"You think I can get stronger? Isn't that all thanks to my magic armor?"
Erza was momentarily stunned.
Living in this dog-eat-dog world, Erza naturally longs to become stronger.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have spent all her savings to acquire any new type of magical armor that appeared.
Now Bai Yu is telling her that she can become stronger without magic armor.
This statement clearly caught Erza guard.
Don't worry, you'll understand in time.
Bai Yu smiled, took a swig of his drink, and turned to look in the direction of the guild.
The first thing that catches the eye is Natsu and Gray, who have quickly arrived with their group.
Following closely behind them, Makarov, leaning on a cane, remained at the rear to bring up the rear.
However, at this moment, Makarov's face was already extremely gloomy, and an invisible pressure was spreading throughout his body.
It gives one a feeling of impending doom.
Erza and Levy's expressions changed slightly.
Bai Yu took a sip of wine and said calmly, "It seems that Gajeel won't have to wait too long to see me."
"This time, it's finally time to declare war!"
Bai Yu actually quite agrees with Makarov's personality.
No matter what hardships or losses they suffer outside, they can always come home with a smile and a laugh, not taking it to heart at all.
However, if a family member suffers even the slightest harm, that indifference will completely turn into a matter of concern!
Erza's expression immediately turned serious.
She did not refute Bai Yu's words at all.
Looking at Jet and Droy lying motionless on the ground, Erza knew perfectly well what was going on.
If Bai Yu hadn't arrived in time, Levy other two would have been nailed up, just like the opponents Gajeel had defeated.
It's fair to say that this is definitely not the situation they wanted to see.
"Ding! Attribute Fragment detected. Host, pick it up immediately!"
The system's ethereal notification sounded abruptly.
Bai Yu raised an eyebrow and turned to look at where Gajeel had been standing, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
As expected, characters like Gajeel, who have a significant role in the story, are indeed good targets for grinding.
Especially when you look at that piece of gold fragment left on the ground.
Bai Yu's intuition told him...
This will probably be a good outcome!
"System, immediately collect the Attribute Fragment for me!"
"Ding-dong, host, please wait a moment..."
"Ding-dong, congratulations host, you have acquired a new skill..."
Meanwhile, in the town of Magnolia, at the location of the east gate.
A huge castle stands here.
As a rival to the Fairy Tail Guild, Phantom Lord, under Jose's control, must surpass Fairy Tail in everything.
This castle-like guild is one of them.
The original work also depicts it as a giant magical weapon.
Inside the castle, hundreds of people had gathered.
The person seated at the head of the table was none other than Jose, who was wearing a purple cloak.
Located on either side are the Element 4 of the Phantom Lord.
The leader among them was Aria, a burly wind elemental who covered her eyes with a cloth strip.
Following closely behind was Sol, a middle-aged man dressed in a tuxedo, looking every bit the gentleman.
There's also a fire-elemental Totomaru with a ninja-like outfit.
The last one, and the only female among the Phantom Lord, is Juvia, dressed in dark blue and always carrying an umbrella, known as the Rain Woman.
Including Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer was dispatched.
The strength of these five individuals would make them formidable figures even within the Kingdom of Fiore, inspiring fear in all who hear of them.
Furthermore, this is the source of the Phantom Lord' confidence in declaring war.
" Aria, I'm truly sorry to have made you come back in person. As the president, I'm really sorry."
Jose swirled the wine in his glass and said with a mocking smile.
"However, this is the only option left. After all, once Gajeel nails the Fairy Tail members to the wall of shame, I think that old guy who always treats his subordinates like family will definitely lose his temper and completely go berserk!"
"When that time comes, you will need to take action and let the people of Magnolia, and indeed the entire Kingdom of Fiore, know that we, the Phantom Lord, are the strongest guild."
"By then, fame and fortune will be within my grasp, and I will make everyone in Fairy Tail wish they were dead!"
The voice, though not loud, seemed to be infused with a demonic chant, echoing endlessly throughout the guild hall.
The hundreds of guild members gathered there immediately erupted in excitement.
Shouts of battle were deafening.
The four individuals, known as the Element 4, remained seated in their original positions, showing no sign of worry whatsoever.
The ranking among the Phantom Lord was earned through sheer hard work and real combat.
Even Jose, as the guild leader, found the Iron Dragon Slayer Magic a headache.
Otherwise, Jose wouldn't have assigned Gajeel to cause trouble for the Fairy Tail Guild this time, instead of sending someone else.
The reason they are so calm and composed now that they are all gathered here is because of this.
Jose's smile widened.
His gaze shifted to the tightly closed door, and he said with a smile.
" Gajeel, come in now that you're back. Tell us quickly, did the Fairy Tail guys cry and beg for mercy?"
"I knew it! Compared to Phantom Lord, Fairy Tail Guild is nothing!"
At this point, Jose couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The members who had gathered around also smiled and echoed, and some even subtly flattered him.
In an instant, the entire guild hall became incredibly lively.
Gajeel, standing outside the door, gradually became distorted in expression.
The words whispered in my ear were even harder to bear than the injury to my abdomen.
It felt like countless invisible daggers were stabbing into my body.
The pain was excruciating!
Along the way, Gajeel mustered up countless courages and thought of many ways before finally standing at the door and having the courage to push it open and go in.
However, now there's a feeling of being hesitant to take the plunge.
The informant who was following closely behind was trembling so badly that he wished he could just knock himself unconscious.
Gajeel stood at the door, trembling with rage.
He subconsciously took a half step back.
Bang!
The door was kicked open by Gajeel.
The huge hall fell into a deathly silence.
Seeing Gajeel's murderous aura, many of his lackeys were about to offer their flattery.
However, the scene that came into view the next moment made their pupils suddenly contract, and their eyes almost burst out of their sockets.
They've broken through!
Gajeel, hailed as a legend of steel, has had his defenses breached!
At the very least, that wound spanning his abdomen was truly horrifying.