After a thorough conversation, just as Chase had suspected, the two robbers in front of him were local residents of Magnolia.
The newly established guild in town, Twilight Ghost, was less a legitimate mage guild and more of a loan shark operation. Their arrival had not only squeezed the normal livelihoods of surrounding residents but had also driven many people to desperation with their exorbitant interest rates.
Because the city needed a mage guild for protection, and Twilight Ghost hadn't violated any of the Magic Council's publicly established rules, even the mayor was powerless to do anything about it.
"Sir, when are you guys finally going to kick those damned bastards out and come back?" the underling robber asked with pitiful eyes.
"Even though you used to go around causing destruction everywhere, always either fighting or on your way to a fight, Magnolia really can't do without Fairy Tail!" the lead robber said, tears welling up.
They had heard three months ago that Fairy Tail's main members had returned, and there were even rumors around town that Fire Dragon Natsu and the others were going to participate in the Grand Magic Games.
That was why, upon learning that the three across from them were Fairy Tail mages, they became incredibly excited—especially after recognizing two of them as Demon Mirajane and the Fairy Queen Erza!
They naturally recognized Mira and Erza. They had simply been too nervous during the robbery, and with the dim lighting, they hadn't recognized them at first.
"Oh my, that doesn't really sound like a compliment, does it~"
Mira elbowed Chase and giggled behind her hand. "I suppose that's what it means to have a reputation~"
Even if it wasn't the same world, people's personalities were the same. Their Magnolia residents probably felt the same way.
"Even so, that's no excuse for you to go around robbing people. All you're doing is passing your suffering on to others!" Erza said sternly, hands on her hips, lecturing them with a serious expression.
"W-We have strong principles! We only target wealthy out-of-town tourists—"
The lead robber tried to emphasize his "professional ethics," but a sharp glare from Erza silenced him immediately.
Chase, however, was intrigued. He leaned in and asked, "Do we look like we have money?"
Mira and Erza were both wearing very ordinary clothes, with very few accessories. As for himself, he looked even more shabby—just a street-stall T-shirt and capri pants.
"If you didn't have money, how could you have two such beautiful girlfriends willing to be with you at the same time?"
Chase: "..." You make an excellent point!
"Well, we like Chase for who he is, not for his money!" Erza's attention was immediately diverted, and she shyly lowered her head.
"You're not bad at complimenting people, Mr. Robber~" Mira was also quite pleased by that "so beautiful" remark, the smile never leaving her face.
Even the lead robber hadn't expected that a heartfelt compliment would save him from a beating.
Erza had originally planned to send them to prison for rehabilitation.
Seeing the three big shots in good spirits, the underling robber didn't want to be left out and added, "Like that blonde girl we saw walking along the riverbank earlier, muttering to a card by herself—she looked really broke, so we didn't lay a finger on her."
Hearing this, Mira immediately guessed who he was referring to and smiled even more brightly. Erza, on the other hand, broke out in a cold sweat for the two robbers. If they had actually robbed Chase's precious little sister, they really wouldn't have lived to see tomorrow's sun!
Of course, that was assuming they could even beat Lucy in a fight.
After shooing away the two robbers.
Mira dropped her smile and gazed at the empty streets, unable to help but sigh. "Yet another reason we have to win the Grand Magic Games championship."
Even though it wasn't her world, and the main cause wasn't Fairy Tail's fault, Magnolia was the place where she had grown up. She naturally hated seeing it reduced to this state.
"Don't worry, Mira. You and Chase can count on me!" Erza said, clenching her fist seriously.
"Huh?" Mira was momentarily confused.
"Ahem, speaking of that—"
Chase cleared his throat and said, "Actually, Mira and I will be competing too. As Team B."
Without a doubt, making a flashy appearance at the Grand Magic Games and shocking Natsu, Lucy, and the others into priceless expressions would be a blast—and that was probably why the ever-mischievous Makarov had kept Team B a secret.
But that kind of prank was only for messing with friends. Now that Erza was his girlfriend, Chase couldn't bear to do that to her.
"What?!"
Upon hearing the whole story, Erza was indeed shocked. She lost all color, turning into a black-and-white figure standing in the night wind, utterly disoriented.
The winning team could make the losing team do anything they wanted. And on the opposing side were Chase, Mira, Laxus, Gajeel, and Juvia.
How were they supposed to compete against that?!
"Erza, maybe you should just take your punishment now," the mischievous Mira said, covering her mouth with a sly grin as she twisted the knife. "My demands aren't high. Just be my maid for a day~"
Erza slumped to the ground, her earlier determination to win the championship completely evaporated. She felt as though the sky had fallen on her.
Even when they returned to Chase's temporary villa, she still wore a face of utter defeat.
"Hm? We didn't leave the lights on when we went out this morning, did we?"
Mira looked at the brightly lit villa with confusion. From the front yard, they could faintly hear noise coming from inside. "Don't tell me we've got burglars?"
The appearance of those two robbers earlier had already proven that Magnolia's security wasn't great these days.
"Probably not. If I'm not mistaken—"
Chase glanced at the open side window and the unopened front door, letting out a helpless sigh. "It's Natsu and the others."
Mira didn't have much experience with "house break-ins," but Chase was all too familiar with them.
Pushing the door open, several familiar figures came into view, as expected.
Not just Natsu, Lucy, Happy, and the others—their counterparts were there too!
"Yo, Chase! Good evening~" Natsu, lounging on the sofa, greeted him casually without even bothering to move.
"Aye~ The me over there, I'm telling you, the walls of Chase's self-built house are even more comfortable to scratch than this place!"
Happy showed off his claws, standing at the corner of the wall sharing his experience with Future Happy.
On the other side, two freshly bathed, naked Grays walked out of the bathroom.
"See, Wendy? I told you Chase would definitely come back with Mira and Erza!" Lucy set down her teacup triumphantly.
"Ah! Sorry, sorry! Chase, we're intruding on you!"
As if imagining something very inappropriate, Wendy blushed and hurriedly stood up to apologize.
Future Wendy, even more flustered, grabbed Future Carla and tried to leave.
Truly two good, considerate kids.
"It's no bother at all, Wendy. And you too, Carla. Make yourselves at home," Chase said, walking into the living room and patting the slightly unfamiliar Future Wendy on the head with a smile.
"Exactly! Chase definitely wouldn't mind—" Lucy's words were cut short. She was suddenly put in a chokehold by a scowling Chase.
"Care to explain, my 'broke' little sister? What exactly is going on here?"
Next bonus chapter goal=60 power stones