In the Royal Palace of the Stella Kingdom.
Sonya said the Scepter is being kept by you!
"Why didn't you just give it to me?"
King Animus of the Stella Kingdom swept one hand across his face, glaring fiercely at the Minister of State, Zexiu, who was kneeling on one knee below.
His tone was extremely cold.
Zexiu knelt on one knee, his forehead covered in sweat, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
But she still managed a trembling reply, "I'm so sorry, I... I just felt..."
He hadn't finished speaking.
King Animus stretched out one hand, and an invisible force was instantly applied to Zexiu's body.
"Um... uh~"
Zexiu's face instantly contorted in pain. He felt like he couldn't breathe, as if countless pressures were squeezing his body from all directions.
The joints in his body also made creaking and cracking sounds.
"I don't care what you think, I care what I think!" King Animus said coldly, word by word.
"I'm... sorry... I've already found out... the group at the tavern... is in... a Duke's Kingdom... it seems to be related to the Phoenix..."
"I can... lead the team there..."
Zexiu gradually revealed his thoughts; if he didn't speak up, the king might really make him disappear.
The invisible force also withdraws.
"Cough cough~" Zexiu coughed violently.
It is clear that King Animus was furious about the loss of the Scepter and was already planning to take Zexiu's life.
However, we still need Zexiu's power for now.
"Phoenix? That kind of thing is irrelevant..."
"No matter what method you use, get the Scepter back..."
"If we encounter that group, kill them all, leave no one alive!"
When King Animus heard the word "Phoenix," he seemed to recall something and his expression turned disdainful.
If that thing can be called Phoenix, it's absolutely laughable, but its Phoenix Tears do have some use.
"You have no chance of failure, Zexiu!"
King Animus's face was filled with murderous intent as he walked and spoke. He stopped beside him, his gaze coldly fixed on the kneeling Zexiu, his voice low and icy. "Fail again, and you know the consequences!"
"Yes!" Zexiu replied respectfully, though with a hint of fear.
After the king had walked away, Zexiu's gaze became even colder.
"Once I obtain the Scepter, you will be no exception, Your Majesty!" Zexiu thought coldly.
One day later
"Lord Gray, Juvia is so happy..."
Juvia walked alongside Gray, glancing at Gray sideways. It had been a long time since she had gone on a mission with Gray!
Today, my wish has finally come true.
"Are you sure that person from Karande is in this forest?"
Lucy followed behind Juvia and Gray, walking alongside Wendy, looking around at her surroundings with a hint of fear, and asked uncertainly.
"Hmm, this should be it!" Éclair thought carefully.
She is slowly beginning to remember some things, and the forest gives her a strange sense of familiarity.
She was certain she could find clues here.
Zorn and Cana walked together, and Erza, the three of them, led the way.
Natsu, Gray, Juvia, Meredy, Levy walked in the middle, responsible for the Monster attacks on the left and right sides.
Gajeel, Ultear, Lucy, Wendy, Éclair, and several cats followed behind.
That's right.
They didn't plan to return to Fairy Tail first, saying they wanted to travel with them and carry out this mission along the way.
It means that you should take this opportunity to relax and unwind.
However, Guild Master Makarov was taken aback when he heard the word "Phoenix" mentioned in the mission.
He hurriedly hung up the phone, saying he had to go to the Magic Council and asked them to make sure that half of the Phoenix Stone was kept safe.
They didn't mention again what was wrong with having so many people carrying out this task.
Zorn was aware of this situation and was also silently watching over Éclair.
It's just a fake Phoenix, there's no need to sacrifice anyone!
Zorn thought to himself.
"Roar!" A giant snake opened its mouth wide, its two fangs gleaming coldly as it charged forward.
"Roll!"
Zorn casually waved his hand, and a giant hand of light instantly formed in the air, sending him flying with a loud bang.
Its eyes were fixed in a rather human-like daze, clearly showing that the giant snake was completely bewildered!
"Prepare to die! Ice-Make Magic!"
"The Sky Dragon's Roar ~"
"Heaven's Wheel Armor - Sword of Heavenly Kinship!"
"Open the Gate of Aquarius!"
Along the way, all sorts of Magic surged forth, instantly blasting away all the Magic Beasts in the path, leaving them no chance to even get close.
Well, how should I put it!
The main force of Fairy Tail is all here!
Even if the Ruby Fairy Tail and the entire Zexiu clan come, we're not afraid!
After everyone passed through a dilapidated, red, transparent barrier, the basement door of a ruined house suddenly opened.
The surroundings of the dilapidated houses were desolate and lonely.
Éclair stared blankly at the dilapidated house, fragments of memories surfacing.
He paused for a few seconds, then quickly ran towards the ruins, as if trying to verify something.
The others quickly followed.
"Everyone, come here, there's a basement."
Zorn stood directly at the destination, called out to the crowd, and then bent down and walked down.
Inside the basement, tree roots had taken hold of the ground, moss covered the floor, and there were old tables and chairs, messy household items, and documents scattered everywhere.
"What a dilapidated workshop!" Erza exclaimed, looking around.
Éclair, somewhat bewildered, reached out and touched a family photo hanging on the wall. "This... is me when I was little!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the instant his hand touched the photo frame, the crystal ball on the table suddenly shone with a brilliant blue light.
An image appeared, and a kind, aged voice rang out.
"Éclair, if you've seen this image, it means..."
"This place was also searched, but I'm so glad you're alright!"
"However, your destiny... cough cough cough."
The man coughed violently a few times as he spoke, indicating that he was not feeling well during the recording, but he was still worried about his daughter.
"Éclair, the years I spent with you were the happiest of my life, but as a priestess, you have your mission!"
"And I, too, bore the mission of breaking the Magic on the Phoenix Stone! I have already broken the Magic, but I simply didn't have time to use it!"
"Cough cough cough, I'm already seriously ill!"
I sincerely wish you would meet some outstanding partners!
"Éclair, my beloved daughter!"
"Click, click"
But the crystal ball gradually cracked!
The man's eyes were filled with loving tenderness, tinged with a hint of reluctance. He reached out, as if wanting to touch his daughter across time and space.
Éclair, her hand trembling, reached out and said with a longing expression, "Daddy."
The moment the two hands touched, the light vanished, and the crystal ball shattered, having fulfilled its purpose.
Éclair was lost in thought.
Night
Around the campfire, the group sat together, discussing what kind of Magic might be contained within the Phoenix Stone.
This even caused the Guild Master's expression to change.
Even this Mage Karande, would spend his entire life trying to undo this Magic.
"No matter how you look at it, it's an ominous Magic!" Erza said calmly.
His gaze, however, was gentle as he watched Éclair dancing gracefully in the moonlight.
The love between family members is something everyone can relate to.
"Daddy~"
At that moment, Lucy also thought of her father and felt a little worried, wondering how he was doing.
She planned to visit her father after this mission was over.
On the other side, the Ruby Fairy Tail.
The group looked at Zexiu, the Minister of State of the Stella Kingdom, who was in front of them and belonged to their Fairy Tail.
"The collaboration begins~"
The two hands clasped together, reaching a preliminary agreement on cooperation.
Both sides had eyes filled with hatred.
To be continued~