The bait plan!

These words were spoken.

Makarov was stunned.

Natsu, Gray, and the others all turned their heads, their faces full of curiosity as they awaited Jiang Bai's insightful opinion.

Jiang Bai turned his neck, slowly pointed to his temple, and began a logical deduction that resembled a dimensional reduction attack.

"You bunch of idiots, use your brains!"

"We don't know which rat hole the demons of the Tartaros are hiding in, but isn't their next strategic target obvious?"

Lucy blinked her big eyes and instinctively replied.

"Target? Didn't Mest just say their target was the nine current Magic Council members? But all nine of them have been killed in the explosion..."

Jiang Bai curled his finger and gave Lucy a light tap on the forehead.

You're really not being polite about calling me stupid.

"If all the current lawmakers are dead, what about the 'former lawmakers' who resigned to take responsibility and are now living in seclusion across the mainland?"

"Since Hades and his gang of demons are determined to target the council members, these retired old men are most likely on their kill list as well."

Jiang Bai spread his hands, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched the spectacle unfold.

"Since we know that the other party will eventually come knocking on the doors of these former congressmen, things become simple."

"We'll take them all back to our Fairy Tail guild for special treatment before the demons can act!"

Jiang Bai glanced around and casually announced his ultimate plan.

"Just put all the bait on one table, and then casually leak the news to the outside world—"

"For example, all the former lawmakers are now having afternoon tea at Fairy Tail."

"Those demons at the Tartaros will line up eagerly to come and die."

Boom!

This outrageously audacious reverse fishing scheme was launched as soon as it was revealed.

A brilliant flash of insight struck everyone in the hall!

"That's right! The whole continent is looking for demons, let's turn the tables and make the demons come looking for us! It saves us time and effort!"

"As expected of Jiang Bai! He's got a cunning mind like a honeycomb briquette, and he's got a whole repertoire of tricks up his sleeve!"

The entire hall instantly reached a unanimous vote in favor.

Only Mest, lying paralyzed in a pool of blood, was terrified after hearing this bait plan!

Mest struggled to sit up and screamed.

"No!! Absolutely not!!"

"Are you all crazy?! This is absurd!!"

Mest's face was filled with incomprehensible horror and panic.

"That's the Tartaros! A dark behemoth composed of high-ranking demons created entirely from the Book of Zeref! Even the Magic Council headquarters was reduced to ashes in minutes!"

"Bringing all the former councilors here is tantamount to directing all the terrifying firepower and ferocious demons of the entire Tartaros towards your Fairy Tail guild!!"

"The entire town of Magnolia will be razed to the ground! Your entire guild will be in grave danger!!"

Mest was so anxious that her veins were bulging, trying to use the harsh reality to wake up these arrogant and crazy mages.

However...

The hysterical screams echoed twice in the hall.

The anticipated scene of everyone retreating in terror did not occur.

An eerie silence fell over the entire guild hall.

Dozens of eyes turned to them simultaneously.

Natsu picked his nose and looked at him with the kind of gaze one would give a wild man just released from the deep mountains and forests.

Gray crossed his arms, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, as if he were looking at a ridiculous clown who was missing a screw in his head.

Lucy sighed and shook her head with some sympathy.

Even Wendy, who was holding an orange juice at the bar, and her two kittens had expressions that clearly showed their sympathy and care.

The entire audience, from top to bottom, was staring silently at the sweating Mest with the same look they would give someone an idiot!

Mest felt a chill run down her spine under the gaze of dozens of strange eyes, and her tongue stammered.

"Why... why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?!"

Just as Mest's mind was completely blank...

An unprecedentedly cool current surged through the top of her head, finally pulling Mest out of the panic and stress of the tragedy!

Etc...

Will Fairy Tail be in danger?

Are demons powerful? Do they have incredible firepower?

Mest's neck stiffened inch by inch, and she mechanically turned her head, her gaze finally landing on Jiang Bai was standing in the center.

Holy crap!!

What utter nonsense were you spouting just now?!

What kind of creature is this black-haired youth standing in front of me?!

That was the monster that fought Acnologia on Tenrou Island seven years ago!

That was a ferocious humanoid god who, during the Grand Magic Games, casually tossed a giant dragon that had crossed over from the portal four hundred years ago like a rag doll over the capital, and crushed its skeleton with his bare hands!

Faced with Jiang Bai, who could toy with dragons at will and use mythical creatures as punching bags...

No matter how powerful the demon is, he can never be a match for Jiang Bai.

Luring the demon to the Fairy Tail guild?

This is hardly dragging Fairy Tail into a desperate situation!

This is clearly a unilateral, pre-booked express train to the crematorium for those clueless demons at the Tartaros!

I've figured out this logical loop.

Mest froze on the spot, her originally pale face turning a deep liver color.

Covering her face with both hands, Mest wished she could disappear into a crack in the floor right then and there.

"Feel sorry!"

"I must have lost my mind... I take back that stupid thing I just said!"

"Let's proceed according to your plan, Jiang Bai! We'll follow your orders completely!!"

Seeing that Mest had finally regained her normal intelligence, Jiang Bai turned his head and looked toward the edge of the second-floor corridor.

A blond youth, wearing a black overcoat and leaning against the carved railing with his arms crossed, stood there, his body faintly crackling with violent golden lightning.

It was Laxus.

Jiang Bai casually made a gesture upwards.

"Laxus, take the Thunder God Tribe with you."

"Old Man Yajima's restaurant isn't far from Magnolia, but the old man is stubborn and likes to show off when things get dangerous."

"Go and bring Grandpa Yajima back to the guild. If you encounter any blind dogs blocking your way, just smash them to pieces."

Laxus, standing by the second-floor railing, grinned, snapped a ball of golden electricity with his fingertips, and readily agreed.

"Leave it to me."

With a flick of his cloak, Laxus, along with Bickslow, Freed, and Evergreen, transformed into a raging streak of lightning and sped away from the terrace behind the guild in the blink of an eye.

After arranging the escort for Yajima.

Jiang Bai raised his right hand and casually made a gesture in the air in front of him, his calm voice echoing throughout the entire venue.

"As for the remaining few former councilors scattered throughout Fiore..."

"I'll pack them all up and bring them over within half an hour."

Jiang Bai turned to look at Mirajane and Levy, who were in charge of intelligence liaison.

"Mira, Levy, once everyone's here, broadcast the message throughout the entire continent."

Arrangements complete.

Jiang Bai strode towards the main entrance of the hall, and an overwhelming aura of dominance suddenly emanated from his body!

"Alright!"

"Fairy Tail, all members, enter battle readiness!"

"Prepare... for a demonic feast from the Tartaros!!"