Because of the incident at Kunuki Station, there were no buses running to Clover Town, leaving Erza no choice but to take out her beloved mount—a Hope-brand magical four-wheeled vehicle, license plate number FT9569257.
The magical four-wheeled vehicle was one of Ishgar's most popular means of transportation. Faster than a horse-drawn carriage, it functioned on the driver's magic power and resembled the cars from Kira's previous life.
While not as fast as a train, the four-wheeler was the best option available. Why not use Kira's flying carpet? Simple—it was damp, and riding on it was uncomfortable. Besides, Kira's magical props, much like a certain blue robotic cat's tools, were usually used once and then stored away unless absolutely necessary.
Erza's four-wheeler was another one of Kira's creations. Compared to standard models on the market, it was far superior in energy efficiency and shock absorption. It even had a gliding function, ensuring smooth landings in case of a fall. Most importantly, it utilized magic crystals for energy storage. Unlike other vehicles that required constant magic power input while driving, this model allowed the driver to charge the crystal in advance, enabling hands-free operation.
"Get in!" Erza commanded curtly.
Natsu, though reluctant, was shoved into the car. He lacked the strength to resist after his earlier battles. Erza started the engine with a firm press of her foot, and the car roared toward Clover Town.
An hour later, the group arrived.
"President! Did the regular meeting go well?"
The group greeted Markov warmly, but the sight of them caused the old man to spill the wine he was drinking to calm his nerves.
Are they here to chase enemies or to cause trouble?
Markov had barely recovered from Mira's earlier message, and seeing these familiar faces suddenly appear in Clover left him trembling. He almost believed they were there to destroy the place.
"You... didn't cause any trouble, did you?" Markov asked nervously.
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Erza and Natsu looked at each other, Gray turned away, Lucy hid behind Natsu, and only Kira stepped forward. Squatting beside Markov, he patted the old man on the shoulder with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, it's not a big problem."
The words "not a big problem" sent Markov into a cold sweat. The last time Kira said this, half a street in the royal capital had been destroyed, nearly implicating members of the royal family.
"It's okay... tell me, I can handle it..." Markov insisted.
Kira relented. "Natsu may have... uh... destroyed the Kunuki train station."
Markov nearly fell over. Luckily, Kira was quick enough to catch him.
After a moment, Markov processed the information. It's just a station, not an entire town. That's still within expectations, he thought, calming slightly.
"But," Kira continued, "Natsu also wiped out the Dark Guild Iron Forest in one fell swoop. You may need to negotiate with the Council about that."
Markov sighed in relief. A Dark Guild? That's no big deal. Just make them pay damages. With this thought, he felt much better.
"Good job, Natsu..." Markov muttered as his blood pressure stabilized.
Yet, something still nagged at him—something he'd forgotten.
As Markov mulled over his thoughts, the presidents of other guilds began approaching the Fairy Tail group.
"Long time no see, Kira-kun. You've grown stronger again!"
"Little Erza has matured beautifully!"
"Natsu and Gray are as lively as ever!"
"And this must be the new girl everyone's been talking about! The wizard who took down a gorilla-like woman and defeated a wealthy tycoon!"
Lucy blushed at the praise, feeling shy and overwhelmed by the attention. The stories were exaggerated, but correcting them in front of such esteemed individuals was daunting.
Meanwhile, the others handled the situation with ease. Erza modestly thanked the guild leaders, Natsu and Gray looked awkward but pleased, and Kira greeted them with his usual charm.
"President Bob! Long time no see. How's Blue Pegasus faring these days?"
Bob, the flamboyant president of Blue Pegasus, grinned widely. "I feel energetic every day!"
Kira had become acquainted with Blue Pegasus members through Magic Weekly, where he frequently featured on the front page thanks to his good looks and skills. His reputation as one of the "Most Wanted Boyfriends" in the magic world was well-earned. Handsome, talented, and successful, Kira was a triple threat.
….
After half an hour of greetings, Kira quietly approached Markov.
"President, what exactly happened at this regular meeting?"
Kira had a keen interest in the outcomes of such gatherings. Past meetings had led to significant reforms, such as the royal family recruiting young wizards for a proposed royal guard—an initiative that hinted at the monarchy's intent to control the magic world.
Markov pondered the question before nodding. "Yes, it's about the Balamu Alliance. Do you want to hear about it?"
Kira's expression turned serious. The Balamu Alliance consisted of three major Dark Guilds: Grimoire Heart, Tartaros, and Oración Seis. Together, they wielded immense influence, rivaling the collective power of the Council-backed Guilds.
Markov began to explain.
"In this meeting, the Council emphasized the growing threat of the Balamu Alliance. They believe the Dark Guilds are moving to consolidate their power. If left unchecked, they could disrupt the balance of the entire continent."
Kira nodded, his mind racing. The Balamu Alliance was a dangerous entity. Each guild had its own goals, but their combined strength could easily plunge the world into chaos.
"The Council is urging all recognized Guilds to strengthen their defenses and coordinate efforts to suppress Dark Guild activity. They've also hinted at stricter oversight of our activities," Markov continued.
"Typical," Kira muttered. "They're afraid of the growing power of legitimate Guilds as much as the Dark ones. This 'oversight' is just a way to keep us in check."
Markov sighed. "True. But we can't ignore the threat of the Balamu Alliance. They've already begun targeting key regions to expand their influence. If they succeed..."
The weight of the situation was clear. The Fairy Tail members listened intently, understanding the gravity of the threat.
Kira crossed his arms, his mind still processing the implications. "So, they're using this as a pretext to tighten control over independent Guilds while putting us on the front lines of their battles."
Markov chuckled grimly. "You always see through things quickly, Kira."
The conversation left the group thoughtful. As they prepared to leave Clover, their resolve to protect the magic world—and their guild—grew stronger. The battle against darkness was far from over.
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