"On my way back from my last job, I stopped at a wizards' bar in Onibas. A group of guys there caught my attention."
Erza began to explain. Four rowdy wizards were talking about breaking a seal on something called "Lullaby."
"Lullaby? Like, a sleeping spell?" Lucy guessed.
Erza shook her head. "I don't know. But if it was sealed, it must be powerful."
Happy said, "We don't know what they were talking about. It might have just been a job."
There were plenty of "break the seal" jobs at the Fairy Tail guild, so it was normal for other guilds to have them too.
Just then, the train arrived at Onibas Station. They got their luggage and got off.
Erza continued, "Yes, I thought so at first, too. So I didn't worry. Until I remembered the name 'Erigor'. Then I changed my mind."
Erza's face turned serious. "The ace of the Eisenwald guild. 'Shinigami' Erigor."
"Sh-Shinigami?!" Lucy was startled. Someone actually had that title.
Erza explained, "He got the name because he only takes assassination jobs. The Council strictly forbids assassination jobs, but Eisenwald ignored the rules for money. Six years ago, they were kicked out of the guild league. Now they're classified as a Dark Guild."
"A Dark Guild?!!"
Lucy was so scared she broke out in a cold sweat.
She had just heard about Dark Guilds yesterday. She was told they were a lawless bunch, but she didn't know they even took assassination jobs. She only now realized how dangerous they were.
Happy said, "Lucy, you're leaking!"
"That's sweat!!"
"Wait!! Kicked out? Weren't they punished?!" Lucy suddenly remembered Erza said "kicked out," not "jailed."
"They were. The Eisenwald guild master was arrested, and the guild was ordered to disband. But most Dark Guilds just ignore those orders and keep operating."
Erza's gaze hardened. "I was too careless then. If I had realized the name 'Erigor' sooner, I could have taken them all down."
"Those guys want 'Lullaby' for some evil plan. I can't sit by and let that happen." Erza's voice dropped. "We're going to break into Eisenwald."
Erza finally revealed the main reason she had invited Kael.
"Break into Eisenwald?!!"
Lucy was terrified. She knew Kael and Erza together meant trouble, but she didn't think they'd be taking on an entire Dark Guild.
"I think I'll go home..." Lucy turned to leave.
She was a rookie; she didn't want to get involved in something so dangerous.
Happy pointed out, "The train's leaving."
"So we're just wiping out a Dark Guild? I thought it was something serious," Kael said.
He had been in Fairy Tail for over half a year and had run into some Dark Guild members. Most kept their distance, but some idiots saw his guild mark and tried to pick a fight. It never ended well for them.
Lucy commented, "Wiping out a Dark Guild isn't a big deal?!"
Suddenly!
Fwoosh—!!
A burst of intense heat rose nearby.
"Wiping out a Dark Guild?! Sounds fun! I'm all fired up!"
Natsu, who had been dizzy and sick from the train, was now fully recovered. He was excited to hear about fighting a Dark Guild.
Natsu looked at Erza and asked, "Erza, do you know where Eisenwald is?"
He was getting impatient. He didn't need a reason to beat up those Dark Guild rats.
"We can find out here."
They quickly went to the wizards' bar Erza had visited before. In any town, the wizards' bar was the best place for information.
They easily found the location of the Eisenwald guild hall. It was in Kunugi Town, the next stop after Onibas.
Once they had the location, it was simple. Erza borrowed a magic four-wheeler and drove them quickly toward the guild.
"So this is the Dark Guild Eisenwald? It looks scary..." Lucy shivered as she looked at the guild hall.
The thought of facing an entire Dark Guild terrified her.
She deeply regretted coming. Why couldn't I just go on a normal job? Why did I have to be so curious? It was too late to regret it now.
BOOM—!!
Natsu's fist, wrapped in flame, smashed the guild's main doors. The doors exploded inward.
Natsu roared, his whole body on fire, "Eisenwald bastards!! Get out here!!!"
"..."
The expected scene of angry wizards pouring out and starting a fight did not happen.
The Eisenwald guild hall was empty. Quiet. Not a single person.
"Where is everyone?!"
"Hey! Where is everyone?! Get out here!!" Natsu yelled. But no one answered.
Happy opened his wings and flew a lap around the guild. He didn't find anyone. The whole place was empty.
"Nobody? Is this guild abandoned? Maybe... they all went on a picnic?" Lucy said, a thoughtful look on her face.
"..."
The others were left speechless by her random thought.
Happy commented, "Lucy says the weirdest things sometimes."
Realizing what she'd said, Lucy clapped. "They're gone! So we don't have to fight! Great, let's go back!"
She was young and wanted to live. Not fighting was the best possible outcome for her.
But Kael's next words shattered her dream.
"No. They just left. About one hour and twenty-three minutes ago. It was a large group, at least fifty people."
Lucy's eyes widened. "Kael, how do you know that?"
Kael pointed to the food scraps on the tables and floor. "Based on the number of dishes and the state of the food, it's easy to tell."
After so many "Take Overs," the most useful things he gained weren't just the abilities, but also the characters' experiences. It was a big help on missions.
Erza's face was grim. "An hour ago? That's not long. Let's go. We have to chase them."