"Raven Tail? You mean the dark guild founded by the guild master's son, Ivan?" Ur froze for a moment, then spoke in surprise.
"That's right." Natsu nodded gravely.
The fact that Ivan was once Makarov's son and that he was expelled from Fairy Tail was no secret within the guild. Because of that, Natsu wasn't surprised that Ur knew about Ivan. What Natsu didn't know, however, was that Ur understood far more about Ivan than he did.
"So that's how it is. No wonder you and Erza looked like that."
Most members of Fairy Tail were kind and warm-hearted, and Erza and Natsu especially so. They knew very well that if Makarov found out that the Raven Tail had attacked them, there was a very real chance he would choose righteousness over family. And if that happened, it would undoubtedly deal Makarov a devastating blow.
Therefore, to spare Makarov that pain, Erza and Natsu chose to keep the matter hidden.
Ur didn't feel it was his place to comment. As the saying went, even the most upright official couldn't judge family affairs, let alone a matter like this. Besides, it was Erza and Natsu's own decision. He had no reason to interfere.
After all, Ur was never someone who liked meddling in other people's choices.
"Something terrible has happened!"
"An emergency!"
"Everyone, come quickly—Levy and the others…"
Suddenly, panicked shouts rang out from outside the guild. Ur's expression immediately changed.
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An hour later, inside the Mage Hospital, the guild members stood grim-faced around a hospital bed. Lying on it was the unconscious Levy, while Droy lay nearby with his arm wrapped in bandages.
"Don't worry," said Bisca, her long green hair swaying as she walked into the room. "I've already spoken to the doctor. Levy is fine—just some minor abrasions and shock that caused her to faint. After some rest, she'll recover."
Hearing this, everyone finally let out a small sigh of relief.
"Droy, what exactly happened? Weren't you supposed to be translating ancient texts for your mission? How did you end up injured?" someone couldn't help asking.
"I don't really know either," Droy replied. "While we were carrying out the mission, the client suddenly decided to change the investigation site. We never expected that just as we arrived at the new location, a short, fat mage with a grotesque appearance would suddenly rush out at us…"
"Where was the investigation site?" Ur suddenly interrupted before Droy could finish.
Droy froze for a moment, then quickly replied, "It was a small town not far from the Hogria Mountains. That town used to be the ruins of an ancient village, and it contains an old language known as the 'Gai Script.'"
Ur's expression didn't change. He fell silent.
One second later, Ur suddenly turned around and left the ward.
"Hey, Ur, where are you going?"
"To clear my head." His calm reply drifted back.
The guild members were left stunned, all feeling that something about this didn't quite sit right.
Just then, another surprised voice rang out. "Wait, I remember now. Didn't Natsu and the others get injured near the Hogria Mountains, too? Could it be the same group that attacked Levy and the others?"
"That can't be right, can it? Natsu and the others were injured so badly. If it were the same people, wouldn't they have gone way too easy on Levy's group?"
"Why argue about it? The people involved are right here—let's just ask them."
"Natsu, Natsu—huh? Where did that guy run off to again?"
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Ur wasn't lying.
He really had just gone out to clear his head. Only, as he wandered, he somehow ended up in front of Master Dingley's Blacksmith Shop and casually picked up his new blade along the way.
The blade had a dark, subdued sheen. Its surface was covered with dense, dragon-scale-like patterns, while the edge bore irregular, flame-like markings. The blade itself gleamed silver-white, emitting a faint magical pulse, and was exceptionally sharp.
The new blade was about a dozen centimeters longer than the old one, but since it was an upgraded restoration, the moment Ur held it, he still felt that familiar sense of balance. It fit his hand perfectly.
After taking the blade and paying, Ur continued his "walk".
Without realizing it, he found himself at Magnolia's train station.
Just as Ur paid the fare and was about to embark on what he planned to be a roughly half-month-long journey, a childish shout suddenly rang out from nearby.
"Hey! Ur! Over here, over here!" Ur paused and turned around. At a glance, he saw Happy waving frantically at him from a train window ahead. Beside him lay Natsu, already looking half-dead.
"Why are you two here?" Ur walked over and asked, puzzled.
"Ur, I know what you're going to do, and I'm coming too! I absolutely won't let the guys who hurt my companions get away… Aye! Those are Natsu's exact words," Happy said, flapping his little wings and adorably speaking on Natsu's behalf.
Ur glanced at Natsu, who looked like he was about to collapse before the fight even began, and felt a bit speechless.
He truly felt that, as the protagonist, Natsu could overcome almost anything in this world. When people were pushed hard enough, they could do just about anything.
Except for dealing with transportation.
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Next Chapter: Hogria Mountains
Next Next Chapter: I Hope You'll Do Me a Favor
Next Next Next Chapter: I'll Take That as Your Answer