Teaming Up

Seeing the two of them behaving like brothers, Erza's serious expression finally softened, and she revealed a relieved smile.

"Really? Even good friends sometimes argue, but I still prefer to see you two getting along harmoniously."

Jiang Bai, watching from the side, almost burst out laughing.

He had to admire his girlfriend's occasional, naturally naive side.

"I... I've never seen Natsu like this before."

Lucy felt her understanding was being overturned.

"Because Natsu acted impulsively and challenged Erza," Mirajane explained with a smile.

"As a result, they were dealt with very badly."

"Gray, on the other hand, was caught by Erza walking naked in the street once, and she dragged him back and gave him a severe beating for a whole day," Macao added with lingering fear.

"As for Loke," Cana said gleefully, taking a swig of her drink.

"He wanted to pursue Erza, but before he could even get close, Jiang Bai beat him half to death."

Lucy was stunned by the series of embarrassing stories, but a new question arose in her mind.

"Speaking of which," Lucy pointed at Natsu, then at Jiang Bai, and asked with a puzzled look,

Why is Natsu so afraid of Jiang Bai Erza? Could it be... that Erza is stronger than Jiang Bai?

This question silenced everyone around who had been listening intently to the gossip.

"No," Happy shook her little paw, denying her guess, "Jiang Bai is definitely stronger."

"That's because Jiang Bai was done with you after he finished. But Erza..."

Happy paused, a look of utter terror crossing his face, as if recalling some horrible memory.

"After Erza beats you up, she'll use her theories to subject you to hours, even days, of 'education,' both mentally and verbally."

"We'll keep talking until you kneel down and beg for forgiveness, crying and admitting you were wrong!"

"By the way," Mirajane said, looking at Jiang Bai, his smile widening.

Jiang Bai was the one who got scolded the most!

"However, he doesn't seem to care at all; he even treats it as a playful interaction between lovers."

Lucy watched as the man who had just been scolded by Erza like a grandson now approached her with a grin, acting as if nothing had happened. Lucy nodded thoughtfully.

She seemed to understand a little.

After finishing her lecture, Erza looked at the nonchalant man in front of her and suddenly said, "Since you're free right now, I need your help with something."

"Boom--!"

Erza's words were like a bombshell dropped into the peaceful guild.

"Jiang Bai and Erza? Doing missions together?"

"My God! This must be the strongest combination!"

"No, no, no, it should be said that as long as Jiang Bai is there, no matter who he teams up with, they are the strongest!"

"Wait a minute! Shouldn't we be more concerned about what they're up to? Even Erza has to ask Jiang Bai for help..."

"Could it be... that they're going to attack some country?!"

Lucy listened to the increasingly outrageous speculations of the guild members around her, her heart leaped into her throat, and she felt her legs trembling.

"Is the combination of Jiang Bai and Erza... really that terrifying?" she whispered to Happy on her shoulder.

"Hey~" Happy hugged his paws and nodded seriously, "It's not an exaggeration at all."

Jiang Bai ignored the surrounding noise and looked at Erza's face, which was unusually serious.

"What happened Erza?"

"On my way back, I heard some bad rumors."

Erza explained, "There's a man named Erigor, with his men, who seem to be searching for a dangerous, sealed magical artifact and intend to break its seal."

She paused, a hint of worry flashing in her crimson eyes. "I'm worried they might use that thing for bad things, but I also feel that my own abilities might not be enough. So, I wanted to ask you to come with me."

Jiang Bai smiled, reached out, and habitually ruffled Erza's hair.

"You underestimate your own strength, Erza."

However, he did not refuse.

At that moment, Mirajane, who had been quietly wiping glasses at the bar, suddenly spoke up.

"Erigor the Grim Reaper, I've heard of him. He was the ace of the former 'Eisenwald' guild."

"Because the Eisenwald Guild only accepted shady assassination missions, and the Magic Council explicitly forbids mages from accepting such requests, the entire guild was expelled, and the guild master was imprisoned."

"Eisenwald is now a completely dark guild."

"I see," Jiang Bai's lazy expression softened slightly.

"A dark guild, huh? We definitely need to be careful about that."

Seeing Erza's travel-worn appearance, he suggested, "You just got back, why don't I go by myself?"

"No," Erza's attitude was unusually firm.

"This time, I invited you. Although you're very strong, there's no guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen. It's settled then, we'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning."

After saying that, she didn't give Jiang Bai a chance to refuse, turned around and walked towards the guild gate, leaving behind only a crisp and decisive sentence.

I'm going home to put my luggage away.

Watching Erza's departing figure, Jiang Bai sighed dramatically, slumped onto the bar, and complained to Mirajane, "Sigh, Mira, looks like our date tomorrow is ruined."

Mirajane put down her cup and looked at him with amusement, her eyes seeming to see right through his little schemes.

"Come on, you're actually really happy, aren't you? You get to go on a date with Erza."

"Hehe," Jiang Bai, having his thoughts exposed, didn't blush at all; instead, his smile widened even more.

"It would be great, but it would be even better if you could come along."

You're dreaming.

Mirajane reached out and gently poked Jiang Bai's forehead with her finger. In her gentle purple eyes, a subtle hint of coquettishness, which only Jiang Bai could understand, flashed.

"Then hurry up and completely win her over."

After saying that, she turned and left the bar.

In the eyes of everyone in the guild, Mirajane has long since transformed from the fearsome "Demon" of yesteryear into a forever gentle and considerate lady.

But only Jiang Bai knew that beneath that gentleness, the shadow of that rebellious girl from back then would occasionally appear; she would get jealous and throw tantrums, and all of this was a scene that belonged only to him.