Chapter 57: Phantom lord Attack
"Whoosh—!"
Dino and Makarov materialized in front of the Fairy Tail Guild. Beside them, Doranbolt from the Magic Council's Intelligence Department collapsed onto the ground, panting like he'd just run a marathon.
"That was amazing! Teleportation magic!" Dino's eyes sparkled with excitement. Teleportation was one of those classic abilities that never got old—definitely in his top three favorite types of magic.
"You brat! What a dirty trick you pulled back there! I almost didn't recognize the Council building." Makarov shook his head, though there was amusement in his voice.
He knew Dino's personality well enough by now. The kid lived by a simple philosophy: don't start fights, but always finish them. So when Dino decided to make a statement at the Magic Council, Makarov wasn't surprised.
What did surprise him was just how thorough Dino had been. The damage was so extensive that Makarov had genuinely second-guessed whether they were at the right building.
Dino scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Hey, I gave them fair warning before I started, didn't I? And Gramps, I made sure nobody died. Some bruised egos and broken bones, maybe, but nothing fatal."
"Besides, with Ultear on their side, I bet the Council building's already good as new."
Despite his general disdain for the Council's bureaucracy, Dino had to admit most of the members were just doing their jobs. The foot soldiers were just following orders from above. He wasn't a saint, but he wasn't a monster either—when he had the luxury of holding back, he did.
Makarov burst out laughing. "Ha! The Council must be absolutely humiliated right now! Serves those windbags right for constantly breathing down my neck. This'll shut them up for a while!"
"And your acting was spot-on! You really had me convinced you were going to level the whole place. Even I fell for it."
Dino grinned. "Well, you weren't too shabby yourself, Gramps. That giant transformation? Totally badass. Half the Council members nearly wet themselves."
Makarov puffed out his chest proudly. "Bwahaha! That's right! Just thinking about their terrified faces makes me giddy! We'll have some peace and quiet from those bureaucrats for once!"
His expression shifted, becoming more curious. "But what would you have done if I hadn't shown up?"
Dino's grin turned wicked, and he cracked his knuckles. "Simple. I'd have made them sign a treaty guaranteeing they'd never mess with Fairy Tail again. If they refused?" He slammed his fist into his palm. "I'd have beaten them until they agreed. Sometimes you gotta show people who throws the hardest punch."
Makarov's eyes widened, then he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You know… maybe we should go back? Since we've got convenient transportation and all…"
Doranbolt's face went ghost-white. "Nope! Not happening!" In a flash of light, he vanished using his teleportation magic. He'd pushed himself to the limit getting them here—no way was he making that trip again.
And leading someone to attack the Magic Council twice? He'd be insane. Dino was definitely going on his permanent "Do Not Transport" list.
"Tch, he's fast! Man, teleportation magic is so cool." Dino watched the spot where Doranbolt had disappeared with open envy.
"Stop whining! You've got powers everyone else envies, you greedy punk!"
As they talked, Dino and Makarov descended into the guild's basement. With the main building completely destroyed, all guild activities and job requests were now handled underground. The moment they walked in, all eyes turned toward them.
"Master!"
"Dino's back!"
"Wait, Dino, didn't the Council arrest you like an hour ago? How are you already back?"
Natsu immediately bounded over, flames flickering around his fists. "Dino! You jerk! You went and trashed Phantom Lord's headquarters without me?!"
Elfman flexed his arms. "Bro! Tell us what happened at the Magic Council! That messenger guy looked like he'd seen a ghost. You must've done something epic!"
"Yeah! Come on, spill!"
Dino waved them off with a modest smile. "Nah, it was nothing. Just a minor misunderstanding. Gotta stay humble, you know?"
At that moment, Mirajane approached carrying an envelope, her expression troubled. "Master, this letter arrived from Jose—the Guild Master of Phantom Lord. He said it's for you."
Makarov's brow furrowed. "Jose? Let's see what that snake wants now."
He gathered magic power in his fingertips and sliced the envelope open. It fell to the floor, and a magical projection materialized—Jose's face, wearing an oily smile.
" Makarov, it's been far too long—not since the Guild Master conference six years ago, if memory serves. I've missed you terribly, so I've prepared a special banquet at my guild. I do hope you'll grace us with your presence."
"The nerve of this guy! He destroys our guild and then has the audacity to show his face?"
"Don't go, Master! It's obviously a trap!"
"Ignore that creep! Look at that sketchy smile—he screams 'villain'!"
"Dino just got dragged to the Council because of him. Who knows what he's planning now!"
"Exactly! Master, you can't trust him!"
Jose's projection continued, his smile widening. "Now, now, I understand Makarov might be… reluctant to visit. So I've prepared a little incentive."
The projection shifted, revealing the scene behind him. What they saw made every member of Fairy Tail freeze, then explode with rage.
Three figures were bound with chains, their hands and feet nailed to a wall. All three were battered and unconscious, blood trickling from various wounds.
"Levy! Droy! Jet!"
"That bastard! How dare he!"
Makarov's magic power flared violently. "JOSE! YOU SON OF A—!"
"Ah, there's that temper! Good, good. Get angry. Come kill me if you can—then you'll understand exactly how I felt six years ago."
"Oh, and one more thing, Makarov." Jose's smile turned poisonous. "Do come alone. If you bring backup, well… accidents happen. These three are so fragile, after all. It would be such a shame if my hand slipped and—whoops—one of them didn't make it. You understand, don't you?"