Jellal's body trembled slightly, then he opened his eyes somewhat awkwardly, propping himself up with his arms to sit. He still had scrapes on his face from the battle, and his breathing was a bit weak, but clarity had returned to his eyes.
"When did you realize? I was even trying to find a chance to sneak attack and help you," he said with a bitter smile, looking at Shane with lingering shock.
"But as I watched, I realized... I couldn't intervene at all. I didn't expect you to be this strong already."
"I'm not blind." Shane smiled. Clairvoyance Rank A could see the future, so naturally, it could observe minute changes in people.
"Let's get to business. What did she do to you earlier? Did she mention 'Zeref'?"
Jellal's expression turned serious, and he nodded. "When she appeared, she said she sensed my potential and wanted me to believe in her. Those words seemed to carry some kind of magic that could affect my mind, but I didn't accept it, and then I lost consciousness."
"By the way, at the end, I definitely heard her call herself Zeref." Saying this, a trace of bitterness appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Hearing it now, it was probably just to seduce me into becoming 'material'."
"Her style is exactly the same as the Dark Magic Cult." Shane glanced unkindly at the unconscious purple-clad girl on the ground.
"Over at the coast, Erza should have succeeded. The plan is generally going smoothly. We can go back now."
Saying this, he walked to the girl's side. The crimson longbow appeared silently in his hand, his eyes utterly cold.
Originally, he wanted to ask more questions about magic, but since he had confirmed her temperament, there was no need to hold back.
As for magic, he could learn about it slowly after getting out.
Just as he was about to strike...
"Wait!" Jellal suddenly called out to stop him.
Shane paused and looked over in confusion. "She and those people are birds of a feather. Don't tell me you can't bear to do it just because she's a girl?"
Jellal took a deep breath, his gaze gradually becoming firm.
"I heard your conversation. Such a massive ritual couldn't possibly have been set up by her alone. There must be others supporting her behind the scenes. This 'Tower of Heaven'..."
His voice deepened. "This kind of evil ritual that uses human lives as sacrifices cannot be allowed to continue existing."
Shane pondered for a moment and asked, "You think there are others behind the scenes? What do you want to do?"
Judging by her age, this girl really didn't seem like the mastermind, especially since Grandpa Rob had been here for many years.
"I hate this place more than anyone." Jellal's voice suppressed his anger. "I want to pretend to be seduced by her and infiltrate them. Only by figuring out their details can we completely destroy them."
Shane stared at him for a few seconds, his tone serious. "To be honest, I don't want you to take the risk. We've already saved everyone and destroyed this tower (operationally). We've done enough."
"Not 'we,' it was you." Jellal interrupted softly. "From making the plan, acting as bait, to saving people... you did everything. I didn't help at all; I even needed you to save me..."
Seeing Jellal's unusually firm demeanor, Shane didn't know what to say. Finally, he sighed lightly.
"Have you really thought this through? It's dangerous. You'll be facing not just her, but likely an entire organization hiding in the shadows."
"I've thought it through!"
Jellal nodded without hesitation, a look of do-or-die determination on his face. "I hate this tower, and I hate everything it stands for. As long as there's a chance to uproot it completely, I'm willing to take the risk."
Shane was silent for a while, then finally let out a soft breath. "Fine. Since you've decided... I respect your choice."
"But." His tone shifted, carrying a seriousness that allowed no negotiation. "I won't help you hide this from Sho, Wally, and Millianna.
"They are comrades who resisted with us. They have the right to know the truth. I don't want you to be misunderstood by them as a traitor."
Jellal was stunned at first, then understood Shane's intention. His heart warmed, and he nodded. "I understand."
Then, the two discussed some details and finally decided to stage a play where the "blue-haired boy was bewitched, and his best friend turned against him but couldn't bear to kill him."
With the communication done, Shane said no more. "Then I'll go first. What about you? Do you want to see them again?"
"No, just tell them I'm safe. I'll get ready here and wait for this girl to wake up." Jellal shook his head, then suddenly smiled. "Speaking of which, I have to thank her."
"What do you mean?"
Just as Shane asked, Jellal stood up and waved his hand. A powerful burst of Magic Power exploded, blasting a pile of rubble not far away into scattered pieces.
Hmm, the intensity is about the same as a single shot from the girl's crystal ball.
"You awakened magic!" Shane exclaimed in surprise. This way, Jellal's ability to protect himself increased greatly.
"Yeah." Jellal sat back down. "Be careful. Don't be weaker than me the next time we meet."
Clearly, Shane's strength had left a deep impression on him. Even as a best friend, he couldn't help but feel a bit competitive.
"Then I'll look forward to it." Shane laughed and strode away.
But not far away, he suddenly turned back and poked his head out from the corner. "By the way, remember to be careful with fire."
After saying that, he left the bewildered Jellal behind and walked away alone.
At the coast, the originally deadly silent beach was now full of noise and vitality.
Several large ships were lined up neatly, ready to set sail. Every deck was crowded with people, their faces beaming with unprecedented relief and joy.
Still a distance away, Shane spotted Erza standing on a ship at a glance.
She had changed out of her prisoner garb and was wearing a rough cloth coat and trousers she had found somewhere. Although they were loose, she looked neat and sharp. Her scarlet long hair was as bright as fire in the sunlight.
She was standing with Simon, Sho, and a few others, talking in low voices.
"Shane?"
Soon, someone spotted Shane walking out of the tower's shadow, and a cheer erupted from the crowd.
"It's Shane! He's back!"
"Great! You're okay!"
Cheers spread rapidly through the crowd. Even though he had never formally introduced himself, at this moment, everyone shouted his name.
"Where's Jellal?"
But Sho noticed that Shane was alone. He hurriedly jumped off the ship, his tone urgent.
"He's fine. I'll explain everything together later," Shane answered calmly.
A trace of unease flashed across Sho's face, but out of his consistent trust in Shane, he opened his mouth but said nothing.
The others watched too, their expressions also a bit uneasy.
Shane first reassured everyone with his eyes, then raised his voice and asked one by one, "How is the collection of valuables going? Is everyone ready? Is anything left behind?"
"Much more than imagined! You'd never guess how much those bastards hoarded." Wally's loud voice came from the ship. Before his voice faded, he pushed a tightly bound person off the deck.
The person fell heavily onto the sand. Shane leaned in to take a look—it was an old acquaintance.
The gagged tall, thin overseer let out mm-mm whimpers, his eyes full of pleading as he looked at Shane.
Shane acted as if he didn't see it and kicked him aside.
Then he faced the sea, his gaze slowly sweeping over every face.
Those faces once written with numbness and despair were now faintly glowing with hope. He took a deep breath, his voice clearly reaching across the coast:
"We are free!"