Sting, Rogue, Rufus, and Orga had already been waiting there.
When they saw Minerva's miserable state, all their faces darkened.
"Miss, are you all right?"
Sting hurried forward, his tone anxious. "Who exactly was that woman? How did you lose to her?"
Rogue frowned deeply and spoke in a low voice.
"Your Absolute Territory was actually broken head-on?"
Minerva took a seat, raised a hand to wipe the blood from her face, and spoke in a hoarse, icy voice.
"I underestimated Juvia."
"Underestimated her?" Rufus raised a brow. "Her magic power may be strong, but it shouldn't have left you completely unable to fight back."
"She completely assimilated herself into the lake water."
Minerva swept a cold gaze over everyone as she reviewed the entire battle.
"In that body of water, she was the water itself. My spatial magic could distort space, but it couldn't sever the entire area of water."
"Moreover, the explosive power of her magic far exceeded our intelligence estimates."
Her expression grew solemn, and her tone became even sterner.
"It's not just her. Everyone in Fairy Tail is stronger than we imagined. Their powerful performances these past few days are no coincidence."
Sting clenched his fists and snorted coldly.
"So what? We're Fiore's strongest guild. We absolutely cannot give up that title!"
"Shut up, Sting."
Minerva's sharp rebuke instantly silenced Sting.
She rose to her feet, her gaze sweeping across the four of them, her voice ice-cold.
"From now on, everyone goes all out. In every battle that follows, no one is allowed to hold anything back."
"We will defend the title of strongest guild to the death. We cannot lose again!"
"Yes, Miss."
Though unwilling, they could only bow their heads and respond.
The naval battle came to a complete end. Referee Jabba raised his