With the Oración Seis captured and the Nirvana threat neutralized, Arthur finally had a moment of calm.
He had successfully altered the future, but his massive conceptual intervention in the cavern had also created a temporal ripple.
"Now, I remember, I miss something very important…"
Arthur murmured, looking at the defeated Dark Mages.
He realized his interference had accelerated the timeline for one critical individual: Wendy Marvell.
He recalled the devastating post-mortem of the Oración Seis arc: Wendy's guild, Cait Shelter, was merely an illusion created by the spirit of Roubaul, the last of the Nirvit people.
Roubaul had watched over Wendy for years, instructed by Mystogan. With Nirvana's destruction (which Arthur had handled), Roubaul's purpose was fulfilled, and the phantom guild would vanish, leaving the young Sky Dragon Slayer and her Exceed, Carla, utterly alone and heartbroken.
"I messed this one up,"
Arthur admitted.
His focus on the Balam Alliance had made him overlook the critical emotional fallout for Wendy.
"I have to go and find her immediately."
He turned to Rimuru, who was currently overseeing the process of transferring the captured Oración Seis to a secure, magically reinforced holding cell within the Celestial Forge.
"Rimuru, take care of the guild for me for now. I will go and find the lost Sky Dragon Slayer. It won't be long."
Rimuru nodded, her eyes twinkling with understanding.
"I will take care of the guild. Go and take the lost kitty home."
Arthur performed a low-level Conceptual Sweep across the western region of Fiore, using the latent, powerful Sky Dragon Slayer Magic signature he had sensed earlier as a beacon.
He found them quickly.
[Location]
[Distant Forest Glade]
[Atmosphere: Profound Loneliness]
He materialized in a quiet, secluded forest clearing, far from any major town. The atmosphere was heavy with profound sadness and loss.
He found Wendy huddled against a massive tree trunk, tears streaming down her face, her tiny frame shaking with wrenching sobs.
The phantom members of Cait Shelter were gone, the spot where the guild hall had stood was now an empty clearing. Roubaul's spirit had finally passed on, leaving behind only the echo of his ancient magic.
Carla sat beside Wendy, her small wings drooping with helpless grief. She was trying to comfort Wendy, but even her pragmatic nature couldn't soothe the pain of discovering their entire family was an illusion.
Arthur stepped into the clearing, his presence subtle, defined only by the gentle warmth of his Dragonic Heal magic that subconsciously sought to comfort the girl.
[Arthur's Approach]
[Empathetic]
[Dragon's Authority]
"Wendy. Carla,"
Arthur said softly, his voice clear but non-intrusive.
They both flinched and looked up. Carla recognized him instantly as the impossibly powerful man everyone spoke about.
"You're the Guild Master of the Celestial Forge, the one who created the potions,"
Carla started warily, though she couldn't muster any fear. She knew if Arthur meant bad for them. He could do anything he wanted and she couldn't do anything.
However, she could perceive his kindness. So she let her approach Wendy.
'Maybe, he could help her out of her grief…'
"Yes. I am,"
He confirmed.
"I know what happened here. Roubaul finished his duty, and his illusions have faded. I know how much it hurts to lose your family."
Wendy looked up, her eyes red and puffy.
"B-but... they were all so kind. Why... why wasn't it real?"
She was confused and needed someone to tell her.
"Their kindness was real, Wendy. The love was real. Roubaul made sure you were safe and loved until the time was right,"
Arthur explained.
"But your journey, and your true home, awaits you now."
Arthur didn't immediately offer her a spot in the Celestial Forge. He knew Wendy's canonical destiny was important for future events and her own emotional stability. He needed to lead her to her true family.
"I know a place,"
Arthur continued, kneeling beside her.
"A place full of noisy, chaotic, yet fiercely loving people who believe family is unbreakable, regardless of blood or guild sign."
He spoke of Fairy Tail, describing Erza's fierce protectiveness, Natsu's boundless loyalty, and Makarov's grandfatherly warmth.
"They just dealt with the destruction of their own guild hall and fought a massive war, all for the sake of their family. They will welcome you with open arms, and you will never be alone again."
[Wendy's Decision]
[Hope over Grief]
[Acceptance]
Wendy looked at the powerful, kind-eyed man who knew her lost guardian and had just offered her a permanent place to belong. She wiped her tears, a flicker of hope replacing the deep sadness.
"I... I want a family. A real one,"
Wendy whispered.
"Then let's go, Sky Dragon Slayer,"
Arthur said, offering her his hand.
"Let's get you a new home."
He opened a Warp Gate directly to the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, ready to orchestrate her introduction and ensure her future was secured.