"The King? Doesn't that mean he's the strongest Celestial Spirit?!" Natsu's eyes lit up as he cracked his knuckles. "So this bearded old guy's the one who won't let Loke go home? Watch me-"
"Do you want to die, you idiot?!" Gray grabbed his scarf and hauled him back, cold sweat trickling down his temple. "Can't you feel that crushing pressure? One look tells you this guy's no pushover!"
"So what? Blanc's here too!"
But Blanc didn't join in. He reached out to hold back the itching-to-fight Natsu, studying the newly appeared Celestial Spirit King through narrowed eyes.
"Natsu. Wait a moment. Let's hear what the Celestial Spirit King and Lucy have to say."
"After all, this is a matter between Celestial Spirits and Celestial Spirit Mages. Let them talk first. If they can't work it out, then we'll step in."
The Celestial Spirit King ignored the little disturbance at his feet and looked straight at Lucy, a hint of wistfulness in his voice.
"Old friend, when we formed contracts with humans, we established an iron law: never harm the holder of your key."
"Leo, though you did not kill your holder with your own hands, Karen died because of you. That is an indisputable fact. Thus, I refuse to allow you to return to the Celestial Spirit World."
"Wait, isn't that ridiculous?" Bracing herself against the Celestial Spirit King's immense pressure, Lucy gritted her teeth and stepped forward.
"Th-that's enough, Lucy! Don't disrespect the King..." Loke broke out in a cold sweat, terrified that Lucy might anger the King and come to harm.
"My old friend, this ancient rule cannot be changed." The Celestial Spirit King's voice was utterly calm.
"But Loke's suffered for three whole years too!" Lucy pointed at Loke, her words brimming with sincerity.
"He only