(Heartfelt thanks to 'Laogong Ji', 'HJAkeno', 'Boundary Youkai Yukari Yakumo', 'Lonely as Smoke', 'Wufeng Haotian', 'O0 Tear Wound 0o', 'Zhen Yi', 'Nan Yunxia', 'World's End Ballad', and 'Mad Wolf's Howl' for their rewards!)
Just as Noah had expected, because Raven Tail had yet to arrive, everyone in the venue was engaged in heated discussion.
In Fairy Tail's two competitor areas, everyone had likewise gathered together to discuss the matter.
In the end, they reached only one conclusion.
"It seems Raven Tail must have run into some sort of accident." Erza spoke thoughtfully.
"If the ones who attacked Mira and Lisanna yesterday and took Yukino away were Raven Tail, then the reason that guild hasn't shown up is most likely because Noah dealt with them, right?"
That was the conclusion everyone had reached.
After all, it was the only conclusion that fit all the current circumstances.
"But if that's really the case, Noah should have been able to come back after dealing with Raven Tail." Gray said.
"The fact that Noah still hasn't returned means there must be a deeper reason behind it, right?"
"In other words..." Lucy hesitated for a moment before speaking tentatively.
"Noah and Raven Tail are both missing. Is it possible they're together right now, maybe even fighting?"
"How could that be the reason?" Gajeel curled his lip.
"I don't think Raven Tail alone could keep that guy tied up for this long."
Everyone exchanged glances at Gajeel's words, then nodded in agreement.
Clearly, none of them believed Raven Tail had the strength to keep Noah from returning all night.
There had to be some deeper reason behind this.
"What a pain." Natsu held his head, looking thoroughly displeased.
"If they want to settle things, why not come at us openly? Why make everything so complicated?"
"It's