Erza's body stiffened for a moment. Ryoma's words were like a stone dropped into a lake, rippling through her heart, which had been disturbed by the nightmare.
Yes, the more she tried to forget, the more she remembered.
Those painful memories were like scars branded deep in her soul, existing no matter how many layers of armor she used to cover them.
After a while, her tense back slowly relaxed, and she softly said to Ryoma beside her:
"Thank you."
Her voice was very soft but carried a hint of relief.
Ryoma just nodded slightly, not saying anything more.
Some emotional knots ultimately need to be untied by oneself, outsiders can only provide a moment of respite.
Just then, Lucy's clear call sounded from not far away.
"Erza! Ryoma!"
Lucy quickly ran over, still carrying the afterglow of the party on her face.
"The barbecue party is almost over, but Natsu and Gray don't want to sleep yet. They're going to the entertainment city in the hotel's basement to play all night. Do you two want to come along?"
"Entertainment city?" Erza was a little puzzled.
"Yes." Lucy excitedly gestured. "I heard there are all sorts of games there, and even a casino. It's super lively."
Natsu and Gray, those two energetic guys, were already rushing towards the hotel, arm in arm, shouting about making a fortune.
Erza glanced at the still-burning bonfire and then thought of the nightmare she had just had.
She needed something to distract herself. Perhaps immersing herself in extreme noise could temporarily dispel those shadows.
"Okay, I'll go too." Erza nodded.
She stood up, and the swimsuit she was wearing was instantly replaced by a flash of light.
Requip!
As the light faded, an elegant purple strapless evening gown was already on her, perfectly outlining her graceful figure, and her crimson long hair cascaded casually over her shoulders, making her look exceptionally captivating in the night.
"Wow! You're so beautiful, Erza!" Lucy couldn't help but exclaim.
Erza smiled at her, then, along with Lucy and Ryoma, followed Natsu and the others' large group, heading towards the brightly lit resort hotel.
Walking towards the underground entertainment city, Ryoma's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Counting the time... in the original plot, the Tower of Heaven should be nearing completion, right?
Erza's nightmare just now was probably not just a simple memory, but more like an omen from the unseen.
He wondered if Jellal's subordinates, who came out of the Tower of Heaven, would still come to abduct Erza at this time, as in the original story, to use her as a sacrifice to revive Zeref.
Although Zeref in this world had long since disappeared to who knows where.
Ryoma's steps didn't stop, but his eyes deepened a few shades.
It seems the leisurely vacation time is really about to end.
He decided to remain vigilant and observe the situation. If those guys really dared to appear, he wouldn't mind letting them experience despair ahead of time.
...
The resort hotel's underground entertainment city was a completely different world.
Unlike the tranquility of the beach, it was filled with boisterous voices, exaggerated music, and the electronic sound effects of various arcade machines.
The air was thick with the scent of money and hormones, and countless people were freely expending sweat and passion here.
As soon as they entered, Natsu and Gray were like unleashed wild dogs, disappearing instantly.
Lucy pulled Mirajane and Erza to play card games.
Everyone quickly dispersed to experience the activities that interested them.
Ryoma had no interest in these gambling games and just casually wandered around the venue. His gaze was quickly drawn by a huge commotion.
A particularly large slot machine was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. And at the center of the crowd were Natsu and Happy.
"This is too much! Too much!"
Natsu was furiously pounding the slot machine's sturdy casing with his fists, making a series of dull thuds.
"It clearly showed 17 just now! Why did it skip over it again!"
"My 17!"
Happy was wailing beside him, clutching Natsu's leg, tears almost streaming down his face.
The surrounding staff looked at these two troublemakers with difficulty, rushing forward to stop them, but looking at the crying and shouting man and cat, they didn't know what to do for a moment.
Seeing this, Ryoma silently turned his face away, even deliberately stepping back, distancing himself from those two embarrassing guys, pretending not to know them.
He scanned the crowd but didn't find any suspicious figures. Those potential 'rats' didn't seem to have followed. This allowed him to relax his guard slightly for a moment.
Perhaps he was overthinking it?
Ryoma shook his head, found a relatively quiet bar, and sat down on a high stool, ready to order a drink.
However, shortly after he sat down, a figure silently appeared on the seat next to him.
The newcomer had short blue hair, a gentle smile on his face, and the unique tattoo on his right eye was particularly striking.
It was Siegrain, a Council member and one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
Ryoma's movements didn't pause at all. He picked up the drink the bartender had just mixed and took a light sip, as if the other party was just an ordinary patron.
He didn't even turn his head, just glanced at the other party out of the corner of his eye, a faint smile on his lips.
"Long time no see."
"Siegrain, or rather... should I call you Jellal?"
Ryoma finally turned his head, looking at the other party with calm eyes.
"What is a thought projection doing running around in a place like this?"
Siegrain, or rather Jellal, heard this and his smile faltered slightly.
He had not expected his identity to be revealed so easily by the other party, and that the fact it was a thought projection was also seen so clearly.
After a brief moment of shock, he immediately regained his composed demeanor, even letting out a light chuckle.
"Heh heh..."
He clapped his hands, and his gaze towards Ryoma held more gravity and scrutiny.
"You truly are an exception that needs to be guarded against, Ryoma."
"It seems my intel on you is still quite lacking."
"You flatter me." Ryoma indifferently swirled his drink.
"I just know some things that ordinary people don't."
"Is that so?" Jellal's smile became meaningful.
"Then, I hope you also know that those who disrupt others' plans usually don't come to a good end."
He changed the subject, his tone carrying a cold threat.
"I originally just came to deal with some minor troubles, but I didn't expect to encounter you, the biggest variable, here."
"Since that's the case..."
Jellal slowly stood up and gave Ryoma a perfectly crafted smile.
"I hope you like the gift I'm about to give you."
As soon as he finished speaking, a magic circle instantly lit up under Ryoma and Jellal's feet.
Buzz!
Light shot up into the sky, and a translucent square barrier appeared out of nowhere, completely enveloping the two of them along with the bar area they were in.