Three Lucys

The guesthouse at the Royal Army garrison was shockingly shabby, with only the most ordinary wooden tables and chairs, and not a single decent decoration.

"Royal Army is so stingy, this decoration is too shabby."

Riyao plopped down on the sofa, picked his nose, and flicked away a booger.

Lucy of Earth-land looked around anxiously, her hands nervously twisting together, her steps hesitant.

"Isn't it inappropriate for us to be so open and brazen?"

"What's wrong with that? By the time they send someone over, we'll be in the capital already. Let's rest easy."

Riyao crossed his legs, put his hands behind his head, and leaned back on the sofa, looking as relaxed as if he were in the living room of his own manor.

Edolas's Lucy's eyes darted around, and then a brilliant idea struck her. She grabbed Earth-land Lucy's wrist and dragged her toward the bathroom, laughing at the thought of what she was about to do.

"Follow me!"

"Hey? What's up?"

A moment later, the bathroom door opened, and the two of them, dressed in identical outfits, came out and stood on either side of Natsu, each with the same mischievous grin.

"Natsu, guess which Lucy we are?"

"You definitely won't be able to guess, hehe."

Lucy and Lucy teased Natsu, sandwiching Natsu between them and spinning him around until he was completely disoriented.

Natsu sniffed hard, rubbing his nose back and forth on the two of them, his brows furrowed, and he scratched his head.

They both took a shower and couldn't tell them apart at first. They gestured with their hands in the air for a long time before finally letting them fall down in frustration.

Riyao lay on the sofa, picking his nose with one hand and tapping the armrest with the other, looking like he was enjoying watching a good show.

"How about you call Gemini out too, so we can have three Lucy?"

Lucy's eyes lit up. She took out the Gemini Key from her waist, channeled magic into it, and a magic circle unfolded in the air. A golden light flashed, and Gemini popped out.

"Jamie Jamie, it's Lucy!"

Gemini instantly transformed into Lucy's likeness, even down to her expression and posture. The three Lucy standing together looked as if they had been carved from the same mold.

Lisanna watched this scene, cupping her face in her hands, utterly amazed, her mouth agape in a perfect "O" shape, her eyes shining with adoration.

"That's amazing! You absolutely have to join our guild after you rescue your companion. I want to try it too!"

"If I have the chance, I can give it a try. I'd also like to see two Mira, hehe."

Riyao's lips unconsciously curled up into a smile.

Carla's sharp tongue interrupted Riyao's fantasy. She crossed her wings to her chest, raised her chin slightly, and her eyes were full of contempt.

Are you sure Mira won't beat you up?

"My Mira is very gentle too, okay?"

Riyao responded righteously, puffing out his chest with an air of unwavering conviction.

Natsu clapped his hands, moved closer to Riyao, his eyes shining with anticipation.

"Don't you have Transformation Magic? Quickly transform into Lucy and let's make a four- Lucy."

"I don't want to, I don't want to become a woman."

Riyao shook his head repeatedly, crossing his arms in front of his chest to make a big X.

"You've changed quite a bit, haven't you?"

"Only my face has changed; everything else remains the same."

"So last time you..."

I stuffed two steamed buns inside.

Natsu was speechless, and so was everyone else. The entire reception hall was silent for a full three seconds, except for Riyao, who remained calm and composed.

Nothing more was said that night.

The next morning, everyone packed up and prepared to head to the capital. The morning light of Edolas shone into the courtyard of the camp, illuminating the mess of the previous day.

"Natsu, how about I tie you to the back of my motorcycle and drag you around?"

Riyao patted the back seat of the motorcycle, his tone as serious as if he were discussing today's weather.

"Are you a devil?!"

Natsu stared at Riyao in horror, clutching his buttocks tightly with both hands, and took several steps back until his back pressed against the wall.

Riyao put his arm around Natsu's shoulder, patted him on the shoulder, and smiled kindly.

"Don't worry, I'll continue to treat you on the way."

"That's even scarier!"

Natsu struggled desperately, trying to pry open Riyao's fingers with both hands and kicking his feet on the ground, but Riyao's hands remained as firm as iron clamps.

Riyao was just trying to scare him; he let go and let him run away. Natsu dashed off a long way in a flash.

Lisanna and Lucy escorted Riyao and the others to the outskirts of town.

A booming sound came from afar.

Hmm~

Whoosh!

Beep beep!

A small boat-shaped magical four-wheel drive vehicle came to a smooth stop in front of everyone with a beautiful drift, its tires leaving two deep marks on the ground, and the windows rolled down.

Natsu of Edolas arrogantly leaned half his body out, one hand on the car window, chin held high, a haughty smile on his lips.

"This is the person Lucy was talking about who looks the same? They look so silly."

"What did you say? You bastard, get down here!"

Natsu from Earth-land instantly bristled, rushing forward to grab Edolas Natsu's collar and yanking him outwards with all his might.

Edolas clung tightly to the Natsu, bracing his legs against the chassis, while yelling.

"Let go of me, you rude bastard."

You're the one who's rude!

The two Natsus were locked in a tug-of-war for several rounds before Natsu from Earth-land finally dragged Edolas Natsu off the vehicle. The two of them tumbled together and rolled twice on the gravel ground.

Riyao leaned against his motorcycle, munching on sunflower seeds and watching the show, carelessly tossing the shells around.

Carla flew over and swatted away the sunflower seed shells that had landed on her head with one paw, making her little face scrunch up.

"You scheming bastard, can't you watch your manners? And are your sunflower seeds unlimited?"

"Oh, hey, I just picked these sunflower seeds from a roadside stall. Want some?"

Riyao handed over the one that was still wet with saliva, and Carla flew back two steps in disgust.

Carla snorted and ignored Riyao.

Riyao chuckled, turned around and handed a handful of sunflower seeds to Wendy. Wendy hesitated for a moment, but still took them and started munching on them.

As soon as Edolas Natsu, he curled up into a ball, hugging his knees with both hands, looking like a shrimp. He timidly reached out to Lucy, his voice trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Lucy, help me! This is terrifying!"

Natsu of Earth-land stared wide-eyed, his mouth agape, his expression shifting from anger to confusion, and then from confusion to an inexplicable look of disdain.

No, weren't you being quite arrogant just now?

What's wrong with you?

Lucy and Lisanna of Edolas were overjoyed; one was laughing so hard she squatted down and pounded the ground, while the other was laughing so hard she was slapping her thighs, tears almost streaming down her face.

Happy adjusted his non-existent glasses, pushed up his nose with his little paws, and looked as serious as if he were deducing some earth-shattering case.

"There's only one truth! Our Natsu is afraid of getting on vehicles, while your Natsu is afraid of getting off vehicles!"

Lucy from Edolas walked over, bent down and picked up Natsu, who was curled up in a ball, like she was holding a frightened kitten. She easily put him back in the car, her movements so practiced that it was clear she had done it before.

Riyao ate sunflower seeds with even more gusto, deliberately teasing Earth-land Lucy.

"So sweet, so sweet!"

Earth-land Lucy, standing next to her, blushed and pressed her lips into a thin line.

Why are you looking at me like that?! You're shipping them?!