The white-haired girl opened her eyes wide, biting her lip tightly, blood trickling down the corner of her mouth.
"What are you saying... I don't understand."
Lu Chongwei reached out his right hand and gently wiped away the tears on her face.
Two years ago, Lisanna of Earth-land was sucked into Edolas due to an accident. And your companions here, in order to make up for the pain of losing Lisanna, have taken you as 'her'.
Lu Chongwei sighed, his eyes filled with pity.
"And you, to avoid upsetting Mira and Elfman here, chose to conceal your identity and live on as Lisanna in this world."
"But are you really happy?"
Lisanna could no longer hold back.
She threw herself into Lu Chongwei's arms, clutching his shirt tightly with both hands, and burst into tears.
The grievances, fears, and longing of the past two years exploded at this moment.
"I want to go home... Lu Chongwei, I really want to go home."
Lisanna cried her heart out, her body convulsing violently.
"But I dare not say it... I'm afraid they'll be sad, I'm afraid the older sisters and brothers here will lose their younger sister again."
Lu Chongwei patted her back steadily.
"Come home with me, Lisanna."
Lu Chongwei's voice rang in Lisanna's ear, carrying a sense of decisiveness.
" Fairy Tail of Earth-land is your true home."
Lisanna looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
"But... will everyone still remember me? I've been gone for two years."
Lu Chongwei smiled, revealing a gentle smile.
" Mira wipes your photo every day. That idiot Elfman always secretly wipes away tears whenever he mentions you. And Natsu, he's gotten so much stronger these past two years, all so he won't lose anyone again."
Lu Chongwei held Lisanna's cold little hand.
"Everyone misses you. Come with me, let's go back to Earth-land together."
Looking into Lu Chongwei's powerful eyes, Lisanna's previously wavering heart finally settled down.
She gripped Lu Chongwei's clothes tightly, her fingertips turning blue.
Those eyes, which were always so gentle, were now completely wet with tears, making them look like a frightened fawn.
"I want to go home... I really want to go home."
Lisanna's voice was barely audible, carrying the grievances she had suppressed for two years.
"But the older sisters and brothers here have been so good to me. If I leave, they will be devastated. Lu Chongwei, I saw with my own eyes how they looked when they lost ' Lisanna,' that kind of despair... I don't want them to experience it a second time."
Lu Chongwei looked at the kind-hearted girl in front of him and sighed heavily.
He reached out and gently rubbed Lisanna's head.
"Idiot, do you think hiding your identity is doing them a favor?"
Lu Chongwei's voice was steady and powerful.
"A lie is still a lie. Every day you're here, you're actually draining their feelings."
Besides, Mira and Elfman of Earth-land are waiting for you to return. Do you want them to wait forever?
Lisanna trembled, and her sobs grew louder.
She leaned against Lu Chongwei's chest, her tears soaking his shirt.
"I don't know what to do... I really don't know..."
Lu Chongwei patted her on the back, a resolute glint in his eyes.
"Listen, Lisanna. Everyone in the guild has been turned into Magic Crystal. I have to go to the royal capital to rescue them. In the meantime, you stay with the guild and spend time with your loved ones here."
Lisanna looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
And what about you?
"I'll go deal with that king."
Lu Chongwei snorted coldly, his tone brimming with arrogance.
"Once I rescue everyone, I'll take you back to Earth-land. As for Mira and Elfman here, I'll find a way to give them an explanation. I'll keep this a secret until the day we leave."
Lisanna bit her lip and finally nodded forcefully.
"Yes! I believe you, Lu Chongwei."
She wiped away her tears and forced a smile.
Thank you, thank you so much.
The two returned together to the spacious treehouse.
The atmosphere in the guild hall was somewhat strange at this moment.
Natsu was squatting on the ground, idly drawing circles with a twig. Wendy, on the other hand, was standing in the middle of the hall, sizing up another " Wendy ".
Wendy from Edolas is noticeably taller, dressed in a smart bodysuit, and her eyes exude maturity and composure.
Wendy from Earth-land was nervously clutching the hem of her skirt, her face flushed.
"Um... hello."
Wendy from Earth-land greeted him quietly.
Wendy from Edolas raised her eyebrows, looking herself up and down at the shrunken version of herself before her.
"You're me from another world? You look... weak."
This statement hit Wendy right where it hurt.
She lowered her head, her voice becoming weak.
"I'm sorry... I'm not as capable as everyone else, and I always cause you trouble."
Natsu had been listening nearby, couldn't stand it anymore and jumped up.
"Hey! Wendy is really strong! She's the Sky Dragon Slayer!"
Wendy of Edolas scoffed.
" Dragon Slayer? In this world, someone without magic can't even beat a stray cat. Little girl, I suggest you go home and play in the mud."
Wendy lowered her head even further, her eyes filled with self-doubt.
Lu Chongwei pushed open the door and walked in, just in time to overhear this conversation.
He walked straight to Wendy and put his hand on her shoulder.
" Wendy, look up."
Wendy paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked up at Lu Chongwei.
"Everyone has their own path. She has her maturity, you have your gentleness. In Earth-land, you are a unique Sky Dragon. Here, you are too."
Lu Chongwei glanced at Wendy in Edolas.
"As for strength, it's not something you can judge by words. You'll see her performance once we reach the capital."
Wendy from Edolas snorted and turned away, saying nothing more.
Lu Chongwei clapped his hands, signaling everyone to gather.
"Alright, stop dawdling here. We need to get to the capital right away. Every minute we're late increases the danger for everyone in the guild."
Natsu excitedly pumped his fist.
"Oh! We're finally setting off! I can't wait to tear down that palace!"
Carla frowned and asked, "But we have no idea how to get to the capital. The whole way is wilderness. What if we go the wrong way?"
Lu Chongwei smiled, revealing a confident expression.
He pointed to Nancy on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Nancy knows the way. She's lived in this forest since she was a kitten and knows the surrounding terrain like the back of her hand."
Nancy, who had been obediently licking her paws, stopped upon hearing this.
It raised its head, its round eyes filled with confusion.