So It Was the Wind

Bolunte Estate.

"Da... da... da..."

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the large hall as a woman with a hot figure, wearing a white shirt and a black pencil skirt, walked up behind the middle-aged man.

A middle-aged man in a black suit stood straight in front of the window, holding a glass of red wine, seemingly gazing at the distant scenery.

"Lord Bolunte..." the woman said respectfully.

"Oh, it's Suomeier. What's up?" The middle-aged man didn't turn around. He picked up his glass of red wine and took a small sip.

The woman hesitated for a moment, then said, "Lord Bolunte... Miss Tianna was killed by the Shadow Skull..."

Suomeier couldn't help but look at him. As one of his most trusted subordinates, she had witnessed Bolunte's mad pursuit of Tianna. Now that Tianna was dead at the hands of the Shadow Skull, who knew what he would do?

To her surprise, Bolunte simply nodded and replied with a faint "Hmm."

Bolunte turned around, revealing a handsome face with a regretful smile. He said, "It's sad news, but why be angry? There are many beautiful girls in the world; I don't only have Tianna..."

He held a photograph between his fingers and flung it at Suomeier.

In the photo, a long-legged girl in a short skirt is tightly hugging a boy's arm, her beautiful face beaming with a bright smile. She looks so delicate, so fragile, that she could easily evoke a protective instinct in many men.

"Seele... oh..."

Bolunte murmured something softly, then a cruel smile crept across his lips.

The Magic Council's army stormed the headquarters of the Sword of Slaughter, encountering little resistance before arresting all the remaining members. However, the Sword of Slaughter's president and vice president had vanished without a trace.

However, on the southeastern battlefield, the Magic Council's army was almost completely wiped out. The town was reduced to ruins, and all the townspeople were killed without exception.

The captain and vice-captain were both killed in battle. It's unclear whether it was a victory or a defeat; if we had to call it a victory, it would only be a Pyrrhic one.

Mira and Norin Erza brought Chiba back to Magnolia. Chiba's tragic condition shocked the entire guild. They were all furious and wanted to attack the Shadow Skull headquarters to avenge Chiba, but their anger was quelled by a single sentence from Chiba, who woke up briefly during treatment.

He said, "That's enough, it's over."

One sentence quelled the anger of most people, but there were also those who didn't understand its meaning, such as Natsu, who kept shouting that he wanted the Dark Guild to see him leave, but Mira beat him up and made him behave.

The treatment lasted for three months.

Chiba also remained asleep for three months.

During these three months, Laxus naturally passed the guild's S-Class exam and became the guild's second S-Class Mage. He would occasionally visit the sleeping Chiba, but he would usually only stand at the door for a short while before leaving.

Mystogan remained elusive, and although he didn't participate in the S-Class Exam, no one doubted that he was below Laxus.

Erza and Mira's strength has also increased dramatically during this time. They are no longer like oil and water as before. Perhaps because of this time fighting side by side, they even occasionally go on missions together.

During these three months, Chiba's reputation swept across the entire Kingdom of Fiore like a bombshell. Many people saw the armored giant that appeared on the southeastern battlefield and knew it was Chiba's power. At the same time, his past was also unearthed, and it was finally discovered that all three thrones of the Shadow Skull had fallen at his hands. Since the establishment of the Balam Alliance, this was the first time the guild alliance had achieved such a remarkable victory.

Similarly, during these three months, the Magic Council received news that the Shadow Skull had officially disbanded, and many former members of the Shadow Skull had joined other dark guilds, thus the Balam Alliance had officially collapsed.

The disbandment of Shadow Skull gave many people a glimpse of a new era. Just when people thought this might be the opportunity to completely eradicate darkness, a previously unknown dark guild suddenly rose to prominence and replaced Shadow Skull.

This is a guild with only six members... and its name is... Oración Seis!

One month later.

The deaths of Jikade, Tianna, and many Magic Council soldiers prompted the Magic Council headquarters to send condolences. They erected numerous white tombstones on a large expanse of empty grass behind the branch, commemorating these martyrs who died for justice.

Jikade and Tianna's tombstones are at the front, but their bodies were not buried here. Instead, Mira and the others took them to their original home and buried them in the backyard.

"Chiba... if you want to cry... then cry... I... I won't laugh at you..."

In front of the spacious courtyard, Seele held Chiba's right hand, her face serious, and spoke softly.

She didn't know why she said those words; she just instinctively felt that Chiba was very sad, even though he seemed calm.

Chiba wore a simple gray shirt and gray trousers, with a light gray robe draped over his shoulders. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the robe, reflecting a metallic sheen.

"It's alright, Seele, don't worry about me..."

Chiba smiled slightly, extended his left mechanical arm, and patted Seele's little head.

Although Seele is quite tall, he is still growing and is already half a head taller than Seele.

He gently crouched down, his mechanical arm softly stroking the tombstone, and chuckled softly, "Silly girl, we meet again..."

A gentle breeze rustled the verdant leaves. The grass on the ground whispered and whispered. For a fleeting moment, he heard the girl's clear, bell-like laughter.

"Chiba... who... is she..." Seele asked.

Chiba smiled and said softly, "She's a clumsy and silly older sister."

"Then..." Seele's eyes showed reluctance. She asked, "Is my sister... dead?"

Chiba slowly shook her head and smiled, "No, my silly older sister is very lazy. She's just asleep, so don't wake her up."

Seele immediately covered her mouth.

He squatted there, silent for a long time. Finally, he stood up and said to Seele, "Let's go."

Seele nodded heavily, without making a sound.

"You've finally arrived!"

He suddenly turned around and seemed to see the girl's smiling face, her long blue hair flying in the wind, and her snow-white dress... She had said she would make him fall at her feet. The silver earrings reflected the dazzling light, the girl's small hands were behind her back, her face was red, and she said with a grin, "You've finally come!"

But it was just an illusion, vanishing with the wind.

"So it was just the wind..." Chiba murmured softly.

That girl, she also used the wind...