(Heartfelt thanks to 'A Lang C', 'Kong Cheng_Du Zou', 'Never Abandon', 'Fei Ye | Sleepless City', 'Ice Emperor~Cang Yue', 'Book Friend 160107171241159', and 'Fleeting Years' for their tips!)
In one corner of Tenrou Island, all the Fairy Tail mages had gathered at the guild's campsite.
It was not only Fairy Tail mages. Several people who were clearly not from Fairy Tail had been tied up and thrown outside the camp, with the emblem of another guild embroidered on their clothes.
It was Grimoire Heart's guild emblem.
Led by Noah, the Fairy Tail mages gathered inside the tent, some sitting and some standing. The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
"That's what happened."
Levy pointed at the several people tied up outside the tent and spoke to everyone present.
"Juvia and I ran into these Grimoire Heart members while searching for First Guild Master Mavis's tomb. If Erza and Mira hadn't arrived in time, Juvia and I would probably have been defeated already."
"We only rushed over after noticing some unusual commotion," Erza continued from where Levy left off.
"Then we found Levy and Juvia locked in a hard battle, so we joined forces and took these people down."
"Only then did we learn from them that they were Grimoire Heart's advance unit, sent to Tenrou Island to scout ahead," Mira said worriedly.
"According to them, Grimoire Heart's main force is currently heading for Tenrou Island. That's why Erza and I sent the signal."
That was why the enemy attack flare had appeared.
After learning the full story, everyone exchanged glances. They could all see the weight and fury in each other's eyes.
"Guild Master Precht..." Makarov clenched his fists, his eyes burning with anger.
"Do you truly wish to destroy Fairy Tail with your own hands?"
"He's no longer Fairy Tail's Second