In the end, after saying a few private words at her mother Layla's grave, Lucy decided to return to Magnolia with Natsu and the others.
Even though the cold Heartfilia mansion had gained some warmth, she could no longer live without Fairy Tail.
In the study…
Jude stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Lucy say goodbye to Stellar and the others, who were all in tears.
"Go, Lucy. Walk the path you choose. No matter what happens, the Heartfilia family will always be your strongest support…"
Sensing his gaze, Lucy suddenly looked up toward the window.
The moment their eyes met, the young girl's lips curved into a brilliant smile. She raised her index finger high in his direction.
That Fairy Tail gesture—meaning "I'll always be watching over you"—Natsu had secretly taught her just moments ago.
Following her lead, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Happy—all smiling—made the same gesture.
Jude didn't know the exact meaning of the gesture, but he could deeply feel the emotion his daughter was expressing.
And so, this newly "reborn" father flinched and, rather cowardly, hid behind the curtains, silently shedding small tears.
Only when Lucy's figure had completely disappeared from sight did he withdraw his gaze, turn back to his desk, and pick up the phone.
"It's me. Contact the finance department. Transfer one billion to Fairy Tail."
The head of a major financial empire, Jude quickly regained his usual authority and dominance.
"As expected of you, Boss! When force fails, switch to acquisition—what a brilliant strategy!"
A chorus of flattery came from the other end of the line.
"This isn't an acquisition. It's purely a donation. Make sure it's anonymous."
"Huh? A... an anonymous donation?"
"Any objections?" Jude's tone brooked no argument.
How could a father's modest compensation to his daughter be tied to business interests?
"N-No, sir! I'll transfer the funds to the Council right away!"
By the time Natsu and the others returned to Magnolia, it was already sunset.
At the guild construction site, the makeshift work counter…
Chase, having returned earlier, was carefully examining a colorful doodle with a serious expression.
Mira sat beside him, her hands folded, her beautiful eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Not far away, Dark Magician Girl, now changed into work clothes and wearing a hard hat, was gleefully directing the card monsters as they hauled bricks.
The massive Rock Giant Soldier had taken over Makarov's work, easily lifting heavy timbers and bricks—more efficient than several cranes combined.
Summoned Demon acted as a welder, completing all sorts of difficult steelwork with just a flick of his fingers.
Curse of Dragon and Guardian of the Fortress were even more useful, carrying Macao, Wakaba, and others for aerial work.
As for Elusive Elf Swordsman, Giant Shield Guardian, and the rest—they assisted on the side, moving bricks and carrying timber with ease.
Chase's card magic was undeniably practical in many situations, earning praise from his guildmates.
Poor Cana, also a card mage, became the unfortunate standard of comparison—the "other child" parents always talked about.
"Chase, how is it? How is my revised design?" Mira leaned close to Chase, unable to hold back any longer.
Chase put down the drawing board and praised her with a straight face: "Not bad, not bad. Lots more detail. The open-air bar and gym are great ideas!"
"Huh? But I didn't include a gym in this one…"
Watching Chase's thunderstruck, wooden expression, Mira suddenly seemed to realize something. She covered her face and started crying.
"Hahaha! Chase, you finally slipped up!"
"Hey! Come quick, Chase made Mira cry!"
Macao and Wakaba rushed over immediately and started mocking Chase relentlessly.
These troublemakers, who loved nothing more than watching drama, even started shouting obnoxiously.
But soon, they couldn't laugh anymore.
A purple storm swept out without warning. Mira, having taken over Satan Soul and transformed into her demon form, stomped the makeshift counter to splinters.
"Excuse me, have you two finished all your work?!" Demon Mira's eyes were cold, radiating intense pressure.
"N-No…" Macao and Wakaba clung to each other in terror.
"Then get back to it!"
"Yes, ma'am, Foreman Mira!" x2
With that, the two scurried off and vanished in the blink of an eye.
The other guild members who had heard the commotion and thought about coming to watch reacted just as quickly, immediately turning back to work with desperate intensity.
In some ways, Demon Mira was even more terrifying than Erza!
"Now then, Chase. Shall we continue our discussion?"
Demon Mira grabbed Chase and clamped his head under her arm, pointing at the colorful doodle that had fluttered to the ground.
"Y-Yes, but before that, could you please let go…"
Smothered in the depths of her bosom, Chase was finding it hard to breathe. He raised a trembling hand.
Hearing this, Demon Mira's lips curled into a beautiful yet deadly smile. "No."
"Be a man, Chase! Show me your manly spirit!" Elfman cheered from the sidelines.
What manly spirit?! I'm suffocating here!
"Mira, well done! That lazy master of mine, releasing his card monsters while he slacks off—he deserves some discipline!" Dark Magician Girl laughed loudly.
Whose side are you on, anyway?!
Just as Chase was about to pass out, a loud CRASH came from the construction site's fence.
"Ahahaha! We brought Lucy back!"
From behind the broken fence, Natsu—sporting a fresh bump on his head (courtesy of Erza)—strutted in.
Lucy, Gray, and the others followed behind.
Seeing Chase's "predicament," they all froze, stunned into silence by the bizarre sight.
All except Natsu, that is.
"Ohhh! Mira with Satan Soul!"
Without a second thought, Natsu clenched his flaming fist and charged forward with gusto. "This is a rare chance! Come fight me!!"
Thud.
Predictably, he was instantly KO'd by Demon Mira's punch.
But thanks to him, Chase finally escaped his deadly confinement and sat nearby, gasping for air.
"Welcome back, Lucy~"
Mira, having reverted from her demon form, smiled and waved at Lucy. "Where did you go? I didn't see you all day."
"Sorry for making you worry, Mira. I went home today," Lucy said, scratching her head apologetically.
"Home?!"
Hearing this, the surrounding guildmates—including Mira—immediately tensed up.
Lucy's home… wasn't that the Heartfilia Konzern?!
"Don't worry. Lucy's father is surprisingly easy to get along with. A good man," Erza explained.
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd never believe that such a person was the bastard who hired Phantom Lord," Gray added with a sigh.
"Aye! Let me tell you, Lucy's house is huge and super rich! If any of you need money, just borrow from Lucy!" Happy raised his hand.
His words sent ripples through the crowd. Their gazes suddenly turned greedy and lecherous.
Lucy: "…"
She quickly clutched her already-thin wallet in terror.
This stupid cat! Trying to ruin me again!!
***
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