Kaien had watched the anime, so he knew Lucy was a talkative girl—but this talkative? That caught him a bit off guard.
Still, while she could talk a lot, it wasn't annoying. In fact, it was kind of cute.
At that moment, Lucy turned around. "By the way, you guys look like you're looking for someone?"
Happy nodded. "Yeah, we're looking for Igneel."
"We heard he came to this city, but when we got here, turns out he didn't."
"That guy who calls himself Salamander—just one look and I knew he wasn't the one."
"I was so sure Igneel would be here. Ugh, another wasted trip."
Kaien looked at them, expressionless. "You two really are idiots. Why would Igneel show up in a place like this? If he actually did, the entire city would've been thrown into chaos."
Lucy was visibly startled. "Wait, what kind of monster would cause that kind of panic in a city?! He's a person, isn't he—"
"Huh? He's not a person. Igneel's a real, honest-to-goodness dragon."
"!!"
Lucy froze, stunned. "Then why would he be walking around on the street?! Are you guys brain-dead?!"
"Whoa!"
Natsu and Happy suddenly had a lightbulb moment.
"Hey!! Don't act like you just now figured that out!!"
By this point, the group had arrived at the run-down diner Kaien had mentioned. It was already half full. They found a table by the window and sat down, ordering a few dishes.
"Well, I should get going. You guys enjoy your meal."
Lucy paid the bill and stood up to leave. After all, they'd just met by chance—she'd only wanted to thank them.
"Thanks for the meal!"
"Thanks!"
"No… no need to thank me… You guys helped me out too. It's just returning the favor. Anyway, I'm off. Bye!"
Lucy waved and walked away.
"She's really nice."
Natsu looked at her back and sighed. For someone to treat them to a meal just because they helped out without thinking—it was rare to meet such a kind person.
"Aye!"
Kaien scoffed. "She buys you one meal and she's a good person? Then what about all the meals I've bought you guys?"
"Well, that makes you a great person! Hehehe!!"
"Aye~~!"
"Waiter! We're ready to order!"
Natsu waved over the server, grabbed the menu, and started ordering with Happy. In no time, the table was packed with food.
"Oi!"
Natsu grinned. "We didn't know her well, so we didn't want to go overboard. Just ordered a bit to be polite. But if it's you, Kaien, then no problem! You just finished an S-Class Mission—I'm gonna pig out!"
"Aye~~!"
Happy agreed enthusiastically.
"Like hell you are!"
Kaien flicked Happy on the forehead. Natsu might seem like a carefree idiot, but sometimes, he could be surprisingly thoughtful.
As the three of them chatted and ate, Kaien's mind wandered back to Lucy. Even though he didn't remember all the plot details from Fairy Tail, he did recall how the story began.
He thought of that middle-aged man surrounded by girls. His eyes narrowed with a trace of killing intent. Someone was impersonating Fairy Tail.
It had been over half a year since he came to this world. To him, Fairy Tail was like a second home. Anyone who tarnished the guild's name… deserved to die.
But for now, he'd let them enjoy their last bit of fun.
Evening fell.
The pale, warm moonlight shimmered over the sea. Its glow cast a silver hue over the entire town of Hargeon, making it bright even at night. The cool sea breeze made it feel comfortable despite the summer heat.
Many people were strolling along the coast—some to enjoy the seaside night view, others to help digest their meals. Kaien and the others were among them.
"Ahh! That was such a satisfying meal!!"
Natsu patted his now-round belly in contentment.
"Aye! It's been so long since I was this full!"
"You two sure didn't hold back at all. Try causing less trouble from now on. If Erza finds out… brrr~~" Kaien shivered.
Natsu's face turned pale. "Don't say stuff like that right now!"
"Now you're scared? Hahaha!"
Kaien found it oddly fun to tease Natsu.
"Oh right, didn't Salamander say he'd be hosting a party on a ship? That one, right?"
Happy, walking along the seaside railing, pointed toward a ship sailing off into the distance. He remembered the man calling himself Salamander had mentioned the party.
"Ship… Ugh… I feel sick…"
The sight of the ship immediately triggered Natsu's motion sickness.
Just then, a girl's voice rang out nearby.
"Look! That's Salamander-sama's ship! Ah~~ I wish I could go to that party!"
"Salamander?"
Her best friend didn't seem to recognize the name.
"You don't know? A super famous mage just arrived in our town. He's from Fairy Tail!"
Natsu and Happy were stunned. They turned to look at Kaien, who simply shook his head.
Natsu's eyes darkened. A vein bulged on his forehead as he clenched his teeth. "That bastard… He's impersonating Fairy Tail?!"
"Happy!!"
"Aye!"
Happy spread his wings and grabbed Natsu, flying straight toward the ship.
"Oi!!"
Kaien didn't even have time to stop them.
"That idiot… he forgot he gets seasick again."
He had planned to wait until the ship left and then silently take care of things. But now? Guess he had no choice but to act.
"Full Take Over: Ulquiorra Cifer!"
A pale green glow enveloped Kaien's body, which began to rapidly transform. In an instant, he took on Ulquiorra's form.
He pushed off the railing with force—
BOOM!!
The barrier shattered, and Kaien shot off like a bullet toward the ship.
On the ship, the girls were all dressed to the nines, dolled up for the party.
Inside the cabin, Lucy sat stiffly in a black evening gown, a forced smile on her face.
She had run into the man calling himself Salamander again at the park. He'd promised to help her join her dream guild, Fairy Tail—on the condition that she attend this party. Wanting to join Fairy Tail so badly, she reluctantly agreed. Her plan was to play along and ditch the creep once she got into the guild.
"You're Lucy, right? What a beautiful name."
"Thanks."
"Let's have a toast."
"There are other girls here. Don't you think it's rude to ignore them?"
She didn't want to be alone with this guy for too long.
"Don't worry, don't worry. Right now, I just want to drink with you."
Snap!
Salamander snapped his fingers. The wine in the glasses floated into the air, forming suspended beads.
"Open your mouth. The wine gems will glide down your throat."
Lucy screamed internally: So annoying!
Cheap tricks like this might impress normal girls who couldn't use magic, but to her, it was just disgusting.
Still, she had to endure. Endure. Endure. Lucy closed her eyes and opened her mouth.
Swish—Smack!
Suddenly, she stood up and swatted the wine away, her expression turning cold.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? There's a sleeping drug in the wine."