The Church's Demon

Time flew by, and before long, a year had passed since Lu Chongwei had been promoted to S-Class Mage.

Throughout that year, Fairy Tail had remained as lively as ever, though a few subtle changes had taken place.

The most notable one was Lu Chongwei.

As the youngest S-Class Mage in the guild's history, he had fully settled into the role. He could now take on the most difficult and dangerous S-Class Missions on his own, and had become a role model for the guild's younger generation.

Of course, besides taking jobs alone, he occasionally took newcomers under his wing.

Erza, for example.

She hadn't yet been promoted to S-Class, but everyone already recognized her strength. To help her gain more experience, Makarov often paired her with Lu Chongwei.

Lu Chongwei hadn't minded at first.

After all, having a beautiful, powerful swordswoman as a teammate was a pleasure in every sense.

But—

"Erza, we're going to hunt a monster, not move house. Got it?"

At the train station, Lu Chongwei looked at the mountain of luggage before him, the corner of his mouth twitching.

Three trunks, each as tall as a person and a half, plus two enormous bundles, completely hid Erza from view.

"These are all necessities."

Erza poked her head out from behind the pile and explained earnestly.

"This trunk has my spare armor, this one has sword oil and whetstones, and that one has extra ingredients and cooking tools... And this is a box of desserts I prepared especially for you."

Lu Chongwei sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"You're going on a picnic, aren't you? You absolutely are."

He grumbled, but still resigned himself to carrying the two largest trunks for her. After all, he was an S-Class Mage—and a man.

Besides Erza, the guild had welcomed several other new faces.

Levy, Jet, and Droy.

The three newcomers, each with a very different personality, had formed a team called Shadow Gear. They were still inexperienced, but their teamwork was surprisingly good.

Levy especially.

The little girl with short blue hair and a headband was a bookworm through and through.

Unlike the others, who were eager to fight or take on jobs, she'd plunged into the guild's underground library and spent her days buried in ancient books.

Makarov was quite pleased with her.

"Knowledge is power."

Makarov often patted Levy on the head and spoke earnestly to the bunch of muscle-brained idiots—Natsu and Gray in particular.

"If you lot were even half as eager to learn as Levy, I'd have a lot less to worry about."

And another person who couldn't go unmentioned that year was Laxus.

The proud Lightning Dragon Slayer, once defeated by Lu Chongwei, seemed like a different person after that setback.

He'd grown quieter and more diligent.

Then, half a year ago, he passed another evaluation with overwhelming strength and was promoted to S-Class Mage.

With top-tier fighters like Gildarts, Lu Chongwei, and Laxus, Fairy Tail was now at the height of its power.

The guild's job board was so packed with requests that there was barely room for another one.

That day.

Lu Chongwei stood before the S-Class Mission board on the second floor, scanning the yellowed pieces of parchment.

"Slay the Ice Dragon in the frozen north... Too far. Don't feel like it."

"Search for a lost ancient ruin... Too much trouble. Not interested."

"Escort a member of the royal family... Too many rules. No thanks."

Lu Chongwei browsed through the requests until his gaze finally settled on one in the corner.

[Mission: Slay the demon in the church]

[Location: A deserted town in the mountains, on the border of the Kingdom of Fiore]

[Reward: 2,000,000 J]

[Description: It is said that a terrifying demon is sealed inside an ancient church. The seal has recently weakened, and the demon's aura is leaking out, terrifying the surrounding villagers. An S-Class Mage is requested to slay it.]

"A church... A demon..."

Lu Chongwei rubbed his chin, interest glinting in his eyes.

"That sounds kind of interesting."

He tore down the request and turned to walk downstairs.

At the bar.

Makarov was having an early drink. When he saw the request in Lu Chongwei's hand, his brow furrowed slightly.

"You're taking this one?"

Makarov set down his glass, his expression turning grave.

"Lu Chongwei, this mission won't be easy."

"Oh? How so?"

Lu Chongwei pulled out a chair and sat down.

"I heard some stories about that church when I was young."

Makarov paused, then spoke slowly.

"They say the thing sealed there isn't just an ordinary demon. It could be a fragment of Satan's soul, left behind in this world."

"Satan?"

Lu Chongwei raised an eyebrow.

In this world of magic, that name represented the very height of darkness and evil.

"That's right."

Just then, a clear voice came from nearby.

Levy walked over, holding a thick old book, and pushed her reading glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"I found a relevant account in the Ancient Demon Compendium."

She opened the book and pointed to an illustration on one of its pages.

"That church was originally a Sacred Ground for suppressing demons. But during a great battle several centuries ago, all the clergy there were killed. Only the seal remained, barely holding on."

"The book says that demons like this are skilled at manipulating people's minds. They can also possess and control humans, so they're extremely dangerous."

Levy looked at Lu Chongwei, her eyes full of worry.

"Big Brother Lu Chongwei, please be careful."

Lu Chongwei smiled and ruffled Levy's hair until it was a mess.

"Don't worry, little bookworm."

"Satan or whatever, Ryujin Jakka will reduce them to ashes."

Lu Chongwei spoke with complete confidence.

But despite his casual words, he wasn't about to let his guard down.

Since a demon of Satan's caliber was involved, it would be safer to bring along a companion.

"What about Erza?"

Lu Chongwei turned to Cana.

"I was thinking of asking her to come along. It'd be a good chance for her to see a high-level demon up close."

Cana was wiping a glass. At his question, she gave him an apologetic smile.

"Afraid not. Erza left yesterday."

"Where did she go?"

"The capital," Cana explained. "Apparently, that famous armor shop has just released a new Purgatory Armor with amazing defensive power. The moment Erza heard, she took the train there that very night. She said she had to buy it, no matter what."

"..."

Lu Chongwei's mouth twitched.

That armor maniac was beyond saving.

"Fine. I'll go alone, then."

Lu Chongwei drained his glass of milk, stood up, and tightened the Zanpakuto at his back.

"Besides, it's been a while since I've stretched my legs."

After saying goodbye to everyone, Lu Chongwei boarded the train for the border.

The train wound through towering mountains. Outside the window, the scenery shifted from prosperous plains to desolate peaks.

After more than half a day of rattling along, Lu Chongwei stepped off the train just as evening approached.

The sunset was like blood, staining the sky a deep red.

A frigid mountain wind howled past, sweeping dead leaves along the ground and lending the place a bleak, desolate air.

"Is this the station nearest the mission site?"

Lu Chongwei tightened his coat and looked toward the outline of a town hidden in the shadows of distant mountains.

That was the place mentioned in the request.

For some reason, as he looked in that direction, a strange feeling stirred in his chest.

It was as if something were watching him from the darkness.

"Looks like this mission really will be interesting."

Lu Chongwei narrowed his eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he sprang forward, moving like lightning toward the shadow-shrouded town.

Whatever was waiting there, he would see it with his own eyes.