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In the end, Silver still failed to persuade Gray to inherit Ice Devil Slayer Magic.
As Ur's disciple, Gray would always prioritize Ice-Make, and unless necessary, he wouldn't learn another magic, especially one that cost his father a fatal price.
However, Noah had an idea.
Since Enchantment magic could imbue Dragon Power into humans, giving birth to Dragon Slayers, could they try to imbue Devil Slayer Power to recreate the inheritance of Devil Slayer Magic?
If it were possible, perhaps the tragedy of Devil Slayer Mages would no longer repeat in the future.
After returning, he would have to find a way to "shear" Wendy.
He just didn't know what Wendy's deepest desire was.
Silver didn't stay too long. To prevent the demons of Tartaros from noticing, he prepared to leave after finalizing the details of capturing the Necromancer with Noah and Erza.
However, at their parting, Silver didn't look at his reluctant son, but at a blue-eyed, blue-haired, blue-clothed... in short, an all-blue girl.
"Juvia, I'll trouble you to look after Gray."
"Mm, Juvia will definitely take good care of Gray-sama!"
Hearing Silver's words, Juvia's eyes lit up. "Uncle Silver must also take care of himself, or Juvia will worry."
"Haha, don't look at me as half-dead, but I'm also very strong."
"..."
Silver and Juvia chatted back and forth, looking so harmonious it was as if they were family.
This scene left Gray dumbfounded. He suddenly felt like he shouldn't be there, as if he were the outsider.
"I'm clearly Dad's biological son, why..."
"Of course, your dad approves of this daughter-in-law who delivered herself to his doorstep~"
Noah, that bad friend, laughed at Gray's dazed expression, but unfortunately, he didn't bring a recording Lacrima—otherwise, he could sell it to Natsu for a high price later for his collection.
As the saying goes, bystanders see most clearly. Everyone in the guild knew about Juvia's relentless pursuit of Gray, and Gray wasn't actually annoyed by Juvia's actions.
A perverted exhibitionist and an obsessive fangirl—such a match made in heaven. Shouldn't they be locked together, or should they be let loose to torment others?
After a few words, Silver looked at Gray. After nearly ten years apart, he and his son hadn't had much time to talk, and now they were parting again. The thousands of words in his heart ultimately transformed into a single gesture.
Seeing Silver's outstretched fist, Gray paused, remembering the childish actions he and his father used to do when he was young, then bumped his fist against Silver's.
Father and son understood each other—everything was left unsaid.
After a silent farewell, Silver's figure quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.
He arrived with great presence and departed with equal grace.
"Then we should also leave."
Erza had instructed everyone to pack their luggage early that morning.
Originally, everyone planned to return after meeting the Eternal Flame, but they didn't expect the Eternal Flame to be Natsu's "convenient" uncle, so they chatted for a while longer. Then, due to Silver's unexpected appearance, quite a bit of time was delayed.
The group, carrying the specialties given by the Giants, was about to leave when they were stopped by the Giant Sol. "Honored benefactors, we have two requests—please grant them."
Many Giants stood behind Sol, all looking at Noah's group with sincere eyes, which piqued Noah's curiosity.
What kind of request would warrant such a grand display?
Sol stepped aside, revealing a small girl with wine-red long hair behind him, and said under the girl's innocent gaze, "We want Flare to join Fairy Tail and follow you to see the outside world."
As soon as he said this, Noah and the others hadn't responded, but Flare's eyes immediately welled up. "Uncle Sol, I won't run around anymore—please don't abandon Flare."
"Silly child, we would never abandon you."
A Giant squatted down and carefully dabbed away the little girl's tears with his fingertip.
The Giants were actually unwilling for Flare to leave the village, but Zoldeo's previous actions made them realize that Flare had always been struggling with self-doubt due to her differences from the Giants.
In this situation, no amount of the Giants' love would help. Only by letting Flare see the outside world could she understand that even with many differences, they could still be family.
What's more, Fairy Tail was notoriously protective of its own, so the Giants were even worried that their cherished darling wouldn't want to return to Sun Village after going there.
Seeing that the Giants had convinced Flare, Noah was naturally willing to take her. Moreover, Flare's magical talent was not bad—her magic, Hair Magic, was even taught personally by the Hellfire Dragon.
Children are, after all, children. After learning that the Giants had no intention of abandoning her, Flare's mood also became excited. She'd long wanted to see the world.
Running to Lucy's side in a few quick steps, Flare looked at her with admiration. The little girl didn't know the strength levels of the others, only feeling that Lucy, who defeated Zoldeo, was very powerful.
However, the little girl's adoring gaze made Lucy feel overwhelmed. She was clearly the weakest one present, and being stared at with such admiring eyes put a lot of pressure on her...
Erza rubbed Flare's little head and made a promise to the Giants. "Since we're all family now, we won't let Flare be bullied outside. You can rest assured."
Since Titania had spoken, the Giants were naturally relieved, but as soon as they thought of their upcoming "excessive" request, their expressions became a bit unnatural.
After some pushing and shoving, Sol finally bit the bullet and spoke. "Although it's a bit hard to say, we still want to ask for your help for Lord Eternal Flame."
The Giants were not unaware of the Eternal Flame's weakening. The Eternal Flame had protected Sun Village for too long, and they didn't want to see the guardian who protected the village's peace end up completely exhausted.
Over the years, the Giants had tried many methods, but all were in vain. This time, they finally encountered mages who were strong and righteous, and they didn't want to miss this lifeline.
The request, which the Giants considered excessive, brought a smile to Noah's lips.
The Hellfire Dragon would rather exhaust his last bit of strength to continue protecting his people, and the people he protected were also wholeheartedly thinking of their guardian.
Facing such a dragon and people who cared so much for each other, what reason was there to refuse?
"Did you hear that, Atlas Flame?"
"You want to stay, but the people you care about don't want you to die for them."
Noah's voice was very soft, carried by the breeze to the altar in the center of the village. In the burning hellfire, a pair of dragon eyes suddenly opened.
That's right—with people who loved him so much, why was he still insisting on waiting to die?!
Black and red flames mixed and shot into the sky, transforming into an illusory fire dragon heading toward the white-haired young man at the village entrance. A deep, powerful dragon roar echoed through the sky.
"Noah, I'll trouble you."
"This isn't trouble at all."
Noah leaped up and caught the illusory fire dragon, then spun down, directly pouncing on a bewildered Natsu. "Hahaha, Natsu, open wide!"
Soul Dragon Art: Imitation!
A powerful pillar of fire slammed down, and with overwhelming force that left Natsu no resistance, terrifying Dragon Power—along with the Hellfire Dragon's consciousness—merged into the pink-haired young man's body.
Intense hellfire erupted within his body, and the sudden surge of power caused Natsu to instantly pass out.
Natsu just didn't know what was happening deep within his spiritual consciousness, a place even he couldn't enter...
The Fire Dragon King, who always maintained his majesty, rarely showed a bewildered expression, staring in surprise at his long-dead close friend who had intruded.
"Atlas Flame! You're not dead?!"
"You ******* died, you ******* Igneel! I *******!!" (T/N: Fill in the blank)
Actually, the Hellfire Dragon was a hot-tempered old man. He just felt uncomfortable swearing at outsiders, but against his close friend, he absolutely had to go all out...