— — — — — —
"Hmm..."
"I can do that," Kazuma said, "but you'll have to come back to Fairy Tail with me so I can introduce you properly. Oh, and maybe you should let your family know first?"
Seeing Wendy's curiosity spark, Kazuma didn't bother keeping her in suspense and agreed right away.
"Um… our guild isn't far from here. I'll go back and talk to Grandpa Master right now. I'm sure he'll agree," Wendy said eagerly.
She was thrilled that Kazuma had said yes. She planned to tell the guild master immediately, then leave with him.
"No need to walk back. I'll take you," Kazuma said.
As he spoke, shadows rose silently from the darkness. He glanced back at the other guild members.
"Everyone good? Headcount checked, identities confirmed? If there's nothing else, I'll be heading out."
"No problem," someone replied. "We'll report everything honestly to the Magic Council. We won't take credit for your work."
"Don't bother," Kazuma said. "Just report that the guild alliance took down the Oración Seis."
With that, he grabbed Wendy's hand and stepped into the shadows.
"So… so scary! But for Wendy, I'll do it!" Carla said.
Carla stared at the pitch-black darkness, terrified, but she still mustered her courage and followed them in. The moment she entered, her sense of time vanished.
It might have been an instant. It might have been much longer. Either way, when they stepped out again, they were already back in the village of Cait Shelter.
---
Back at the guild alliance gathering site—
"That magic was incredible. He vanished in the blink of an eye," Jura said in awe.
"And that's not all," Ichiya added. "I heard it's a kind of super magic. Back when he fought Phantom Lord's guild master…"
"To counter Jose's Shade magic, Guild Master Kazuma summoned tens of thousands of shadow soldiers all at once. It was overwhelming. Absolutely terrifying. I've even heard rumors that some of those shadow soldiers carry out requests on their own."
Ichiya hadn't seen it personally, but he believed it. Kazuma really was absurdly strong.
---
In Cait Shelter's town, the air was filled with vibrant ethnic fabrics and decorations, beautiful and full of character.
"The fabrics here are gorgeous," Kazuma said.
"Hehehe, our guild is basically one giant fabric workshop," Wendy said shyly. "These are all our specialty products."
She loved her guild, and hearing someone praise it made her genuinely happy.
As Kazuma and Wendy talked, someone stepped out of his tent.
"Wendy… and an unfamiliar face?" The guild master of Cait Shelter, Roubaul, frowned slightly as he looked at Kazuma. From him, he could sense an immense, overwhelming magic power.
"I'm Kazuma, guild master of Fairy Tail," Kazuma introduced himself.
At a glance, he could tell that the man before him wasn't human. Or rather, not alive. His body had long since died, yet through obsession and powerful magic, he remained in this world. Had he still been alive, he would have been a formidable mage.
"Grandpa Master, I found news about Grandeeney," Wendy said as she trotted over. "I'm going with Kazuma-niisan to Fairy Tail to meet the person who knows about her."
"But don't worry. I can take care of myself, and I'll come back as soon as I can."
"So you found something… that's good," the master said gently.
"Fairy Tail is a major guild, the strongest in the Kingdom of Fiore. I've heard there's someone there called the Salamander, also raised by a dragon, right?"
He nodded to calm Wendy, then looked back at Kazuma and spoke unhurriedly.
"Yes. Natsu. His father is the Fire Dragon King, Igneel. He's searching for his father too."
"He's a hot-blooded idiot," Kazuma added with a laugh. "Oh, and he's got a blue cat partner who can talk and fly."
Carla's expression darkened at once.
The mission she believed they carried was to eliminate Dragon Slayers. She didn't want to hurt Wendy, but other Dragon Slayers were a different matter. In truth, it was just a big misunderstanding.
"Really?" Wendy said brightly. "Carla, did you hear that? There are other people just like us!"
Knowing there were others like her out there made Wendy genuinely excited.
"…Yeah," Carla replied flatly.
"In that case, Wendy, you should go," Roubaul said gently. "Pack properly. Clothes to change into, money, food. Don't forget anything."
"Carla, help Wendy pack," he added.
"Got it, Grandpa Master."
"Mm."
With that, Carla and Wendy went off to prepare. Soon, only Kazuma and the master of Cait Shelter remained in the square.
"Guild Master Kazuma," Roubaul said softly. "You've already noticed, haven't you? I've been dead for a long time now. What stands here is nothing more than a construct of magic and lingering thoughts."
"In fact, not just me. The other members of the guild are also my projections. This entire guild exists for Wendy alone."
He let out a long sigh, choosing not to hide the truth. There was no point in deception before someone as powerful as Kazuma.
"This has nothing to do with me," Kazuma said calmly. "You don't need to explain yourself."
"No," Roubaul replied. "I was worried about Wendy attending the guild alliance alone, so I secretly followed her with magic."
"I've seen your strength. I have a favor to ask, even if it's rude."
"Please use that power of yours, the one that erases everything, and destroy Nirvana deep within the forest."
He spoke with solemn sincerity. He had endured all this time, waiting for the day Nirvana would be destroyed.
Now, at last, someone with terrifying power had appeared.
"And… if possible," Roubaul continued quietly, "please take care of Wendy. She's a Sky Dragon Slayer."
"If she joins your guild, she'll be a great help to you."
He sighed again. Could he bear to part with Wendy? Of course not. But he couldn't keep lying anymore.
When his magic and consciousness finally faded, this thought-form would vanish too. Rather than leaving Wendy alone without warning, it was better to tell her the truth now and let her find a new life.
He had heard of Fairy Tail's reputation. It was a good guild. Wendy would be well cared for there.
"I'm sorry," Kazuma said, looking straight at him. "I refuse your request."
.
.
.