The Akane Resort was a paradise of sun-drenched beaches and luxurious amenities, but for Arthur, it was merely the setting for the next major plot point.
He was used to such a luxurious life as a Stark.
For Erza Scarlet, it was a terrifying, exhilarating journey into the unknown territory of romance.
Arthur was playing around with Erza—swimming in the crystal-clear pool, sharing meals on the scenic patio, and engaging in surprisingly philosophical conversations about life and magic.
Erza, armed with the vague notions of 'dates' and 'couples' activities she'd absorbed from Lucy and Rimuru, was trying desperately to understand this strange new concept of personal affection.
She was endearingly awkward and direct about it.
She would often come near him, her intense gaze fixed on him, and ask things she genuinely didn't understand.
"Arthur-san, the man over there just held the woman's hand. Is this a common sign of... coupling?"
She asked once, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"It can be, Erza. It's a sign of affection and closeness,"
Arthur patiently explained, taking her hand gently in his to demonstrate.
Erza's entire body tensed, but she didn't pull away, her eyes wide with rapid, internal data processing.
He taught her about gestures, comfort, and emotional connection, all while carefully navigating the line between mentor and suitor.
She was incredibly cute about it, treating romance like an S-Class mission requiring precise execution.
As the days of the vacation melted away, Arthur felt the familiar conceptual clock winding down.
"It is about to begin…"
Arthur murmured to himself, watching the resort entrance with casual vigilance.
And just as predicted, the plot arrived.
Erza allowed herself to be kidnapped by her old friends from the Tower of Heaven—Shô, Simon, Wally, and Millianna.
It was a willing departure, driven by guilt and the need to face her past, not a forceful abduction.
Chaos immediately erupted among the remaining Fairy Tail mages.
Gray, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy began to panic.
Happy had become firm friends with Koromon (who was now a small, pink, bouncing sphere with sharp claws), and the two were inseparable.
They flew(Happy held Koromon) frantically toward Arthur.
"Arthur! We can't find Erza anywhere!"
Happy cried out, hovering nervously above Arthur's head, Koromon squealing with anxiety beside him.
Arthur stood up calmly, his demeanor instantly reassuring.
"It's okay, I know exactly where she is. Don't do anything stupid. She can take care of herself."
Hearing the absolute certainty in Arthur's voice—calmed the trio instantly.
Their panic subsided, replaced by trusting curiosity.
"You guys keep playing,"
Arthur told them.
"I will check on her. Don't leave the resort."
With a final, meaningful glance at the distant, magical energy signature he knew to be the Tower of Heaven, Arthur stepped away from the resort.
Arthur didn't use a boat or a complicated spell.
He simply used his space conceptual power to instantly transport himself above the notorious Tower of Heaven.
He materialized high in the cloudy sky, encased in his subtle, protective Dragon's Aura.
From this vantage point, the colossal, unfinished R-System project looked like a needle piercing the ocean.
He focused his senses and looked down through the top of the tower, observing the scene taking place in the main chamber.
There was Erza, looking heartbroken and resigned, confronting the four mages from her past.
They were explaining the plan—the R-System was complete, and they intended to use her as the ultimate sacrifice to resurrect Jellal Fernandes.
Arthur didn't interfere yet.
He watched as Erza, driven by guilt and a sense of responsibility, resigned herself to her fate, agreeing to go through with the sacrifice to save her former friends from the path of darkness.
Arthur then focused his attention on the true orchestrator of the entire scheme: Jellal Fernandes (Siegrain), who was manipulating the entire Council and now the events in the Tower.
"He's overdoing it,"
Arthur mused.
"But the show must go on."
He allowed the conversation to proceed, recognizing the vital character development happening below.
He was merely here to ensure the core of the plot—the destruction of the R-System and the eventual salvation of Jellal—happened cleanly, without unnecessary casualties.