The incident caused by Eisenwald, where they attempted to murder the guild masters attending the meeting, spread throughout the entire Fiore overnight.
Eisenwald's plot was completely thwarted.
Aside from its leader Erigor, who went missing, all other members of Eisenwald were arrested by the Magic Council, who arrived upon hearing the news.
This incident highlighted the threat posed by Dark Guilds.
Magic Council.
"Even though Eisenwald was destroyed, it didn't solve any of the fundamental problems."
"The number of Dark Guilds is as numerous as the stars."
"Then we should adopt a strategy to round them all up and completely eliminate them."
"How should we do that?"
A Magic Council member took out the flute, which had been re-sealed and was even damaged, and said, "If they get their hands on Zeref's magic again, like this time, it would be disastrous."
Yajima looked at the flute and asked sternly, "How did such magic fall into their hands so easily?"
Such magic was extremely dangerous. If Eisenwald had succeeded in releasing Lullaby, it would have led to another catastrophe.
"The management should be held accountable, right?"
"Even so, it seems that this time, we were saved by that troublesome Fairy Tail."
Siegrain chimed in, "They defeated an entire guild with just five or six people—truly impressive!"
"While I know you all don't want to admit it, that's the truth. If Lullaby had killed the guild masters, then some of our heads here would surely be moving."
Siegrain's words hit a nerve with some people, and many began to loudly scold and shirk responsibility.
—
Fairy Tail.
Ryoma found a corner to sit down, enjoying the juice Mirajane handed him, while sighing inwardly.
However, this peaceful atmosphere was destined not to last.
"Erza!!!"
A deafening roar instantly silenced the entire guild.
Everyone looked towards the source of the sound in unison.
Natsu, engulfed in flames, pointed at Erza, who had just changed into casual clothes, his fighting spirit high.
"We agreed at the station! Come, let's have a showdown!"
The guild hall fell into a deathly silence, followed by a discussion ten times more fervent than before.
"Na... Natsu wants to challenge Erza?!"
"Is he serious?!"
"Quick! Bets are open! I'm betting on Erza! One minute. No, she'll finish the fight within thirty seconds."
A guild member had already pulled out paper and a pen.
"You're underestimating Natsu too much. He just defeated such a powerful enemy. I bet he can last three minutes."
"Three minutes? You think too highly of him. I bet he'll be knocked down by Erza within three moves."
Listening to the chaotic shouts around him, Ryoma whistled.
"Here it comes. The classic recurring segment, Natsu's suicidal challenge."
Erza turned around, her crimson hair tracing a graceful arc in the air.
She looked at the fiery Natsu and said with emotion, "It's been a few years since I've faced you head-on with magic like this."
Natsu stared at Erza with a solemn expression and said, "Back then, I was just a little kid, but it's different now. Today, I'm definitely going to defeat you."
"Alright." Erza nodded, her eyes sharpening.
"I'll also use my full power. It's a good opportunity for me to test my strength after a long time."
"Oohhhh!!!"
Natsu roared excitedly, while the surrounding guild members, as if injected with adrenaline, quickly cleared a large open space.
Everyone formed a large circle, ready to watch this rare duel.
"W-wait, are they really going at it? Both of them..."
Lucy watched Erza and Natsu inside, astonished.
"Isn't this interesting?"
Ryoma patted her shoulder, then turned and shouted into the arena, "Natsu, go for it! Don't lose too badly, at least last more than a minute!"
A flash of white light enveloped Erza.
Requip!
A set of bright red armor appeared on her, with two pairs of wing-like decorations on her back.
"Flame Empress Armor..."
Ryoma looked at the armor and explained to Lucy, "It's an armor with fire resistance, capable of reducing the effectiveness of fire-based magic attacks by half. It's Natsu's bane."
"Then..."
Makarov raised a hand.
"Begin!"
No sooner had he spoken than a circle of flames erupted from Natsu's feet, and he shot towards Erza like a cannonball exiting a barrel.
His flame-wreathed fist, carrying a scorching gust of wind, aimed directly for Erza's face.
Facing this powerful blow, Erza's face showed no ripple. She easily dodged by sidestepping.
Missing his strike, Natsu didn't get discouraged. He used his waist to exert force, twisting his body mid-air, and his other burning fist swept towards Erza's waist with a whistling sound.
Erza, instead of retreating, advanced, forcing Natsu back with a swing of her sword.
Natsu used the momentum to backflip, landing steadily, then took a deep breath, his chest visibly swelling.
A torrent of scorching flames erupted from his mouth, instantly engulfing Erza's previous position.
The two moved rapidly in the arena, their figures intertwining, kicking up gusts of wind that left the onlookers dizzy.
"So... so powerful!"
Lucy covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.
"See, it's a spectacular duel, isn't it?" Elfman looked at the two fighting in the arena and responded to Lucy's words.
"What's so spectacular about it?" Gray said, crossing his arms, his eyes sharp.
"Indeed..."
Ryoma took over, narrowing his eyes slightly, "Erza isn't using her full power yet."
That's right, although Erza had donned the Flame Empress Armor, she wasn't actively attacking. She was merely sparring with Natsu. She wasn't using her full strength at all. She was simply... testing Natsu's growth.
The battle intensified.
Natsu concentrated all his magic power into his fists, and Erza swung her sword to meet him head-on.
A collision was imminent, and the outcome might be decided in this single move.
Just at this critical moment—
Bang!!!
A loud noise, not from inside the arena, but from outside the crowd.
Everyone's movements came to an abrupt halt at that moment.
Natsu and Erza stopped simultaneously, looking in the direction of the sound in surprise.
"That's enough!"
A frog-like humanoid figure wearing clothes appeared before everyone.
"Everyone, stay still. I am an envoy from the Magic Council."
Just as everyone wondered why a Council envoy would appear here, the frog envoy fixed his gaze on Erza, unrolling a scroll of parchment in his hand.
"Regarding the recent Eisenwald incident, for suspicion of property damage and 11 other charges. Erza Scarlet, you are under arrest!"
"What?!"
At these words, the entire guild instantly erupted into chaos.
"Are you kidding me!"
The flames on Natsu's body flared up even more fiercely with a "whoosh," and he glared furiously at the frog.
"You bastard! If you want to lay a hand on Erza, you'll have to get past my fists first!"
"Natsu, stop!" Erza sharply reprimanded him.
She dispelled her Flame Empress Armor, returning to her original appearance, and calmly walked towards the frog envoy.
"I'll go with you."
"Erza?!" Natsu looked at her in disbelief.
Under the angry, worried, and bewildered gazes of all her comrades, Erza was led away from the guild by the Council envoys.
"Damn it!!!"
Natsu slammed his fist hard on the ground, and the hard stone floor instantly cracked with a spiderweb pattern.
Afterward, just like in the original storyline, to prevent Natsu from causing trouble, he was turned into a salamander and trapped under a cup.