edge, Natsu could vaguely see the other half of the island, shrouded in mist, on the opposite side. The chasm separating them blocked his path completely.
Because he'd run ahead, Happy and the others hadn't caught up yet. Unable to cross the gap, Natsu could only shout anxiously at the top of his lungs.
"Noah! Mira! Are you over there?!"
The opposite bank remained silent.
Lucy and the others arrived at the cliff moments later. Looking at the mist-shrouded half-island across from them and the clean fracture line below, they were all secretly shocked.
Natsu didn't care about those details—he was only concerned about Mira and Noah's condition. He immediately grabbed Happy, who was trotting along with Carla, and told him to fly him across.
"No need. They're fine."
Roubaul appeared silently behind Natsu, one hand pressing down on Happy, who was about to take off.
At those words, Cheese—who had already taken flight with Shirayuki—immediately slammed on the brakes mid-air. Along with the confused crowd, he looked at Roubaul.
The old man offered no explanation. His wise gaze seemingly pierced through the thick fog on the opposite bank as he muttered to himself, "Youth... what a wonderful time."
Turning to face the bewildered young people, Roubaul chuckled softly. "Let's go. We'll return to the village to rest. Noah and Mira are fine—don't disturb them."
Although they didn't quite understand, Roubaul's confident demeanor made everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
Only Natsu's curiosity remained piqued. He insisted that Happy fly him over to see what Noah and Mira were doing, but he was eventually dragged away by Lucy and Gray...
Meanwhile, on the other half of the island, by the cliff edge.
The white-haired boy sat shirtless on the fault line. The white-haired girl leaned against his chest, wearing his shirt, which emphasized her figure.
"Natsu's really energetic. I can hear him yelling at Lucy and Gray to let go from all the way over here."
Noah's teasing was immediately echoed by the girl in his arms. "He almost interrupted our alone time. It's a good thing he didn't make it over. Otherwise, don't blame me for exaggerating when I tell Erza about this."
Using a borrowed blade—getting Erza to handle Natsu. How devious.
Noah said nothing more, simply wrapping his arm around the girl's waist, feeling her warmth and softness.
Although the Demon Form had lifted and Mira regained control of her body, Satan Soul couldn't be separated from her.
It was still a hidden danger.
Noah planned to learn Enchantment magic from Wendy when they returned.
This magic could attach a dragon's power to a human, creating Dragon Slayer Magic. There was no reason it couldn't separate Satan Soul from Mira.
Sensing Noah's worry, Mira shifted against him. "Noah, you don't need to worry too much. The power Satan Soul absorbed in the underground altar was basically exhausted by you."
"She won't have another chance to take my body."
Speaking of the underground altar, Noah was curious about what that evil energy—sealed by moonlight for countless years—truly was.
It couldn't break through the moonlight seal for so long, yet the moment it sensed Mira, it instantly shattered the barrier and merged into her body, after which Satan Soul took over.
From Satan Soul's subsequent behavior, that evil energy should have been her power from when she was alive.
But where did the Soul Scale's Magic Power effect come from?
Mira immediately answered this question. "The strange weakening ability should have come from a fragment of Demon Magic Power that Satan Soul actively absorbed from Boss after I defeated him."
Actively absorbing Magic Power?
And able to use Demon Battle God abilities?
It seemed Satan and the Black Abyss had deep connections. Just from how effortlessly she used Soul Scale's special energy, she might have even ranked above the Eighteen Demon Battle Gods.
But what good was strength in life? Now, she was ultimately just a departed soul.
"Mira, do you like me?"
Noah's sudden question made Mira blush. He already knew the answer from Satan Soul, yet he still insisted on asking.
I'm a girl—can't you be more proactive?
Rare shyness appeared on the girl's delicate face. Noah could feel her body temperature rising. That cunning Mira actually had such a bashful side.
"No answer? Guess Satan Soul was talking nonsense."
Noah showed a mischievous smile, brushed aside the white hair by her ear, and whispered, "But now that she's mentioned it, I've noticed Erza's attitude toward me seems a bit too intimate. What kind of girl runs to a guy's house every day?"
"Mira, do you think Erza might have feelings for me?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Noah didn't expect his casual remark to trigger such a fierce rebuttal from Mira. Was it just because he mentioned her rival and temporary best friend?
Mira broke free from Noah's embrace, gritting her teeth as she stared fiercely into his eyes. "Even if she does, I fell for you first!"
Wait, wait, wait!
Is she confessing?!
But how should he respond... Noah, with zero dating experience, felt his mind go blank. The novels he'd read before didn't have this kind of scene—he didn't know how to handle this.
Seeing the suddenly stunned boy, a bold idea arose in Mira's heart. Since she'd already said it, why not be even bolder?
Once the forbidden thought emerged, it couldn't be suppressed. The girl tied up her white hair, licked her lips, and pounced on the bewildered boy while simultaneously reaching out to pull off the shirt draped over her.
"You... what are you doing?!"
"This is moving a bit fast—no, Mira..."
"Shut up!"
Seeing the usually calm Noah show panic delighted Mira immensely. She flipped over and straddled him, pressing her hands on his chest.
"Isn't Erza a knight? Well, today I'll be a knight too!"