Makarov looked at the scene before him, a storm raging in his heart.
He felt the terrifying magic power that threatened to freeze the entire Magnolia Town, and for a moment, he was lost in thought.
This... is this Ryoma?
How long has it been since they last met?
This kid has actually grown to such an extent.
The purity and vastness of this magic power had far exceeded his previous estimations, even vaguely possessing a might that made him feel a tremor in his heart.
"Ryoma!"
Makarov snapped back to reality and quickly shouted, his voice tinged with urgency,
"Calm down!"
He tried to awaken the young man consumed by rage.
However, the cold air around Ryoma showed no signs of weakening. Instead, it grew even more biting. His icy eyes were fixed on the guild hall, which had been pierced through, as if he wanted to freeze the monstrous iron rods and the person behind them into dust.
Just then, another figure rushed out from underground.
"Ryoma!"
Mirajane ran to Ryoma's side, her face full of worry. She could clearly feel how unstable Ryoma's emotions were at this moment. That magic power was like a blizzard on the verge of losing control.
"Master is right, calm down first, Ryoma." Mirajane's voice was soft but carried a calming power. "Everyone is fine."
She reached out and gently placed her hand on Ryoma's arm, which had become icy cold due to the surging magic power.
"I know you're angry, all of us are angry." Mirajane's eyes were gentle and sad. "But releasing your anger here will only scare everyone in town."
Makarov walked forward, his face grim, and nodded.
"Let's go inside first."
Under the combined persuasion of Makarov and Mirajane, that terrifying aura finally began to slowly recede.
"Hoo..."
The air temperature rose, and the frost on the ground slowly melted. The visible cold air around Ryoma gradually re-entered his body, but the coldness and chill in his eyes showed no signs of fading.
"..."
Natsu and Gray watched from the side, dumbfounded.
They had also been startled by the aura Ryoma had unleashed.
That feeling was several times more terrifying than what they had felt on Galuna Island before.
Is this really Ryoma?
How strong has his power become?
The two exchanged glances, both seeing deep shock in the other's eyes.
Ryoma said nothing more, simply turning in silence and following Makarov and Mirajane towards the interior of the guild hall.
Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Lucy also quickly followed.
The entrance to the temporary underground bar was behind the original bar counter. Along the way, they stepped on broken wooden boards and rubble, making rustling sounds.
Lucy looked at the ruined surroundings, her expression filled with disbelief. "How could someone attack our guild?"
She murmured to herself, her voice trembling slightly with confusion,
"Fairy Tail... isn't it considered the strongest guild in Fiore by many?"
Ryoma, who was walking ahead, paused slightly. He didn't turn back, but spoke in a tone devoid of any emotion, "It's precisely because of the title 'strongest' that it attracts the covetous eyes of certain petty individuals."
His voice was flat, yet it sent an inexplicable chill down Lucy's spine.
"And..."
Ryoma's gaze swept over the monstrous iron rods, a cold glint flashing in his eyes,
"Such crude and arrogant methods clearly suggest it was done by those Phantom Lord guys, right?"
"Mm."
Mirajane, who was walking at the very front, lightly acknowledged, confirming Ryoma's guess.
Mirajane explained, "Phantom Lord attacked the guild in the middle of the night. There wasn't a single person in the guild at that time. So no one was hurt."
No one was hurt but it was a blatant provocation and humiliation.
Everyone fell silent, their mood growing heavier as they descended the stairs to the basement.
The underground warehouse had been temporarily converted into a bar. The air was filled with a suppressive atmosphere and a strong smell of alcohol.
The guild members gathered in twos and threes, most of them silently drinking, their faces displaying identical gloom and anger.
When they saw Makarov return with Ryoma and the others, everyone's gaze converged.
"Master!"
"Erza! You're back!"
"Natsu! Gray!"
However, after the simple greetings, the atmosphere once again fell into a deathly silence.
Natsu looked at the oppressive scene before him and could no longer hold back. He slammed his fist onto a nearby wooden crate.
Bang!
"I can't accept this!" Natsu's roar echoed in the small space. "Just let it go? Are you kidding me!"
"If I don't beat those bastards until they're crawling, I absolutely won't swallow this anger!"
Makarov silently walked to the bar, picked up a glass of alcohol, and drank it in one gulp.
"Calm down, Natsu."
He put down the glass, his voice sounding unusually calm.
"Those idiots only dare to go this far."
Makarov said, his back to everyone, a hint of disdain in his tone. "They only dare to attack a guild when there's no one around. There's no need to stoop to their level."
With that, he found an excuse and swayed towards the small room inside.
"Hey! Old man!"
Natsu looked at Makarov's retreating back, growing even more angry and confused.
"Why! Why does he seem not to care at all! Our home has been destroyed like that!"
"Natsu..."
Mirajane walked to his side and gently sighed.
"Master is actually more unwilling than any of us." Her voice attracted everyone's attention.
"Then why?" Natsu asked, puzzled.
Mirajane's face showed a hint of helplessness. "The Magic Council had long issued a clear prohibition, strictly forbidding large-scale private fights between legitimate guilds."
"Once violated, the entire guild would be forcibly disbanded."
"..."
Natsu's fists clenched, making a cracking sound.
Gray's face was gloomy, gripping the glass in his hand tightly.
Erza stood with her arms crossed, her slightly trembling shoulders betraying her inner turmoil.
So that's how it is.
Because of the rules, they can only watch their home be humiliated without being able to retaliate?
A feeling of powerlessness and frustration spread through everyone's hearts.
They were mages of Fairy Tail!
They were used to acting as they pleased, used to seeking revenge!
But now they were firmly bound by an invisible shackles.
Only heavy breathing and oppressive silence remained in the entire basement.
Ryoma leaned in the shadows of the corner, silent from beginning to end. He just listened and watched quietly.
Watching the humiliated and unwilling expressions on his companions' faces.
Watching everything this home he knew and loved endured.
In his heart, an ice plain was silently spreading.
The Council's rules?
Wars between guilds?
He understood all of this.
He also clearly remembered that in the original plot, Fairy Tail would eventually win this war, and Phantom Lord would be defeated and then disbanded.
But...
Ryoma's mind conjured the arrogant and conceited face of Jose, the Guild Master of Phantom Lord.
He remembered that man was ultimately only defeated by Makarov and stripped of his Ten Wizard Saints title, but he was still alive.
He survived?
Ryoma's eyelids lowered slightly, concealing the bone-chilling killing intent that flashed in his eyes.
This time... it won't be that easy for you.
His hand, placed at his side, unconsciously slowly tightened into a fist.
(End of Chapter)
Read 50 Chapters ahead on
patreon.com/astralicity