"Since the former Speaker didn't know about it, how could anyone else?" Erza pressed. "And who are the three original judges bound by bio-linked magic to protect Face? We must safeguard them too."
Crawford Simm shook his head. "I have no authority to know those details… Face is a forbidden weapon. Even the judge who seals it doesn't know they're the key—it's the only way to conceal its existence."
Erza's brow furrowed. "They don't even know themselves?"
Suddenly her eyes snapped to the door. "Someone's coming! Speaker, hide!"
Before she could finish, the windows and walls shattered. Two dozen armored soldiers poured in. Erza drew her sword and charged.
---
Below, Su Yan's expression went cold. "What's happening, Su Yan?" Lucy cried, but he didn't answer. He grabbed Happy. "They—Michaelo—he—he revealed the Speaker's location! Happy, fly!"
"Wait, Su Yan!" Wendy called, confused as they shot into the sky.
---
Back in the hall, Erza's blade gleamed. The Tartaros soldiers were skilled, but none could match her. In moments, every one lay dead on the floor.
"It's strange," she murmured, catching her breath. "If they came for the former Speaker, I'd expect stronger troops."
Dizziness washed over her. "This… this is the drug's effect." Her vision blurred, and she collapsed.
---
High above Magnolia, Happy flew under Su Yan's weight. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Su Yan ground his teeth. "How does Tartaros know the Speaker's address—and Face's existence—when even the Speaker himself was ignorant? Someone leaked Council secrets!"
He traced the flight path. "Erza's in danger. Lead me!"
Moments later, they descended before the ruined cottage. Splintered wood, overturned furniture, shards of teacup on the floor.
"Erza!" Su Yan rushed inside. The air smelled strongly of vanilla. Happy sniffed at spilled tea. "Sleeping pills," Su Yan realized, holding the teacup's handle.
"Erza was drugged!" Happy exclaimed.
Su Yan's fists clenched. "No one betrays Fairy Tail like this!"
---
In a dim underground chamber, Erza awoke bound in metal cuffs. Her armor was gone. Across from her stood Kyôka, every feature soft with amusement.
"Welcome to Tartaros," Kyôka purred. "The former Speaker is our comrade now. Once our plan succeeds, he'll return as Speaker of the Senate."
Erza's eyes blazed. "Impossible! He would never betray us!"
Kyôka smiled, stepping closer. "He did. Those cuffs are forged from magic-seal ore—no spells can free you." She circled Erza. "Fairy Tail proved troublesome. You rescued a few original judges, so we took you instead."
Erza spit out defiance. "You'll regret this. Su Yan will come for me."
"Perhaps," Kyôka replied, her tongue flicking across her lips. "But until then… enjoy your captivity."