Putting Romance Before Friendship

The next day, the sun shone brightly, and the guild's temporary camp was unusually quiet.

Loke stood in the center of the guild camp, a confident smile on his face, his hands in his pockets, looking smug.

After what happened last night, he felt much lighter, as if a huge boulder that had been weighing him down for three years had been lifted.

Natsu walked over, curiously poked Loke's arm, then poked his face, looking confused.

"When we switched bodies last time, I felt something was off. Turns out you're not human."

Gray, fully dressed and standing with his arms crossed, said coolly, "I didn't notice at all. You hid it quite well."

Loke scratched his head, chuckled, and looked a little embarrassed.

"Actually, other people in the guild also found out. The guild leader and Riyao knew my identity. The guild leader sensed my magical energy fluctuations, Riyao, well, his perception of life is too abnormal; he knew it the very first day I joined the guild."

He paused, his tone becoming serious.

"To be honest, it was Guild Master Bob who suggested I come to Fairy Tail, saying I should seek out Riyao to alleviate my pain. I've received a lot of care from him over the past three years; Riyao brings me medicine every week, otherwise I would have given up long ago."

Lucy sighed, crossed her arms, and looked on with a wistful expression.

"I never knew Riyao was so reliable. Usually, he's either scheming or eating sunflower seeds."

Happy flew over from the side, speaking up for Riyao, waving his little paws.

"Riyao is reliable in times of danger; in times of safety, Riyao itself becomes the danger."

Natsu and Gray both shuddered, simultaneously recalling certain unpleasant memories.

Lucy, hands on her hips, added, "Back on Galuna Island, he played the villain and beat Natsu so badly; his Demon Form Riyao was absolutely terrifying."

Natsu clenched his fists stubbornly and shouted defiantly.

"That was because I wasn't prepared! I'd definitely win if we did it again! Where's Riyao? Come out and fight!"

He looked around, searching for Riyao, but there was no sign of Riyao in the camp.

Lisanna was wiping glasses behind the bar when she heard Natsu call out. Without looking up, she replied, "My brother-in-law is at the manor, getting Ur's body fixed up."

Natsu's flames went out instantly, and he muttered something under his breath.

"Never mind, we'll talk about it next time."

The memory of being beaten to a pulp by Riyao on Galuna Island was still fresh in his mind; he had no intention of experiencing it again.

Loke reached into his pocket, took out four elegantly crafted invitation tickets, and handed them to Lucy.

The invitation card was printed with the logo of a luxury resort, the gold lettering gleaming in the sunlight.

"Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. Here, these are your invitations. Have a good time. I also gave Erza one."

Lucy took the invitation tickets, counted them—four in total, just enough for Natsu, Gray, Happy, and herself. Looking at the words "The Kingdom's Number One Holiday Paradise" on the tickets, she couldn't help but smile.

Just then, heavy footsteps came from the camp entrance.

Erza changed into casual vacation clothes, wearing a sun hat, sandals, and a pink swim ring around her waist, while holding a mountain of luggage taller than herself.

The luggage was piled up wobbly, with a huge strawberry cake box on top.

She stood before the crowd, her expression as serious as if she were issuing a battle order.

"What are you still dawdling about? I'm not waiting for you."

Lucy and Gray stared wide-eyed and exclaimed in unison.

"So fast!"

When did you pack your luggage?!

When Riyao and Mirajane arrived at the guild's temporary camp, they learned that everyone had gone on vacation.

Riyao stood in front of the empty camp, his lips twitching.

He narrowed his eyes, a dangerous smile curving his lips.

Mirajane stood to the side, and judging from Riyao's expression, she knew someone was about to be in trouble.

Riyao took a deep breath, and the magic power within his body began to surge, unleashing a powerful aura.

[Life Mimicry - Celestial Spirit]

"Mira, wait here for me."

Riyao winked at Mirajane, then transformed into a golden ray of light and vanished from the spot.

Mirajane leaned against the bar, munching on sunflower seeds as she waited for him to return, a helpless smile on her lips.

She knew Riyao too well; this guy was definitely going to settle scores with Leo.

The Celestial Spirit World, Leo Palace.

Leo was happily sitting in his palace, on a golden throne, legs crossed, chin resting on one hand, watching the beautiful Celestial Spirits dance in the palace.

With melodious music playing, graceful dances performed, and fruits and wines laid out on the table, he could finally enjoy the long-awaited life in the Celestial Spirit World.

Ah, this is life.

Leo sighed contentedly, picked up a glass of wine, and took a sip.

Just then, he sensed something amiss behind him, but before he could turn around, an arm suddenly gripped his neck.

Riyao appeared silently behind Leo, tightening his grip and firmly locking Leo to the throne.

His tone was as gentle as greeting an old friend, but the chill beneath that gentleness made the temperature in the entire palace drop three degrees.

"Have you forgotten about me, the healing mage who's taken care of you for three years?"

Leo's face turned red from being choked, and he quickly patted Riyao's arm to indicate that he was about to suffocate.

"I remember! How could I forget!"

Riyao leaned down and whispered in his ear, his voice as soft as a devil's whisper, each word carrying a chilling smile.

"Oh? So you've forgotten your friends for the sake of a pretty girl? You gave Lucy a treat, but not me?"

Leo froze, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his brow.

He realized that he had indeed forgotten to prepare a welcome gift for Riyao. He had been so busy thanking Lucy that he had completely forgotten about Riyao.

Riyao tightened his grip slightly, his voice remaining gentle.

"Take a deep breath; dizziness is normal."

Leo shakily reached into his pocket, frantically pulled out two invitation vouchers, and held them up in front of Riyao, his voice trembling.

"Here you go! I kept it for you and Mira! It was prepared a long time ago!"

Satisfied, Riyao released his grip, took the invitation ticket, glanced at it, then patted Leo on the shoulder, his tone instantly becoming sunny and cheerful, as if nothing had happened.

"Oh dear, if you had taken it out earlier, this wouldn't have happened. Really, don't do this again."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left the Leo Palace with a smile, his steps as light as if he were going on a picnic.

Leo slumped onto the throne, panting heavily, rubbing his neck which was red from being strangled, his face full of relief at surviving a close call.

"No way, how did that bastard Riyao know I lived here?"

In a corner of the palace, Virgo poked her head out from behind a pillar, raising her hand with an innocent look on her face.

"The boss asked me, so I brought him along."

Leo looked at Virgo, opened his mouth, wanted to curse but couldn't, and finally could only wave his hand helplessly.

I want to be alone.

Virgo shrugged and vanished in a flash of light.

Riyao returned to Mirajane's side, waving two invitation tickets in his hand, his face beaming like a cat that had stolen a fish.

"Mira, let's go on a trip!"

Mirajane glanced at the invitation ticket, then at Riyao's smug expression, shook his head helplessly, but couldn't help but smile.

"Did you go to Leo to ask for the hospitality vouchers?"

He gave it to him voluntarily.

"They said it was prepared for us long ago."

Riyao looked very serious.

Mirajane chuckled and reached out to pinch Riyao's cheek.

You threatened them, didn't you?

Riyao's face was being pinched, his expression innocent.

"How could that be? Do you think I'm that kind of person? I win people over with virtue, okay?"

You're that kind of person.

Riyao chuckled, grabbed Mirajane's hand, and started walking outside.

"Let's go, let's go on vacation! It's a rare treat that Grandpa's not around, so we don't have to listen to his nagging!"

Mirajane was pulled along by Riyao as they ran, the wind blowing her skirt and long hair. She looked at the smile on Riyao's profile and felt a warmth in her heart.