By the time Kaien came downstairs from the second floor, Natsu and Gray were at it again.
"You damn fire freak!"
"Underwear thief!"
"You bastard! Is that all you ever say?!"
"Underwear thief!"
"ARGHHH!!" …
Gray was seriously starting to break down. In the past, their fights at least involved some variety in insults. Now, this idiot Natsu only ever shouted "underwear thief." So what if he had taken a few pairs?
Even Lucy, who had only been in the guild for a week, wasn't surprised anymore. Natsu and Gray never got along—just a few words and fists would fly.
"So? You up for that mission?"
Mirajane asked as she noticed Kaien coming down.
Kaien raised the request form in his hand. "Of course. Can't miss out on an S-Class mission."
Normally, an S-Class mission took at least 20 days, but knowing the trick to this one, the round trip would only take three days at most. That was basically a free 10x Draw.
Suddenly—BANG!
The guild doors slammed open as Loke burst in, face pale with panic.
"Bad news——!!"
The guild fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Loke.
With a fearful expression, Loke shouted, "Erza is back!!"
"What——?!"
Almost everyone in the guild turned pale. Their expressions were filled with dread, as if something terrifying had just returned.
"W-What's going on?!"
Seeing everyone panicking like that, Lucy couldn't help but feel anxious too.
Soon, heavy footsteps echoed as a figure walked into the guild, carrying a massive monster horn on her shoulder.
Long, striking red hair, a beautiful and refined face, and silver armor that looked both cool and graceful—this was none other than Fairy Tail's S-Class mage, the Titania herself, Erza.
"So beautiful…"
Lucy was stunned at first glance, awestruck by her beauty and presence.
THUD!
Erza dropped the massive horn on the floor. "I'm back. Is the Guild Master here?"
Mirajane walked over. "You're back. He's attending the regular meeting."
"I see…"
Someone couldn't help but ask, "M-Miss Erza… that huge thing—what is it?"
"Hmm? Oh, that? It's a horn from a demon I defeated. The locals gave it to me as a decoration. I thought it looked pretty, so I brought it back as a souvenir."
"A demon horn?!"
"That's insane…"
The horn alone was over a meter tall—meaning the demon must've been at least twenty meters high!
Then Erza's tone changed. "More importantly, you guys… have been causing trouble again, haven't you? Even if the Guild Master forgives you, I won't."
Everyone in the guild froze. Yep. It was happening.
"Cana, don't drink in that position."
"Bisca, if you're going to dance, do it outside."
"Wakaba, your ashes are falling again."
"Nab, still hanging around in front of the job board? Go do something."
"Honestly, you people are hopeless. I won't say anything today."
Lucy muttered under her breath, "You just said a whole bunch of things… is she the guild's disciplinary officer or something?"
Happy answered, "She's Erza."
At that moment, Erza's gaze landed on Natsu and Gray.
"Ah… h-hey, Erza… we've been getting along really well today…"
"Aye!"
The two who were fighting just moments ago were now hugging each other like best friends.
Both had fear plastered on their faces. After all, they'd made quite a mess recently—and had been caught brawling again.
"Natsu turned into Happy again!!"
Lucy's eyes widened. The last time Natsu acted like this was when she first joined the guild.
Erza nodded in satisfaction. "I see. Friends do fight sometimes. But I like seeing you two getting along."
"Ah… no… I've said this so many times—we're not friends!"
"Aye!"
"W-What the heck is going on?! How did those two turn into that?!"
Lucy was dumbfounded. Natsu, who was usually untouchable and wild, was now quivering like a kitten. Other than that time Kaien scared him, she'd never seen him like this.
Mirajane giggled as she explained, "Natsu and Gray are both scared of Erza. Natsu once challenged her and got beaten to a pulp. Gray got caught walking around half-naked and got pounded. And Loke tried flirting with her once—nearly died."
"Kaien!"
Erza's gaze moved past them and landed on Kaien.
"Yo! Erza! Long time no see!"
Kaien greeted her casually with a wave. The two had grown familiar after completing an SS-Rank mission together, and now shared a friendly rapport.
"I'm glad you're still here. Actually, I'd like to ask a favor. I heard something troublesome while on a job. It's something I was going to report to the Guild Master, but I think it's better handled sooner rather than later. I want your help. Come with me."
"Eh————?!"
"What?!"
"W-What's going on?!"
"Erza is… inviting someone?! And it's Kaien she invited?!"
"The last time they teamed up was half a year ago!"
"If they're teaming up again… are they going to destroy an entire country this time?!" …
The entire guild was stunned. Half a year ago, Kaien and Erza completed an SS-Rank mission together, during which Kaien slew a giant dragon. That tale was still legendary across the Ishgar continent.
"We leave tomorrow. Go get ready. I'll explain on the way."
With that, Erza turned and left.
"Wait up…"
Kaien quickly tried to stop her, but she was already gone—no hesitation, no reply—leaving Kaien standing there, dazed.
"I-I was just about to go on an S-Class mission…"
'Seriously? She just drags people off like that without asking if they're even free…'
Mirajane smiled and gently took the S-Class request slip from his hand. "Oh, right—I forgot. S-Class requests need the Guild Master's approval. You'll have to wait until he's back from the meeting. Besides, for someone like Erza to ask for help—especially from you—it must be something really urgent."
"Sigh… I guess it can't be helped. Mira, make sure you save this mission for me!"
It wasn't every day Erza personally asked for help. Kaien couldn't say no. A short delay in his mission wasn't a big deal.
Mirajane smiled sweetly. "Don't worry. I'll hold it for you."
Erza may have left, but the guild exploded into noise. Everyone was abuzz, trying to guess what she and Kaien were planning to do. With those two teamed up again, the mission was likely SS-Rank or worse.
Their last job together had already become a legend across Ishgar. Who knew what kind of chaos they'd stir up this time?