Kabe let out a silent sigh, then tilted his head toward Ultear and asked,
"What is Jellal's situation now?"
"After you stopped hypnotizing him, he should have woken up, so why do you still need me to defeat him?"
Ultear shook her head bitterly.
"He has completely convinced himself that he is Zeref's chosen emissary. Even after I told him the truth, he still firmly believes he carries a sacred mission. He even started suspecting that my thinking had gone wrong and tried to keep me there."
She paused, her eyes darkening.
"Thankfully I approached him using only a thought projection. Otherwise, with his current strength, I might not have been able to escape."
Hearing that, Kabe nodded slightly. He lowered his head so his chin rested against the top of Erza's head, his tone gentle.
"Let us go together then. We will save your friend and make a clean break with your past."
Erza, curled up in Kabe's arms, gradually stopped trembling. After a moment, she took a deep breath and gave a heavy hum of agreement.
"Mm."
Since the decision had been made, everyone prepared to set off for the Tower of Heaven.
...
Before leaving, though, Kabe called Laki and Aries back downstairs and briefly explained the situation.
"Sorry. I cannot keep you company properly today. I will try to come back as early as I can, then we will go back to the guild together and announce our relationship."
He cupped Laki's face in both hands, full of apology as he promised her.
Laki lightly shook her head, pushing him away with a small, playful shove.
"Do not underestimate me. I am not the type of woman who quibbles over every little thing. Erza's situation is more important. You all go do what you have to do. As for me, you can make it up to me slowly with lots of sweet, sweet affection after you come back."
Hearing her adorable phrasing, Kabe chuckled and tapped her little nose.
...
Then he looked at Mira and Aries and reminded them,
"While I am gone, I am leaving the house to the three of you."
Mira nodded.
"Got it. Take care of Erza and do not let her cry anymore."
Aries bowed slightly, fingers pinching her maid apron.
"Lord Kabe, have a safe trip."
After saying goodbye to the three of them one by one, Kabe turned his gaze to Gray.
"Gray, you are not coming. Help me explain things to the guild, and do not let everyone worry about us."
Gray, who had already mentally prepared himself to leave with them, froze on the spot.
A second later, his face twisted with anxious dissatisfaction.
"What are you talking about, this kind of serious job, how can you leave me behind?"
"But there is literally no space for you."
Kabe spoke as he crooked a finger at Erza. When she walked over, he slipped an arm around her waist and held her close.
"I plan to fly straight there. Look, Erza on my left, Ultear on my right. What do you intend to do, cling to my back?"
"I..."
Gray opened his mouth, speechless. The logic was too solid, he did not even know where to start arguing.
He could not actually nod and agree, could he? If he dared to say yes, Erza would probably kick him into next week on the spot.
Seeing Gray's dark, sulky face as he stewed in frustration, Kabe thought for a moment, then offered him a suggestion.
"Instead of worrying about Jellal, why do you not try contacting Lyon? Ask him to join you in requesting help from Master Makarov and Granny Ooba at the Magic Council. Get them to participate in the operation to capture Brain."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Do not forget, that bastard is the one who really caused Ur to lose her daughter and pushed Ultear into the darkness."
"Right, I almost forgot about that bastard Brain."
Those words snapped Gray back to clarity, giving him a brand new outlet for his anger.
He stopped hesitating altogether. After telling them all to be careful, he turned and ran in the direction of the guild, planning to use the guild's communication lacrima to contact Lyon and Master Makarov at the Council.
...
Once Gray was far enough away, Kabe finally prepared to depart.
He stretched out his right arm toward Ultear and cocked his head, motioning her to come over.
"Do we really have to do it like this?"
Ultear looked extremely reluctant, her tone stiff.
"The faster we go, the faster we come back. It is just an arm around your waist, stop fussing like a girl."
"But I am a girl."
After cursing him viciously several times in her heart, Ultear gritted her teeth, stepped forward, and allowed Kabe's arm to wrap around her waist.
Even through the cloak and clothing, the heat of his palm seeped through, making her body tingle and breaking out in goosebumps.
She had just opened her mouth, about to warn him to keep his hands honest, when the ground suddenly dropped away beneath her feet. Her whole body felt weightless as they shot up into the sky at incredible speed.
The sudden acceleration scared Ultear into throwing both arms around Kabe on reflex, hugging him tightly.
Immediately, she heard Kabe's dissatisfied warning.
"Hold still. Do not think you can put your hands all over me just because you are a woman."
"Ultear: I swear you...!!!"