"Ultear?"
Ur was momentarily stunned, then her emotions became intensely agitated. "Are you absolutely certain that was her name?"
"Ultear...Ultear is my daughter who died long ago!!"
Hearing this, Lucy and the others were completely baffled: Gray's master's daughter actually worked at the Magic Council.
"So she's our boss?" Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief.
Given what had happened with Erza being made a scapegoat, she had naturally assumed that the people in the Magic Council were basically no good.
"That's right. She's currently one of the nine councilors of the Magic Council." Chase confirmed.
"That's wonderful... truly wonderful. Ultear is alive..."
Upon receiving confirmation, Ur immediately wept with joy, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Having awakened from Iced Shell, seeing Gray and Lyon all grown up, and then hearing that Ultear was still alive—
One thing after another left this usually strong, brave mage at a loss, her voice trembling noticeably.
"Wait a moment. You said Ultear had died? But I've definitely seen this person at the Magic Council."
Unable to contain his "curiosity," Chase couldn't help but ask, "What exactly happened?"
"I... I'm not sure either. If what you said is true, handsome young man..."
Ur raised a hand to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, her gaze immediately sharpening. "Then those bastards at the research institute deceived me!!"
Chase: I like that address.
"Research institute?"
As Chase pressed further (guided), Ur took a deep breath, collected herself, and recounted what had happened back then.
As a young child, Ultear had displayed an overwhelmingly powerful magical aura, but her small body couldn't handle that level of magic power.
To save Ultear's life, Ur had trudged through the snow searching for a solution. She eventually found the Magic Development Institute and, with great pain, entrusted her daughter to the then-renowned Director Brain.
In the time that followed, Ur visited the institute frequently to see her daughter, but each time she was refused—she was told that the treatment wasn't complete and visits would interfere.
In the end, Brain cruelly declared to her face that Ultear had died!
Despite Ur's desperate pleas, she wasn't even allowed to see her own daughter one last time...
Of course, all of it had been a lie—Brain had coveted Ultear's talent and wanted to claim her for himself.
"I have to see her. Wherever she is, I have to see her."
Ur raised her eyes to Chase, her plea urgent.
Go where? She's right here.
Chase stood his ground without responding, his peripheral vision glacing toward a nearby rock. He silently thought: The atmosphere's perfect, so why aren't you coming out yet?
Just as he was contemplating this—crack.
The sound of a mask hitting the ground suddenly echoed through the cavern, which had grown unusually silent.
Everyone turned to look. A woman with long black hair emerged from behind the rocks, wearing a white belted outfit. Her figure was perfect, and she looked almost identical to Ur.
Having learned the whole truth, Ultear had already broken down, tears streaming down her face.
"Huh?! Two... two of Gray's master?!"
As Ur and her disciples stood frozen in shock, the oblivious Natsu was the first to exclaim.
His gaze darted between the two women, who looked exactly alike. His expression instantly grew serious as he rested his chin on his hand and began a thorough analysis: "As expected of the master of an exhibitionist pervert—she can even use weird magic like Doppelgänger this skillfully!"
"...You mean Thought Projection, don't you."
Lucy was a bit exasperated. "And also, could you please apply that seriousness of yours to something that actually matters? That person is clearly not a Thought Projection!"
"Even you got it wrong, Natsu. You're so dumb." Happy spread his hands and chimed in.
"Exactly! Happy, tell this idiot the truth." Lucy looked at Natsu with disdain.
"Listen up, Natsu! There's only one truth! And that is—Gray's master..."
Happy immediately puffed out his chest and struck a pose, wearing an expression that suggested he'd seen through everything. He declared confidently, "...is actually a twin!"
Upon hearing this, Lucy's vision went dark, and she face-planted onto the ground.
Honestly... why did I ever expect a cat to have any intelligence...
"Though I don't know why she's here..."
Picking herself up off the ground, Lucy raised her arm to point at Ultear. "But it's obvious—she's clearly the daughter Ur was talking about, Ultear!!"
Huh?!
Natsu and Happy both made the same "now I get it" expression of stunned realization.
As the trio continued their noisy bickering, Chase calmly walked over.
"Alright. Let's not disturb this long-awaited reunion."
With one hand carrying Natsu and the other carrying Lucy, an arm clamped around Happy, he carried them all out of the cavern.
As the faint sounds of sobbing faded behind them, a cool sea breeze blew in their faces.
Moonlight spilled down, and the view opened up before them: the entirety of Galuna Island bathed in purple moonlight.
They had arrived at the topmost level of the temple ruins.
Natsu and Happy, clearly still wanting more, sat on the ground whispering excitedly to each other.
Lucy, meanwhile, came to stand beside Chase, who was at the edge of the top floor enjoying the breeze.
She clasped her hands behind her back and, mimicking Chase, looked up at the night sky. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with an unusual light.
It was the light of longing.
***
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