The Kingdom of Fiore, southwestern region — the Cattkia Mountain Range.
This was the last S-Class mission Kael had to complete. The previous ones had already been handled with ease under his lead, each mission solved effortlessly, almost too smoothly.
For Cana, it was an unforgettable experience. At her age, few could witness the variety and intensity of true S-Class missions firsthand, much less take part in them. Each battle had honed her strength and instincts, sharpening her abilities through real combat.
But more than that, the days she spent traveling alongside Kael had become precious memories—moments neither of them would ever forget.
Far in the distance, the mountain peaks were painted in the deep, mellow hues of late autumn. Golds, browns, and reds blended together like a tranquil landscape painting—each color and shape forming the silent beauty of the season.
Kael and Cana strolled along a narrow mountain path, relaxed and cheerful, taking in the breathtaking scenery around them.
"Tatatata~"
Cana suddenly ran ahead, her boots crunching lightly on the gravel. They had reached a naturally formed plateau overlooking the valley.
"Kael, come here—quick! Look! Isn't it beautiful?" she called, laughter in her voice. Her eyes sparkled as she stood at the edge, completely lost in the sight before her.
The rolling peaks stretched endlessly, layer upon layer like a painting come to life. Wisps of clouds drifted between them like silk ribbons, glowing softly under the sunlight. It was as if they were standing at the edge of a divine realm.
The mountains rose proud and majestic amid the mist. Standing on the plateau, Kael gazed over the sea of clouds, struck by the grandeur and serenity of nature itself. Both he and Cana felt a deep sense of peace settle in their hearts.
Smiling, Kael pulled out a magic camera and began to take photos, jumping from one spot to another to find the perfect angles—snapping the view, then taking pictures with Cana beside him. The two laughed together as the shutter clicked again and again.
When he was done, Kael took the freshly printed photos and carefully placed them in an album he carried. Inside were countless memories—group photos of the guild (including one chaotic shot courtesy of Happy),an unflattering picture of Laxus,a few funny captures of Erza and Mirajane bickering,Natsu and Gray training until exhaustion but never giving up,Elfman looking awkward in front of the camera,and Lisanna smiling sweetly beside him.
There were also plenty of pictures of Kael and Cana together from their recent journeys.
Each photo held a piece of Fairy Tail's heart—pure, loud, and full of life. Kael smiled softly as he closed the album and tucked it safely into his pack.
"Let's go," he said, gently taking Cana's hand. "We still have one last task to finish."
"This ruin we're investigating," Cana said as they walked, recalling the mission details. "The report said a lot of mages tried before and failed. That's why it was upgraded to S-Class, right?"
The job was titled 'Investigation of the Lost Magic Ruins.'
According to the records, many mages had gone missing during the task. Search parties had combed the entire range, but not a single trace was found. Then, days—or even weeks—later, the missing mages would suddenly reappear somewhere random in the mountains…
Drained of all magic.
Disoriented.
And completely unable to remember what had happened.
Rumors spread that there might not even be a ruin at all. But one elderly villager insisted it was real—an ancient site passed down through generations, a legacy their ancestors had sworn to rediscover.
"The exact cause is still unknown," Cana added quietly.
"So their magic just… vanishes?" Kael frowned thoughtfully. "That's definitely strange. But don't worry, I'm here. Whatever happens, I can teleport us out in an instant."
His calm confidence made Cana relax.
"Let's head toward the village—it should be that way," Kael said after focusing his senses. His Observation Haki picked up several faint life signatures to the east. But among them, he noticed… something off.
"You sense something?" Cana asked, noticing the slight crease in his brow.
Kael waved his fingers together lightly. "It's probably nothing big. Just a small thing."
He smiled reassuringly, his tone casual but firm—the kind of tone that made Cana instinctively believe him.
After some time, they reached the outskirts of a small village.
A middle-aged man in plain clothes noticed them and came hurrying over with a warm smile.
"Welcome, honored mages! You must be tired from your journey. Please, come—lunch is ready. Eat, rest, and you can start your mission tomorrow."
"Oh, that sounds great! We could use a break," Kael said cheerfully, raising an eyebrow with a grin. He turned to Cana with mock excitement. "See? I told you this mission wasn't so bad!"
Laughing, he eagerly followed the man—but as he took Cana's hand, he discreetly drew a small sigil across her palm, silently signaling her to stay alert.
Cana understood immediately. She tightened her grip around his arm, smiling brightly as they followed their host into the village, pretending not to notice anything unusual.
The village looked peaceful and ordinary.
Villagers worked in their yards, children played and laughed, and women prepared meals for midday. Everything appeared… perfectly normal.
Kael's eyes scanned every detail. On the surface, it was an idyllic little settlement—too idyllic. Nothing felt wrong, yet something deep beneath the surface tugged at his instincts.
"Hahaha, we're almost there," the middle-aged man said, pointing toward a large house with smoke rising from its chimney. "That's my home. My father's the village chief. After lunch, you can speak with him about your mission."
The courtyard held a large wooden table already set with plates of steaming dishes—chicken, duck, fish, fresh vegetables—all prepared with care. The smell alone made one's mouth water.
A kind-looking woman emerged from the kitchen, carrying the final dish. When she saw her husband and the two guests, her eyes lit up.
"Oh my, these must be the mages! So young and capable—how wonderful!" she said warmly. "Come, come, have a seat. You two make such a lovely couple. Dear, entertain our guests while I help Father up."
She hurried inside, returning moments later with an old man, frail and bent, who shuffled slowly toward the table with her support.
Kael's expression remained calm and friendly, but his senses told a different story.
From the moment he had stepped into the village, his Haki had been extended, covering every corner. At first, during his preliminary scan, he had counted only a few life signatures here.
But then—within seconds—those numbers had skyrocketed.
Dozens of new presences appeared out of nowhere, as if they had suddenly sprouted from the ground itself.
That alone was enough to put Kael on guard.
And the way this man had been waiting right at the edge of the village—as if he'd known they were coming today—made it all the more suspicious.
Still, Kael hid his thoughts behind an easy smile and dug into the food before him with exaggerated delight.
"Well, guess we'll see where this goes," he thought silently.