Meanwhile, as Rhode and the others prepared Moon's Drop, the Edolas military had already begun to take action.
On one hand, they hastened to strengthen the security around the floating island where the Magic Crystal was located.
On the other hand, led by First Magic Combat Team Captain Li Li, they rushed another Magic Crystal of similar size to the Royal Capital.
This was to be used as a display in the King's speech tomorrow.
Over the past six years, the Anima plan suffered successive setbacks, and the King's authority was questioned. If this continued, he would be accused of exhausting the nation and wasting Magic Power.
Although King Faust was ambitious and resolute, he also understood the importance of public opinion.
Alongside the Anima plan was the expansion of military forces, allegedly to prepare for retaliatory attacks from Aslan.
Only with the support of the people can the military expansion plan continue, and the Anima plan proceed more boldly, to gather more Magic Power.
The King and the Chief Adviser said this to Li Li.
So the King planned to make a speech tomorrow, showcasing this Magic Crystal to everyone.
The results of the action, combined with the King's art of speech, could gain the maximum support from the people.
Thus making the country more prosperous, unlike Extalia, arrogant and complacent, self-deceptive.
Li Li believed that one day this country would be vibrant and strong enough for Extalia to coexist peacefully with them willingly.
In this way, the Transcender and humans could coexist peacefully.
This was Li Li's greatest wish and why he served the King after being expelled from Extalia.
Now, bearing the heavy responsibility of escorting the Magic Crystal, Li Li stayed awake all night and transported the Magic Crystal to the Royal Capital Square by dawn.
After unloading, he selected his most capable men to circle around the Magic Crystal and personally went upstairs to guard against aerial enemies.
"He he~ That cat seems pretty good." Gajeel leaned against the wall in an alley, secretly admiring Li Li's posture while observing the Magic Crystal.
"Surprised you can tell it's a cat; most would think it's a leopard, right?"
Standing next to Gajeel was a man with the same face, but wearing a suit, round hat, and glasses, looked much more refined.
Gajeel laughed and said, "Since it's 'me,' it should match my taste, right? A cat should be strong like that one."
'Gajeel' shook his head, "As a pet, I still prefer something cute and obedient."
"I'm not looking for a pet, but a partner, like the Fire Dragon jerk and that little Sky Dragon partners."
"No idea what you're talking about, but is it time to act? There are dozens of guards here, and more will come later."
"Isn't the answer obvious?" Gajeel loosened his neck, "Once we get them out, we've got allies. But I don't think we need help... What are you up to?"
Edolas' 'Gajeel' straightened his tie, "Of course, to help, he he~ helping myself, not really an ally, right?"
"He he~ You won't run out of news today."
The two very different Gajeel surprisingly got along well, sharing the same smile after deciding to move.
It was still early, but many people were already on the street and in the square, wanting to hear the King's speech and worried about not getting a good spot.
Some even came from other areas because it had been promoted for days that Edolas would gain unlimited Magic Power, and the King would announce this good news today.
As more people gathered, everyone wanted to get close to the Magic Crystal. The guards recalled Captain Li Li's instructions and couldn't help but become tense.
To avoid misunderstandings, they temporarily took on the responsibility of maintaining order.
But after repeatedly preventing ordinary people from moving forward, the guards' alertness inevitably decreased.
For the two Gajeel, there was no better opportunity.
So, Edolas' reporter 'Gajeel' pressed his hat down and walked calmly into the crowd.
Gajeel, meanwhile, wore a hood and mixed into the crowd from the other side.
Gajeel didn't know what his other self was doing, but soon chaos erupted on that side, forcing several guards to divert their attention.
"It's now!" Gajeel pushed through the crowd, punching amidst the curses, "Iron Dragon Staff!"
Gajeel's right hand transformed into an iron rod, extending forward to sweep away the nearest soldiers to prevent interference.
Then he took a deep breath: "Roar of the Iron Dragon!"
A gray-black iron blade storm spouted from Gajeel's mouth, not aimed at the guards but at the Magic Crystal straight ahead!
The guards finally reacted, shouting: "Enemy attack! Someone's destroying the Magic Crystal!"
"Monster! It's a monster!"
"A monster with an arm that can turn into an iron rod!"
"Run!"
The ordinary bystanders pushed and shoved to leave, chaos erupting in the crowd.
Some naturally cursed Gajeel, accusing him of ruining the kingdom's future and taking away their Magic Power.
The chaos-instigating 'Gajeel' quickly scribbled in a notebook, seemingly noting the human behaviors.
Everyone thought that under Gajeel's powerful attack, the Magic Crystal would surely shatter.
But unexpectedly, the six-to-seven-story-tall Magic Crystal vanished, revealing two figures at its center.
"Only two people?" Gajeel was clearly surprised, but when he saw their faces, a bead of sweat trickled down his temple, "That's directly powerful."
The restored Magic Crystal revealed Mira and Elfman.
Mira, unaware of what happened, blinked as she looked around, "Where is this?"
"Sister?" Elfman was equally confused, "How did we get here?"
"Hey!" Gajeel tossed a small bottle to Mira, "You probably can't use magic now. Hurry and take the medicine inside."
Saying that, Gajeel's right hand changed into an iron sword, standing before Mira and Elfman, slicing down two oncoming soldiers.
Mira and Elfman tried, and found they indeed couldn't use magic. Surrounded by soldiers, albeit strange ones, in unfamiliar territory, they naturally trusted Gajeel.
Mira opened the bottle, gave Elfman a pill, and put one in her mouth as well, "Gajeel? What's going on?"
Gajeel watched the soldiers and replied without turning his head,
"It's complicated. In short, including you, everyone in Magnolia was turned into Magic Crystals, and the enemy seems intent on extracting Magic Power from us, which would kill everyone!"
Crunch!
The pill shattered as Mira swallowed it, striving to comprehend Gajeel's short explanation, "You mean... everyone? Then, what happened to Rhode? He was right next to us."
"Just now? Then he was likely also transformed into a Magic Crystal. And today is already the third day," Gajeel explained, "I've heard you were cut from an even larger Magic Crystal; that guy should still be there.
"But I heard they also cut a large piece of Magic Crystal yesterday; not sure what for, so if luck's not on our side..."
Buzz~
A surge of powerful magic erupted, and Gajeel suddenly felt a chill on his back.