The Farewell Party

Riyao summoned the Magic Council's troops, and it was our old acquaintance Lahar.

Lahar arrived in a hurry with a group of men. When he saw Riyao and the others standing on the shore, he paused slightly, and his temples throbbed twice.

Riyao greeted him with a smile and patted Lahar on the shoulder.

"Hey, Lahar, it's you again. What a coincidence!"

Lahar gets a headache just looking at Fairy Tail members and really wants to turn around and leave.

The scene of Riyao clinging to his leg and crying in Magnolia was still vivid in his mind, and now that it had happened again, his head ached even more.

"Your Excellency Riyao, what's the situation this time?"

After some thought, Riyao summarized the whole matter in the simplest way possible.

"It's simple: Jellal was plotting against our guild's Titania, and we went to her rescue."

Lahar rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. The Magic Council headquarters had just had an incident, and now the culprit had been caught here.

Jellal, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, and Councilor Siegrain, is actually the mastermind behind the construction of the Tower of Heaven.

If this gets out, the entire magical world will be shaken.

"Understood. Leave Jellal to us. Please have Chairman Makarov come over once the turmoil in the Magic Council has subsided."

Riyao nodded. "No problem."

The Magic Council members came and went in a hurry, taking away Jellal, who was sealed in the Magic Crystal, and also taking away this nightmare that had lasted for eight years.

After a day of rest and recuperation, Riyao's condition improved considerably.

However, the Azure Dragon Form was extremely taxing, and since it was the first time using it, his body hadn't fully adapted yet. Now, his whole body ached, as if he had been hammered all over.

He lay on the bed at the Riyao Manor, completely wrapped in bandages by Mirajane, looking like a mummy, with only his face and two hands showing.

Mirajane happily tied a bow to Riyao's bandage, placing it on Riyao's forehead, which looked extremely comical.

Then she took out Riyao's camera and snapped several photos of Riyao.

Mirajane, holding his camera, grinned like a kitten that had just stolen a fish.

"Haha, this is the first time my darling has needed to recover from an injury, I must record this carefully."

Riyao lay helplessly on the bed, unable to move, and could only accuse Mirajane of his evil deeds with his eyes.

"Mira, at least take off the bow on your forehead."

"No, it looks great." Mirajane took another picture.

Lucy pushed open the door and saw Riyao tied up like a mummy. She chuckled and then had a sudden inspiration.

Let's take a group photo!

Happy flew in through the window, fluttering his little wings. "Aye!"

Everyone crowded around, Riyao's bedside was instantly packed with people.

Mirajane sat on the edge of the bed, pressed her face against Riyao's, and gave him a sweet smile.

Lucy stood at the foot of the bed and made a peace sign.

Happy was perched on Riyao's head, his little paws clutching the pink bow.

Natsu and Gray were locked in a fierce struggle for a spot, their faces pressed together, neither willing to give in.

"I was here first! Move over!" Natsu grinned.

"I was standing here first! And you only moved now!" Gray retorted, not to be outdone.

Erza walked over, grabbed their shoulders with both hands, easily pulled them apart, and then stood in the middle herself.

Natsu and Gray winced as they were pinched, but dared not resist.

Juvia stood behind Gray and saw Natsu and Gray being so close. Her eyes were like knives, as if she wanted to glare two holes through Natsu.

Xiu sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, hugging his knees, his expression awkward but the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.

Wally pulled his hat down, revealing his square profile, and tried his best to strike a cool pose.

Millianna grabbed Happy and rubbed against him frantically, muttering, "So soft, so soft, meow."

Simon stood at the very edge, his gaze towards Erza filled with affection, as tender as if he were looking at the entire world.

Click.

The shutter clicked, and that moment was forever captured in the photograph.

A group of oddly shaped people surrounded a man named Riyao who was bound like a mummy and had a bow on his head, laughing like a bunch of fools.

That evening, Simon and the others quietly packed their things, preparing to leave without saying goodbye.

The four of them reached the shore, carried their luggage onto the small boat, and moved very quietly, afraid of being discovered.

Xiu urged, "Hurry up, it'll be hard to leave if my sister finds out."

Millianna hugged her cat-ear headband, her eyes red-rimmed. "Meow, I still can't bear to Eru-chan."

Wally adjusted his hat, his tone deliberately light. "As Gentleman, I can't stay by her side and cause her trouble. Our current situation is too awkward."

Simon glanced one last time in the direction of the hotel and said softly, "We'll have a chance to meet again someday."

Just as they were preparing to board the ship, a voice came from behind them.

You lot!

The group was startled and all turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.

Erza emerged from the shadows on the shore, bathed in moonlight, her expression serious but not angry.

Xiu lowered his head, his voice low and bitter.

"We've been living in the tower all this time, and we want to see the outside world with our own eyes. Like Riyao said, we are also beneficiaries, and we also want to help those who suffered in the past."

Erza looked at them, her gaze softening, and nodded with satisfaction.

"As long as you have this strong will, you can do anything, and I'm relieved."

She took a deep breath, and with a flash of light, she donned silver-white armor— the Farewell Armor.

The moonlight shone on her armor, giving it a soft, silvery glow. She stood on the shore, her posture upright, her voice solemn.

"However, those who wish to leave Fairy Tail must abide by three things. Listen carefully."

"First, all four of you are forbidden from spreading any information detrimental to Fairy Tail for the rest of your lives."

"Secondly, you are not allowed to contact past clients casually or pursue your own personal interests."

Erza's voice trembled slightly, but remained firm and strong.

Third, even if you take different paths, you must live on with strength! Never underestimate your own life!

Her voice echoed in the night wind, carrying an irresistible power and a deep blessing.

"And I will never forget my beloved friend!!"

"Fairy Tail Farewell Party, Begin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Natsu spat out a fireball from his mouth, which exploded in the air, blooming into an orange-red firework in the night sky like a blooming fire lotus.

Gray stood in the courtyard, his hands gathering ice, which he launched into the air. The icy blue fireworks exploded in the night sky, mingling with the crimson ones.

Lucy stood in the corridor, simply gathering golden Celestial Spirit magic, which exploded in the air like golden fireworks, warm and bright.

Mirajane waved his hands, and a continuous stream of purple fireworks exploded in the air, one after another, like a sea of purple flowers.

Riyao lay at Mirajane's feet, blinking as it looked at Happy, its eyes asking: Why don't you put on a show?

Happy tilted his head and scratched his face with his little paws.

I don't set off fireworks.

Riyao rolled his eyes, speechless.

Crimson, ice blue, gold, and purple fireworks intertwined and bloomed in the night sky, illuminating the entire coastline and the four tearful faces on the small boat.

The small boat slowly drifted away from the shore. Simon and the others on the boat cried uncontrollably, snot bubbles coming out of their noses, completely disregarding their appearance.

Hugh wiped away her tears, muttering something, but the sea breeze carried her away.

Wally's square face was streaked with tears, and his hat was askew.

Millianna hugged her knees and cried like a child.

Simon stood at the stern, watching the fireworks on the shore, watching Erza's figure, his lips trembling, unable to say goodbye.

On the shore, Erza stood in the moonlight, watching the small boat grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared into the night.

She wiped the tears from her face.

"Bon Voyage."

Fireworks continued to bloom in the sky, illuminating everyone's faces and the unbreakable bond in their hearts.