"If that's the case," Makarov said grimly over the communication crystal, "then Tartaros already knows where Face is hidden. We must find the three judges who hold its seal—and guard them with our lives!"
"Master Oga's orders," Lucy replied. "We've located the safe houses of the sixteen former Councilors and deployed allied guilds to protect them."
"But the former Speaker's residence…" Makarov's voice sharpened. "Is it among them?"
"Yes," Jet confirmed. "Reinforcements are already on their way."
---
Far to the northeast, a perpetual winter wind swept across a quiet village.
Ultear scooped loaves of fresh bread into a paper bag as she spoke with the baker, a kindly woman in her forties. "Thank you, Ms. Ang. Every time I train here, I promise I'll never be late for dinner!"
Ang smiled. "Your mother would have been proud of you, Ultear. If only she could see you now."
Ultear's lips curved in a bittersweet smile. "She's always with me—in my heart."
Meredy, Ultear's young ward, tugged at her sleeve. "Ultear, I'm hungry!"
Ultear ruffled her hair. "Then hurry home. I'll make us something warm."
Hand in hand, the two walked down the snow-dusted street—until Ultear's sharp eyes caught sight of a figure standing before her old family home.
Ultear tightened her grip on Meredy's hand. "Stay back."
The stranger turned, and both women gasped. It was Su Yan of Fairy Tail—dark-haired, steady-eyed, and impossible to fight. Once a member of Grimoire Heart himself, he now stood calmly in Ultear's yard.
"Ultear," he said quietly, "I know you're in danger. Meredy is innocent—let her go."
Ultear's shoulders slumped. She knew she could not overpower him.
"Don't you walk away," Meredy protested, stepping forward. "Grimoire Heart is gone—no one wants to hurt anyone anymore! Leave Ultear and me in peace!"
Su Yan held up a hand. "I'm not here to kill you. I'm here to protect you—from Tartaros."
Ultear frowned, trying to reconcile his words with his presence.
Moments later, inside Ultear's modest parlor, Meredy poured tea for their guest.
"Why protect us?" Ultear asked, voice trembling. "We were once Grimoire Heart…"
Su Yan's gaze grew serious. "Tartaros has slaughtered every active Councilor—and now they hunt the retired ones. As one of the original Councilors yourself, you're a target. You know more than anyone where their greatest weapon is hidden."
Ultear's face went pale. She had hoped her past was buried with her old guild. Now, her knowledge might save—or doom—the entire magic world.
Outside, the wind howled. The White Legacy's seal trembled on the brink of shattering—and only Ultear held the key to stopping it.