(2/2)
The journey to the Magic Council headquarters was quiet. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels against the dirt road served as the only backdrop to Erza's composed yet sharp presence and Aurelius's calm demeanor. The two hadn't exchanged many words, each lost in their own thoughts.
As the carriage finally came to a halt, the door swung open to reveal the imposing structure of the Magic Council headquarters. Massive marble pillars supported the grand facade, and intricate carvings of ancient mages adorned the walls, exuding an aura of authority and gravitas.
A group of Rune Knights awaited them, their silver armor gleaming under the midday sun. Among them stood the council's peculiar messengers: humanoid frogs, clad in ceremonial robes, their expressions unreadable yet somehow commanding respect.
"This way," croaked one of the frogs in a deep, resonant voice, gesturing for Erza and Aurelius to follow.
The two complied, walking side by side through the towering gates. Aurelius's steps were measured, his expression giving away nothing. Erza, however, couldn't help but glance at him out of the corner of her eye.
"You're calm," she remarked quietly as they entered the grand hall.
"Panicking doesn't solve problems," Aurelius replied evenly, his tone devoid of concern.
The hall was vast, its floor polished to a mirror-like sheen that reflected the grand chandelier above. The air felt heavy with the weight of countless decisions made within these walls, some shaping history, others condemning lives.
Erza's gaze swept across the space, her usual confidence unwavering despite the situation. "You've been here before, haven't you?"
"Once or twice," Aurelius admitted. "The council has a way of summoning people when it suits them."
Before Erza could press further, they were led to a pair of tall double doors engraved with the Council's insignia. The frog messenger pushed the doors open, revealing the council chamber.
Seven council members sat behind an elongated crescent desk, their expressions ranging from disinterested to mildly curious. Among them was Gran Doma, his stern visage giving away nothing as he studied the pair entering.
Erza stepped forward, her posture perfect, her gaze steady. "I have come to answer for my actions regarding the Eisenwald incident and the Lullaby flute," she said, her voice strong and unwavering.
Aurelius stood slightly behind her, his expression neutral. He didn't speak, merely observing the room with an unreadable gaze.
The council members exchanged glances, shuffling their papers before one of them, a stern-looking woman, spoke.
"Erza Scarlet, you have been summoned for your involvement in the incident with Eisenwald," the woman said. "Your actions have caused a lot of damage and now you must answer for them."
Erza nodded without hesitation. "I did what was necessary to protect the people," she said. "I acted to prevent further loss of life. I stand by my decision."
Before the questioning could go any further, the council turned their attention to Aurelius. He remained still, as calm and composed as ever.
However, the council was clearly more focused on Erza. One of the frog messengers croaked out a command, signaling for Erza to be taken away.
Erza turned to Aurelius with a subtle nod, and Aurelius responded with a silent acknowledgment. The Rune Knights moved in, guiding her to a small, secure chamber—a holding cell, where she would remain until the council decided what action to take. It was clear that her case was of higher importance, and she was being separated for further scrutiny.
As Erza was escorted away, Aurelius stood still for a moment, his gaze fixed on the empty space she had vacated. He knew that her fate here would be complicated. He didn't feel the need to speak further, for he knew the council's games and the way they liked to manipulate situations.
Then, the doors to the chamber closed behind him, and the questioning began.
...
The council chamber was silent except for the low hum of distant voices, the room's tension thick enough to feel in the air. Aurelius stood at the center of the room, calm but ever-watchful, while the council members eyed him intently. Chairman Crawford Seam, a man known for his sharp intellect and calculated demeanor, broke the silence, his voice cutting through the room.
"Aurelius Nyx," he began, leaning forward, "why didn't you stop Fairy Tail's involvement in the Eisenwald incident after you obtained the Lullaby flute? You knew the possibilities, and yet, you allowed things to unfold as they did. Why?"
The question was direct, no attempt at diplomacy in his tone. The council's interest in Aurelius was only growing, and they wanted answers that he wasn't readily offering.
Aurelius remained calm, unshaken by the chairman's bluntness. His response was calculated, each word chosen with precision. "Sometimes, a greater good requires accepting temporary chaos. If I had intervened sooner, Eisenwald would still be at bay, and we would still be facing a threat from that guild. I allowed things to play out because the result, while messy, was the eradication of a much larger threat."
The council members exchanged glances, clearly unsettled by his words. "And that caused the destruction of a train station!," one council member pointed out, his voice rising in frustration.
"And I still don't regret it," Aurelius responded, his tone unyielding. "The ends justified the means. Eisenwald is no more, and the Lullaby is safe. Are you implying that the train station my guildmates destroyed are more important than the lives that may be loss because of Eisenwald?"
The argument began to heat up, with more members of the council chiming in. "You claim the greater good, but many innocents were endangered in the process," another council member said, his voice skeptical. "You manipulated the situation, and now you stand here claiming righteousness?"
Aurelius's gaze hardened. "Manipulated? No. Controlled. There's a difference. You would've preferred I let Eisenwald continue to wreak havoc on the guilds and innocent civilians? Tell me, would you have taken action sooner if you had the same knowledge I did? Or would you have let your bureaucracy rule over lives?"
The tension in the room thickened. Aurelius had an uncanny way of twisting their words, using logic and calculated reasoning to counter every argument they threw at him.
The Chairman's sharp eyes glinted. He knew they were getting nowhere, so he shifted the conversation. "Let's move on, then," he said, his tone now colder. "Now that we know your reasoning, what about the Lullaby flute? You claim it's safe, but we need it in our hands, Aurelius. Where is it?"
Aurelius didn't flinch. His voice was firm, controlled, but beneath it lay a layer of quiet defiance. "I've hidden it somewhere safe. Where it cannot be used, and where no one can find it unless I allow it."
"Safe?" the Chairman repeated, raising an eyebrow. "The Lullaby is a dangerous, cursed object. It needs to be locked away under the Magic Council's protection."
Aurelius shook his head. "If it is so safe with you, then why was it stolen in the first place? If the council were as vigilant as you claim, it wouldn't have ever fallen into the wrong hands."
The council members were silent for a moment, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the room. Aurelius's gaze was unwavering, his argument difficult to counter. The Lullaby had been stolen once—despite the supposed safety of the Magic Council's vaults. Now, Aurelius was challenging the very foundation of their authority.
"We can offer better protection," another council member spoke up, trying to regain control of the discussion. "Your claims are speculative, but the truth is clear. The Lullaby is far too dangerous for one person to keep. It must be secured under the Council's control for the safety of all."
Aurelius's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "The safety of all? You may say that, but it was under your care once, and it was stolen. Can you honestly say that you've learned from that mistake?"
For a moment, there was silence as the council considered his words. The pressure in the room had become unbearable, but Aurelius stood firm, his resolve unbroken.
The room simmered with barely-contained fury as the council members stared at Aurelius, each one attempting to contain their outrage. Their previous calm and calculated demeanor had given way to frustration. They had expected compliance, or at least an attempt at cooperation. Instead, Aurelius stood unmoved, his words striking deeper than they had anticipated.
"Aurelius Nyx," Chairman Crawford Seam finally spoke, his voice tight with controlled anger. "You've chosen your words carefully, but your actions are the ones that will speak for you now. You're not cooperating. You're refusing to give up the Lullaby. We can't allow this defiance. The Lullaby is too dangerous to be in the hands of one person, especially someone as... unpredictable as you."
"I've heard your reasoning," Aurelius said coolly, not a flicker of emotion crossing his face. "And I'll repeat myself. the Lullaby is safe where I've hidden it, and it is not your concern."
The room erupted. A few council members stood, red-faced, as they shouted over each other.
"How dare you defy the Magic Council?!" one yelled, slamming his fist on the table. "You act as though you're above us!"
Aurelius didn't react, his face impassive as the storm of words raged around him. His posture remained straight, his voice measured when he spoke again. "I didn't come here to argue. I came to ensure the safety of the Lullaby, and to make it clear that I'm not handing it over yet to the likes of you."
A seething silence followed his statement. No one had expected him to be this bold—this confident. It was as though the room was filled with pressure, the council members unsure how to proceed without further escalating the situation.
Chairman Crawford, who had been quietly observing the tension, finally stood. His expression was unreadable, but his words were cold. "You're playing a dangerous game, Aurelius. And if you think you can just walk away from this without consequences, you're sorely mistaken."
"I'm not playing any game," Aurelius replied, his eyes never leaving the Chairman's. "I'm ensuring that the Lullaby remains out of reach of those who would use it recklessly."
The Chairman's jaw clenched, his patience finally wearing thin. "Enough. We've tried to reason with you, but it's clear that you've already made up your mind. You'll hand over the Lullaby, or we'll make sure that you never see the light of day again. Do you think you can go against the Magic Council? Against the law?"
The other council members were now visibly irritated, muttering angrily under their breath. The Chairman's words had struck a chord, and the room was on the brink of exploding.
But Aurelius remained unfazed, his gaze unyielding.
"I never said I wouldn't hand over the Lullaby," he said quietly, but his words rang loud in the tense room. "I just meant I wouldn't do it on your terms."
A moment of confusion passed over the council's faces, before a sharp realization hit them. They weren't getting anywhere with threats or intimidation. And Aurelius was playing a far more subtle game.
Aurelius's eyes narrowed, his voice gaining a sharper edge. "But I'm not unreasonable. I'll make a deal with you. I'll hand over the Lullaby, in exchange for something in return."
The room went still.
"Deal?" The Chairman's voice was dripping with suspicion. "And what, do tell, could you possibly want from the Magic Council? You've already made your intentions clear."
"I want information," Aurelius said, his tone cold and calculating. "I want everything you know about a certain dark guild. One that has been operating in the shadows, one that may have a far-reaching influence across Fiore."
The council members exchanged uneasy glances. There were many dark guilds operating in the shadows, and the council was aware of most of them—but there was something about Aurelius's request that made them wary.
"I'm not asking for favors," Aurelius continued, his gaze never leaving the Chairman. "I'm asking for intel. Specific intel. Information about the operations, locations, and members of this guild. Everything you have on them."
The Chairman's eyes flickered with suspicion, but he remained silent for a long moment. It was clear that he was weighing the cost of the deal in his mind. Giving up information about a dark guild could be a dangerous move, but losing the Lullaby to Aurelius—especially with his clear disregard for the council's authority—was an even greater threat.
After what felt like an eternity, Chairman Crawford spoke again, his voice hard but resigned. "You want information on a dark guild... and in exchange, you'll give us the Lullaby?"
"That's right," Aurelius confirmed, his voice steady. "The Lullaby is a tool of power. It can be used against the innocent, but it's also a tool of control. If you want it, it'll cost you. The information I seek is worth more than any weapon."
A council member broke the silence with a sneer. "You'll hand over the Lullaby... just for information?" His voice dripped with suspicion. "You're giving away one of the most dangerous magical items in existence, and all you're asking for in return is a few scraps of knowledge? It doesn't make sense. It's as if you're playing some kind of game, Aurelius. What are you really after?"
Aurelius's gaze never wavered. His voice was calm, but it was sharp with the weight of his conviction. "You're a fool if you think the Lullaby is the only thing that matters here," he said, his tone cool and biting. "Information is the best weapon in the world. It's far more valuable than any magic artifact. With the right information, you can manipulate events, control people, change the course of history."
The council members exchanged uneasy glances, their irritation growing with every word. Another council member's eyes narrowed. "Information? And what exactly do you plan to do with this information? What's your endgame, brat?"
Aurelius didn't flinch. "My endgame is none of your concern. But understand this: The Lullaby could be used for mass destruction. You've know the power it holds. You're right to want it, but you're shortsighted. True power lies in what's hidden in the shadows—the information that the world doesn't know. That's where the real battle is fought, not with brute force, but with knowledge."
Crawford's brow furrowed as he tried to process Aurelius's words. He couldn't deny the logic in what was being said, but it only raised more questions. "So you're really not just handing over the Lullaby because you want to help? You're just using this as a means to get something else? What are you planning to do with the information you want? And what dark guild are we talking about."
Aurelius let out a soft laugh, the sound almost mocking. "You think I owe you an explanation? It's clear you haven't learned the most basic lesson: information is power. I don't care if you understand my reasoning. But I'll make this clear—you get the Lullaby, and I get what I need. That's the deal."
One of the other council members scoffed, clearly frustrated. "This is absurd. You're withholding information, playing us for fools, and yet we're still expected to hand over what you want? Do you think you can just walk away aftet this?"
Aurelius's expression didn't change. He met the council member's eyes coldly. "You're the ones acting like fools. If the Lullaby was truly safe in your hands, it wouldn't have been stolen in the first place. You're lucky it wasn't used to cause more destruction while you dithered."
The room fell silent at that, the council members stunned into stillness. Aurelius's words had hit their mark. They knew all too well that the Lullaby had been stolen from them once before, and they had failed to act in time to prevent it from falling into Eisenwald's hands. The council had become complacent, and now they were paying the price.
Aurelius continued, his voice even colder now. "You want the Lullaby, you'll get it. But the exchange is non-negotiable. Information on a certain dark guild. And I won't tell you anything more until that's done."
Crawford's face twisted with frustration, but he knew he had no choice. His voice was tight with barely contained anger. "You think you can make demands of us? You're toying with forces you don't understand, Aurelius. You're walking a dangerous line."
"I understand perfectly well," Aurelius replied smoothly. "And I'll walk that line as long as I need to. If you want the Lullaby, you'll get the information. If you don't—well, I'll be happy to take my leave and keep it hidden."
The council members glared at Aurelius, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Finally, Crawford sighed, his shoulders slumping as he resigned himself to the deal. "Fine. We'll give you the information. But you will hand over the Lullaby immediately. No more delays. No more games."
Aurelius's lips curled into a slight smile, but it was a smile that lacked any warmth. "I'll get you the Lullaby when the information is in my possession. You know the deal."
Crawford scowled, but said nothing more. Aurelius turned to leave, but before he could exit the room, one of the council members spoke again, his voice laced with suspicion.
"Why do you want this information so badly?" the council member known as Siegrain who was quiet the whole time spoke up. "You won't even tell us your motives. What could be so important?"
Aurelius paused, but only for a moment. He didn't turn back. "Fine, I'll humor you... I just might decide to eradicate that guild... And the guild that I want information on is-"
AN: Send the reviews! 3 more reviews and I'll be releasing 3 more chapters. You guys don't have to worry about the supply, I stockpiled a lot of chapters and I just finished writing the Phantom Lord arc.
Chapter Titles:
Chapter 12: Aurelius' Gambit
Chapter 13: Impending Storm
Chapter 14: Demon of Disaster