The Kingdom's General?

"Found it!"

Natsu took the lead, ignoring Carla's advice, and plunged headfirst into the huge tree root structure.

"Everyone! We're back!"

Pushing open the door, what greeted my eyes was a bustling scene exactly as I remembered.

People were drinking, chatting, making noise... Behind the bar, Mirajane was gently wiping the glasses; everything seemed so normal.

"Looks like everyone's alright." Natsu laughed heartily, completely relieved.

Happy followed behind him, but tilted his head and muttered softly, "Hmm... but something feels off."

"Don't worry about the details!" Natsu patted its head.

Just then, Jiang Bai arrived with Wendy and Carla.

As soon as Carla entered the room, she immediately sensed that something was wrong, and her brows furrowed tightly.

"This place is strange."

"What's strange about it? Isn't it exactly the same as our guild?" Natsu asked, puzzled.

"Are you blind? Look over there!" Carla stretched out her wings and pointed to a corner of the bar.

Everyone looked in the direction she pointed and froze in shock.

A Juvia dressed in smart clothes was seen seriously tidying up her equipment.

"Juvia has to go to work!"

Beside her, Gray, bundled up in three layers of thick cotton-padded coats like a ball, was shamelessly pestering her.

"Juvia -chan~ I want to go with you too~ What do you say?"

Gray's voice was soft and sticky, with a hint of coquetry.

Juvia pushed him away with a look of disgust.

"You're dressed like that, I feel hot just looking at you. You should change into something lighter before you come see me!"

"But... but I'm afraid of the cold," Gray said, sounding aggrieved.

Natsu, seeing Gray's awkward manner, instantly felt goosebumps all over his body and stood up to salute.

"Wha... what's going on?! That exhibitionist is actually afraid of the cold?!"

Jiang Bai's eyes lit up, as if he had discovered a new continent.

With a flick of his wrist, a magical tool specifically designed for photographic recording appeared in his hand.

"Oh dear, really! How could we not record such precious footage?"

As Jiang Bai spoke, he pointed the camera at Gray and Juvia over there and turned on the recording function.

I definitely have to show this to Gray when I get back; I can't wait to see his expression.

Next, Jiang Bai acted like a photographer who had stumbled into a garden of exotic animals, enthusiastically capturing scene after scene that subverted his worldview.

Over there, the petite Droy and Sarukusuke stood with their hands on their hips, scolding the tall Elfman like a schoolchild who had made a mistake.

Meanwhile, Nab, who was originally a chronic procrastinator, was standing on the table, raising his arms and shouting, "Work makes me happy!"

On the other side, Cana, dressed very conservatively like a lady from a wealthy family, was elegantly refusing a wine glass offered by Macao, who was wearing a sharp suit and gold-rimmed glasses.

And then there's Alzack and Bisca; the way they're all lovey-dovey is almost unbearable to watch.

Jiang Bai's camera panned around, finally settling on the familiar figure behind the bar.

Yes, Mirajane in this world is as beautiful as ever.

Just then, Natsu finally recovered from the shock Gray had caused. Looking at the completely upside-down world before him, he finally snapped and exploded.

"This is totally not right!!"

A furious roar echoed throughout the entire guild.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes toward Natsu standing at the door.

Then, they saw Jiang Bai standing next to Natsu.

The next second, the entire guild erupted.

Natsu! Come here right now!

"Idiot! Why did you bring that guy here?!"

"It's Jiang Bai Warren from the Kingdom! Get away from him!"

The guild members screamed in panic, as if they had seen some kind of monstrous flood.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Natsu was completely bewildered by this sudden reaction.

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Mirajane, who was behind the bar, quickly spoke up to calm everyone down.

"Everyone, don't panic! Calm down! Xiao Bai... he's never hurt us, has he?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Bai understood completely.

It seems that there really is another "self" in this world.

Moreover, judging from this, he seemed to be some important figure here, and hadn't even joined Fairy Tail yet.

As he spoke, Mirajane hurriedly came out from behind the bar and stood in front of Jiang Bai, indicating that there was no danger.

But just then, a queenly voice filled with oppressive force suddenly came from the second floor.

"You're such a troublesome wretch!"

Everyone looked up and saw a blonde woman dressed in a black, tight-fitting leather outfit, holding a long whip, and exuding a queenly aura, slowly walking down the stairs.

It's Lucy.

In this world, Lucy first glared fiercely at Jiang Bai, then walked a few steps to Natsu and grabbed his ear.

"You idiot! How did you bring that kingdom's ever-victorious general here?!"

"The Invincible General? Who's that?" Natsu winced in pain, still completely bewildered.

Lucy was furious.

"You're still playing dumb with me! Watch this, execution!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Lucy used a skillful chokehold to subdue Natsu, then extended two fingers and began to spin them rapidly on his temples.

"Ughhhh--!" Natsu let out a bloodcurdling scream.

The group of oblivious onlookers had already forgotten their initial nervousness upon seeing Jiang Bai, and instead began excitedly explaining their observations.

"It's here! It's one of Lucy's 48 torture techniques, the Spinning Temple Attack!"

"Oh! Judging from Natsu's expression, that was quite a powerful blow!"

"Alright, Lucy, now's not the time for this kind of thing."

A voice rang out, and petite Levy stepped forward, stopping Lucy's violence.

She helped Natsu, who was foaming at the mouth, to his feet, then looked warily at Jiang Bai.

"Hey... you from the kingdom, what exactly do you want here? Let me make this clear first, we will absolutely not disband the guild!"

Levy paused, glanced at Mirajane beside her who looked worried, and then mustered up her courage to add another sentence.

"I absolutely will not hand Mira over to you! Unless, unless you come in a grand wedding procession, with eight bearers carrying you, and marry her in a proper ceremony!"

"Levy! What nonsense are you talking about!" Mirajane's face flushed red instantly, and she stomped her foot playfully.

"Puff..."

Jiang Bai, watching the hilarious scenes unfolding before him, which resembled a stage play, finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Haha, this is really interesting."

However, his smile seemed to press a pause button.

The entire guild instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared at him in disbelief, as if they'd seen a ghost.

"That... that Jiang Bai... smiled?"

He actually smiled!

"Oh my god! Am I dreaming?!"

Jiang Bai's smile froze. He clearly felt an atmosphere mixed with fear and confusion enveloping him.

I... sensed a deep-seated malice.

Just then, Mirajane, who had been looking at him tenderly, suddenly changed his expression.

The gentleness and shyness that belonged to Mirajane in this world vanished instantly, replaced by a sharpness that Jiang Bai was extremely familiar with, tinged with a hint of wariness and scrutiny.

She frowned, her eyes turning cold.

You're not Xiao Bai.

"Who are you? Why are you impersonating him?!"