"Magic items are... demons?"
The idea seemed absurd at first but wasn't too difficult for the thick-skinned Fairy Tail members to process.
"From what I know, each demon created by Zeref possesses a unique and formidable power," Kira explained, his voice growing serious.
His sharp gaze swept across the room. "If Larabai isn't just a magic item but actually one of Zeref's enhanced demons, our real enemy isn't the Iron Forest goons. It's a monster that even experienced wizards would struggle to defeat."
Erza's eyes narrowed in alarm. "That Zeref..." She trailed off, the infamous name enough to send a shiver down her spine.
Kira turned to Gray. "We've already encountered one of Zeref's creations—Deliora—on Galuna Island. Their strength is leagues above ordinary opponents. Gray, you should know this better than anyone."
The name alone was enough to send Gray's mind spiraling into memories of terror and loss. "Deliora..." he muttered, his head drooping. The thought of another demon like it roaming free was unbearable.
Meanwhile, Natsu was off to the side, obliviously playing with Happy.
Kira sighed at the sight. "Why am I not surprised?"
Erza, however, had caught onto the implication of Kira's words. "So, what you're saying is that we need to handle this away from civilians, correct?"
"Exactly," Kira confirmed. "Destroying streets during a mission is one thing, but if we're dealing with Larabai, we can't risk any casualties. Imagine the backlash—it would be impossible for the guild master to explain this to the Magic Council."
Markov, far away at the regular meeting: Oh, now you're thinking about the Council?
Erza nodded solemnly. "In that case, you should come with us, Kira. It would be safer with you there."
Kira smirked. "I love hearing that!" He patted Erza's armored shoulder. "But let's not get carried away. If Larabai were really all that dangerous, it wouldn't be sealed so sloppily. A few low-rank minions wouldn't be able to unseal something of real consequence."
He paused dramatically, letting the weight of his words settle. "Let's not overthink it. Chances are, the Iron Forest goons will get themselves killed by Larabai before we even get involved. Darkness has a funny way of devouring those who wield it carelessly."
Though his words were somewhat reassuring, Erza wasn't entirely convinced. "We can't take that chance. If this truly is a Zeref creation, leaving it alone is not an option."
Kira raised his hands in mock defeat. "Fine, fine. I'll come with you. But first..."
"What is it?" Erza asked.
"Where is the Iron Forest hiding?" Kira deadpanned.
Erza froze for a moment, then answered confidently, "We'll head to Guilian City and ask around!"
Kira gave her an exaggerated wink. "Ah, I thought only Natsu was capable of such reckless ideas. Impressive, Erza!"
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" Natsu snapped.
Happy added with a smirk, "I think Kira's spot on."
Lucy stifled a laugh, her shoulders trembling.
Kira's lighthearted jab seemed to ease the tension in the room. But he quickly brought everyone back to the task at hand. "One more thing—what exactly does Iron Forest want with Larabai?"
Erza frowned. She hadn't put much thought into their motives. Her primary concern had been preventing Larabai from falling into their hands. "They must want to cause chaos. A dark guild like that would use it somewhere crowded to maximize the impact."
"Exactly," Kira said, snapping his fingers. "Maybe they'd even target high-profile figures—royalty, Magic Council members, anyone who would make a statement."
Gray cringed. "How can you say something like that so casually?"
It wasn't the first time Kira's candid observations had shocked his guildmates. Yet, in Fairy Tail, such bluntness was oddly par for the course.
Erza's eyes lit up with realization. "The regular meeting!"
Gray blinked. "Regular meeting?"
"Yes!" Erza exclaimed. "The guild leaders are all gathered there right now. It's the perfect target!"
She turned to Mira. "Contact the guild master immediately! He needs to know about this!"
Without waiting for a reply, Erza grabbed Natsu and Gray by their collars. "You two, come with me!"
Kira, not missing a beat, added, "Lucy should come too. She needs the experience, right, Erza?"
Lucy, who had been silently observing, froze. "Me? But I'm not strong enough for—"
Erza cut her off with a confident smile. "Of course, Lucy! I heard about your incredible strength on Galuna Island. You'll be fine."
Lucy blinked in confusion. What strength?
Natsu patted her on the back. "Yeah! You tanked our attacks like it was nothing. You've got this!"
"Wait, what?!" Lucy yelped, her mind spinning.
But before she could protest, Natsu grabbed her hand and dragged her out the door.
Two seconds later, Natsu came rushing back, dragging Lucy along. "Uh... where are we going?"
A few hours later, a massive flying carpet sped through the sky, heading toward Guilian City.
The carpet, a masterpiece crafted by Kira, was adorned with intricate magical patterns and imbued with numerous enchantments. It wasn't just transportation—it was luxury.
"This is amazing!" Lucy exclaimed, peering over the edge. The fresh air and stunning aerial views left her in awe.
Erza, seated cross-legged on the carpet, looked impressed despite herself. "I didn't expect you to have something like this, Kira."
Kira, reclining comfortably, smirked. "Of course! This baby's the latest model—fast, spacious, and stylish. Perfect for any mission. Though, I admit, the wind at high altitudes can be a bit strong."
Erza raised an eyebrow. "Then why didn't you use it on previous missions?"
"Good things should be revealed one at a time," Kira replied, grinning. "Otherwise, they'll just gather dust in the warehouse."
As the carpet soared toward their destination, the team braced themselves for what lay ahead. Their mission wasn't just about stopping a dark guild—it was about confronting the darkness left behind by Zeref himself.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Go to my Patreon Account to read up to 30 Advance Chapters
patreon.com/Izanami_no_Mikoto