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Looking at Jose's self-satisfied expression, Mirajane knew that what he said was probably true.
Unless there was a major change in the Magic Council, Jose would not have allowed Phantom Lord to attack Fairy Tail so brazenly.
The white-haired young man who saved her and her siblings, Erza whom she considered a rival, and Natsu, Gray, Happy... all dead under Etherion?!
The sudden bad news made Mirajane's heart tremble, and her body couldn't stop shaking; she simply couldn't accept such a fact.
"Mira! Are you conscious?!"
"Can you believe a rat like Jose, who only dares to squeak in the gutter?"
Cana stepped forward and vigorously shook Mirajane. At this critical moment, this 'wine barrel' was terrifyingly sober. "They'll be fine. Believe in the Guild Master, believe in Erza, believe in Noah!"
The words of the drunken girl were like a sudden enlightenment, steadying Mirajane's wavering heart.
No matter what happened with Makarov and Erza, there was only one thing she could do now: protect Fairy Tail!
Being called a rat by a junior in public, Jose's expression immediately turned ugly. His gaze locked onto Cana. To speak to him like that, what an ignorant brat.
However, Jose had no intention of personally stepping down to teach Cana a lesson. He was, after all, a top-tier expert of the Ten Wizard Saints level. A Card Mage who wasn't even S-Class didn't have the qualifications to make him act.
Retreating, Jose stood on the mobile Magic castle.
This castle was actually Phantom Lord's headquarters, Super Mage Giant Phantom MK II, modified decades ago by the previous Phantom Lord Guild Master. It could carry a large number of troops and had powerful Magic cannons built in, all designed to deal with Fairy Tail.
However, Makarov in his prime, with his Giant Magic in one hand and Light Magic in the other, repeatedly cut down the Dark Guilds of that time, earning himself the title of "Giant of Light."
The previous Phantom Lord Guild Master knew he couldn't contend with Makarov and could only reluctantly avoid his edge. But this avoidance led to his own death by old age, and Jose, after taking over, also endured for many years.
"The time has come."
"Attack! Destroy Fairy Tail!"
With Jose's command, a large number of Mages swarmed out of the castle. Leading them were five powerful Mages codenamed Element 4 and Iron Dragon.
Fairy Tail never shied away from a fight, especially in this moment of defending their Guild. All they had was boiling passion.
For a time, Magnolia was filled with the sounds of battle.
Although the mayor and city guards wanted to help Fairy Tail, ordinary people intervening in a Mage war could only cause trouble. They could only do their best to evacuate residents, allowing Fairy Tail to fight without worry.
However, as soon as the battle began, Jose felt something was off.
The reason he chose this time to attack Fairy Tail was because Fairy Tail currently only had one S-Class combatant. As long as Mirajane was dealt with, everyone else was just cannon fodder.
However, reality told Jose, 'You really can dream.'
Iron Dragon Gajeel, an Iron Dragon Slayer Mage who uses Dragon Slayer Magic, was second only to Jose in strength and status within Phantom Lord.
Yet, such a powerful individual was stopped by two 'cannon fodder' in Jose's eyes, and they were even fighting back and forth.
Elfman, who uses Beast Soul Take Over, was understandable; he was Demon Mirajane's younger brother, so having some strength was reasonable.
But what was going on with that dependent Mage named Nab?! According to intelligence, wasn't he trash who hadn't even completed a single job? How could he be so strong?!
This was also what Gajeel wanted to ask.
Iron Dragon Slayer Magic, besides allowing him to eat metal, could also turn his skin into hard iron scales. It was a powerful Magic, excelling in both offense and defense, and Gajeel had always found it to be an advantage.
Yet today, Gajeel encountered two Mages who could also "metalize" their bodies.
Amidst the clang of metal, the Gray Iron Dragon's fist and the jet-black Beast King's fist sparked momentarily. Before he could even utter a threat, Gajeel was struck by Nab, who was possessed by a Bear Spirit.
"Bear Power!"
The Armament Haki-covered bear fist slammed into Gajeel's face, sending him flying ten meters away and knocking over more than a dozen Phantom Lord members.
Slapping away the companions who had fallen on him, Gajeel stood up unharmed. The strength of Iron Dragon Slayer was, after all, not something a mere Bear Spirit could contend with.
Gajeel glared fiercely at Elfman and Nab. "Very good. I thought only that Fire Dragon could interest me. Now it seems Fairy Tail isn't all trash."
Fire Dragon? Was he talking about Natsu?
Nab and Elfman exchanged glances. They had heard that Gajeel was Phantom Lord's strongest Mage after Jose, and they had been prepared to fight to the death to hold him back.
But they didn't expect Gajeel to only dare to consider Natsu as an opponent. In that case, this Iron Dragon wasn't all that strong, was he?
Nab relaxed slightly and joked to his companion beside him: "Elfman, how about we form a team together from now on? I've already thought of a name: 'Hundred Beasts'!"
"But with my Beast King, and your Bear Spirit and Wolf Spirit, that's only three. Wouldn't 'Hundred Beasts' be a bit..." Elfman hesitated. His sister had told him not to lie.
"What's wrong with it? We can both fight using the power of fierce beasts. Let acquiring the power of 'Hundred Beasts' be our goal. That's a man's romance!"
As soon as this was mentioned, Elfman immediately agreed. A true man should become a "Hundred Beasts"!
Watching the two opposite him ignore him and chat, Gajeel was furious. His arms instantly transformed into two spiked iron swords, which he swung at Elfman and Nab.
"How dare mere cannon fodder ignore me! Die!"
"Iron Dragon's Sword!"
"Beast King's Right Arm!"
"Bear Punch!"
The three "iron lumps" skilled in close combat clashed with a clanging sound, sparks flying. The intensity of the battle made those around them wonder if they had become blacksmiths.
Although the Iron Dragon's offensive was thwarted, the Element 4 weren't doing much better.
Totomaru, the Fire of the Element 4, specialized in using Rainbow Fire Magic of different colors and functions, possessing extensive theoretical knowledge of flame Magic.
However, this high-achieving student from a Magic academy encountered Macao and Wakaba, two experienced old hands.
In a flurry of smoke and fire, Totomaru, the young rookie, was almost smoked into jerky. Not only that, but he was also pinned to the ground and given a good beating by the "Flame Combo" with their Haki-infused iron fists.
Macao and Wakaba proved with their actions that while they had married, had children, and retreated to the Guild's second line, living a peaceful life didn't mean their fire had gone out. Their strength was still very much present.
Totomaru, dazed from the beating, finally understood why his academy teachers always said Mages must know martial arts.
Because if your physical combat skills weren't good, you really would get beaten...