"..."
Looking at Marco's serious expression, Erza fell silent.
Her heart was in turmoil, but she didn't dare to gamble—she couldn't risk the lives of those poor people. Jellal would truly kill.
For so many years, she had never mentioned the "Tower of Heaven" to anyone.
If Marco hadn't suddenly brought it up, she wouldn't have shared these things with him.
Of course, to her, Marco was special.
Without him, she wouldn't have integrated into Fairy Tail as she had now.
If it weren't Marco who mentioned the Tower of Heaven, she wouldn't have spoken of her past.
But even now, she couldn't make up her mind.
She still didn't dare to return to the Tower of Heaven.
"It's alright, you can think about it some more." Marco smiled and didn't press Erza further.
Pushing too hard could backfire and even achieve the opposite effect.
That Erza was willing to share her past stories with him was already significant progress.
Once again, he caught a glimpse of the soft heart hidden beneath her armor.
"Get some rest. I'm heading back."
Marco wiped away Erza's tears again, stood up, gently patted her head, and then turned to return to his room.
"I—"
Seeing Marco rise, slightly disappointed and about to leave, Erza suddenly lifted her head.
Watching his retreating figure, she opened her mouth.
"What is it?" Marco stopped and turned back to look at Erza, a puzzled expression on his face.
"...It's nothing. Thank you, Marco."
Erza forced a smile.
"I haven't said I'll keep it a secret for you yet." Marco raised a finger, shaking it with a smile, implying it was too early to thank him since he hadn't promised not to reveal the matter.
"I trust you."
This time, Erza's smile brightened a little.
"..."
Marco rolled his eyes. Playing that card, huh?
"And I really do fall for it." Marco sighed and left helplessly.
That Erza really knows how to put people in a tough spot.
'If Erza's path doesn't work out, where else can I find someone who knows the location of this Tower of Heaven? The mission details don't offer any hints either. Clearly, the Tower of Heaven is part of Erza's storyline.'
...
Back in his room, Marco washed up briefly and lay down on the bed.
He pulled up the mission details again, hoping to find some clues, but all he saw between the lines was "Erza" written everywhere.
"I still have to start with Erza!"
Marco dismissed the mission panel and finally made a decision.
There was no other way—he still had to find a way to help Erza make up her mind.
Early the next morning, Marco got up, packed a few things, and went out to wake Erza and Makarov.
With the discussions over and the meeting concluded, it was time for everyone to return home.
"How did it go last night? Did you find out anything?"
Makarov, having packed his things, sidled up to Marco and asked quietly while Erza was still busy loading her bags.
Glancing at the busy Erza, Marco replied in a low voice, "No progress."
Marco shook his head, putting on the appearance of having gained no useful information.
"How could that be?" Makarov looked utterly bewildered, sensing something was off.
Given the relationship between Marco and Erza, what could possibly be so difficult to ask about?
Facing Makarov's suspicious and doubtful gaze, Marco felt a bit guilty.
He thought to himself, 'As expected of the old man who watched us grow up—he knows us far too well.'
"There is a bit of an issue, but Erza requested it be kept secret."
Marco honestly revealed the truth, making it clear that if the old man wanted to know, he would have to ask Erza himself.
"Is it about her past?"
The old man stroked his chin, asking with a firm expression.
"...Can't say."
Marco gave an almost imperceptible nod but still clenched his teeth tightly.
"So that's how it is?"
Makarov clearly understood what Marco was implying.
He didn't press further, as even he couldn't have imagined that Erza's past involved something so dangerous.
Marco held back his words.
Honestly, he admired Erza greatly—how could this girl keep such things bottled up inside all this time!
Looking at Makarov now, Marco truly wanted to speak up.
He really wanted to tell the old man everything.
If Makarov knew, there was no doubt he would immediately rally all the forces of Fairy Tail, lead everyone to storm the "Tower of Heaven," and destroy this sinful tower.
This would not only avenge Erza but also seek justice for their fallen comrades.
There had been a member of Fairy Tail at the Tower of Heaven, but he had already been killed—an old-timer who grew up and adventured alongside Makarov, the long-missing Rob.
Rob, Makarov, Bob, Porlyusica, Goldmine, and Yajima were close friends in their youth, often teaming up for missions together.
Makarov, Bob, Porlyusica, Goldmine, and Yajima had all been deeply worried about Rob, who had been missing for years without any news.
If Makarov learned the truth, it would be strange if he didn't seek revenge on the Tower of Heaven.
Marco sighed inwardly, thinking how fully their old man respected every member, never forcing anyone to reveal their inner scars.
He truly knew nothing about Erza's past.
The reason Erza had traveled so far to join Fairy Tail was entirely due to Rob's influence.
Rob had died protecting Erza, and the Fairy Tail emblem on his back had since been deeply engraved in her heart.
"We will avenge him." Marco clenched his fist.
Though he had never met Rob, that grandfather must have been a truly good person.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been such close friends with Makarov and the others, nor would he have had such a profound impact on Erza.
Erza was a gift sent by Rob at the cost of his life, and she was also the fuse for revenge.
Once ignited, the Tower of Heaven would be blown to smithereens.
The only question now was how to light that fuse.
"Avenge Erza?" Makarov looked puzzled, thinking Marco was talking about avenging Erza.
"That's not wrong either." Marco nodded.
So, it was certain that the Tower of Heaven would inevitably face the wrath of Fairy Tail.