Chapter 68: The Reassembled Strongest Alliance of Fiore (2)
The Balam Alliance—the greatest force among the dark guilds.
At its core are three dark guilds, with countless others branching out like a tangled spiderweb, creating a network that is both complex and deceptively simple.
At the Guild Council's conference, it was decided that one of its pillars—Oración Seis—must be eliminated. To that end, a four-guild alliance was re-formed.
Previously, during the Barach Whale subjugation, Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, and Lamia Scale had joined forces. This time, a new lineup was chosen, and a new guild added—forming an even stronger alliance.
Without Gildarts or Laxus, I was now leading this new team, traveling toward Master Bob's private villa by magic four-wheeled carriage.
....
"Why do I have to be part of this mission?!"
"Quit whining. You're not the only one who's annoyed."
"It was Master's decision. Shouldn't we live up to his expectations?"
While I steered the carriage, voices from the rear—Lucy, Gray, and Erza—drifted to my ears.
"But if it's a fight, wouldn't Gajeel or Juvia be better?"
"They've been assigned elsewhere. Besides, Ciel personally named us. What can you do?" Erza winked in my direction, leaving me to give her a wry smile as I added,
"Sorry for dragging you into something this dangerous, Lucy."
"Ah… no! Just being able to work alongside the Ciel I've always admired makes me happy!"
Gray narrowed his eyes at her. "Funny, you don't sound like that when you're talking to us."
Lucy flushed. "Still… I've admired Ciel since I was young, so I'm happy… but also scared, since it's dangerous."
Feeling the heat of Gray's gaze, Lucy leaned toward the driver's seat and pointed at Natsu.
"But Ciel, aren't you a Dragon Slayer too, like Natsu and Gajeel?"
"Yes. And I also taught them the basics of combat techniques as their senior."
"Then how come you don't get motion sick? Juvia told me Gajeel's hopeless with it too."
Gray chimed in, "That's true. Natsu's always sick, but Ciel's been fine since forever."
"I've wondered about that too."
At Lucy's question, I smiled and explained calmly.
"It's true—Dragon Slayers are naturally vulnerable to motion sickness. I'm no exception."
"But you look perfectly fine right now."
"Unlike them, I can use both illusion magic and dragon-slayer magic. By altering my perception—convincing myself that I'm walking on flat ground instead of riding a vehicle—I can counter the sickness."
"Ohh… illusion magic, huh. So that's how."
Indeed, Dragon Slayers generally suffered terribly on vehicles. I, too, struggled when I first learned magic from Phoenixia. Even now, I still vividly remember being crushed in training until I forced myself to overcome it by reshaping my senses through illusion.
Lucy tilted her head, then pointed at Natsu again.
"Then couldn't you just cast that illusion on Natsu too? Wouldn't that cure him?"
I chuckled. "Kufufufu… but if Natsu were free from motion sickness, do you think we'd have such a peaceful trip?"
"Ah…!"
Gray nodded knowingly. "Makes sense."
"If Natsu snaps out of motion sickness, he might go wild and turn this whole carriage into a blazing inferno."
It was true—helping Natsu recover was always possible. But the aftermath would be the real problem.
If he regained his energy and caused trouble, we'd lose the comfort of traveling by carriage and end up trudging on foot to the meeting place.
"You're… you're so mean… at least… help me too…"
"Natsu, please stay quiet for a while."
"Funny… it's actually more peaceful with him like this."
"In the end, it's the usual group, huh?"
"And that's fine. Today's a joint operation with other guilds. Strengthening our unity within the guild comes first."
"I see it! That's the meeting place~!"
Sitting on my lap, Happy pointed straight ahead.
Following his gaze down the rugged mountain path, I spotted it too: Master Bob's extravagant Heart Villa, shimmering in the distance.
We soon climbed down from the carriage, opened the grand doors, and stepped inside.
....
From the window frames to the brick patterns, every inch of the villa's design was decorated with hearts and angel wings. Lucy frowned as she looked around and muttered,
"What awful taste."
"It's the villa of Blue Pegasus' master, Bob."
"That bald old man?"
"Please don't put it that way. He's a senior wizard, same generation as Master."
"Really?!"
"Ugh… are we still not there yet…?"
"We're here, Natsu."
Just as we were chatting about the villa's eccentric owner, the entire building's lights went out. A single spotlight illuminated the center of the carpet.
There, three men in immaculate suits stepped forward, staging their grand entrance as they introduced themselves.
"Welcome, Fairy Tail."
"We are the ones chosen from Blue Pegasus…"
"The Tri-men!"
"'White Night,' Hibiki."
"'Holy Night,' Eve."
"'Sky Night,' Ren."
Lucy's cheeks flushed as she squealed in admiration.
Then, turning to look at the carsick Natsu and the half-dressed Gray, she blanched.
"Th-they're so cool…!"
"Ah, crap! I forgot to put my clothes on!"
"Urk…"
"Yeah… this side's a complete mess."
I chuckled softly. "My apologies—looks like the only hopeless one here is the old man."
"N-no! Ciel, you're amazing! You're cool—so have some confidence!"
It had been a throwaway joke, but Lucy's earnest encouragement, as she patted my back, left me with a strangely bitter feeling.
My body had stopped aging at twenty-one when the Samsara fully awakened, but the years themselves never ceased to pass. It was a reminder I couldn't escape.
While Lucy tried to reassure me, Erza was already surrounded by the Tri-men, who showered her with fawning compliments.
"As rumored, you're truly a stunning beauty."
"An honor to finally meet you, Titania—the Queen of Fairies."
"Now… this way, please."
Before we knew it, the Tri-men had unfolded a table, set up a sofa, and seated Erza like honored company.
They treated her as if they were hosts at a host club.
"A warm towel for you."
"Whiskey, with water?"
"No… listen, let's just focus on working together this time. If we combine our stren—"
"So cute!! That expression is absolutely gorgeous. I've admired you… for such a long time!"
"..."
Hearing the Tri-men's overly cheesy lines, I couldn't help but chuckle at Erza's troubled face.
It had been ages since I'd seen her like that. Back when we were children, it was common—but now that she was an adult, her embarrassed look felt strangely refreshing.
While my attention was caught on Erza, Lucy, too, was dragged off by a boy named Ren and received the same treatment.
"Don't get the wrong idea… I didn't prepare this just for you."
"T-tsundere?!"
"You must be exhausted from the long trip. Tonight, let us be your…"
"Forever~♡"
Just as Erza and Lucy were cringing under the syrupy lines of these would-be hosts, a familiar fragrance drifted down from the second-floor staircase and tickled my nose.
"That's enough, you three."
"Wh-what is this?! Such a sweet, honeyed voice?!"
"Master Ichiya!!"
At the sound of that enchanting voice, Lucy's face turned crimson while Erza trembled in visible horror.
And as I expected, from the staircase descended a middle-aged man in a white suit, belly slightly rounded, striking flamboyant poses as he came down.
"I've longed for you, my honey~ It is I, Ichiya, here for you!"
"My… honey?!"
The instant Ichiya appeared, Erza and Lucy's faces turned pale. In a flash, they darted behind me to hide.
"Erza? What's the matter?"
"F-forgive me… but I absolutely cannot handle that man. He's a remarkable wizard, yes… but physiologically, I can't do it."
"He's just… too creepy!"
As Erza and Lucy cowered behind me, the Tri-men shot glares in our direction.
But their hostility was quickly dissolved—snuffed out by none other than Ichiya himself.
The moment his eyes met mine, tears and snot poured down his face as he hurled himself toward me.
"This alluring parfum…?!"
"Master Ichiya?!"
"Ku-fufufufu…"
"Cieeeeel-kuuuun~!!!"
He threw his entire body at me. Catching his head one-handed, I smoothly redirected his charge and tossed him toward the front entrance.
It had been three years since our last meeting, so I did feel a trace of nostalgia—but I had no intention of letting my clothes be drenched in his tears and snot.
"Ichiya, it has been a while. But such an overwhelming embrace? I think my altruistic celestial spirits are more than enough for that."
"Meeeennn!!"
Ichiya, who had been hurled toward the door, suddenly had his head frozen solid by a silver-haired boy entering from outside.
Holding the frozen Ichiya, the boy spoke in a voice dripping with cold air:
"That's quite the rude welcome. Do you take Lamia Scale for a joke?"
"Lyon?!"
"Gray?!"
"You… you actually joined a guild…?"
The sudden arrival of the boy called Lyon made both Gray and I widen our eyes. It seemed the two had a history together.
Without hesitation, Lyon tossed the ice-covered Ichiya toward Gray's group, fanning the sparks of conflict with the Tri-men.
"Hmph."
"Maaaan!!"
"What the hell was that?!"
"You're the one who struck first."
"That's our leader you just threw around!"
"Too much!"
"Would all men kindly step aside?"
At that moment, a woman's voice drifted from outside the door. She raised her hand, and in an instant, the very carpet beneath our feet came alive as if bewitched—surging and shaking violently until everyone stumbled and fell.
Recognizing her magic, Lucy cried out with surprise, just like Gray and Natsu.
"Wait… that magic…!"
"Ufufu, you wouldn't say you've forgotten me, would you? But forget the person I used to be."
"So do you want us to forget or not?!"
"I was reborn… for the sake of love."
"More… I need more of Ciel-kun's fragrance!! The emotion of this reunion!"
Ichiya once again tried to throw himself at me, but I caught him with one hand while all around us tempers flared and combat intent filled the air.
And then, heavy footsteps rumbled from outside, carrying with them the scent of earth and sweat. The atmosphere shifted instantly.
"Enough! Stop this at once! We have formed this alliance to defeat Oración Seis. Is now the time to fight among comrades?!"
"Jura-san…"
"Jura?!"
"It's been a while, Jura."
I greeted the man who seized Ichiya and spoke firmly, and Jura's face lit up with warmth as he strode over to clasp my hand. His eyes shimmered with tears.
"Look who it is! Ciel… Sir Ciel himself!"
"Since the Barach Whale subjugation… this is the first time, isn't it?"
"I heard from the guild masters returning from the council that you had survived. That's why I joined this alliance—to see it with my own eyes."
"Maan, the same goes for me. I couldn't miss the chance to behold your face once more."
"Such familiar faces… it's good to see you all again."
I couldn't help but smile faintly at the sight of old comrades, unseen since that terrible monster hunt.
Meanwhile, Ichiya and Jura wept openly, tears streaming down their faces, while the others stared at us in disbelief.
"That man is…"
"Lamia Scale's ace… Jura of the Iron Rock."
"For both Master Ichiya and Jura to greet him like that… just who is this man…?"
"Heh, that man is none other than Fairy Tail's strongest wizard—the Phantom King, Ciel Illusian."
"N–no way?!"
"The Phantom King?! But… he was supposed to have died three years ago…!"
"Ciel never died!"
"He's the legendary figure of the Council who single-handedly dismantled countless dark guilds… the Phantom King."
"Even Jura of the Ten Wizard Saints has heard his name… and to think I actually fought against someone that famous… Ciel-san really is incredible."
"And now, just like us in Blue Pegasus, Fairy Tail has four members. …Though honestly, three would've been enough, hmm~."
With Jura's arrival, the tension finally lifted, and the group returned to a more serious atmosphere. After a brief reunion, Ichiya and Jura composed themselves and steered the discussion toward the mission.
"With this, three guilds have assembled. Only Cait Shelter remains."
At Jura's words, Ichiya wiped his nosebleed and replied in his usual oily tone.
"I heard it isn't 'they' at all, but just a single person~."
"One person?! For a mission this dangerous, they only sent one?!"
"W–wait a second… just how terrifying is this person supposed to be~?"
The revelation that Cait Shelter was sending only one representative threw the hall into chaos again. Then, the sound of light footsteps echoed at the entrance, carrying with them a refreshing fragrance I had never forgotten.
"Kyaaah!"
"Whoa—"
The owner of that familiar scent tripped on the carpet and was about to fall, but I quickly rushed forward and caught her.
The doll-like girl with bright, deep-blue hair opened her eyes, realizing she was safe, and looked up at me.
"Ah… ah…!"
"Kufufufu… I was just wondering where you'd gone. To think we'd meet again here… Wendy."
Hearing me say her name as I gently stroked her hair, the little girl looked up at me with tearful eyes, about to cry.
Seeing this, Lucy, Gray, and Erza all spoke at once.
"A kid?!"
"Hey, Ciel—do you know this girl?"
"Ciel, are you acquainted with her?"
"Yes, this child is…"
Before I could finish explaining, Wendy suddenly threw herself into my arms, wrapping her small arms tightly around my waist. And then—
"D… Daddy!!"
"Kuh—?!"
"W–wait a second?! Did she just say Daddy?!"
"S–Ciel… Ciel-san, you're married?!"
"Ciel-kun… what—?!"
"Since when did you have such a grown child?! More importantly—who's the mother?!"
"M–Mirajane has to hear about this…!!"
With just a single word from Wendy, the hall was thrown into absolute chaos. The scene reminded me of when I first reunited with Ichiya and Jura.
No matter what I said now, they wouldn't calm down. So, I simply smiled faintly and waited, letting them sort themselves out.
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