"This place looks really nice, with birds singing and flowers blooming?"
"However... it's obvious that it's been maintained for a long time; this Celestial Spirit is truly extraordinary!"
The group slowly made their way along a winding path that led to a Lake.
At this moment, they found themselves amidst a vibrant and colorful sea of flowers, as if they had stepped into a fairytale world.
Although it's not the season for flowers to bloom, the flowers here are blooming exceptionally brightly and beautifully, clearly thanks to the love and meticulous care of the gardeners.
"Haha, it's so beautiful!"
"Flo-Flo~" Flo was also very happy.
Yukino cheered excitedly, clutching the two adorable cats tightly as she ran joyfully back and forth among the flowers.
Even when Wraith tried to pick a flower, Yukino gently stopped him, saying, "No, this must be the flower he cherishes most! He must love these flowers very much." Yukino smiled, gazing tenderly at the beautiful flowers.
"They are indeed beautiful, but for me, strength is more important. After all, these flowers can't make us stronger." Sting, the little brat, put his hands behind his head, casually looked around, and said nonchalantly.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he immediately felt Yukino's angry little glare, which startled him so much that he quickly turned his head away, a embarrassed smile on his face, not daring to look at Yukino again in order to ease the awkward situation.
"You little rascal, you're still too young to understand women! Learn more!" Zorn vigorously rubbed Sting's head, laughing heartily.
Sting winced, his soreness from the rubbing, and said, "Zorn —Uncle, you don't understand... Damn it, don't treat me like a child."
"Uncle?" Zorn was stunned. Was he really that old?
To be honest, he saw Natsu's shadow in Sting —just as boisterous and just as clueless about women.
With a bang.
Zorn punched Sting on the head, giving him a bump, and said very kindly, "Call me Big Brother!"
But a long-lost feeling stirred within me: the mischievous days of Natsu's childhood.
Hearing Zorn's words, Rogue suddenly fell silent, lost in thought.
"A woman's heart?"
He raised his head and gazed at Runa, who was now an adult, standing beside him, his eyes lingering on her for a long time.
"What's wrong, Rogue? Did you figure something out? I never knew you were such a closet pervert!"
Zorn suddenly appeared beside Rogue, a teasing smile on his face, and gestured for Rogue to look at Runa.
At that moment, Rogue's face turned bright red, even his ears blushed.
He quickly lowered his head and stammered in a soft voice, "No... no."
"Hmph~ Listen up, you lot! My dazzling little sister is mine alone!" Runa suddenly became very serious, her eyes revealing a firmness and determination.
She held Sting and Rogue tightly in her arms, glaring at Zorn as if she wanted to devour him alive.
At this moment, Runa exuded a powerful aura, and a low-pressure atmosphere enveloped the group.
Just then, Yukino's clear and sweet voice came from afar. "Sister, sister, come and see, here!"
Upon hearing her sister's call, Runa's expression instantly changed.
Turning her head, her face beaming with a joyful and happy smile, she immediately ran towards Yukino, her eyes filled with doting affection.
However, Runa didn't forget to warn the others. Every now and then, she would turn around and glare at Sting, Rogue, Zorn, and Zorn others, warning them not to have any improper thoughts about Yukino.
But when she turned to look at her younger sister, the tenderness and sweetness in her eyes were incredibly heartwarming.
He's definitely a sister-complex guy.
Witnessing all of this, Future Lucy couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
She seemed to have long been used to Runa's sister-complex behavior; she actually found Runa, who was cute and had a sister-complex, quite appealing.
"You bunch of people, here to cause trouble again, aren't you!" A cold-faced boy walked up from the front, holding a harpoon and pointing it directly at Runa. His voice was icy, and his eyes revealed a hint of wariness and hostility.
"Water jet attack!" The boy launched his attack without hesitation. Holding a harpoon, a powerful jet of water gushed out and rushed straight towards the group. This attack was unreserved, clearly intended to give them a warning.
Despite such a fierce attack, Runa remained unusually calm.
She swiftly pulled several coins from her chest and flung them forcefully into the sky. With that movement, a powerful surge of Magic Power began to flow, and she whispered, "Miniature Angel Anima!"
Immediately afterwards, several Anima flew out of the Magic Circle, blocking the way for the group with astonishing speed.
These Miniature Angels possess immense power; they spread their wings, releasing light, and easily swallowed up the entire stream of water.
Then, without hesitation, they flew toward the boy, emitting sharp cries as if they wanted to tear him to pieces.
However, the boy reacted quickly. He dodged Anima's attack with a swift movement.
At the same time, he kept swinging the harpoon in his hand, accurately hitting every Miniature Angel that approached him and scattering them.
At this moment, the boy's gaze turned serious. He realized that the people in front of him were not ordinary civilians, but a group of powerful Mages.
He was particularly surprised by the Angel Magic that Runa used.
Runa looked at him with unwavering determination, her eyes gleaming with resolve. Turning to Yukino said, "Yukino, do you remember what your older sister said? I will definitely help you find the remaining Zodiac Keys!"
"Sister, I'll get it for you right away!"
Her voice was full of confidence and determination, as if nothing could stop her from moving forward.
Runa flipped her wrist, and a slightly larger coin appeared in her hand. She looked at the boy as if it were already in her grasp.
"Are we just going to watch like this?" Future Lucy asked worriedly, looking at the two people in front of her who had started fighting without warning.
"Of course not~ I'm just thinking about how to do it best!" Zorn chuckled, his tone slightly teasing.
"There's really no other way, I'll have to resort to a little force!" Zorn sighed, and snapped his fingers with his right hand as soon as he finished speaking.
Countless light particles formed several chains of light in the sky and quickly attacked the boy. The boy was immediately startled, but he bent down and then used his hands to support himself on the ground and flipped over, directly dodging the attacks.
"Such speed!" Runa exclaimed in surprise.
To be continued~