Chapter 100: Mission with Erza
"Laxus! Where is that bastard Laxus? I want to fight him!"
Natsu burst into the guild early in the morning, his voice echoing off the rafters.
Mirajane looked up from behind the bar with a gentle smile. "Laxus left last night."
"What?! Did Gramps really kick him out of the guild?" Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief.
Mirajane shook her head. "No, Laxus left on his own. He didn't say he was quitting Fairy Tail—just that he was going to investigate something and wouldn't be back for a while."
"Then where's Dino?! Don't think you're the winner of that strongest mage showdown just because I wasn't there! I won't accept it!"
Happy fluttered beside him with a deadpan expression. "Aye… I don't think it would've made much difference if you were there, Natsu."
Lucy sighed from her seat. "He's right, you know. Anyway, I haven't seen Dino today. Erza and Gray aren't here either."
"Gray's taking care of our newest member, Juvia. The Master asked him to show her the ropes," Mirajane explained cheerfully.
"Newest member?" Lucy sweatdropped. "Juvia was an S-Class mage at Phantom Lord. I'm pretty sure she doesn't need a babysitter…"
"As for Dino," Mirajane continued, "Erza asked him to accompany her on a dangerous S-Class mission."
"S-Class mission?! The reward must be huge!" Lucy's eyes transformed into jewel symbols as she calculated the potential earnings. She remembered when Natsu had Happy steal that 7 million Jewel S-Class job—the one that came with a Celestial Spirit key. Even though they never got the money, other S-Class missions had to pay even more.
"Dammit! Why didn't they take me on an S-Class mission?! I wanna go too!" Natsu slammed his fist on the nearest table.
Lucy rolled her eyes. "With those two monsters, what difference would you make? Since they don't need you, why would they want to split the reward?"
"Lucy, let's go steal an S-Class mission too!"
"Are you insane?! I don't have a death wish! Besides, you're not even allowed to take S-Class jobs!"
On the train, Dino sat across from Erza, his gaze fixed on her face. After several minutes of this, Erza shifted uncomfortably.
"Why do you keep staring at me? Is something wrong?"
Dino shook his head with a slight smile. "Nothing's wrong. I just like looking at you."
Erza's cheeks flushed pink—she had virtually no defense against straightforward compliments like that.
"You know, Erza… it feels like forever since we've had time alone together."
Erza's blush deepened, though she tried to maintain her composure. "D-Don't get any strange ideas. We're only here to complete the mission. Thanks to you, the guild's property has been mortgaged to the bank."
"You didn't see how heartbroken the Master was when he had to hand over Fairy Tail's deed. We need to pay back that loan and get the deed back as soon as possible."
Dino's expression soured. "That whole mess was Laxus's fault."
"Laxus already paid half the compensation. We'll just have to pay back the rest gradually. Besides, you're responsible for half the damage to Kardia Cathedral. You were way too rough on him."
"That jerk's loaded! Who told him to have someone turn you to stone? I wasn't going to be satisfied unless I beat him into the ground."
Erza's heart warmed at his words. So this troublemaker had been that angry on her behalf.
Still, she huffed. "You think everyone's like you, lazing around the guild all day? Laxus completes more S-Class missions than anyone."
After nearly a full day on the train, Dino and Erza arrived near their destination as evening approached.
Since it was getting late and too dangerous to start the mission in the dark, they found a nearby inn and checked in for the night.
The two of them savored this rare moment of peace. In the guild, they were both constantly surrounded by chaos—but here, it was just the two of them, like two souls finding comfort in each other's warmth.
Ever since that first time with Erza, Dino had considered her the most important woman in his life.
Even after seven years in this world, there were still moments when it all felt surreal.
He'd never imagined he'd actually become Erza's man.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm wondering when I can see you in a wedding dress." The words came out before Dino could stop them, but they were honest. Despite everything, Dino was traditional at heart—now that he and Erza had crossed that line, he wanted to make it official.
Erza's entire face turned scarlet. "D-Don't get ahead of yourself! I never said I'd marry you! And I saw how happy you looked when Mirajane showed up in that form!"
Despite her protest, Erza's mind wandered. As someone who collected all manner of clothing and armor—spending most of her mission earnings on her wardrobe—she actually owned several wedding dresses. They were among her favorite pieces, though as an S-Class mage and the guild's resident powerhouse, she'd never admit to anyone that she had such a girlish hobby.
Deep down, she'd always dreamed of wearing one for the man she loved.
Hearing Dino say such things… how could she not be moved?
Dino threw up his hands defensively. "That was transformation magic! I felt like I was looking at some kind of shapeshifting monster!" He knew better than to admit the truth here—rule number one of keeping your relationship intact: know when not to be honest.
"Hmph! Well, that's all in the past. You won't get another chance to 'enjoy' that particular show anyway."
Early the next morning, Erza looked radiant and full of energy, while Dino's face was pale and his legs felt like jelly.
Turned out even someone with his enhanced strength had limits he hadn't anticipated.
"Erza… maybe we should leave tomorrow instead…"
Seeing Dino's haggard state, Erza's lips curved into a satisfied smirk. "Serves you right! That's what you get for being so aggressive last night. Now come on, we need to get moving."
Erza practically dragged Dino along the road until they reached the largest building in the city.
"Halt! Who are you? What business do you have at the palace?"
Two guards stationed at the entrance crossed their spears, blocking Dino and Erza's path while eyeing them suspiciously.
"We're mages from Fairy Tail," Erza stated firmly. "We're here to complete a subjugation mission."