Ambush

Riyao came to a stop in front of the tunnel with a beautiful drift, its rear wheels swinging sideways and sending gravel flying.

The motorcycle drew a semi-circle and came to a smooth stop. Riyao tossed his hair, but the others behind him weren't so lucky.

Natsu, Happy, Lucy, and Wendy were thrown out like dumplings being dropped into a pot, rolling on the ground one after another, raising a cloud of dust.

"Holding on and on, all you did was show off, hahaha..."

Riyao straddled the motorcycle, one foot on the ground, scratched the back of his head, and grinned carefree.

Lucy, Happy, and Wendy got up from the ground, covered in dust. The three of them glared at Riyao with dissatisfaction, their six eyes filled with accusation.

Lucy rubbed her sore bottom, Wendy rubbed her head which had been hit the whole way, and Happy rubbed the back of her head, her resentment almost tangible.

Carla crossed her arms, looking as if she had known all along, without even raising an eyebrow.

I knew this would happen.

Riyao untied the ropes binding Natsu, cast a Healing Magic, and green light enveloped Natsu's entire body.

Natsu's eyelids twitched, and he sat up abruptly, looking as energetic as if he had just had a good sleep.

"Wow! That's awesome!"

Natsu bounced up from the ground, his hands bursting into flames as he swung them around twice, his face full of excitement, showing no signs of having been knocked unconscious and tied up the whole way.

Riyao squatted next to the motorcycle, stroking his chin as he pondered how to take it away. He tapped his fingers on the motorcycle, producing a crisp metallic sound.

"How do I take the car with me? It's such a hassle. Doesn't it have a capsule-like function?"

In the end, Riyao had no choice but to leave the magic motorcycle at the cave entrance, pat the fuel tank, and walk into the cave, looking back every few steps.

"My precious car, you must wait for me to come back and find you!"

The group entered the cave, Natsu lit flames in his hands to use as lamps for illumination. The orange-red flames danced on the cave walls, casting long and distorted shadows of the group.

"Magic is definitely more useful, hahaha..."

Natsu grinned, his two fiery fists raised high, his steps light as if he were on a picnic.

Riyao walked leisurely behind, his hands behind his head, his steps unhurried, as if he were on vacation.

"Carla, are you leading us the right way? Is this really the only way to the palace?"

"That should be correct. The capital is under martial law now, so this is the only option."

Carla flew ahead, trying hard to recall the vague memories in her mind. Her brows were slightly furrowed, clearly indicating that she wasn't entirely certain.

The dark cave was unsettling; the areas where the firelight couldn't reach were pitch black. Occasionally, droplets of water would fall from the cave ceiling, hitting the rocks with a "plop," the echoes remarkably clear in the empty cave.

Wendy nervously clutched at Riyao's clothes, afraid that something might suddenly jump out.

Just as the group was halfway there, a faint, sweet, fishy smell filled the air.

Lucy was the first to collapse; her body swayed and she slid limply against the cave wall.

Next was Wendy, who let go of Riyao's clothes and fell forward.

Then it was Natsu. The flames on his Fire Fist went out with a whoosh, he swayed twice, and collapsed to the ground.

Seeing the situation, Riyao thought for 0.47 seconds and then fainted as well. His eyelids closed, his legs went weak, and he fell backward with a "thud" to the ground, his falling posture extremely standard.

Carla and Happy should go home and see their parents. They've been riding their bikes all day, so I'll take a nap too.

"There was an ambush..."

It's good that someone can carry the rest of the way.

Erza poked Riyao's side with the Ten Commandments Spear, the tip of the spear against his ribs. She poked him twice, but Riyao didn't move an inch, his breathing as even as if he were really asleep.

"Huh? Isn't that pink-haired guy? Why is he wrapped up in several layers of steel chains?"

Riyao was bound like a caterpillar, with layers upon layers of steel chains wrapped around his body, from neck to ankle, completely covering him except for his head, making him look like a giant, shimmering steel cocoon.

Several kingdom soldiers struggled to lift Riyao onto the cart, four men carrying one end, their faces flushed red, veins bulging, and their steps unsteady.

It was quite a struggle to finally toss the giant silkworm pupa onto the cart, which made a dull creak as the axle nearly snapped.

A soldier wiped the sweat from his brow, put his hands on his hips, and breathed heavily.

"This chain must weigh at least a hundred pounds, right? Commander Erza, aren't you being a little too... cautious?"

"We'll do whatever the officer tells us to do. Why ask so many questions?"

Another soldier rolled his eyes at him and dusted off the rust from his hands.

The soldiers threw the group onto a cart and dragged them back to the prison. The cart bumped along the stone road.

Riyao's head swayed with the jolts, a faint smile playing on his lips as he slept soundly.

Carla and Happy were taken away by Erza and sent back to the territory of the Exceed.

Happy woke up in a luxurious bed.

The bedding was as soft as a cloud, the pillows were so fluffy you could sink your whole head into them, and the chandelier overhead emitted a warm yellow light.

The decorations in the room were glittering, far more luxurious than the shabby sofa in the Royal Army's garrison.

"Huh? What happened? Where am I? Where are Natsu and the others?"

Happy looked around in confusion, his round eyes darting around. When he saw Carla lying next to him, he quickly reached out his little paws and shook her awake.

"Carla, Carla, wake up! Natsu and the others are gone!"

Carla was shaken by Happy, her head bobbing like a rattle drum, and gradually woke up. She opened her eyes groggily, first looking blank, then quickly becoming alert.

Compared to Happy's confusion, Carla was puzzled, her brows furrowed into a tight knot.

I don't understand why there were ambushes along the way she led the way.

At that moment, the room door opened, and the two doors slowly slid back to the sides, revealing a long, black cat with Parkinson's disease and an Ichiya Cat.

The long, black cat's right hand twitched wildly, shaking incessantly as if it had a perpetual motion machine, while its left hand remained steadily behind its back. Its gait was quite imposing, but that right hand was really stealing the show.

"It seems our great hero has awakened. The Queen wishes to see you. Please come with us."

Happy looked wary, shielding Carla behind him, his small body blocking her way, his two paws outstretched.

Who are you? Where is this place? Where did Natsu and the others go?

"There are quite a few questions. We can't keep the Queen waiting any longer. I'll explain everything to you on the way."

"Man, let's go, you two."

The Ichiya Cat gracefully gestured for them to join in, one paw slightly bent while the other was tucked behind its back, its demeanor as composed as if inviting two distinguished guests to a dinner party.