A platinum-colored cloak fluttered in the wind, making a soft rustling sound.
Kira stared intently at the card hovering in the air, smirking—either proud of the magic item or the name he'd given it.
The magic in the air swirled toward a glowing white light, as if fueling a cannon about to fire. It compressed, tighter and tighter, in a way that was invisible to the naked eye…
"What's with this wild magic power?"
"And the density of this magic… it's incredible!"
"Just one card has this kind of attack power?"
"Is this… the strength of an S-Class Wizard?!"
The three companions were stunned, and the villagers were even more excited.
"That's amazing! That wizard might actually be able to destroy the moon!"
"Please, we're counting on you to break this island's curse!"
Suddenly, the wind stopped. The flow of magic in the air halted, and the card absorbing the white light ceased compressing.
Like a raging river bursting through a dam, all the magic found its release. It gathered into a beam, condensing into a cannon of light. In an instant, a bucket-thick pillar of white light shot toward the purple moon overhead!
The sheer force looked like it could actually shatter the moon!!!
BOOM!!!
The beam of light struck the purple moon dead-on!
Crack! Crack!
The sky shattered! Behind the broken illusion, the true, radiant, enchanting white moon was revealed!
Except for the four who already knew the truth, everyone present was dumbfounded.
"What's going on?" The villagers were stunned, but then memories came flooding back.
Oh, right… we are demons! How could something so crazy be true? Whatever, it's great to be back to normal!
Wait, does that mean Bobo's not dead either? (Bobo was the village chief's son, the one the villagers thought was possessed by a demon and killed.)
Their memories were still a bit jumbled, but it was a happy ending!
"Woo! Let's throw a party!"
These villagers were just that simple and straightforward…
The celebration lasted a full day and two nights. Halfway through, Bobo, the village chief's son who had left the island, returned, and the crowd's joy doubled.
After feasting, resting, and recovering on Galuna Island, the exhaustion, hunger, and injuries from their battle with Lyon and his crew were completely healed.
Of the four, Loki and Cana only had minor scratches. Kira was unscathed, as expected. Gray had taken the worst of it, but he was young and resilient, bouncing back to full energy by the next day.
Truth be told, there wasn't much exhaustion or serious injury to begin with. But hunger? Oh, they could all eat.
The next day, the villagers handed over the mission reward. Amid cheers and laughter, Kira and his team bid farewell to the warm, hospitable demons.
---
On the sailboat leaving Galuna Island…
"Man, who would've thought? They're demons, but they're such good people," Gray said.
"Right? Seven million jewels, not a single one missing, plus this golden Celestial Spirit Key. Talk about generous clients! If only every mission had people like them," Kira said, counting the money with a nod.
"Hey, hold up! There's gotta be my seventy thousand jewels in there, right?" Cana piped up.
"Huh? Didn't I tell you yesterday it's gone?" Kira teased.
"What did you say, you shady merchant?! Hey, Gray, back me up here!"
"Kira, about the money…" Gray started.
"Hm?"
"N-Never mind…"
"Gray's one thing—he agreed to skip his share. But we didn't!" Cana protested.
"Yeah!" Loki chimed in.
"Pfft, whatever…" Kira stuck out his tongue.
"You looking for a fight, huh?!"
In the end, kind-hearted Kira gave everyone their seventy thousand jewels, even Gray. After all, they'd all fought hard against Lyon.
Ugh, gotta take care of my little money-makers. Gotta keep them happy so they'll keep… I mean, help me earn more cash later.
Time to tally up the haul…
- Mission Reward: 7 million jewels + Celestial Key, secured.
- Moon Drip Plan: Gray and Lyon reconciled and started fresh, complete.
- Fun and Games: Tricked everyone with Deliora, success.
- Material Collection: Moon Power, got a bit; Demon Factor, collected!
- Card Sales: Still needs work…
Damn it! It was supposed to be a perfect mission, but Cana ruined the last part…
Hmph, no way! I'm one step away from a perfect mission. I won't be satisfied until I sell those cards!
Cana took a swig of her drink and suddenly felt like something was watching her…
---
Meanwhile, as Kira and the others wrapped up their mission on Galuna Island and headed back to Fairy Tail…
In a tavern in Ghost Lotus City, Erza, fresh from her own mission, was taking a break with a cart full of luggage.
The noisy atmosphere wasn't quite her vibe. A rough, grating voice echoed through the tavern.
"Hey! Where's my drink?!"
Erza glanced over. A group of tough-looking guys sat at a table. The one yelling had three long whiskers on each side of his face, giving him a cocky air.
Whisker Guy tipped his empty glass and snapped at the waiter, "Why's it taking so damn long?!"
The waiter, clearly intimidated, stammered, "S-Sorry…"
Another skinnier guy spoke up, "Whiskers, chill out a bit."
"Chill?! How am I supposed to chill?!"
As he spoke, the wine from the waiter's tray mysteriously floated out of the pitcher and into Whisker Guy's glass. The waiter jumped in shock.
Erza's eyes narrowed. Magic. Using magic to scare regular people? Not exactly the mark of a good guy.
Whisker Guy shouted, "We already found where Lullaby's hidden, but that seal! What's with that thing?! And we still can't break it!"
His outburst drew sharp rebukes from the other two.
"Idiot! Keep it down!"
"Ugh, so loud…"
Whisker Guy grumbled and downed his drink. "Damn it!"
"More people won't help break that magic seal. I'll handle the rest alone. You guys head back to the guild," said a man with a topknot and a fake smile. "Tell Eisenwald I'll have Lullaby back in three days."
"Seriously?! You figured out how to break it?"
"Nice one, Shadow!!"
Erza's ears perked up. Lullaby… Eisenwald… why do those names sound familiar?
The group quickly finished their drinks and left in a hurry.
---
BAM!
Kira kicked open the guild's doors.
"We're back!"
As expected, the guild greeted them with its usual chaos.
"Whoa, they're back!"
"How was the S-Class mission? Tough, huh?"
"Tough? Those guys are way too strong for that!"
The guild buzzed with chatter about the returning four-man team, everyone eager to hear about the mission.
Hmph, so nosy.
The three smirked inwardly but put on their best "S-Class mission? No big deal" faces, earning a round of cheers and praise from the crowd.
---