The Redemption of the Leader of the Twelve Gates of the Zodiac

Under the moonlight, the waterfall roared, and the mist filled the air, dampening the surrounding vegetation.

Loke came alone to Karen's grave, knelt on one knee, and gently stroked the name on the tombstone with his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly.

Three years of regret were all contained in this silent action.

Lucy followed closely behind, panting as she ran up. When she saw Loke kneeling before the grave, she slowed her pace.

Lucy looked at Loke, her voice soft but firm.

"I should have realized sooner that you were Celestial Spirit. You always paid special attention to Celestial Spirit matters, and you could sense the location of the Celestial Spirit Key —things that ordinary mages couldn't do."

Loke didn't turn around, but just gave a wry smile.

Mirajane crept up from behind the bushes not far away, like a stealthy cat, her footsteps so light they didn't even make a sound as she stepped on a fallen leaf.

She squatted down behind Riyao, and the two exchanged a glance, then tacitly took out sunflower seeds and started cracking them open together.

Riyao held up the crystal ball, pointing it towards Loke and Lucy. Mirajane muttered to herself, "We have to get some great footage this time."

As Lucy and Loke talked, Loke's expression grew increasingly somber, and memories buried deep within him surged forth like a flood.

"Back then, Karen was the face of Blue Pegasus, at the height of her popularity, and was always the center of attention wherever she went."

"Karen possesses two of the Twelve Gates of the Zodiac, Aries and Leo. Logically, Celestial Spirit Mage with two Golden Signs should have a deep bond with the Celestial Spirits, but Karen constantly beats and berates Aries Aries, treating the Celestial Spirits as mere tools. Guild Master Bob has warned her several times, but she never takes it to heart."

"Leo couldn't stand it any longer. Leo the Lion, also known as Loke, forcibly opened the door, preventing Karen from summoning other Celestial Spirit. Leo only wanted her to realize her mistake and understand that Celestial Spirit are not tools, but sentient beings with feelings."

"As a result, she stubbornly took on the quest, even knowing that she couldn't open two Celestial Spirit Gates simultaneously. Without Celestial Spirit to summon, she ultimately died during the quest."

"Leo was therefore unable to return to the Celestial Spirit World. Normal Celestial Spirit suffer greatly after just a few days on Earth; their magic power constantly drains, and their bodies gradually dissipate. But Leo managed to stay on Earth for three years—three whole years!"

Lucy's eyes were slightly red, and tears welled up in them. She bit her lip, trying hard not to cry.

Leo sighed, looking speechlessly at the place where Riyao hiding, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Riyao, just watch, why are you acting as a narrator?"

Riyao peeked out from behind the bushes, holding a crystal ball in his hand, looking completely innocent. "I was just trying to set the mood for you. Your memories are so monotonous, it's hard for Lucy to understand them."

Lucy wanted to complain, but the atmosphere wasn't right for it.

Just then, Leo's expression suddenly changed.

His body swayed violently, and his legs seemed to have lost all strength, causing him to kneel on the ground.

His body began to become ethereal, his outline blurred, like a painting being erased, with transparent specks of light appearing at the edges and slowly dissipating.

Lucy was horrified and rushed over to support Leo, her hands slipping through his translucent arms, barely able to grasp his solid form.

What's wrong with you?!

Leo looked pained, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his voice was so weak it sounded like it came from a great distance.

"It's time for me to disappear. The three-year limit has been reached."

Mirajane nudged Riyao's arm, his smile vanishing, replaced by anxiety and worry.

"What do we do now? Is there any way to save Loke?"

Riyao shrugged, a helpless expression on his face, a look rarely seen on his face.

"I had no choice. I went to the Celestial Spirit King over the past three years, but that old geezer just wouldn't budge. He kept saying that the law is the law and can't be changed because of personal feelings. I've tried to persuade him countless times, but he just wouldn't listen."

Mirajane bit her lip, feeling a pang of sadness as she watched Lucy supporting Leo.

Just as the two were talking, Lucy suddenly grabbed Leo's hand, their fingers intertwined, and she used all her strength to prevent him from dissipating.

A powerful Celestial Spirit magic erupted from her body, and golden light surged from her, illuminating the entire valley.

The emotions contained within this magic directly touched upon the laws of the Celestial Spirit World.

Suddenly, a huge pillar of light split open in the sky, pouring down golden light, causing the entire valley to tremble.

An ancient and majestic aura emanated from the pillar of light, making everyone feel suffocated.

The Celestial Spirit King was summoned.

A colossal figure, so large it blotted out the sky, slowly emerged from the pillar of light. It stood tens of meters tall, with a majestic and ancient face.

What is most striking is his long white beard, which flutters in the wind.

Mirajane's eyes widened, her mouth agape, and she dropped her sunflower seeds. Pointing in the direction of the Celestial Spirit King, her voice trembled slightly. "Is this the Celestial Spirit King? Is that a beard or a nose hair?"

Makarov appeared out of nowhere, standing next to Riyao and Mirajane, looking up at the Celestial Spirit King with a look of utter shock on his aged face.

"This is also the first time I've ever seen the Celestial Spirit King."

Behind him were Natsu, Gray, Erza, and others, as well as Bob Master Bob.

Everyone stared in shock at the enormous figure in the sky, their mouths agape, wide enough to fit an egg.

Everyone's online, just watching the drama unfold.

Lucy stood before the Celestial Spirit King, as small as a speck of dust, but her back was ramrod straight, without the slightest hesitation.

Her feelings for the Celestial Spirit are truly deep; the Celestial Spirit she has made a pact with all crossed the Stargate, and each one is her most important partner.

Golden light burst forth from Lucy, and keys flashed in the air as stargates opened one after another.

Taurus, Cancer, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Virgo, Crux, Horologium, Canis Minor, Lyra.

Nine Celestial Spirit appeared simultaneously, standing behind Lucy.

This is quite incredible even in history; no Celestial Spirit Mage has ever been able to summon so many Celestial Spirits at the same time.

The Fairy Constellation Riyao had somehow managed to sneak in and was standing next to Aquarius, his long pink hair flowing as if he were always meant to be there.

There are now eleven Celestial Spirit on the field, making the scene as spectacular as a general assembly of the Celestial Spirit World.

Lucy looked up at the Celestial Spirit King, her voice firm and loud.

"If you were Celestial Spirit, you should understand Loke and Aries' feelings! They weren't tools; they were sentient beings with emotions! Loke made a mistake while protecting Aries, and he shouldn't have died for it!"

The Celestial Spirit King remained silent for a moment, his ancient eyes fixed on Lucy, then on the twelve Celestial Spirits behind her, and finally on Leo kneeling on the ground.

A powerful, oppressive voice rang out, echoing through the valley like thunder, shaking the ground.

"Since my old friend has already put it this way, perhaps the one who is wrong is actually the law."

The Celestial Spirit King continued, his voice carrying a rare gentleness.

"Leo, who committed a mistake for his compatriot Aries, and your old friend who risked his life to save Leo— out of consideration for the beautiful and unwavering friendship between you, this matter will be treated as an exception. Leo!"

"I'll grant you special permission to return to the Celestial Spirit World!"

Leo's illusory body began to reform, the transparent light spots returned, the outline became clear, and the colors were refilled. He was like a statue being restored, gradually returning to his original appearance.

He raised his head, looking at the Celestial Spirit King, then at Lucy, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Lucy winked at the Celestial Spirit King, gave him a thumbs up, and beamed with a bright smile, "Looks like you're kind too, old man with the beard."

Riyao nodded beside him and commented, "He has a basic understanding of human nature."

The Celestial Spirit King's face twitched, his ancient eyes glared at the Riyao, and he grinned, a hint of helplessness in his smile.

"You should thank the stars for their guidance."

After speaking, the Celestial Spirit King's figure began to dissipate, turning into countless golden particles of light that slowly drifted down into the valley, like a golden snowfall.

Everyone who had been hiding in the shadows rushed over and surrounded Lucy.

Natsu was the first to rush forward, grabbing Lucy around the waist and lifting her up.

"Wow! Lucy is amazing!"

Gray and Elfman rushed up as well, and together they threw Lucy into the air.

Loke survived!

Let's have a celebration party!

Lucy was thrown into the air, completely dazed. She flailed her limbs wildly in the air, screamed as she fell, only to be caught and thrown up again.

"When did you guys arrive?! Where were you hiding before?! Why are you all like this?!"

Riyao and Mirajane stood outside the crowd, watching Lucy being tossed around in a comical manner, and the two exchanged a smile.

Mirajane leaned on Riyao's shoulder and whispered, "Lucy is really amazing."

Riyao nodded, popped the last sunflower seed into his mouth, and looked at Leo's re-formed figure in the distance, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

"Yes, that old geezer finally did something decent."

Mirajane tilted her head and glanced at him. "You call the Celestial Spirit King 'old geezer,' won't he be angry?"

Riyao shrugged. "He dares to get angry? If he dares to get angry, I won't give him the fruit wine."

Mirajane chuckled and punched Riyao in the chest.

Moonlight spilled into the valley, and laughter mingled with the sound of the waterfall, making the night exceptionally warm.