Chapter 41: Didn't You Say He Was Lazy?
The thick-browed man who'd been discovered underground earlier bowed to a figure wearing a cyan coat and horn mask. "Lord Zero, I apologize. We detected an intruder in the ruins during the day, but we haven't been able to locate them."
"An intruder? What's the status of Deliora's resurrection?" the masked man asked.
Gray's eyes widened in recognition. That voice…
"At this rate, the ice should melt by tonight!"
Zero nodded. "Then tonight it is. I despise unnecessary bloodshed, but I won't tolerate interference at this critical juncture. There should be no one on this island except the village at the edge—go destroy it."
"Yes, sir!"
"Stop this insanity, Leon!" Gray shouted, immediately forming ice-make magic with both hands. Ice lances erupted from the ground, hurtling toward Zero.
With a casual wave, Zero conjured identical ice magic that collided with Gray's attack, neutralizing it completely. "Long time no see, Gray."
Happy's jaw dropped. "He uses ice magic too?!"
The thick-browed mage, Yuka, narrowed his eyes. "Fairy Tail wizards… so the intruders came from that village's request to a guild."
Lucy turned to Gray frantically. "Gray! You know this 'Zero' guy?!"
"He's my senior disciple—Leon."
"Your senior?!"
Natsu's confusion was evident. "Why would your senior want to resurrect the demon your master died to seal?!"
Gray's face darkened. "That's exactly what I want to know! Leon, what the hell are you trying to accomplish?!"
Ignoring Gray's demand, Leon addressed his subordinates. "Destroy that village."
"Understood!"
Suddenly, Dino Maxim's calm voice cut through the tension. "I'm afraid I can't allow that. I am, after all, the client for this mission. It would be rather awkward if you hurt me."
BOOM!
The entire ruins shook violently, throwing everyone off balance.
"Wh-whoa!"
"An earthquake?!"
"Again?! We already had one today!"
Leon's masked face turned toward Dino. "And who are you?"
A short man beside Leon, dressed in tribal-style clothing and wearing a mask, spoke up. "That's Dino Maxim of Fairy Tail—the super S-Class mage known as the 'Walking Calamity.'"
Yuka's face paled. "The 'Walking Calamity'?! Our guild master mentioned him once… said he's an incredibly dangerous wizard."
Toby, whose appearance resembled a dog, nodded vigorously. "Oh yeah! I heard about him too! They say earthquakes and disasters follow wherever he goes!"
Sherry clasped her hands together nervously. "I've heard the rumors but never seen him in person…"
The three subordinates tensed, preparing for combat. Reputation preceded reality—no one who knew the name dared underestimate Dino Maxim.
Leon's expression hardened. "Zalty, you know of him?"
"Of course, Lord Zero. You may not concern yourself with matters beyond Deliora, but Dino Maxim is infamous in the darker circles of the magic world. I never expected someone of his caliber to appear here personally."
Ultear, using the alias Zalty, cursed internally. Wasn't he supposed to be notoriously lazy? He barely takes any jobs! And when he does, they're always subjugation quests. A few days ago he demolished Lullaby in Clover Town, and now he's here?! What happened to the mage who works less than anyone else in his guild?
Yesterday's unexplained earthquake on the island had given her a terrible premonition. Of all the times for my intuition to be right…
"Lord Zero," Ultear said carefully, "our plan to resurrect Deliora may be in jeopardy."
Leon's visible eye narrowed. "Impossible! I don't care what kind of so-called calamity he is. Anyone who stands in my way is my enemy—and enemies must be eliminated. Ice-Make: Ice Eagle!"
Several ice eagles materialized and dove toward Dino and the others.
"Ice-Make: Ice Shield!"
CRASH!
Gray blocked Leon's attack with an ice barrier. "Leon! Your fight is with me!"
Leon gestured to his subordinates. "Kill them all!"
Numerous masked soldiers charged forward with weapons raised. Natsu stepped forward, fists igniting, but Dino raised a hand.
"Let me handle this. Cover your ears."
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy immediately complied. A pale white sphere of light formed around Dino's right fist. He cocked his arm back—
SNAP!
The sound of his fist cutting through the air resonated with an otherworldly hum. A translucent shockwave rippled outward in expanding circles.
THUD THUD THUD!
Every charging soldier collapsed instantly. Even those farther back—including Leon and Gray—stumbled, faces draining of color as the vibration rattled their bodies.
Toby stared in horror. "D-did you just… kill them?!"
Sherry and Yuka looked equally shocked.
Dino lowered his fist casually. "No. I don't kill people unless they truly make me angry. They're just unconscious."
A technique using vibrations to disrupt the inner ear and nervous system—perfect for clearing out weaklings without permanent damage, he thought.
Natsu's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That was SO COOL! Teach me that!"
Sherry stepped forward, determination replacing her fear. "I won't let you ruin Lord Zero's plan! Come forth, Angelica!"
RUMBLE!
An enormous rat creature burst from the ground, its fangs bared ferociously.
"Angelica! Attack them!"
The massive rat locked eyes with Dino—and froze. Its fierce expression crumbled into pure terror. With a panicked squeal, it immediately dove back into the hole it had emerged from, fleeing at top speed.