Natsu happily rushed toward Ankh, taking the pitiful-looking Happy into his arms before grinning.
"What are you doing here? I could've handled them alone!"
Thump!
Without a word, Ankh punched him on the head and irritably spoke, "I don't care if you could handle it—you should've at least taken proper care of Happy first!"
Happy tearfully apologized, "I'm sorry..."
Minerva placed her hands on her hips, her attitude growing considerably more cautious as she smiled.
"As a distinguished Wizard Saint, surely you wouldn't interfere in our guild's private matters?"
"Of course not. That's none of our business. Saving Yukino and wrecking your place was just our kids acting out because they couldn't stand the injustice."
Ankh didn't evade the question, calmly admitting it outright.
His attitude made it clear: It really isn't my concern, but my people love meddling in others' affairs.
Got a problem with that? Well, tough luck—deal with it.
Sting's rage surged, and he struggled against Rogue's restraining grip, eager to charge forward and challenge Ankh.
Rogue remained silent, steadfastly holding him back.
This was no joking matter.
No matter how arrogant Sting was, his target was only Gajeel.
A Wizard Saint... that was far beyond Sabertooth's current ability to confront easily.
"Bastards... I'll report this to the king!"
Jiemma, his clothes torn and tattered, struggled to get up from the ground, his eyes bloodshot and furious.
But upon seeing Ankh, Jiemma wisely restrained his violent emotions.
"As participants in the Grand Magic Games, you dare trespass into our headquarters without permission."
Jiemma gasped for breath, roaring, "The kingdom will surely disqualify you from the competition! You'll never recover from this!"
Natsu and Happy turned their gazes toward Ankh—matters like these were usually handled by their big brother.
Ankh grinned cheerfully, "Alright, Jiemma, you state your reasons, and I'll argue my case. We'll see who the king believes in the end."
Jiemma's face turned ashen, while Minerva wore an odd expression.
Truth be told... it was said that this Wizard Saint before them had done the kingdom a great favor years ago, even saving the princess.
Now that the old king was aging, his only heir happened to be that very princess...
'Damn, this kid had solid connections.'
Ankh turned around and waved dismissively, pulling Natsu along as he walked toward the collapsed, broken wall.
"Let's go. You've vented enough already."
"Huh? But their guild master hasn't given me an answer yet. Is he withdrawing or not?"
"Ankh, maybe I should fight another round. You don't need to lift a finger—I'll make it quick!"
"Don't make me beat you in front of outsiders!"
Natsu: (?°3°?)
Watching the two walk out of the inn as if no one else was there, Jiemma slammed his fist furiously into the ground.
"Damn it!!"
"Listen up, all of you! If anyone dares to lose to that guild again in the Grand Magic Games, get the hell out of this guild!!"
Hearing her father's hysterical roar from behind, Minerva's eyes flickered with disdain.
'So pathetic, Father... you're all bark and no bite.'
'But Fairy Tail.... how interesting.'
...
The turbulent night finally passed.
Though the two guilds maintained a surface-level truce, with each clash, the tension between the fairy and the tiger grew increasingly intense.
On the third day of the Grand Magic Games, some residents of the royal capital were still discussing the series of explosions and screams from the previous night, while others had already noticed the dilapidated state of Sabertooth's inn.
As for Jiemma's official complaint against Fairy Tail, just as he had anticipated, King Toma showed clear bias!
Upon hearing Jiemma's demands, Toma skillfully employed evasive tactics.
Aside from arranging a new inn for Sabertooth, no further punitive actions materialized...
What could Jiemma do?
All he could manage was to sit miserably in the audience seats, glaring at Sabertooth's competitors with a death stare.
On the hosting platform, the bald Chapati, now sporting a golden wig, followed tradition by hyping up the crowd with boundless enthusiasm.
"Today's special guest host for the Grand Magic Games is none other than Mr. Laharl, captain of the Custody Enforcement Unit from the Magic Council!"
Laharl, wearing glasses and looking refined in his Council uniform, appeared scholarly and amiable as he greeted the crowd.
The audience naturally gave this handsome captain enthusiastic applause.
In the stands, an unkempt, haggard young man watched the scene and couldn't help but chuckle.
This was Mest, known in the Council as Doranbolt.
Seven years ago, Doranbolt had been unable to restore the memories of the spy sent from Fairy Tail.
Following the Council's orders, he had fled Tenrou Island early, abandoning Fairy Tail to their fate at the Council's hands.
This incident haunted Doranbolt with guilt for seven long years.
It was only when Laharl informed him that all members of Fairy Tail had been found and were participating in the Grand Magic Games that he eagerly came to watch the matches.
"The competition name for the third day has been announced—it's called 'Pandemonium'!"
As the stone monument rose at the center of the arena, Chapati declared the third day's event.
With Carla's return, the three adorable support pets finally stood together again.
Staring at the words on the monument, Carla analyzed with confusion.
"Pandemonium... a hall where demons lie in ambush?"
Panther Lily crossed his arms, deep in thought. "So it's like a haunted house building?"
Happy patted his little belly in relief, chuckling. "Then there's no problem. None of us are afraid of ghosts."
Levy forced a smile as she imagined a haunted house. "That's really scary..."
Mavis tearfully agreed, "Yes, ghosts are the worst."
Everyone couldn't help but retort, "But you are a ghost yourself!"
With the rule still limiting one participant per team, the eight teams began discussing their chosen fighters.
Natsu eagerly wanted to join, but Erza—who hadn't competed yet—pulled him back and eagerly stepped forward herself.
The sexy cat girl Millianna, seeing Erza take the field, immediately followed suit.
Blue Pegasus sent their popular Mage Hibiki, while Raven Tail, mindful of the Council's presence, dispatched their most low-profile member, Obra.
Sabertooth fielded Orga, and Quatro Cerberus sent Novally, who remained as unmemorable as ever.
Lamia Scale grew increasingly desperate to catch up in points, deploying their ace Jura once more.
Seeing Jura step forward, Ankh's eyes lit up, and he naturally joined the fray.
Their strategy was clear: never give Lamia Scale's Jura an easy scoring opportunity, using Ankh to relentlessly contain him.
The eight participants from each team assembled.
The Pumpkin King, observing the spirited competitors, smiled and addressed them.
"Now, let me announce the rules for Pandemonium."