"My, my~ Ankh-dono, it's been many years, yet you remain as dashing as ever~"
"And Miss Mirajane and Miss Erza, you've both grown into beautiful ladies over these years."
After being escorted by a squad of soldiers to the palace's inner chambers, Ankh, Mirajane, and Erza encountered this familiar short-statured figure.
Toma E. Fiore, the supreme ruler of the Fiore Kingdom, the largest magic nation on the Ishgar continent.
About nine years ago, when the three were still young, they had come to the royal capital to undertake a mission commissioned by this very king.
Facing Toma's flattery, Ankh responded with a playful smile.
"Your Majesty isn't doing too bad either. Though aging in years, your heart remains young—even cosplaying as the Pumpkin Judge at the Grand Magic Games."
Toma scratched his graying hair in embarrassment, waving his hand apologetically. "Ah, it's just a hobby of mine."
"What?"
Erza exclaimed in surprise: "The Pumpkin Gentleman at the Grand Magic Games was actually His Majesty?"
"Just how oblivious can you be..." Mirajane sighed at her airheaded best friend.
"Your performance today was remarkable, defeating Jura—the fifth of the Ten Wizard Saints—with such ease."
King Toma gazed at Ankh with the same appreciation he'd shown years before, unable to contain his emotions.
Back during the mission to rescue the princess, Toma had recognized Ankh's potential.
Time had proven his judgment correct—even after all these years, upon his return, Ankh still stood at the forefront of the magic world's trends.
Ankh didn't explain to the magic-illiterate king how perfectly he countered Jura, instead maintaining a polite smile as he asked:
"So, Your Majesty, what urgent matter brings you to summon us to the royal palace?"
Toma clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes wandering as he said:
"Well... nothing important. I just wanted to ask your opinion about this year's Grand Magic Games. Are there any troublesome opponents?"
Ankh frowned slightly, sensing something off about the king's expression, but answered truthfully.
"Personally, I don't find any opponents difficult to handle. However, our guild does face quite a few challenging rivals."
"Jura from Lamia Scale is their trump card, requiring me to suppress him. Sabertooth's five members all possess balanced combat capabilities that we can't afford to underestimate. Including Raven Tail..."
At this point, Ankh's words trailed off.
Toma pressed, "What happened with Raven Tail?"
Mirajane took over, displeased. "Your Majesty is unaware—that despicable guild ambushed our comrades before the competition even began, while we hadn't yet assembled. They're still recovering from their injuries!"
"Outrageous!"
Toma slammed the throne in anger and declared, "I'll dispatch troops to guard the inn where Raven Tail is staying and revoke their eligibility for the Grand Magic Games!"
"That won't be necessary," Ankh interjected. "If you strike a snake but don't kill it, it will cause endless trouble. Rather than forcing them to withdraw and hide in the shadows, it's better to keep them in the open where we can deal with them."
"If you say so, then very well..." Toma nodded, then continued. "So, are there any particular opponents you'd like to face?"
Ankh's brow furrowed even deeper, Mirajane was confused, and Erza, already catching on, immediately spoke.
"Fairy Tail doesn't fear any enemy. We have no specific opponents in mind."
"Is that so..." King Toma looked disappointed.
Seeing his expression, Ankh couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, are you trying to give us special treatment?"
Toma waved his hands. "Not at all... just a small convenience, nothing that would affect the competition."
Ankh shook his head.
Erza, who disliked such favors in competitive events, stood up and declared:
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but we wish to become Fiore's strongest guild fairly and without any loopholes. We would never seek such conveniences!"
Toma sighed and said, "I knew you'd say that. Very well, I'll make the arrangements as I see fit."
"In that case, if there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
Ankh stood up, and the three bowed slightly to King Toma before preparing to depart.
Toma agreed, then added, "Ankh, if you have time after the Grand Magic Games, come visit the palace."
Ankh nodded. "If the opportunity arises, I will."
...
After bidding farewell to the king, the three turned and walked out of the hall.
Mira seemed to sense something and glanced back toward the area behind King Toma's throne.
She tightened her grip on Ankh's hand and followed them out.
A moment later, once the sound of their footsteps had faded, a hidden door behind the throne slid open, and a stunningly beautiful woman rushed out.
She had vibrant, emerald-green hair adorned with a hairpiece inlaid with red agate, dressed in a pristine and luxurious gown.
The elegant, voluminous skirt appeared soft and ethereal.
"Hisui..."
Toma looked at his daughter's anxious demeanor and said helplessly, "If you wanted to see him and take care of Fairy Tail, you could have just shown yourself. Why did you have to speak through me?"
Hisui E. Fiore, the only child of the King of Fiore and the future ruling queen, was no longer the pitiable young girl of the past.
Now, she exuded an air of confidence, her demeanor graceful and composed, her decisiveness and poise reflecting the bearing of a future queen.
But at this moment, Hisui's eyes appeared dim.
She forced a smile and shook her head, saying, "Father, Ankh-sama probably doesn't even remember me anymore. Why should I show up and make things awkward?"
Toma wanted to refute his daughter, but he felt...
Given Ankh's personality, since he hadn't mentioned the princess earlier, it was likely he truly didn't remember Hisui much anymore?
Toma knew his daughter all too well—she had personally promoted the proxy mechanism, provided shelter for Fairy Tail, granted special privileges to the Ram Company, forbade any idols more popular than Ankh from appearing, and even filled her own room with Ankh's posters and magazines!
During the seven years of the Tenrou Team's disappearance, Hisui had been even more convinced than Fairy Tail's members that Ankh was still alive.
Though that kind of trust was an illogical, pathological devotion.
What could he do? Being both her first love and lifesaver, Toma still didn't know how to counsel his daughter...
Hisui gazed in the direction where Ankh and the others had disappeared, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
According to what that person said, that day was coming soon...
Hisui's eyes transformed back into determination.
"Ankh-sama, no matter what happens, you will not die!"