"You used divination magic... as intelligence?"
Carla found it unbelievable; she didn't remember learning any divination magic.
But thinking back to the scene last night where they suddenly foresaw the Guard Corps' attack, and considering Hapi knew nothing about Edolas...
It seemed to make sense?
Lucy asked again, "But if this Two Nights knew it was all fake, why was he so arrogant towards us?"
"Because they must remain firm." Erza tried not to look at the Two Nights formed by Gemini, crossing her arms as she spoke:
"For many years, they have reached a certain understanding, or balance, with humans. Once they show weakness, there's a great chance the lies will be exposed, so they can never allow humans to enter Extalia unwarranted."
"Oh no, we've caused trouble." Rhode realized he had created a big mess for Extalia.
If they were that weak, then even if Erza from Edolas attacked, they couldn't do much to Edolas.
And with the Guard Corps destroyed by them, Extalia would be doomed. Could Queen Shargate's prophecy be because of them?
Everyone realized that Extalia might have been tricked by them, but for now, they were too busy to care about it.
Unsure whether Edolas would act on the Magic Crystal or Extalia first, they could only focus on saving their comrades for now and see if they could help later.
Two Nights didn't know a lot about the Edolas Kingdom, but could provide names and magic of some high officials.
For example, the "Fallen Heaven" Li Li's swordsmanship, Erza's Ten Commandments Spear, Hughes' Conductor's Baton, Shugboy's Rose Sword...
Everyone made notes; they planned to gather information in the royal capital after dawn. Conflict was a possibility, so these details were important.
Seeing everyone get to the crucial questions, Hapi quickly said: "Do you know who Carla's parents are?"
His idea was quite simple; he was happy to meet his parents, so Carla might want to meet hers too, or at least know who they were.
"Id... idiot! Now's not the time to ask this!" Carla retorted, but couldn't help but want to hear Gemini's answer.
"Unfortunately, Two Nights doesn't know either."
Carla felt a bit disappointed, but Gemini continued, "However, Two Nights thinks her divination magic and appearance are a lot like the Queen."
(The fact that Carla is Queen Shargate's daughter is only known to the Queen and the Four Great Elders, but the similar abilities and appearance made Two Nights suspect.)
"Ah! You mean..." Mar exclaimed, having seen the Queen from afar once, and now this mention seemed to have some truth to it...
Carla's eyes widened, her mother was the Queen?
But the Queen was a liar! No, she deceived everyone to save her comrades!
But she took away a hundred children! No, she did it to ensure the continuation of the race.
But she abandoned her own child in another world!
This too was in hopes her child could live well...
Carla felt she should hate her, but after learning the truth, she couldn't bring herself to.
All the 'responsibility', 'duty', 'mission', were because she didn't understand her magic...
She had deceived herself for six years!
Carla's mind was a mess, she had no idea what to do.
Just then, someone held her in their arms.
This familiar touch and warmth, Carla looked up, and sure enough, it was Wendy.
"That's wonderful, Carla!" Wendy rubbed her face against Carla's joyfully, "There was never such a mission, so you approached me just because you wanted to, saying you'd protect me was entirely out of your own will!"
"N... no such thing!" Carla instinctively retorted, but seeing Wendy's expression, she awkwardly said, "It's all because you're too much of a worry."
Wendy didn't refute her, just nodded: "Mm, mm!"
With this, they couldn't ignore Extalia's situation.
Rhode discussed with Erza, Gray, and Lisana, deciding unanimously to get some sleep early.
Thus, morning arrived quickly.
The Moon's Drop couldn't be used in the daytime, so they planned to sneak into the royal capital during the day.
They tidied up their appearance and prepared four backpacks for Carla and Hapi's family to hide in; if danger arose, they'd reveal themselves.
As Carla said, since they had already troubled their home, they might as well make full use of their Transcender identity while it was still useful.
As for the prisoners they captured last night, they left them on the flying ship to wake up and leave on their own.
Just as they were about to leave, a loud rumbling sound was heard.
Everyone readied their weapons, and soon they saw a flaming war chariot with something unknown perched on top.
Perhaps it was the aftereffect of being on a boat all day, but Natsu felt uncomfortable just seeing the vehicle.
But when he saw the person on the roof, he exclaimed with joy, "Gajeel!"
Although they usually didn't get along, seeing a comrade in an otherworld was something to be happy about.
As the war chariot got closer, they gradually recognized the two people sitting in the front.
Lucy was shocked: "That's Natsu? And me?!"
Hapi poked his head out from Natsu's backpack, equally shocked: "Natsu's driving!"
Natsu's reaction was even more exaggerated, using both hands to pinch his cheeks into a distorted expression: "Really! It's the me who's not dizzy from vehicles!"
Whirr...
The flaming war chariot smoothly stopped in front of them, with a double entendre of a 'flame out'.
Then a figure rushed out of the vehicle, diving into Rhode's arms.
Rhode was pushed back by the sudden 'attack', dazedly wrapping his arms around the person, incredulous: "Mira?"
Since she arrived with this world's 'Natsu' and 'Lucy', Rhode had assumed the white-haired figure was this world's 'Mira'.
But the running posture, the look in her eyes, the feeling of holding him... no mistake!
"Mm..." Mira looked up; her eyes were filled with tears, pouting slightly as she pitifully said, "Where did you run off to..."
Her face still bore some marks of scratches, her clothes were torn, and her body was not without wounds. Though her hair seemed neatly arranged, traces of scorching remained.
It was clear she had been through a battle, yet paired with her pitiful, grievance-laden expression, Rhode felt as though his heart was being tightly clenched.
All he could do was hold Mira tightly, "I'm sorry I wasn't there when it was dangerous."
Mira shook her head in his embrace, tugging at his collar: "I only want you here now."
"Tsk~" Gajeel jumped down from the roof, turning his head aside. Was this the same domineering lady as before?
And she was the one who gave Erza and my cat a good beating, yet now it seems like she's the one who got bullied?
Lucy and Natsu didn't disturb the two; instead, they approached this world's 'Lucy' and 'Natsu', and the four of them stared at each other without saying a word.
Elfman got off the vehicle, contentedly watching his sister and Rhode.
But when his gaze inadvertently fell on Lisana, Elfman paused.
Because of Lisana's current attire, Elfman's first thought was it was this world's sister. On closer inspection, he realized something was off.
He couldn't help but grasp Mira's arm, his lips trembling: "Sister... sister, this is..."
"Hmm?" Mira also initially thought it was 'herself', but then covered her mouth with both hands.
Lisana's tears flowed uncontrollably as she took two steps forward, rushing into the arms of her brother and sister: "Sister Mira! Brother Elf!"
"Lisana!"