Amidst the thunderstruck exclamations, heavy clanking footsteps sounded.
A figure carrying a huge demon horn cast its shadow through the doorway, bringing with it an extremely strong sense of oppression.
"W-wait! Erza... the one Natsu and Gray mentioned?!"
Lucy took in the shock and tension on everyone's faces. Deep in her mind, she unconsciously pictured a terrifying monster spewing demonic flames and kicking mountains.
"There might be debate about who's the strongest in the guild, but Erza is without a doubt the strongest female mage." Mira walked over to Lucy and explained with a smile.
She might have been better off not saying anything. Lucy immediately backed away in fear upon hearing this.
Yesterday's vicious image of Laxus, who called himself the "strongest," was still vivid in her mind.
Just as she was trembling, the crisp sound of steel boots on the floor stopped, followed by a heavy thud as something crashed to the ground.
"W-wait... she's beautiful..."
Lucy finally made out the newcomer's appearance. It was a female mage completely encased in steel armor, with long fiery red hair and an extremely piercing gaze.
Completely different from the terrible image Natsu and Gray had described!
The guild rookie silently complained to herself.
"I'm back. Is the Master here?"
Erza's cool voice cut through the deathly silent guild.
"Welcome back. The Master took Chase to Crocus for the guild masters' meeting." Mira replied with a smile.
"I see. Not just the Master, but Chase is gone too..." Erza's expression grew several degrees more serious.
One of the bolder members pointed at the huge object beside Erza and asked curiously, "Hey Erza, what's that?"
"A horn I cut off a demon I defeated. The locals gave it to me as a gift."
Erza casually glanced at him. "Why? Is it in the way?"
"No, no! Not at all!" The man quickly shook his head, frightened.
"On my way back, I heard about all the trouble you've been causing."
Erza's expression sharpened as her piercing gaze swept across the room.
"Cana! What kind of behavior is that, drinking with your legs crossed like that? Bickslow! If you want to dance, go outside! Wakaba! Your ashes fell on the table! Macao... ugh..."
Those called out all lowered their heads, not daring to meet her gaze.
Macao, trembling on thin ice: Aren't you going to say something?!
"Never mind. I have important matters to attend to, so I'll let you off for now." Erza pressed her hand to her forehead and sighed.
Lucy silently commented: You've already said plenty...
From this brief introduction, she'd probably figured out the role of the S-Class mage Erza before her.
Probably something like the guild's disciplinary committee?
"Natsu and Gray, are you here?" Erza called out.
"Here!"
"Aye~!"
Gray and Natsu hugged each other tightly and responded in unison.
Such an intimate, harmonious scene nearly made Lucy's jaw drop.
"I see. Seeing that your relationship is as good as ever puts my mind at ease."
Erza nodded, quite relieved.
Then her eyes narrowed slightly, her expression growing serious again.
"I heard some serious news on the way back. I should report to the Master, but time seems to be running out. This needs to be dealt with immediately."
"Since Chase isn't here either, you two come and help me!"
These words caused an uproar throughout the guild.
Erza didn't explain further, simply telling Natsu and Gray to meet at Magnolia Station tomorrow morning.
Under her iron-fisted authority, no matter how much they disliked each other, Natsu and Gray had no choice but to obediently agree.
On the other side, in Crocus, at the mansion at the end of the forest path.
This small castle building, with its strong medieval style, was the venue for today's guild masters' meeting.
After the guards verified their identities, Makarov led Chase into the venue.
Although the meeting hadn't started yet, many other guild masters were already inside, gathered in small groups chatting.
Chase swept his gaze across the room. Most were familiar faces, though there were also some he'd never seen before.
During the year he'd left Fiore to undertake a Ten-Year Quest, many new guilds seemed to have appeared.
At their entrance, the other masters stopped chatting and turned their attention to them, whispering among themselves.
Some even pulled out the latest newspaper and compared it against Chase, who stood beside Makarov.
"Well, well, if it isn't Fairy Tail's Chase!"
Unlike the other masters who maintained a wait-and-see attitude, three strikingly different masters were actively approached.
They were Bob, master of Blue Pegasus; Goldmine, master of Mermaid Heel; and Oba Babasaama, master of Lamia Scale.
All were guilds with good relations with Fairy Tail.
"Long time no see, Masters." Chase greeted them with a smile.
"I heard about the ruins island incident. Little Chase, the charm you radiate is even more tempting than a year ago~"
The obese, perverted uncle Bob immediately sidled up, shyly advancing on Chase.
Every hair on Chase's body stood on end as he unobtrusively backed away repeatedly.
If this weren't a guild master, he'd really want to summon his fists into attack mode!
"Hahaha! So you all know about Chase's heroic deeds? See that? This is the kind of mage Fairy Tail produces!"
Makarov planted his hands on his hips and laughed heartily. "Compared to us, your guilds still have a long way to go!"
He didn't care about—and couldn't be bothered with—outside comments about Fairy Tail, whether good or bad.
But in front of these old acquaintances he'd known for years, it was different. He absolutely couldn't miss any opportunity to show off!
"Huh? Chase, who's this?"
Goldmine, master of Mermaid Heel (Four-Headed Hound? No, still Mermaid Heel), crossed his arms and stared in surprise at the suited Makarov.
Makarov froze on the spot. "..."
Chase didn't answer. He walked over and silently straightened the black suit hat perched on Makarov's head.
"It's Makarov!!" x3
The three masters were all startled, eyes wide with shock.
Oba Babasaama, master of Lamia Scale, was so surprised she started spinning in place.
Their exaggerated reactions left Chase unsure whether they genuinely had face blindness or were just putting on an act...
"Bastards! Stop playing dumb with me!"
Makarov burst out swearing, clearly knowing these three better than Chase did.
"Haha! Sorry, sorry! I really didn't recognize you at first." Goldmine said, his face full of smiles.
"That suit reminds me of my own handsome, dashing days. Ah, how embarrassing~"
Bob covered his cheeks with his fat hands, his movements and tone both dripping with nauseating affectation.
"I-I can't stop! Someone help me..."
As for Oba Babasaama, she had transformed into a spinning little top.
The previously calm venue instantly became incredibly lively thanks to Makarov and Chase's arrival.
In the corner, a muscular, fierce-faced brute leaned against a pillar.
His pupil-less eyes, like those of a fierce tiger, glared at Chase.
'This damn brat! After Minerva finally abandoned that boring compassion for the weak, he made it sprout again!'
'She awakened the Eighteen Demon Gods Magic and was about to embark on the path of the truly strong. And now this... How dare you, Fairy Tail...'
Thinking about how his own daughter, even after being beaten repeatedly on the head since returning from the ruins island, still admired mages from other guilds and refused to kill the weak mercilessly...
Jiemon, the still-unknown master of Sabertooth, ground his teeth and clenched his fists in rage.
Hmm?
Chase's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing this intensely targeted killing intent.
Following the direction it came from, based on the highly recognizable build and attire, he recognized the man's identity.
What an unexpected encounter. Sabertooth actually attended this meeting?
A smile curling at his lips, Chase walked slowly toward Jiemon, much to the surprise of Makarov and the others.