The Storm Arrives

Ugh~

A loud alarm blared Magnolia.

The piercing alarm, like a death knell, shattered the night sky at 3:30 a. m., abruptly dragging the entire town from its slumber.

Chaos erupted in the guest rooms of the Riyao Manor, with the corridor filled with the clattering of slippers.

Everyone from Fairy Tail immediately rushed out of their homes, many of them running out without even having their pants properly pulled up.

Cana, her hair disheveled, clutched half a wooden wine barrel tightly to her chest, and shouted at the top of her lungs, still half asleep.

"No, do the Alvarez Empire not sleep at night?"

Lisanna, panting from running, yelled at the back of her head in an annoyed tone.

"You idiot, were you daydreaming during the initial setup? The Empire has a massive army that can take turns attacking us around the clock."

Mavis's voice rang in everyone's ears.

The clear, steady child's voice instantly dispelled the drowsiness and panic in everyone's minds.

"The Alvarez Empire's first wave of attack is underway! Over fifty magical warships have appeared on the west coast, moving at great speed. Prepare for engagement! Flying Dragon Squad and Osprey Squad, launch your attack!"

In the night sky, three streams of air suddenly rose from the ground.

The Flying Dragon Squad flew westward, consisting of:

Natsu, Happy, Igneel.

Happy spread his white wings and gripped Natsu's collar tightly. Natsu's fists were engulfed in crimson flames, turning the sky a fiery red.

"Let's get this party started! Happy, Igneel, let's wreak havoc!"

"Aye!"

The miniature Fire Dragon king, no bigger than a palm, perched on Natsu's head, inhaled the smoke rings coming out of its nostrils, and gave a smug, old-fashioned snort.

"You brat, don't get on that airship. I don't like it."

Wendy, Carla, Grandine.

Wendy stood on the wind, surrounded by pure white energy, her eyes unusually focused.

"Carla, Grandine, I've worked really hard to grow stronger."

Carla flapped her wings and followed closely behind, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Okay, I understand."

The miniature Sky Dragon Grandine landed lightly on Wendy's shoulder and nuzzled her cheek affectionately.

"Wendy has really been working hard lately, and her mastery of the Dragon Force is getting better and better."

Gajeel, Lily, Metalicana.

The enlarged Lily spread its black wings and pulled the black-haired Iron Dragon into the air.

"We can't afford to lose to Fire Dragon and Sky Dragon! Lily, Metalicana, let's smash them!"

"Gajeel, this is war time; you should conserve your strength as much as possible."

Metalicana, perched on Gajeel's shoulder, rolled her eyes and slapped him on the forehead.

"Poor kid."

Three streaks of light, red, white, and green, weaved back and forth through the enemy fleet, shooting down most of the magic warships in a coordinated attack.

The sky over the west coast instantly turned into a sea of fire.

Natsu's flaming punch shattered the shield like a meteor, blasting the front-line warship in two mid-air.

Wendy spun around and unleashed dozens of crescent-shaped wind blades, precisely severing the main power wing.

Gajeel's right arm transformed into a massive black iron pillar tens of meters long, slamming down and crushing it into a scrap metal disc.

The Alzack family, Osprey Squad on the highlands outside Magnolia.

Bisca set up her magic sniper rifle, its long, dark, heavy barrel locked firmly onto the enemy flagship ten kilometers away.

"Ha! Finally, I can have a big one! I've been holding it in for so long."

She took a deep breath and placed her fingertips firmly on the trigger.

"It's so far away, can Mom shoot it?" Asuka asked, looking at the distant fleet through her binoculars.

The little girl lay prone in the grass, her big eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Don't worry, this distance is nothing for your mom.

Alzack ruffled Asuka's hair, his hands resting on his twin pistols as he kept watch over their surroundings.

Inside the guild's basement, Mavis observed the current situation and nodded in satisfaction; everything was under control.

Warren suddenly shouted, "Oh no, First Generation! Enemies have invaded Magnolia!"

On the holographic map, countless red spots of light flickered wildly on the other three sides of the town.

Mavis immediately arranged for the city's members to engage the enemy.

"Freed has removed the magical barrier; it's useless against them. Your Thunder God Tribe, go and engage the enemy, preserving as much manpower as possible."

"Understood."

Upon hearing Mavis's order, Freed removed the barrier that had enveloped Magnolia.

Countless imperial soldiers poured into Magnolia, and all members faced the enemy.

A fierce battle erupted instantly on the streets and rooftops.

Fortunately, most soldiers were just ordinary people, a small number were magic users, and only a handful were powerful mages.

Elfman, the Beast King, unleashed a powerful punch, while Cana's elemental cards blocked the long alley. Erza, Requip Black Wing Armor, transformed into a black whirlwind on the rooftop, sweeping away the entire scout team in a few leaps.

The courtyard of the Riyao Manor was unusually quiet.

Riyao sat under the Parasol Tree, urging it to grant everyone a buff.

The enormous Parasol Tree emitted a warm and gentle emerald green glow, and a continuous stream of life magic flowed through the earth's veins into the bodies of all the city's companions.

The blond young man leaned back in the wicker chair with his legs crossed, holding a freshly brewed jasmine tea in his hand, looking as relaxed as if he were on vacation.

Brandish sat opposite Riyao, sipping her tea. The two looked so harmonious that it was impossible to tell they were enemies.

The next second, she was sprawled out on the stone table, her mouth gripping the rim of a teacup, her eyelids drooping, looking just like a sloth that hadn't woken up yet.

Riyao put down his teacup and looked at her with a leisurely air.

So what exactly are you thinking?

"I don't want to fight, it's too much trouble. Just pretend I've been arrested by you."

Brandish lay sprawled on the table, looking completely unfazed.

She yawned, casually scooped the last piece of matcha cake from the plate to her, and slowly ate it.

Riyao looked at the other side speechlessly.

This girl's trolling skill is even higher than his. At least he's still working part-time as a mobile fountain for the entire map, while the mighty Spriggan 12 just lie there and give up.

He shook his head, ignoring the dead pig, and placed his hand on the Parasol Tree.

The enormous tree rustled softly, its branches and leaves collapsing and folding inward.

The Parasol Tree shrank rapidly, becoming completely the size of a palm, and was held in Riyao's hand.

The lush green sapling twirled in my palm, full of vitality.

Riyao played with the sapling and casually asked a question.

"Aren't you afraid they'll do something to your mother if you keep giving up like this?"

"My mother went to visit Lady Layla; I don't know where they went sightseeing."

Brandish propped her chin up and looked up at the miniature Parasol Tree in Riyao's hand.

Thinking of how her own mother, after being rescued, spent her days traveling and sending postcards with Lucy's mother Layla, a wave of sadness washed over her.

She paused, her tone languid yet remarkably certain.

"I don't want to help either side; this is the maximum I can do."

Upon hearing this, Riyao ignored him.

He brushed the bits of grass off his trousers and stood up.

[Life Mimicry - False God]

A layer of barely perceptible emerald green ripples spread across the void, and the whole person seemed to transform into a wisp of morning breeze brushing past the treetops.

He took a step and left the spot, reappearing outside the city, heading east.

With each step, the ground seemed to shrink to an inch, and with each step, the girl could instantly appear several kilometers away, leaving only the green-haired girl in the courtyard continuing to munch on her cake.