Hope's calm voice made Makarov and Erza's eyes widen in shock.
Especially Erza, she never expected that someone she trusted wholeheartedly would turn out to be a spy sent by an enemy guild.
However, before the old man and the red-haired girl could ask, Gajeel's firm denial came.
"Impossible!"
"Absolutely impossible!"
Gajeel stared intently at Hope. He had grown up in Phantom Lord, and it was impossible for him not to have seen anyone who joined the guild.
A Dragon Slayer Mage's sense of smell was keen. If this despicable bastard in front of him was truly from Phantom Lord, he would definitely have at least some impression.
"It's entirely possible."
Hope spread his hands. "Who said I'm a member of your Phantom Lord? According to Sol, I'm only to be recommended to join Phantom Lord after I complete my undercover mission."
"Simply put, I'm just a poor temporary worker who was promised a lot by someone who isn't even a comrade yet."
You?
And 'poor'?
Three disdainful gazes fell neatly on Hope. They believed he was a temporary worker, but for this guy to pretend to be pitiful... not to mention Makarov and Erza, even Gajeel clenched his fists.
Makarov pinched the bridge of his nose. Regardless, Hope's willingness to reveal his identity to them was a good thing, indicating that he recognized Fairy Tail.
Moreover, since Hope joined Fairy Tail, he hadn't done anything to betray the guild; on the contrary, he had provided help.
So Makarov didn't plan to pursue the matter.
But Erza pressed on, "So, Hope, your amnesia was also faked, right? Then you deliberately appeared before Mirajane, who had lost her powers, and used her kindness to get into the guild."
Erza used to fight with Mirajane a lot, but that didn't mean their relationship was bad. If Hope really used Mirajane, then Erza would never approve of him.
Feeling the red-haired girl's gaze, Hope raised three fingers to the sky. "I, Hope, swear to the heavens, I absolutely had no intention of using Mirajane, because I truly lost my Memory."
"I have no Memory of anything before I first woke up in the guild."
"If I hadn't received Sol's secret letter, I wouldn't even know I was a Phantom Lord spy."
Seeing Hope's solemnity, Erza finally relaxed. She was truly afraid that Hope's performance during this time had all been an act.
That would have been too great a blow to both Mirajane and her... Makarov saw Erza's relieved expression and gave a meaningful look, then turned to Hope, "In that case, if Lucy agrees tomorrow, then let's try to trick Phantom Lord according to your plan."
After so many years, Makarov's temper was actually quite high.
If it weren't for the Magic Council's regulations, and the fact that Phantom Lord almost never left overt evidence after causing trouble, he would have already torn down Phantom Lord Headquarters.
"But what about this guy? How do we deal with him?"
Hope and Erza followed Makarov's gaze to Gajeel.
"If you ask me, cutting him down is best."
Watching Erza draw her long sword, Gajeel gritted his teeth and said with a look of defiance, "Hmph, bring it on. If I, this tough guy, even let out a whimper, I'm not a man."
Hope quickly went up and held Erza's hand. "The world is so beautiful, don't be so irritable. Since this guy is so tough, I think it's better to throw him into a cesspit."
How is that better... Erza's hand trembled. She suddenly felt that Hope was a bit too extreme.
Gajeel's previously defiant expression instantly turned ugly because of Hope's suggestion. Throwing him into a cesspit would be a hundred times worse than killing him.
Although he wasn't familiar with Hope, Gajeel's intuition told him that Hope would absolutely use such underhanded methods on him.
Damn it, should he beg for mercy?
But doing so would be too humiliating.
"Alright, I have a plan for dealing with Gajeel, you don't need to worry."
Makarov lightly coughed and looked at Hope. "Erza has already told me about your experiences in Twilight Town. You must keep her background a secret, even from guild comrades."
So she had come to confess to Makarov tonight as well. Hope nodded. "Don't worry, Master, I promised Wise Dragon Belserion that I would protect Erza."
Hope understood why Makarov wanted to conceal Erza's background. Her mother, Queen Eileen, might have lived from over 400 years ago until now.
Since ancient times, longevity has been something those in power have pursued.
Once this news was exposed, those with power who couldn't find Eileen would definitely focus their attention on Erza.
Although Fairy Tail was never afraid of trouble or causing trouble.
But as the saying goes, it's easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. Fairy Tail was, after all, just a Mage Guild, and Erza was a living person, so there would always be times when she was careless.
"Oh, right, Master, I actually have one more thing I need to confess to you." Hope rubbed his hands, a smile plastered on his face.
Makarov picked up the cup of hot water and joked, "It's not another shady spy business, is it?"
"AUV~"
Hope gave a thumbs up. "As expected of the Master, you guessed it right away."
As soon as he said this, Makarov, who was drinking water, immediately spat it out, splashing Gajeel next to him. Erza also looked at Hope with a headache, waiting for him to continue revealing his identity.
Hope's expression was complex, and he said with a wry smile, "Master, I'm actually from the Council. I was originally sent by Doranbalt to Phantom Lord..."
A few minutes later, after Hope finished explaining his identity, he saw three bewildered faces.
Makarov touched his balding head, feeling a few more hairs fall out... Erza rubbed her temples: "Let me get this straight. You're saying Doranbalt from the Council sent you to infiltrate Phantom Lord."
"Then, before you even infiltrated Phantom Lord, Sol from Phantom Lord took an interest in you and told you to become a spy in Fairy Tail."
"But while carrying out Sol's task of manipulating you, you accidentally lost your Memory, and Mirajane brought you into Fairy Tail in a daze."
"Then, at the regular meeting in Clover Town, you met Doranbalt, and he made you realize that your true identity was an agent of the Magic Council."
"Finally, Doranbalt told you to continue being an undercover agent in Fairy Tail, secretly investigating what the Master was planning."
Hope nodded, that was exactly it.
So what kind of situation was this?! Erza was a bit frantic, but what made her even more frantic was Makarov's next sentence.
"Actually..."
Makarov said with a strange expression, "Doranbalt is actually someone I sent to the Council; he's a Mage from our guild."
The old man's words were like a bolt from the blue, frying the three young people in the room both inside and out.
Hope slumped onto the sofa, staring blankly at the yellowed ceiling, with only one thought in his mind.
Where am I? Is this still Fairy Tail?
Why is it Mission Impossible within Mission Impossible now...
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