Phantom Lord's Threat

Jiang Bai also offered an explanation for Natsu, who looked aggrieved.

"It's understandable that Natsu didn't pass the S-Class Exam, after all, the S-Class Exam in Fairy Tail is arguably the most difficult in the entire Kingdom of Fiore."

"The hardest one?"

Lucy's curiosity was immediately piqued.

What are the assessment criteria?

"The challenges ahead have changed every year in recent years,"

Jiang Bai held up one finger and shook it.

"But the final, grand finale projects are all about fighting with me."

Lucy understood instantly.

Who can beat Jiang Bai?!

This isn't a question of whether it's difficult or not; this is a task that's simply impossible to complete!

"Is it to defeat you?"

Lucy asked in a terrified tone,

"Then... then in that case, wouldn't no one be able to pass?"

How is that possible?

Jiang Bai laughed and said,

"I just want to see the challenger's strength. If I feel they've met the standard, then they've passed."

Just then, the smile on Jiang Bai's face suddenly froze.

He seemed to remember something crucial, and his brows furrowed instantly.

In the original work, the real trigger for the war Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord was not the destruction of the guild.

Instead, Levy and her "Team Shadow Gear" were ambushed and tortured by Gajeel, and then nailed to a big tree in the park in the center of town as a public spectacle!

Gajeel has been beaten up by himself, but that doesn't mean no one else is going to deal with Levy and her two companions.

Jiang Bai immediately released his senses, his magic sweeping across the entire guild like ripples on water, but he couldn't detect any magical aura from Levy or the others.

A strong sense of foreboding suddenly rose in his heart.

"Where are Levy and the others?" Jiang Bai asked Mirajane anxiously.

Mirajane, who was pouring drinks for the guests, replied, "Levy and the others went on a mission. Judging by the time, they should be back soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, a ghostly figure suddenly appeared in the center of the guild's basement. The person was shrouded in a black robe, making it impossible to see their face.

This is the Shadow Magic of Jose, the Phantom Lord Master.

He threw an envelope on the ground, then turned into a black shadow and disappeared.

The sudden turn of events silenced the noisy guild instantly.

Makarov walked forward with a serious expression and picked up the envelope.

He didn't use his hands to dismantle it; instead, he gathered a small ball of magic at his fingertips and gently swiped it.

The envelope vanished instantly as it turned into specks of light under the power of magic, replaced by a magical projection.

The figure that appeared in the projection was none other than Jose Bora, the guild master of the Phantom Lords and one of the Ten Wizard Saints Mages.

"Brother Makarov,"

Jose sat on his high throne, a hypocritical smile on his face.

"It's been a long time since we last met. It seems there's been a small misunderstanding between our two guilds."

"Therefore, I specially prepared a banquet at my guild, hoping to invite Brother Makarov over for a chat and hopefully resolve the conflict."

"Ha, this is like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—it's all ill intentions."

Jiang Bai sneered, exposing the other party's hypocrisy.

"That's right! Grandpa, this is clearly a trap!" Natsu shouted.

Gray's face was equally grim. "Guild Master, even an idiot like Natsu can see through this trap! You absolutely mustn't go!"

Jose in the projection seemed unable to hear them, and continued speaking to himself.

"Well, I know Brother Makarov might have some concerns, after all, you're getting old and your legs aren't very mobile. So, I specially prepared a 'gift' for you."

As he spoke, he turned to the side, revealing the scene behind him to everyone.

In that instant, everyone in the entire Fairy Tail guild held their breath.

The flames of anger burned fiercely in everyone's eyes!

Behind Jose, on the wall, Levy, Sarukusuke, and Droy were being cruelly nailed to with thin iron nails!

That's right, it's nailed to the wall, not tied to it.

All three were seriously injured and unconscious, covered in blood. Their wounds had not been treated, and blood continued to drip down the wall, pooling on the ground in a small, glaring pool.

"Brother Makarov, please hurry up and come."

Jose, enjoying the distorted expressions of rage on the faces of the Fairy Tail members, burst into gleeful laughter.

"Otherwise, I don't know how much longer these adorable little guys can hold on, haha!"

"Jose... you bastard!!"

Makarov's hair and beard bristled, and a terrifying magical power, like a tsunami, erupted from his short body, causing the entire basement to tremble violently.

Jose's smile deepened, and he slowly added the last sentence:

"Oh, by the way, Makarov, remember to come alone. Otherwise, human life can be quite fragile sometimes."

After saying this, Jose's projection, accompanied by that ear-piercing, maniacal laughter, vanished completely.

What Jiang Bai feared ultimately happened.

He can destroy a guild in the blink of an eye, and easily defeat so-called ace players, but he cannot protect all his companions at the same time.

"Jose!!"

The magic contained in Makarov's roar caused the walls of the entire basement to crack.

He hadn't been this angry in a very, very long time.

No matter how escalating the conflict between guilds, there should be a bottom line.

Jose, without a doubt, had crossed that absolutely inviolable line—he dared to threaten him with the lives of his own children!

Makarov forcefully suppressed his rage, which was threatening to burst forth from the sky.

He turned around and addressed everyone in an unprecedentedly serious tone:

"Boys, get ready! Once I bring Levy and the others back safely, we'll wage all-out war against the Phantom Lord!"

"President! Are you going alone?" Mirajane's face was full of worry.

"Um,"

Makarov nodded, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. "I must go."

"President, this is too dangerous!"

"Yeah, that guy clearly set a trap!"

Let us go with you!

The guild members volunteered to go, they couldn't just stand by and watch their guild leader venture into the lion's den alone.

"No!"

Makarov flatly refused.

"For the safety of Levy and the other two, I must go alone. That's the only condition."

Then, his gaze turned to Jiang Bai, who had remained silent throughout.

"You brat, the guild is temporarily in your hands."

"Don't worry, old man."

Jiang Bai's voice was calm, yet it carried a reassuring power.

Having received Jiang Bai's promise, Makarov had no more worries and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment, sir."

Jiang Bai's voice suddenly rang out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Jose and the others have arrived."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a violent tremor came from the ground, as if some enormous creature was approaching.

The wine glasses and chairs in the basement were buzzing, and dust was falling from the ceiling.

It turned out that Jose had no intention of waiting at his headquarters at all.

He arrived in Magnolia Town in his mobile castle-like guild!

When the Phantom Lord's mobile fortress, resembling a giant robot, came to a stop in the lake not far from the Fairy Tail guild, the entire town was plunged into panic.

Makarov stared at the enormous, dark shadow that blotted out the sky outside the window, his eyes turning icy cold.

He turned back for one last look at his children, leaving behind only one sentence.

"Be careful, everyone."

After saying that, the short figure disappeared into the basement entrance, and alone, walked towards the mobile fortress that exuded an ominous aura.