Time Slipped Away

Time, like soap, slips through your fingers again; there's no going back.

Before we knew it, more than a year had passed since the great chaos at the Tartaros.

On the outskirts of Malba Town, in a dilapidated ruin, weathered and cracked stone pillars stand everywhere, weeds grow rampant on the ground, and a damp, musty smell permeates the air.

Riyao, dressed in a black hooded robe belonging to the New Dark Magic Cult, huddled under the oversized robe, blending into the crowd of fanatical cultists who muttered incessantly.

He stood crookedly, leaning lazily against a half-broken stone pillar, his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking like he was enjoying watching the drama unfold.

Gray stood half-naked, his body covered in black Devil Slayer Magic marks, arms crossed, in the center of the platform, his face bearing a cold, unapproachable expression.

He stood there, his eyelids suddenly twitching twice, as if sensing something, and he looked down and scanned the crowd.

Gray's eye twitched; there was a familiar feeling about it.

Could it be that another one of our own has infiltrated?

I hope that person on my side won't cause me any trouble.

A smile crept onto Riyao's lips. If he knew what Gray was thinking, he would definitely say, "How naive!"

A few days ago Erza asked for help, Riyao agreed without hesitation.

This kind of fun has come to his doorstep; how could he not get involved, given his status as the troublemaker of Fairy Tail?

He even brought Mirajane along to play.

As for being exposed, that didn't exist at all. He used Life Magic to change his appearance and easily got away with it.

Riyao subtly adjusted the facial bones and body muscles of the two, completely suppressing their magical power. If they were to casually disappear into a crowd, they would simply be two average-looking faces that no one would give a second glance to if they fell to the ground.

Riyao was worried that having too many people would expose them, so he sent Lucy and the others to help Erza.

He observed for a long time, but there wasn't a single person here who could fight, so he could only find enjoyment in his acting skills.

The magical power emanating from the group of black-robed cultists around them was chaotic and weak; they were all insignificant amateurs. Expecting them to put on any earth-shattering battles was pure fantasy.

"Mira, we have to put on a good show later. There's no one here who can fight. How about we take on Gray and his group later?"

Riyao nudged the figure in the black robe beside him with his elbow, lowering his voice mischievously.

Mirajane blinked her eyes under the wide hood, nodding her little head like a chick pecking at rice, showing none of the usual gentle proprietress reserve, only eager excitement.

"Okay, I'll fight Erza."

The two were plotting a super big surprise for their friends.

At this moment, Yalok, the leader of the New Dark Magic Cult in the very center of the platform, raised his hands high, and slammed his strange staff inlaid with obsidian on the ground twice, making a dull thud.

After a passionate speech, the leader Yalok, on the stage officially announced the start of the purification operation!

"For Lord Zeref! For cleansing this corrupt world!"

"For Zeref!!"

The fanatical followers below roared in unison, waving various weapons as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

All the believers present followed Yalok and his group to the Malba Town.

Riyao and Mirajane excitedly followed.

This is so interesting!

The group of people traveled in a grand procession, and after a long journey, they finally arrived at the outskirts of Malba Town.

The plain was empty, and the Malba Town could be vaguely seen in the distance.

Gray disappeared at some point, and when he reappeared, he was at the entrance to Malba Town.

The dark aura around him had dissipated, and he stood brazenly in front of the road, his hands in his pockets.

He was accompanied by Wendy, Lucy, Juvia, Natsu, Ur, Silver, and Happy.

The group lined up neatly, completely blocking the entrance to the town.

Seeing this, Yalok trembled with rage and let out a furious curse.

"Gray was indeed a traitor! Charge! For Zeref!"

Completely brainwashed, the believers rushed forward recklessly.

A tidal wave of black-robed figures drew their swords, spears, and clubs, howling as they surged across the entire mountainside.

One of the cadres, Briya, clicked her tongue.

She crossed her arms, swayed her hips, and looked somewhat regretful.

"I actually quite liked this kid."

The other cadres had been itching to get started, and finally, this day arrived. They all rushed forward and began to put their skills to good use.

At the very back of the crowd, Riyao and Mirajane, carrying wooden sticks, followed the main group, making strange noises as they ran forward.

The two whispered to each other.

Who to hit?

Mirajane craned his neck under his hood, looking around and muttering to himself.

"Hmm, where's Erza? Hasn't she arrived yet?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a violent tearing sound came from the right rear flank of the main force.

A flash of dazzling sword light suddenly exploded!

At that moment, a commotion came from the right rear of the main force. A flash of crimson moved through the crowd, and with each step forward, an enemy fell.

Mirajane excitedly raised his long stick and charged in that direction.

She skipped lightly along, weaving through the chaotic crowd, and happily rushed toward Erza.

Riyao smiled helplessly and rushed towards Natsu.

On the front lines, Natsu was punching people indiscriminately, looking utterly annoyed.

Riyao slung the rotten wooden stick over his shoulder and let out a strange, wicked laugh.

"Hehehe, let me see how much this kid has improved in the past year."

With a push of his feet, his figure moved like a black line across the chaotic battlefield, weaving through several ordinary cultists before closing in on Natsu's side.

Bang!!

A dull, solid thud of flesh colliding suddenly rang out!

The wooden stick struck Natsu squarely in the waist. Before Natsu could even react, his body arched, and he flew out like a cannonball.

A massive, solid rock, several meters tall, collapsed with a deafening roar, raising clouds of dust and dirt and burying Natsu completely beneath the rubble.

This scene shocked Gray and the others.

Gray's hands froze in mid-air, completely bewildered.

"What the hell? A mere henchman beat Natsu down?"

Riyao slung the wooden stick over his shoulder, tilted his head, and let out a loud, strange cry in his broken voice.

"Heh heh heh, a bunch of small fry, dare to stand in front of the Bugatti Veyron."

A deafening roar!

The pile of rubble was suddenly blasted apart by a violent burst of fire.

Natsu jumped out of the pile of rubble.

His clothes were tattered, veins bulged on his forehead, his eyes were fixed on Riyao, and he roared, spitting out scorching sparks.

"Dragon? I'll beat you to a pulp!"

The surrounding temperature rose sharply as Natsu finished speaking.

The soil across the entire plain was drying rapidly, and even the withered grass beneath our feet was emitting wisps of smoke.

Natsu stomped two scorched, fiery craters into the ground, and like a completely enraged Fire Dragon, he charged furiously toward Riyao's face with scorching heat.

Riyao flipped the wooden stick in his wrist, facing the two figures engulfed in raging flames, without moving an inch, standing there with a smile.