MetalSeadramon's cold eyes swept over every single Rune Knight.
Anyone caught in that gaze felt a sharp pain in their soul.
Two figures leaped down from the dragon's back.
Ace landed without a sound.
The hem of his black coat billowed in the blast of air before settling gently.
Sakuyamon landed half a step beside him, her Vajra Staff pointed diagonally at the ground.
A purification barrier silently spread out from her, neutralizing both Makarov's pressure and the Rune Knights' killing intent.
"Ace-kun!" Mirajane cried out in pleasant surprise, but her eyes immediately filled with worry—returning at a time like this was too dangerous.
Erza's sword lowered slightly, but her gaze grew sharper.
She could see the change in Ace—his aura was deeper, his magic more restrained, but the occasional wisp that leaked out sent an instinctive tremor of fear through her.
Natsu grinned, about to say something, but Loke clamped a hand over his mouth.
He stared at Ace with a deep frown, sensing a familiar yet alien aura within him, much like Jose's death magic, but different.
"Oh? So the man of the hour finally deigns to show his face." Lei forced down the shock in his heart and squeezed out an ugly smile.
He straightened up again, took out the arrest warrant stamped with the Council's steel seal from his coat, unfolded it, and read aloud:
"Ace, S-Class Mage of the Fairy Tail guild. According to the Council's investigation, you are suspected of the following felonies—"
With each charge he read, his voice grew louder.
"One, illegal use of the forbidden magic in Oak Town, injuring thirty-seven members of the Phantom Lord guild, all of whom sustained permanent damage!"
"Two, malicious destruction of twelve public buildings and twenty-three residential homes in Oak Town, causing direct economic losses exceeding thirty million Jewels!"
"Three, premeditated murder of the Wizard Saint, Jose Porla, through extremely cruel means, and the subsequent destruction of the body!"
Lei lowered the arrest warrant and stared into Ace's eyes. "The evidence is conclusive, and the charges are established. In accordance with Articles Seven, Thirteen, and Twenty-three of the Fiore Kingdom's Mage Management Act, you are hereby placed under arrest."
He finished speaking in one breath and the entire area fell silent.
The members of Fairy Tail had ugly expressions, but Ace's reaction was beyond anyone's expectations.
He blinked, as a look of perfect astonishment appearing on his face.
The expression was so convincing that even Mirajane was momentarily dazed, wondering if he truly didn't know.
"Master Jose... is dead?"
Ace's voice trembled with disbelief, even carrying a perfectly measured hint of grief.
He took half a step forward, looking at Lei with a dazed expression, then at Makarov, as if seeking confirmation.
"Impossible... How is that possible..." he muttered to himself, then shook his head violently.
"Master Jose is a Wizard Saint! We just had a friendly spar three days ago. He was injured when I left, but his life was definitely not in danger! Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"
Lei was stunned.
He had anticipated countless reactions from Ace—resistance, excuses, silence, even a direct attack.
But he had never imagined that the other party would be so... innocent?
"Stop putting on an act!" Lei quickly recovered and shouted sternly. "Jose died at your hands! His body is still missing, and numerous eyewitnesses saw it happen! Don't even think about denying it!"
"Eyewitnesses?" Ace tilted his head, a look of confusion on his face. "Three days ago, Master Jose did ask me for a spar, but everyone else ran off halfway through our fight. That doesn't prove anything."
He suddenly seemed to think of something.
His eyes widened, and he sucked in a sharp breath.
"Wait! You said Master Jose is dead? Then where is his body? Have you seen the body? Where was it found? What was the time of death? What was the fatal wound?"
The string of questions left Lei speechless.
"Well... the body has not yet been found, but the magic trace..."
"A magic trace only proves that Master Jose's magic power has disappeared, not that he's dead!" Ace's voice suddenly sharpened.
"A Wizard Saint has plenty of ways to hide his magic signature if he wants to! You haven't even seen a body, so on what grounds do you declare him dead? And—"
He stared fixedly into Lei's eyes and said, word by word.
"—how did you 'confirm' his death? Don't tell me... someone in your Council wanted to borrow a knife to kill someone and then frame me for it?"
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Lei's face instantly turned ashen, veins bulging on his temples.
"What else could it be?" Ace spread his hands, his expression a mix of helplessness and indignation.
"I didn't kill Master Jose, and you haven't seen the body, so why are you so certain he's dead? And why are you in such a hurry to arrest me? You didn't even follow investigative procedures and just brought the Rune Knights to surround the guild—"
The onlookers began to whisper among themselves.
Many showed expressions of doubt—indeed, the Council's actions this time were too fast and too rushed.
Lei's face alternated between pale and livid. He felt the surrounding gazes pricking him like needles. But an order was an order.
Arresting Ace was a direct decision from the Council's top brass.
Body or no body, it had to be carried out.
"Stop spreading your malicious lies here!" He gritted his teeth and took a pair of silver handcuffs from his belt.
The handcuffs were of an archaic design, their surface covered in dense sealing magic circles, with a magic-suppressing amethyst embedded in the center.
"The absence of a body doesn't change the fact that you committed a crime. Now—"
He took a step forward, the handcuffs making a soft click.
"—put on these shackles obediently and come back with us to the Council to face trial. If you are truly innocent, the Council will naturally clear your name."
Ace looked at the handcuffs.
He recalled those novels he had read in his past life—when the protagonist was being arrested, they would always sneer and say, "Once these shackles are on, they won't be so easy to take off," and then launch a domineering counterattack.
But he just smiled.
It was a faint smile, yet it made Lei's heart skip a beat.
"That won't be necessary," Ace said. "I'll go with you."
Everyone was stunned.
"Ace!" Makarov said urgently. "You—"
"It's alright, Master." Ace turned his head and smiled at the old man.
The smile was reassuring, but also held a deeper meaning.
"Some things can't be avoided. Since the Council wants to 'investigate,' then I'll go let them 'investigate' thoroughly."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over his guildmates.
"Besides, it's been a while since I've been to the Magic Council. It's a good opportunity to 'visit' those high and mighty figures and ask them a few questions."
His gaze fell back on Lei.
It was a calm gaze, yet it sent a chill from the soles of Lei's feet straight to the top of his head!
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