"Look at it first. This matter is closely related to you."
Marco ordered a glass of juice from Mira and let Gray read the request first.
"Related to me? Galuna Island? Curse?"
Gray was stunned, his eyes full of astonishment.
He read carefully, but his frown deepened the more he read, his face full of confusion.
"But, Marco, I've never been to this Galuna Island. Why would it be closely related to me?"
Gray scratched his head, handing the flyer back to Marco while asking in great confusion.
He read the content repeatedly, but his confusion only deepened because he really had no impression of these things.
Marco took a sip of the iced juice Mira handed over.
The cool, sweet liquid moistened his mouth.
He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and spoke slowly to Gray:
"According to the intelligence I've obtained so far, a dangerous ritual is underway on Galuna Island. And the core target of this ritual is to resurrect a demon named Deliora."
"Deliora?!"
Gray's eyes widened abruptly as he exclaimed in shock and the blood draining from his face instantly.
This name was like the sharpest ice pick, instantly piercing through Gray's sealed memories.
It was the deepest, coldest nightmare of his childhood.
"Deliora" destroyed his home, his town, and ultimately took away his master Ur, whom he regarded as a mother! Twice, "Deliora" had destroyed his life.
Gray shook his head violently, his voice rising and distorting due to extreme shock and denial.
"That's impossible! Marco, Deliora was permanently sealed by Master using Iced Shell at the cost of her life! In the extreme cold lands of the north! How could it be on this Galuna Island?!"
Gray refuted loudly.
He wasn't actually from the Kingdom of Fiore; his story happened in the extreme cold lands to the north of the continent, and "Deliora" was sealed there.
"You aren't the only one who knows about these things." Marco said calmly.
Gray realized instantly who he was talking about.
"Lyon?!"
Gray looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
His body swayed violently, and he grabbed the edge of the bar abruptly to steady himself.
The impact of this name was no less than "Deliora."
He didn't understand why Lyon would try to resurrect Deliora?! That was the demon Master sealed at the cost of her life!
Shock, anger, and fear of past pain instantly drowned Gray.
His breathing became rapid, and his icy fingertips even frosted the bar counter.
"Calm down, Gray."
Marco's steady voice rang out, and at the same time, a broad, powerful hand pressed on Gray's heaving shoulder, transmitting a gentle force in an attempt to stabilize his emotions.
Mira also looked at Gray with concern from the side, the smile on her face replaced by worry.
She had heard everything and roughly understood what was happening.
"Why would he do this? I don't understand..."
Comforted by Marco and Mira, Gray gradually calmed down.
He raised his head and looked at Marco, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
This was confusion and anger towards his senior brother's actions.
Although they always had differences, he never expected Lyon to do such a thing.
"We need to go to the island to find answers to these questions. I only know that Ultear's shadow is still behind this matter. She is pushing this plan and using your senpai."
Marco said in a deep voice.
However, Marco held a pessimistic attitude about whether he could uncover the secret of Ultear's identity this time.
After all, the mission content had stated that Ultear had extricated herself from this matter, leaving only the used Lyon.
"Ultear..."
Gray chewed on this name, falling into a long silence.
His clenched knuckles turned white.
Clearly, he also had some strong premonition about the identity of this mysterious woman.
"I will stop that fool Lyon with my own hands! I will figure out Ultear's identity! Deliora... it must be sealed forever!"
After the silence, Gray spoke through gritted teeth.
Obviously, even if Marco wouldn't let him go now, he would pester him to go along.
He felt this was a responsibility he must bear; he couldn't watch all this happen indifferently.
"Good. Pack up and get ready to leave." Marco nodded and patted Gray's shoulder.
"Wait a minute! I'm going too!"
The commotion here had long attracted Natsu's attention.
Having eavesdropped nearby, he was already excited!
Finally unable to hold back, he jumped out, indicating he wanted to go too.
"S-Class mission! This is an S-Class mission!"
Natsu jumped up and down, extremely excited.
He had wanted to challenge an "S-Class mission" for a long time, and even thought about stealing a request flyer from the second floor several times.
That was indeed something only he would do.
"No! This is my business! Why are you tagging along?!"
Before Marco could speak, Gray expressed dissatisfaction first.
This "Galuna Island" was full of his "acquaintances," involving his most private past.
He really didn't want this noisy guy come along.
"What's the use of you talking? This is Marco's mission! As long as he's willing to take me, I'll go!"
Regarding Gray's refusal, Natsu was very indignant, but he knew who really called the shots.
So he continued to beg Marco to take him, while Gray kept persuading Marco not to.
"If we don't take him, he will definitely sneak along on his own, which would be even more dangerous." Marco smiled and spoke to Gray.
The meaning was very obvious.
"Uh... alright then."
Gray scratched his head.
He understood Marco was right.
With Natsu's personality, he would definitely keep pestering them.
Actually, Natsu didn't insist on meddling in this matter; he just couldn't tolerate Gray participating in an "S-Class mission" before him.
"Yeah! That's great!"
"Aye!"
After gaining Marco's permission, Natsu and Happy high-fived excitedly.
Natsu didn't even know what the mission content was; he only knew he was finally participating in an "S-Class mission."
Marco shook his head with a smile, then called Lucy over.
Since the "Gold Key" was for Lucy, he might as well call her along to participate.
"Thank you, Master!"
Learning there was a "Gold Key" as a reward, Lucy was naturally very excited, thanking Marco repeatedly and even attentively massaging Marco's shoulders.
She truly loved Celestial Spirits!
"Mira, register us." Marco said to Mira, who had been watching them with a smile.
This mission would be executed by the four of them and a cat.
"Okay~ Registration complete."
Mira recorded it skillfully, then said gently to the four.
"Be careful on the way, everyone."
"Don't worry! We'll definitely beat the enemies into a pulp!" Natsu shouted excitedly.
Although he didn't know who he was going to beat, he was already fired up!
"Let's go. I'll give you an hour. Meet at the East City Gate in an hour."
Marco picked up the request flyer, decided on the meeting time, and walked towards the guild gate first.
Gray, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy responded one after another, then went back to pack their luggage.
---------
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator