"The Cave of Spica!!!"
In a flash, Nami activated the power of her Virgo Star Spirit outfit—a pristine white silk maid costume.
Suddenly, a massive hole tore open in the marsh-cloud land, appearing out of thin air.
A bewildered Marsh Trial Priest, Guard Commander Gaidaz, froze in shock. Before he could react, the ground beneath him vanished, and he plunged uncontrollably into the abyss.
Gaidaz, the third priest under Enel's command, was defeated—lost!
"Success!" Maid-outfit Nami cheered, giving a triumphant thumbs-up.
"Miss Nami is incredible!" Wendy clapped enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.
"No, no, it's not that impressive," Nami said with an embarrassed scratch of her head. "It's just that the priest wasn't very bright to begin with."
"Let's move on!" Sugisawa Yuuto smiled faintly and steered the Fairy Tail toward the next destination.
In a corner of the deck, Sky Knight Ganfur stared at the guild ship in disbelief. First, it had been Sky Knight Shura. Then, Mori Daigo Shadley. And now, Sora Guard Commander Gaidaz. Three of the four strongest god-tier officers under Enel's command had been completely eliminated.
What shocked Ganfur even more was the route they had taken.
Ordinarily, encountering priestly trials one after another was impossible without deliberately detouring. Yet Fairy Tail's path, seemingly casual, had been perfectly orchestrated.
Everything Ganfur had suspected was true: the consecutive encounters with priests were all part of Yuuto's plan. The commission had to be completed as flawlessly as possible, while ensuring everyone in Fairy Tail felt involved. Guild leveling rewards Sugisawa yuuto, and completing the entrustment brought benefits to Nami and the others.
Meanwhile, the Sandia Warriors, led by War Ghost Weber, had also arrived on the Island of Gods.
"Weber! Look! That's Seurat—the priest Seurat! He's been killed!" Mantis Kamakili shouted, pointing to the charred remains on the ground.
A few minutes later:
"Weber! Priest Shadley, the one responsible for the Ball Trial, has also been defeated!" Warrior Jebao reported, rushing from another direction.
"There's more… Gaidaz is gone too!" Belle Warrior Laki added.
"Nani?! Even Shadley and Gaidaz? Could… could this all be the work of Fairy Tail?" Mantis Kamakili's voice rose an octave, his shock rolling like turbulent waves.
Not long ago, Sugisawa Yuuto had accepted the Sandia chief's commission to confront Enel and set out for the Island of Gods. The Sandia Warriors had followed immediately under War Ghost Weber's leadership, aiming to support Fairy Tail and remove obstacles wherever possible.
Enel and his forces might be untouchable, but the priests? They were vulnerable. The Sandia Warriors had split up to engage each priest—and the result? Each had been defeated.
"There's no other explanation… it has to be Fairy Tail!" Laki whispered, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Call everyone! Gather directly at Enel's location and light the fire of Shandora. This cannot be left to anyone else!" War Ghost Weber commanded firmly.
Huge bean sprouts.
Island Cloud, Second Floor Ruins—God's Abode.
"Disappeared… again?!" Enel's face darkened, the composure of a god vanishing.
Once, it could have been coincidence. Twice, maybe chance. But the third time was undeniable.
At first, his Heart Net detected the disappearance of Sky Knight Seurat. Enel paid little attention, mocking him for his supposed lack of divine blessing.
Then came Mori Daigo Shadley's demise. Enel's expression stiffened, though he barely maintained his calm.
Finally, the disappearance of Gaidaz broke him. He could no longer remain on the Diaoyutai, his throne of judgment. He could feel it—the enemy was deliberately seeking out and overcoming each trial.
"Master Enel, by now, those Qinghai intruders should have been eliminated!" Dashan, the broad, rotund Divine Soldier, flattered.
"The ones who were killed… were Shura and the others," Enel said, his voice low and cold.
"Nani!" Dashan froze, seeing Enel's face black as the depths of a cauldron.
"Pass my orders—summon all members of the Divine Soldiers. Gather them at the Iron Trial immediately!"