After a few seconds of contemplation, Mira having composed herself cautiously asked, "Chase... you already know something, don't you? Does this assassination really have anything to do with Lucy?"
When he had proposed taking the Three Crows back for solo interrogation, she had already noticed something off about Chase. He could have just started right there.
Then he rushed dismissal of the other guild members further confirmed her suspicion: Chase most likely already knew the identity of the mastermind behind the attack!
"You noticed, huh? As expected of you..."
Chase was briefly surprised, then sighed softly.
So that's why she immediately put Elfman to sleep?
He wasn't in a hurry to explain. After brewing tea for himself and Mira, he finally spoke in a low voice. "When I brainwashed the bird-headed guy, I did get information about the person behind this."
"Only — it's not about Lucy. It's about—"
"Erza."
Mira's pupils contracted as she took the tea. She looked very surprised. "Erza?!"
"That's right. This is serious. Can you contact the master right now?"
"Yes. I have an emergency contact magic crystal."
"Then let's wait until he gets here."
"Understood."
Soon, Makarov arrived after receiving the message. He was still wearing a cute-style pajama set that was completely inappropriate for a man his age.
Chase greeted him and handed him a cup of hot tea.
After taking a casual sip to wake himself up, Makarov asked with a serious expression, "Mira, what's going on? How is Erza connected to an assassination guild?"
On his way over, he had already learned from Mira about everything that had happened tonight.
Hearing this, Mira turned her gaze to Chase.
"Let's just have the Three Crows explain it themselves."
Chase flicked out a card and released the imprisoned Three Crows.
"Bring it on, you pervert! Even if you use those filthy methods on this one—"
Before Ikaruga's indignant, shamed shout could finish, the magic circle glowed again. She and Vidaldus were sealed into a new card, leaving only the brainwashed Owl behind.
Whether because Ikaruga had held back or because the guy was just that tough, Owl hadn't completely kicked the bucket yet.
Under Chase's command, the blank-eyed Owl spilled everything he knew: Jellal, the Tower of Heaven, Zeref's ghost...
"The R-System? Wasn't that destroyed by the Magic Council a long time ago?!" Mira gasped, covering her mouth.
She had heard of it a project established ten years ago by the Dark Magic Cult to revive Zeref. There had been multiple locations.
"To think that such an extremely dangerous thing is still operational and nearly completed?!"
Even Makarov, who had seen his share of major incidents, felt a chill run down his spine.
If something like that were actually completed, it would deal an immeasurable, devastating blow to the stability of the current magical world!
According to the bird-headed man, this particular R-System was the very same tower where their old friend Rob had died and from which Erza had escaped?
"But what does this have to do with Erza?" Mira, unaware of the background, noticed the key point.
"Back when she was in prison after the Lullaby Incident, Erza told me about her past."
Chase put down his teacup and roughly explained the connection between Erza, Jellal, and the Tower of Heaven.
After hearing this, Mira's expression instantly turned serious.
"I see... I never heard any of this from Erza..." Makarov frowned deeply.
He only knew that Erza had escaped from the liberated Tower of Heaven with Rob's help. He hadn't known any of the details.
Burdened with the lives of her childhood friends, Erza had never been able to mention Jellal's existence. Nor did she want to drag Fairy Tail into it.
So, before the Tower of Heaven incident, she had been "living in pain" — even considering sacrificing her own life to ensure her comrades' safety.
"But that does make things complicated."
Makarov stared gravely at the ripping tea in his cup.
They couldn't just let Jellal continue with the R-System. And since it involved Erza and innocent people, they couldn't simply report it to the Magic Council either. Not to mention — the Magic Council had Siegrain, Jellal's own "twin brother," as an unpredictable factor!
(The Three Crows didn't know that Siegrain was Jellal.)
"It's not that complicated, actually."
Chase punched his fists together. Fighting spirit surged in his eyes. He smiled. "Let me go there, Master. I guarantee I'll tear that stupid tower down to nothing!"
The reason he hadn't dealt with the Tower of Heaven before was, first, because he had been occupied with Ur and Phantom Lord.
And second more importantly he hadn't been confident he could take down Jellal.
Setting aside Jellal's formidable strength as a Ten Wizard Saint, even at the same level, Jellal who specialized in Heavenly Body Magic and speed was a hard counter to Chase:
There was a chance that before Chase could even activate a card, Jellal's Meteor would already be in his face. How could he fight that?
But things were different now.
With his growing mastery of Slifer the Sky Dragon's God Slayer magic, Chase now had considerable combat power of his own, covering his only weakness.
Moreover, he had gained practical experience from his battle with Ice Flame Dragon.
With card magic plus God Slayer magic and ample magic power, defeating Jellal was practically a sure thing!
"Chase! Are you an idiot? Do you have any idea how dangerous that would be?!" Makarov scolded.
"A comrade's problem is the guild's problem."
Chase didn't back down. "Old man, you don't want Erza to keep living in pain and self-blame forever, do you?!"
That statement silenced Makarov. He sat there and sighed heavily.
When he thought about it, there really didn't seem to be any better option.
But sending Chase into such a complicated situation was far too risky...
Mira saw his concern. Her expression firm, she said, "Master, let me go with Chase."
Before Makarov could respond, Chase immediately played along. "Hold on, Mira. You shouldn't get involved in something like this."
Although he was confident he could defeat Jellal, having an S-Class comrade along would naturally be safer.
Erza was obviously not suitable. Mystogan's whereabouts were unknown. And Laxus, still in his rebellious phase, was out of the question.
All things considered, Mira was clearly the best choice!
"You're not allowed to refuse, Chase! Without Erza's help back then, I might still be wandering outside, treated like a monster!"
Mira caught on instantly. She took over the conversation. "Now — it's my turn to help her!"
When she first arrived at Fairy Tail, the side effects of awakening her Take Over magic (her demon arm) had made her live in inferiority complex and fear.
Erza had noticed this. She had used arguments — even fights — to help Mira gradually integrate into the guild.
Although it eventually evolved into pure fighting based on personal grudges, that was precisely Erza's unique form of gentleness.
So Mira couldn't stand by and watch Erza be threatened like this — to have her freedom taken away!
"Stop your two-person act, you troublesome little brats!"
How could Makarov not see that Mira's words were really meant for him?
By this point, he had already agreed with Chase's proposal. Having Mira accompanying him did make him feel much more at ease.
But thinking that the usually obedient little Mira-baby had no hesitation sided with Chase — the old man's heart ached: Do I really seem like the kind of stupid parent who doesn't understand their kids' feelings?
"I approve of assaulting the Tower of Heaven. However—"
Makarov composed his mournful emotions, straightened his expression, and gave his instructions seriously. "Your safety is the absolute priority. Don't push yourselves. And no reckless behavior!"
Chase and Mira exchanged a glance. In unison, they said, "Yes, Master!"
***
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