Chapter 64: Return of the Phantom Wizard, The Unbroken Bond (5)
Two hours had passed since the commotion of the Battle of Fairy Tail had ended.
In the guild's first-floor dining hall, everyone sat slumped in their chairs, hollow-eyed, their lips still stained with black lipstick.
The once lively guild was eerily quiet.
Some stared blankly into the air, others muttered incoherently to themselves.
Gray sat dazed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, while beside him Juvia clung desperately, kissing his cheek again and again as if denying reality.
Lucy sighed deeply, while Natsu lay collapsed over a chair like a man whose soul had left his body.
Of them all, Elfman had taken the greatest damage. In an effort to protect Mirajane and Cana, he had received Hepsiel's kisses all over his body.
By the time they returned to the guild, he had turned pale as a sheet—so white he now resembled a marble statue standing in place.
Amid this surreal scene, Erza finally emerged from the infirmary. Of those present, she was the most composed. She gathered everyone and relayed the state of the master.
"Thanks to… whatever spirit-like being Ciel summoned, Master's chronic illness seems to have been cured. Rest easy—Master is safe."
At her words, the guild members finally snapped out of their daze. Cheers of relief erupted, voices overflowing with joy as they celebrated the master's recovery.
"Thank goodness. I thought it might really be the end this time."
"That old man's not going down that easily."
"But even Master is getting on in years. If we keep giving him this much worry, his body won't hold out. Don't forget that. And for now… it's best not to go see him. After going through the same treatment we did, he's in the same state as us."
"…Ah. Aahh."
At the reminder that Makarov had endured the same terrifying "treatment" they had, the room fell into uneasy silence again. The thought of such despair and stimulation breaking an old man's body made everyone grow tense with worry.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Mirajane and Elfman quickly attempted to change the subject.
"Anyway, our bodies are healed now, so there shouldn't be a problem with Fantasia, right?"
"Exactly. It's Master's will as well. Everyone's injuries have been treated, so there won't be any issue with participating."
"I want to watch too!" Juvia chimed in.
"You're not just watching—you're participating," someone corrected.
"But Juvia only just joined…?" she asked, surprised. Normally, only senior members took part in such major events.
Mouth full of fish, Happy interjected:
"After what happened, a lot of people are too traumatized and need to rest. So basically, anyone who can still stand has to participate."
"Wait, that means me too?!" Lucy blurted out.
Seeing her panicked expression, Gray wiped off Juvia's lipstick marks and spoke:
"Look around. You can't expect that lot to participate."
He gestured toward the rows of guildmates sitting slumped in their chairs, unconscious or dazed as if their spirits had flown away.
Realizing he was right, Lucy could only nod in resignation.
Beside her, Natsu began to mumble incoherently, his words slurred and incomprehensible. Gajeel, however, leaned in and calmly translated as if it were a normal conversation.
"Fuga… humba… ka… kaka… akaggg…"
"No way. Not in your condition. You're in no shape to participate, you idiot."
"Ugabu… bagugu… gubuuu…"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Watching the two exchange this bizarre dialogue, the guild slowly began to regain its liveliness. Laughter and chatter started to ripple once more through the dining hall.
Erza wiped the lipstick smudge from the corner of her mouth, then looked around at her guildmates laughing and chatting again. A satisfied smile crossed her face.
"Well, at the very least, the noisy matter within the guild has finally been settled. And… we even have something to celebrate."
"You mean Ciel, right?" Lucy asked, humming cheerfully as she turned to Erza.
Her savior, the one she admired—Ciel Illusian.
The man who had saved her every time danger struck had truly returned alive.
For Lucy, it was the best news she could have hoped for. Humming in happiness was only natural.
By contrast, Erza clenched her fist tightly, her body trembling for a moment before she let out a small smile.
"First of all, I'd love nothing more than to sock him once for hiding the fact he was alive all this time. But… Ciel isn't the sort to do something like that without reason. I'm sure he had his circumstances. Once the parade is over, I intend to hold a welcome-back party for him. Everyone's joining, right?"
"Of course!"
"For the return of Fairy Tail's strongest wizard, a party's a must!"
"Yeah, he was the MVP of this whole mess."
"But where is Ciel now?" someone asked.
"Oh, he said he had something to discuss with Master alone, so he's in the infirmary," came the reply.
"By the way, Mira… how was it, meeting him again?" Erza asked.
Mirajane's face flushed slightly, though she answered with a bright, joyful smile.
"...At first, I couldn't believe it was real. But… I was so, so happy that Ciel really came back."
"I see… I feel the same," Erza admitted.
"Erza…? What do you mean by that?" Mirajane tilted her head.
"Don't worry. To me, Ciel is my one and only partner—but not in a romantic sense," Erza clarified.
"...Really? Are you sure?"
"To me, Ciel feels like Master. Not quite a parent… but like an older brother with more years behind him. I don't have those kinds of feelings for him. If anything, I've learned so much from him that I simply respect him as a reliable adult."
While the two women exchanged words, the guild entrance creaked open.
Laxus, his body wrapped in bandages and a coat draped over his shoulders, walked inside.
At once, the guild grew tense. Everyone's faces hardened as they rose in anger, resentment toward Laxus radiating from them.
But Erza raised her hand to stop them. She looked at Laxus, who was silently making his way forward, and said just one thing:
"…The infirmary. It's in the back."
"…."
Laxus gave a quiet nod and continued toward the infirmary.
....
"So, Warrod was the one who saved you."
"Yes. Had he not found me when I was on the verge of death, I wouldn't be standing here."
In the infirmary, Makarov, who had just regained consciousness, wiped the black lipstick stains from his lips and forehead while listening to Ciel's account.
Since the master had been unconscious during Hepsiel's "treatment," it was Levy and Porlyusica—who had witnessed it firsthand—who nearly retched from the sight.
No matter if it was called healing, that method was something they'd rather never see again.
If there was any blessing in the ordeal, it was that Makarov had remained unconscious the entire time.
Ciel then told Makarov everything honestly—why he had lived but could not return, how he had worked under Yajima as a council aide, defending Fairy Tail from the council's scolding, and how he had quietly completed the dangerous requests that the council had tried to foist onto the guild.
Ciel explained everything—the incident with Lullaby, and the events at the Tower of Paradise.
When Makarov had heard it all, he looked up at Ciel with a sorrowful expression.
"I am truly sorry for making you suffer so much."
He apologized from the bottom of his heart.
If only he hadn't sent Ciel on that Ten-Year Quest… if only he had pleaded more strongly with the Council… Ciel would not have had to endure such torment.
Even while barely able to stand on his own, Ciel had supported the guild from the shadows. For that, all Makarov could feel was guilt.
But Ciel only gave him a gentle smile, placing his hand over the master's.
"Master, none of this is your fault. Everything was simply… misfortune."
"Ciel…"
"I was never very lucky to begin with. And besides, that monster and I share a bond of ill fate that could never be severed. These three years… in their own way, they've helped me grow."
Rather than blame Makarov, Ciel comforted him.
True, it had all begun with the Ten-Year Quest that forced him to face Acnologia. But Ciel did not see that as a mistake.
Had he not been there, the others who went on the Badrack Whale subjugation would surely have died, and perhaps even an entire nation would have been wiped out.
If that had happened, the lives of the five children now living in Fiore would have been endangered as well.
To him, facing Acnologia had been nothing more than his duty as their guardian. And for that reason, Ciel was glad it had been him.
"You fool… Do you not resent this wretched old master of yours?"
"…Do not resent your family—love them. That's what you taught me, Master."
Makarov's face softened, and he embraced Ciel tightly.
Ciel didn't mind that his shoulder grew damp with the old man's tears. He simply patted Makarov's back.
"Welcome home, Ciel… my child."
"…I suppose my greeting is long overdue, Master."
Just as they were about to finish their reunion, the infirmary door opened—and Laxus stepped inside.
Makarov released his embrace and turned to face him.
Ciel, too, stood by the master's side and looked at Laxus.
The three men held a heavy silence between them.
It was Makarov who finally broke it.
"Laxus… do you understand what you've done?"
"…"
"Look me in the eyes."
Laxus had been averting his gaze, but at his grandfather's command, he finally lifted his head and looked straight at him.
Unlike in the cathedral, Makarov's eyes now carried a gentleness that was familiar, yet his expression was weighed down by grief and guilt as he sat upon the bed.
They locked eyes for several long seconds before Makarov spoke again.
"A guild… is where comrades gather. It's a workplace, yes—but for those with nowhere else to go, it is also a home."
"…"
"It is not yours alone. A guild is shaped by the trust and loyalty of every single member, woven together into a bond stronger and sturdier than anything else."
Laxus lowered his head in silence.
Makarov's voice grew firm, but still carried deep concern as he pressed him further.
"You betrayed your comrades and endangered their lives. That is something that can never be forgiven."
"I know."
After keeping his silence for so long, Laxus finally lifted his head. He exchanged a brief glance with Ciel, then opened the mouth he had kept shut.
"I… only wanted to make this guild stronger. After you died, Ciel, I kept thinking… I didn't want to see another comrade die. I thought you died because of my weakness… and I lived with that belief. So I made a vow—that I, too, would become stronger, strong enough to protect the others, just like you once protected us. But somewhere along the way, I went wrong. At some point, I began to think… that no matter how strong I became, weak people would still die. That if they weren't strong enough to survive on their own, then they weren't worth protecting. I wanted comrades who could never die, even without me."
"Laxus… you carried a misguided belief."
"Tch… What a fool I am…"
"Grandfather… Ciel…"
"I understand your desire to protect your comrades. But your way of thinking was wrong. No one wishes to live only to be protected. Like you once did, people grow because they want to protect someone else. I was blind to that truth in the past. I fought endless battles, stained my hands with blood, and in the end I fell into darkness."
"…"
"And when I had fallen that far, it was Phoenixia who raised me, Mira who became my family, and the Master who accepted me. From them, I learned that when people have something to protect, they become stronger. But… perhaps my overbearing attempts to shelter you only ended up poisoning you."
Hearing Ciel's words weighed heavily on Laxus's heart.
This wasn't what he had wanted.
He only wanted to be stronger.
He only wanted to stop anyone from dying.
But somewhere, his path had twisted out of shape.
He knew it wasn't Ciel's fault—it was his own. And yet, his mouth felt heavy as lead, unable to form words.
"Why not… loosen your grip a little?"
"…"
"If you do, you'll start to see things you couldn't see before. You'll hear things you couldn't hear. Life will be a lot more enjoyable. Stop torturing yourself with all that responsibility and obsession."
"Grandfather…"
"My joy… was in watching you grow. Ciel once told me the same when you broke through your limits on Tenrou Island—he was happy, because it meant you would grow even further. But in truth, I never cared about power. You don't have to be strong. You don't have to be clever. All I ever wanted… was for you to be healthy."
Makarov's trembling hands steadied as he forced out a heavy sigh. Then, with pained resolve, he declared:
"Laxus… you are hereby expelled."
"…"
"…Yeah. Thanks… for everything, until now."
Ciel kept his lips pressed tightly shut. Makarov turned his face away, unable to look at either of them.
Seeing this, Laxus turned his back and walked out of the infirmary.
Just before leaving, he muttered softly—words of farewell, almost too faint to hear.
"…Grandfather… Brother…"
"…"
"Both of you… take care of yourselves."
"Go."
The door closed behind him. As the weight of it settled, Makarov's shoulders shook with sobs he could no longer hold back. Ciel, resting a hand gently on the old man's shoulder, stood silently. He had no words to ease his master's grief.
....
Laxus was expelled from Fairy Tail by the Master's decree.
The Thunder God Tribe members rushed forward to protest, but in the end, all they could do was lower their heads at Laxus's words.
After he left, I comforted Master and stepped outside, where everyone welcomed me warmly.
There were new faces who had joined during my absence, and others who had retired.
But one thing had not changed: the fact that I had returned, and the fact that this place was still Fairy Tail.
Noisy, full of arguments, yet somehow always familiar and dear.
That was Fairy Tail.
....
"So… you had that spirit hidden in the coffin from the very beginning?"
"No. Up until we reached Magnolia's forest, it was inside with me. When Mukuro informed me of the disturbance in the town, I cast an illusion on you and slipped out unnoticed."
"…Hmph. I still have a long way to go if I couldn't even see through your illusions…"
While Fairy Tail's parade continued below, I watched from the rooftop of an empty building together with Mystogan.
He grumbled about being tricked the entire time and grew irritated that he hadn't seen through my illusions—but watching him sulk only made me laugh.
Perhaps I had gone too far, but if I hadn't slipped out of the coffin unnoticed, I would never have been able to avoid everyone's eyes and Freed's barrier magic to bring Porlyusica back.
"Don't you think your hurdle's a little too high? My illusions are the kind that can deceive even the gods. It's only natural you couldn't see through them. Even the Dragon of the Apocalypse once fell to them."
"…Still, shouldn't you be down there? Weren't you supposed to reveal your return during the parade?"
"Yes, that was the plan. But right now, saying farewell to a younger brother who's leaving means more to me… Don't you agree, Laxus?"
"…"
At my words, the presence that had been lurking behind us finally stepped forward. Laxus walked up quietly and sat down beside me.
Mystogan, who must have already sensed him, didn't flinch—he simply continued to watch the parade naturally.
Laxus stared at the festivities in silence for a long while, before finally speaking to me.
"Ciel… I'm truly sorry."
"You were just a young man, swept up by pride and passion. I have no reason to scold you now."
Under the radiant glow of the parade lights and the bright moon overhead, all the madness and arrogance had vanished from Laxus's face.
What remained was the same boy's eyes he once had long ago—pure and burning with rivalry, the same way Natsu's had when he used to challenge me.
There was no reason for me to reprimand someone who was already reflecting on his mistakes.
"You've always taken the role of protector, haven't you? …Yeah. Even back then, you did."
For a long while, Laxus watched the parade quietly, as if lost in memories, before finally rising to his feet.
"You're leaving?"
"…This is enough. I have no regrets."
He turned to go, but I called out to him once more, pointing toward the parade below.
"Laxus, at the very least—accept everyone's farewell before you leave."
"…What are you talking about?"
He didn't believe he deserved such a thing. An expelled man had no right to receive his guild's farewell.
But when he looked to where I pointed, his eyes went wide, and tears welled up in them.
Down in the parade, the Master and every Fairy Tail member had raised their hands high, their fingers pointed upward like arrows.
It was their silent farewell to Laxus.
"Laxus, everyone will always be watching over you.
Even if you can't see them, even if you're far away, they'll be waiting for you to come back."
"I… I…"
Laxus trembled, his head bowed. I spoke softly, my voice carrying warmth.
"Take care of yourself."
"…Yeah. Thanks…"
Turning his back to me, Laxus walked away.
Where he had stood, the moonlight caught the glitter of teardrops on the ground.
This was a trial given to a still-young Laxus.
He would return one day.
Everyone believed that.
....
"So in the end, Laxus leaves like this."
"Yes. But we'll see him again someday. He's still a Fairy Tail wizard."
I handed Mystogan a folded letter I had kept in my pocket. His expression, though hidden beneath his mask, seemed tinged with bitterness.
"Oh, right. Warrod asked me to give you this letter."
"…Warrod?"
"Yes. Could you read it aloud?"
"Hm… To Mystogan… you worked hard carrying Ciel in that coffin when he couldn't move… But I realized I forgot to mention something important, so I'm writing this now."
As Mystogan read, his tone suddenly faltered. His grip on the letter tightened.
"About that coffin… I said it was carved from Yggdrasil's pillar, but… that was a joke. It was just an ordinary wooden coffin. Honestly, it was meant to be used for whichever of Makarov's brats kicked the bucket first. But since I had nothing else to carry Ciel in, I used it. Still, hearing that Ciel recovered on his own… what a relief. That's all from me. Take care. —Warrod."
Mystogan froze. His body shook. And then, with a furious growl, he crumpled the letter and tore it to shreds.
"You've got to be kidding me…!"
He whipped out the staff from his back and swung it at me.
I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing.
"Ku—pfft—Hahaha! Hahahahahahaha!"
"CIEEEEL!! You bastard! You knew all along, didn't you?!"
"Sorry, sorry. But Warrod insisted on playing a prank, so I just… played along."
"Unforgivable! Do you know the humiliation I went through dragging you here in that coffin—only to find out it was all a lie?!"
"Now, now, calm down. Thanks to that, you got valuable reference material for my illusion—the Second Phantom Demon King construct, didn't you?"
"Raaagh! DIE! I'LL KILL YOU!"
I dodged Mystogan's furious swings, letting myself get caught up in his rage. In a way, it felt like joining him in the fun.
As I leapt and twisted my body to avoid his blows, I felt it deeply—yes, I was alive again. Truly alive. My body still stiff from years of disuse, loosening with every movement.
Apprentices really are useful, after all.
"Stop running, damn it!"
"Kuufufufu… Such devotion, working so hard just to loosen your master's stiffened body… I should be grateful. It's enough to bring me to tears."
"CIEEEEEEELLLLLLLL!!!"
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