In the royal capital's evening, the central street lined with blooming flower clusters on both sides was particularly suited as a romantic spot for couples to stroll.
And unsurprisingly...
Natsu and Lucy were leisurely patting their full stomachs as they walked toward their inn.
It had become commonplace—these two who weren't a couple actually spent more time together than real couples usually did...
"Ah~ I'm so full~"
Lucy sighed. "The victory celebration already ended, yet you still had to eat more. I really don't know what your stomach is made of."
"Hehehe~"
Behind them, Wendy and Carla had finally been discharged from the hospital.
Taking in the night scenery around them, Wendy said expectantly:
"Finally we can stay at the inn. I hope I can participate in tomorrow's matches."
Ankh yawned and comforted her, "You'll get your chance. After all, the king is quite good at picking combinations."
Carla and Happy were strolling between them.
Carla said puzzled, "Speaking of which, Ankh, don't you need to accompany Mira?"
Ankh spread his hands and explained, "I originally planned to, but Erza insisted on dragging Mira to the night market. Mira couldn't refuse her, so she had to go."
"Probably because she spotted some embarrassing clothes and wanted Mirajane to help cover for her again..."
Carla seemed quite familiar with Erza's personality as she analyzed the situation.
Happy patted his swollen little belly, let out a burp and joked, "Gray got dragged off by Lyon for a duel too, something about competing for Juvia."
"Everyone really doesn't know how to take it easy..."
Just then, Ankh's eyes shifted, his gaze turning toward a street intersection not far away.
Natsu's nose twitched as he asked suspiciously, "Someone's there?"
"It's us."
The air seemed to distort slightly as Sorano and Jellal's group appeared on the street.
Yukino looked around in confusion, her eyes widening when she saw Lucy, Natsu and the others.
"Fairy Tail?"
Lucy said in surprise, "It's the girl from Sabertooth."
Natsu asked puzzled, "Why are you all together?"
Sorano and the others turned their gazes toward Ankh.
Ankh cleared his throat and said, "Let's head back to the inn first. We can talk about what happened slowly."
..
The group returned to the inn.
In the lobby, Yukino recounted everything she had experienced at Sabertooth with a desolate expression, stirring up indignation among Natsu and the others.
Natsu stomped his foot on the table, barely containing his anger as he roared, "What kind of guild is that? That bastard Jiemma!!"
Lucy patted Yukino's trembling shoulder sympathetically while Carla said angrily, "Treating a girl like that is absolutely despicable!"
"Miss Lucy..."
Yukino took out the two golden Celestial Spirit Keys she carried and said in a low voice.
"If possible... I'd like to entrust Pisces and Libra to you..."
"Eh?!"
Lucy was startled and quickly waved her hands, "How can you say that? These Celestial Spirits are your most important partners, aren't they?"
Unlike her elder sister Sorano, Yukino was a girl who deeply feared loneliness.
She had always believed that the misfortune befalling her family and friends was caused by their proximity to her, which made her cherish the Celestial Spirits who remained by her side all the more.
Yet... now she had been expelled from Sabertooth, and even the Celestial Spirits failed to display their formidable power...
"These two spirit would only have their talents buried if they stayed with me... Miss Lucy, you could bring out their true potential much better."
Yukino looked at Lucy and forced a smile. "Besides, this way, Miss Lucy should be able to collect all twelve Celestial Spirit Keys."
Gazing at the golden keys placed on the table, Lucy let out a long sigh and silently pushed the keys back to Yukino.
"Celestial Spirits aren't tools to be casually given away."
Now it was Yukino's turn to stare at her in surprise.
Lucy firmly said, "I can feel that these two Celestial Spirits love you, and you treasure them deeply. That's the most qualified 'strength' for a Celestial Spirit Mage."
"Pisces and Libra would never be stronger with me than they are with you."
Lucy's refusal of Yukino's offer to give her the Celestial Spirit Keys surprised everyone present.
Gathering all twelve Celestial Spirit Keys... This was the ultimate goal that so many collectors dreamed of achieving.
Ankh looked at Lucy with admiration.
For someone with his obsessive tendencies, he would never refuse such an offer.
But perhaps it was precisely because of Lucy's extreme seriousness and dedication that the Celestial Spirits trusted her like never before.
Seeing Lucy's persistent refusal, Yukino had no choice but to take back the two Celestial Spirit Keys.
Looking at the faintly glowing keys, tears welled in Yukino's eyes as she clenched them tighter.
She was clearly reluctant to part with them.
Seeing this, the guild that forced such a spirit-loving girl to abandon magic truly seemed wicked...
Lucy sighed in relief, then asked, "So what are your plans now?"
Yukino hesitated, looking at the older sister figure she felt attached to.
"Angel-sama said she would help me find a job."
Lucy looked strangely at Sorano.
When did she change her name again?
Sorano patted Yukino's head and fell silent.
She wanted to reveal her identity so she could rightfully stay by her sister's side.
But... she couldn't yet allow herself to live a peaceful life with a clear conscience...
Just then, Erik suddenly spoke up, "Speaking of which, haven't you noticed someone's missing?"
Carla twitched her mouth. "A certain cat has disappeared too."
Lucy's eyes widened as she covered her head and exclaimed, "Oh no! Where's Natsu?!"
Macbeth looked at the broken window and said, "Did he go looking for Sabertooth's again?"
Jellal looked at Ankh, who was scratching his head helplessly.
"Should we go bring him back?"
Ankh sighed and stood up. "No need, I'll go this time. This way I can take responsibility for your kidnapping incident and prevent Sabertooth from reporting it to the kingdom and raising suspicions about your identities."
The others nodded, and then Ankh leaped out through the same window.
Yukino's expression was complicated.
For a child like her who lacked love, everyone's care undoubtedly warmed her heart with gratitude.
"Thank you, Angel-sama."
Sorano embraced Yukino, her expression extremely complex.
'My sister, I won't let you suffer anymore.'
...
BOOM—
Another earth-shaking explosion echoed through the royal capital, making it clear this restless night was far from over.
Flames and debris erupted simultaneously as Natsu furiously punched the newly installed Sabertooth guild door off its hinges.
"Where's Jiemma, the Guild Master of Sabertooth?!"
"Get out here!!"
Jiemma, who had earlier been sent flying by Sorano's slap and couldn't find the intruders after crawling out of the rubble, was now sitting on a sofa breathing heavily.
Having just been venting his rage at the defeated members in the room, he heard the dragon-like roar from the entrance.
Instantly, Jiemma's lungs felt like they were packed with explosives, ready to detonate.
"Bastard! What do you think this place is?!"