After finishing breakfast at the villa, the group entered Magnolia in a noisy mood. However, as they passed by South Park, they noticed a large crowd of residents gathered as if something serious had happened.
"Levy and the others were tied to a tree. They are badly injured."
"What?"
Ares's sudden words left Natsu and the others stunned.
"Excuse me, move aside."
Erza did not hesitate and pushed her way through the crowd.
"Let's go."
Gray's expression darkened as he followed. When they finally broke through the crowd, the sight before them was difficult to accept.
"Levy-chan!"
Lucy covered her mouth, her eyes trembling with emotion as she stared at Levy and the other two, all tied to the cherry blossom tree, their bodies covered in injuries.
"Someone help them down!"
A kind-hearted bystander called out.
"Are you stupid? Didn't you see that mark? That is the mark of Phantom Lord."
A young man nearby pointed at the dark guild mark on Levy's body, fear evident in his voice.
"Jet, Droy..."
Gray clenched his fists tightly, his eyes turning red with anger.
Natsu was even more furious, veins bulging across his forehead.
With two swift flashes of sword light, the ropes snapped. Erza landed gracefully while holding Levy, while Gray supported the other two.
"The Master of Fairy Tail has arrived."
Makarov soon appeared with Mira and the others, clearly having received the news.
When he saw Levy and the others covered in wounds, his usually cheerful face turned grim.
"Destroying our guild hall could be tolerated, but no parent would stay silent after seeing their children bleed. This is war."
Makarov spoke decisively. His expression grew fierce as a massive pressure surged upward.
To hell with any guild agreements. His eyes burned with fury. No parent could endure seeing their children treated like this.
Phantom Lord had crossed the line. This would not be forgiven.
Far away, a small boy sucked on a lollipop, a grin spreading across his face as he watched everything unfold.
...
The next day.
Northeast of the Kingdom of Fiore.
Oak Town, the base of Phantom Lord.
"Hahaha, Fairy Tail got completely wrecked."
"Gajeel even took down three of them."
"Impressive!"
Inside a grand yet sinister castle, members of Phantom Lord filled the hall, drinking, laughing, and boasting.
"Alright, time to get to work."
"On the way back, let's humiliate Fairy Tail even more."
"Sounds good."
Three men walked toward the entrance, speaking with clear disdain.
Bang!
Without warning, the massive doors exploded inward. The three men were blasted away along with the shattered doors, crashing to the ground unconscious.
The lively hall fell silent instantly as all eyes turned toward the entrance.
"We are Fairy Tail."
Makarov stood at the front with Natsu and the others behind him, his face cold and resolute.
"This is war."
"Oh!"
Natsu and the others surged forward without hesitation, charging straight into the enemy.
"You dare attack Phantom Lord? Show them what we are made of!"
The Phantom Lord mages roared and rushed forward as well.
"Charge!"
"Avenge Levy!"
"Take them down!"
Spells of all kinds clashed wildly in the hall as both sides collided like raging tides. The battle was chaotic and brutal.
Several figures slowly descended from above.
"Jose."
"Gajeel."
"Juvia Lockser."
"Aria."
"Sol."
"Totomaru."
Macao's expression grew serious as he recognized them. These were the Master of Phantom Lord, the Four Elements, and their Dragon Slayer.
"Jose, Phantom Lord broke the agreement first. You dared to harm my children. None of you will walk away from this."
Makarov's anger was barely contained as he glared at the red-haired man.
"Heh, Makarov, do not forget, I did not kill any of your guild members. But now..."
Jose smiled smugly, clearly pleased with himself.
"Since you broke the Council's rule first, do not blame me. Phantom Lord, kill them all!"
"Yes!"
"This is a fight to the death. Kill!"
Makarov's eyes widened with fury. There was no turning back now. Only one guild would remain standing after today.
...
While the battle raged fiercely at Phantom Lord, Fairy Tail in Magnolia was left dangerously exposed.
Only Mira and a few remaining members stayed behind. Even Ares had joined the assault.
"I waited an entire day. Finally, it is empty."
Lucien stood before the damaged Fairy Tail guild hall. He appeared as a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth, wearing a loose shirt and beach shorts. Beneath his feet lay the hidden Fairy Heart.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside. Only a few weak members remained. Fairy Tail had truly committed everything to the attack.
"Excuse me, who are you looking for?"
Mira sat behind the bar, concern visible in her eyes as she looked at Lucien.
"As expected of the woman I once deeply admired, still gentle and beautiful."
Lucien could sense the immense power hidden within her.
Because of Lisanna, Mira had changed greatly, but her true strength still rivaled Erza's and far surpassed most S-Class mages.
Mira blinked lightly, assuming he was just another admirer.
After all, her reputation as a model was extremely high, and admirers were nothing new.
"I am sorry, Fairy Tail is not accepting any requests right now."
She gave a polite smile, clearly not in the mood to entertain such matters.
"May I have a hug? I am your most loyal fan."
Lucien's eyes gleamed with strange patterns, filled with anticipation.
Mira hesitated briefly. Her thoughts were elsewhere, focused on Makarov and the others. She simply wanted this man to leave quickly.
"Alright."
As she nodded, Lucien stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
The embrace was tight. He inhaled the faint fragrance of her hair, a dark impulse rising within him.
"That is enough, please let go."
Mira's expression cooled slightly. The hug had gone on longer than necessary.
A faint sound escaped her lips as her expression suddenly changed. She struggled, her body trembling.
Lucien held her firmly, his head buried near her neck as Demon blood began to flow into her body.
Originally, he intended to kill her. But after reconsidering, he chose to convert her instead. This would allow him to plant a hidden piece within Fairy Tail.
If Fairy Heart could not help him break the Odin Curse, then he needed another approach.
"Mira!"
The remaining guild members rushed forward, but a single spike extending from Lucien's tailbone pierced through them effortlessly, dropping them where they stood.
After a few moments, Lucien released her.
Mira collapsed to the ground, her body twitching violently before gradually becoming still.
Then, slowly, she stood up again.
"Master."
Her expression was calm and obedient. The bite marks on her neck had already healed completely.