The remainder of the journey toward Lunareth turned out, curiously enough, to be the calmest part of the entire trip. After several hours crossing forests and dirt roads, Natsu and Juvia finally caught sight of a small trading town nestled on the northern slopes of Fiore. It wasn't large enough to be bustling, but it had just enough life to feel welcoming: cobblestone streets, simple cafés, and a few clothing shops whose windows displayed brightly colored fabrics that caught the eye.
That was where the two decided to stop and rest.
At first, all Natsu wanted was to eat and sleep, but Juvia managed to convince him to take a walk around the town. The day was sunny, the breeze gentle, and the place carried that pleasant late-afternoon atmosphere. They strolled side by side through the streets, watching the townsfolk, the shops, and even a group of children playing with water magic beside the central fountain.
Before they realized it, more time had passed than they intended. Juvia insisted Natsu change his clothes—his current ones were caked with dust, after all. He grumbled, of course, but gave in when she dragged him into one of the stores.
There, he chose something different from his usual style. He swapped the old vest and wraps for a sleek, modern dark outfit: a fitted black high-collared shirt and a long coat with silver detailing on the sleeves, reminiscent of the style worn by eastern guild hunters. The pants were simple but sturdy, held by a gray sash, and reinforced leather boots completed the look. The whole ensemble gave him a more mature, restrained appearance—almost as if it reflected the new Natsu that Juvia had been noticing.
She, meanwhile, stuck to the style that had always defined her: a dark-blue dress with white accents, elbow-length gloves, and a matching beret. Still, she switched to a lighter fabric better suited for long travels and bought a pale-blue scarf that she wore draped over her shoulders.
After shopping, they stopped at a small inn. They had dinner together, talking about simple things—guild stories, funny memories, even small confessions about how much they missed it all. Natsu, who rarely opened up, laughed more than usual that night. Juvia, for her part, seemed genuinely happy just to be there, listening and watching his relaxed demeanor.
When the sun set, they walked to the edge of town and sat atop a hill, watching the lights flicker on below. Then they returned to the inn quickly and rested.
The next morning, both woke early and resumed their journey.
The town they had passed through was relatively close to their destination, so it took no more than two hours to finally arrive.
The sky was clear, a soft blue, and the wind carried the fresh scent of morning.
In the north of Fiore, surrounded by small fields and shallow forests, lay the village of Lunareth—a simple yet welcoming place where people lived off agriculture and local trade.
The village was cradled by gray-green hills and clusters of pine trees, rising in a narrow valley where the cold mountain wind blew almost year-round. The houses were modest, built of light wood and gray stone, with steeply pitched roofs covered in weathered blue tiles. Thin streams of white smoke rose from little chimneys, mingling with the crisp morning air and carrying the comforting smell of burning firewood.
The main path through the village was a well-trodden dirt road that ran east to west. On one side stood the local market stalls—old tables draped in colorful cloths where villagers sold fruit, grains, and handicrafts. On the other, a row of older buildings housed the tavern, the blacksmith, and the tiny post office.
A crystal-clear stream cut through the village from end to end, flowing between the houses and emptying into a small lake to the north. The wooden bridge spanning it was the busiest spot in the morning, when people came to fetch water or feed their animals.
In the distance, the hills formed a beautiful contrast against the sky. At their highest points, windmills turned slowly, and small wheat fields rippled in golden waves. Farther still lay a dense pine forest.
Natsu and Juvia arrived early in the morning, walking side by side along the packed-dirt road that led to the village center.
"So this is Lunareth, huh…" Natsu said, looking around. "Way too quiet for bandits to be hanging around."
"It does seem that way," Juvia replied, watching the villagers beginning their day—sweeping doorsteps and opening shops. "Maybe the bandits are hiding in the hills during the day."
"Or maybe they already ran for it when they heard Fairy Tail was coming." He shrugged.
Juvia sighed with a small smile. "Natsu-san says that so casually…"
"Of course! The moment bandits hear the name Fairy Tail, they'll be gone before we even get close! At least that's how it used to be before those seven years we were… away…" A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth by the end.
"Yes… Juvia agrees…" she murmured in response.
The two continued along the main path, taking in the calm bustle of the villagers. The sound of the stream running beside the houses mingled with the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby bakery, blending with the aromas of woodsmoke and damp earth. It was the kind of place where time seemed to move more slowly—a curious contrast to the hectic life in Magnolia.
While walking, Juvia paused to speak with a woman selling vegetables near the bridge. The woman kindly explained that the mayor usually tended his garden behind his house in the mornings before opening the office, and pointed them in the right direction with a warm smile.
Following her instructions, Natsu and Juvia crossed the village to the western side, where the houses were slightly more spaced out and surrounded by wooden fences. The mayor's house stood out—not for luxury, but for the evident care put into it. It was a two-story building of light wood and polished stone, with clean glass windows and a porch covered in yellow and purple flowers. A small stone path led to the gate, flanked by a neatly tended garden where rows of carrots and herbs grew in perfect lines.
There, kneeling in the dirt, was the mayor: a middle-aged man with graying hair and a serene expression. He wore simple but clean clothes and looked more like a farmer than a local leader.
Noticing their approach, he looked up and wiped his hands on a cloth tucked into his belt.
"Ah, visitors? This early in the morning?" he asked with a friendly smile.
Natsu stepped forward.
"We're mages from Fairy Tail. We're here about the job your village sent to the guild."
The man's eyes widened in surprise for a moment before breaking into an even bigger smile. "Fairy Tail, you say? Then you must be the help we've been praying for! Please, come in, come in! I imagine you've traveled far."
Without ceremony, he led them onto the porch, where a wooden table was covered with a checkered cloth. In minutes, he returned with a tray of hot tea and freshly baked butter cookies.
"It's simple, but I hope you like it. It's been a while since we've had mages visit."
Juvia thanked him politely, accepting the tea with both hands. Natsu, on the other hand, had already grabbed three cookies at once.
"This is great, sir!" he said, mouth half-full.
The mayor chuckled, settling into his chair. "Glad you think so. Well, I suppose you're here about the bandits, right?"
Juvia nodded, leaning back slightly. "Yes. We were told a group has been attacking the trade caravans on the eastern road. We'd like more details about the location and how many there are, if you know."
The man sighed and rubbed his chin. "Yes… those blasted fellows have been causing trouble for months. They're fast, strike without warning, and vanish into the hills before anyone can react. The road connecting Lunareth to Vardas has become a constant danger. We've already lost three caravans, and lately even the local farmers have started receiving threats."
Natsu leaned his elbows on the table, his gaze calm. "How many are we talking about?"
"Hard to say for sure. Reports mention around eight or nine. But the real problem is their leader—a man named Garron. Former mercenary, strong, and they say he wields some kind of wind magic. No one who's faced him head-on has walked away unscathed."
"Wind magic, huh?" Natsu murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Juvia fell silent, lost in thought.
The mayor let out a small laugh and shook his head. "The people here are scared, you know? We can't fight them on our own. Just knowing Fairy Tail is involved is already a huge relief."
Juvia smiled gently. "You can rest easy. We'll take care of it."
The man nodded, his eyes shining with gratitude. "If you can, stay at Old Mirea's inn. Tell her I sent you. She'll give you a good room and hot food."
After discussing details—times when attacks were most common, the most dangerous routes, and possible hideouts in the hills—Natsu and Juvia stood, thanking him for the tea and hospitality.
"Leave the rest to us," Natsu said casually. "Those guys won't bother anyone again."
The mayor smiled, watching them leave with genuine confidence.
…
Back in the village, the day was now in full swing. The sun climbed slowly, and the sounds of carts, hammers, and voices filled the air. The cold mountain breeze was softened by the lively movement of the people.
Natsu and Juvia walked to the bridge, where the stream flowed clear, reflecting the blue sky. They paused there for a moment, taking in the activity around them.
"So," Natsu said, crossing his arms, "we go after these guys tonight. The mayor said they usually strike near the eastern road, right?"
"Yes," Juvia replied thoughtfully. "But Juvia thinks we should be prepared. We don't know exactly what kind of magic this Garron uses. What if it's a trap?"
Natsu gave a half-smile, brimming with confidence. "Then we break the trap along with them."
She sighed, but couldn't suppress the small smile that formed. "Juvia isn't sure if that's bravery or recklessness…"
"A bit of both. Besides, I doubt he's some powerful mage. If he were, he wouldn't be reduced to plain banditry."
They continued to the local tavern, where they bought basic supplies—dried food, blankets, and a regional map. Natsu insisted on taking jerky and bread, while Juvia made sure they had enough water and simple healing potions.
Afterward, they went to the stream and sat in the shade of a tree to go over the plan. The cool wind blew gently, stirring her hair and the hem of his coat.
"Juvia thinks it would be best to hide in the hills, right?" she asked, spreading the map on the grass. "If we position ourselves there, we can watch the road and react quickly when the group shows up."
"Perfect." Natsu pointed to a marked area on the map near where the caravans had been attacked. "If they strike at night, I can smell smoke or traces of fire. And if they try to run, you can block them with water."
She nodded. "Understood."
For a while, they sat in comfortable silence. The sound of the stream and the distant song of birds created an almost unreal tranquility. Juvia watched Natsu, noticing how the new dark outfit highlighted the determined look in his eyes. He seemed different—not just more mature, but calmer, as though time and experience had shaped something deep inside him.
When he caught her staring, he raised an eyebrow. "What? Something on my face?"
"Ah! N-no… nothing!" she answered quickly, looking away, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Natsu chuckled softly, leaning back with his hands behind his head. "Heh. You're still terrible at hiding it, Juvia."
She crossed her arms, trying to keep her composure. "Juvia was just… thinking about the mission."
"Sure you were."
The sun began its slow descent, painting the sky in shades of orange. They spent the rest of the afternoon fine-tuning the plan and checking their gear, until they finally decided to return to the inn for a short rest before nightfall.
As they walked up the main street, the village sounds had grown quieter, and the air carried the scent of burning wood.
Juvia glanced at Natsu walking beside her, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Do you think it'll be hard?" she asked in a softer tone.
Natsu thought for a moment before answering. "Like I said before, I doubt it. And even if it is… these guys are terrorizing people who just want to live in peace. That's exactly the kind of thing Fairy Tail exists to stop. So… we're putting an end to it."
It really did sound like something his predecessor would have said… yet deep down, it was nothing but the plain truth. If he had the power to prevent something terrible from happening to innocent people, he would use it without hesitation. No orders needed, no recognition required—just the certainty that he could make a difference. That almost naïve impulse was what had driven him forward in his previous life, even when everything around him seemed lost. He wasn't exactly a good person, but he was far from bad either. Just someone who carried within himself the choice to do what he believed was right, even when it was far easier to do wrong—even when the world didn't understand his choices.
Juvia nodded slowly, feeling her heart beat faster. In that moment, beneath the crimson-tinged sunset sky, she realized that no matter how dangerous the mission might be, as long as they stood side by side, nothing felt impossible.
And so…
The two began their preparations to face the band of bandits.
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