Kyôka continued: "I just said, this is to strengthen humans in order to cope with the large-scale operation that will happen soon."
"I came here under the orders of the chairman to gather soldiers."
Minerva frowned slightly, her expression somewhat angry: "As a result, you killed all the soldiers you were supposed to gather?"
Even if Minerva was cruel, she had never thought of completely killing anyone.
But the person in front of her was able to slaughter the entire Succubus Eye without hesitation.
But Kyôka just smiled slightly at Minerva's words.
"Soldiers who can't adapt to the strengthening aren't worth living!"
A strange aura gradually spread out, a cruel smile gradually appeared on Kyôka's face.
"Let's see how you'll be!"
Minerva's figure unconsciously retreated backwards, and a terrified voice gradually came out:
"Stop... don't..."
————————
Time gradually came to the next day.
Finn and the others embarked on the journey back after a period of rest yesterday.
Of course, when it came to rest.
The most important thing was actually attending the banquet.
And it was a giant's banquet, which was irresistible for a group of guys who had loved to hold banquets since they were young.
Moreover, according to Finn's observation.
Natsu and Happy definitely had social awesome syndrome.
After only a short conversation, Natsu and Happy had completely become one with the giants.
And, it was also during this banquet.
Freya recognized the giants again.
The giants weren't angry that Freya had left in the first place.
Whether she wanted to leave, or come back, the Giant's Village would always be her home.
For the giants, Freya would always be their daughter.
This point could never be changed by either distance or time.
On this day, Freya showed the most sincere smile.
Happiness seemed to embrace this girl, who had gone through so much suffering, at this moment.
Freya's return also brought the laughter of this banquet to its peak.
Even Finn and the others, who had been invited, couldn't help but frolic until dawn.
——————
"Oh hahahaha~" Warrod's loud laughter came from his small wooden house.
Looking at the group of young people in front of him, Warrod clapped his hands together.
Smiling and saying: "As expected, it was the right choice to entrust the task to you."
He stretched out his thumb, not concealing his praise.
"You're great, really great!"
"You flatter us, we just did our best to complete our duty." Finn said with a smile.
"We also breathed a sigh of relief to be able to complete the things that Warrod-sama had entrusted to us." Erza said, hugging her arms.
"However... this matter involved Tartaros, which can't help but make people care..."
Speaking of this matter, Finn thought of what Doranbolt had said some time ago.
The gates of Tartaros were about to open, and he had also heard the same words from the mouth of that demon in Succubus Eye.
This couldn't help but make Finn vigilant.
After all, Tartaros was the strongest guild in the Balam Alliance today, and also the most mysterious guild.
Hearing Finn's words, Warrod nodded slightly.
"The investigation of this part should be left to the people of the Council, but..."
He looked at everyone.
"I should pay you the reward."
Warrod's words attracted a unanimous cheer from everyone.
Warrod turned around, rummaging through his backpack.
In the expectant gaze of everyone.
He finally took out... a potato?.
Looking at the potato in front of them, which had even sprouted because it had been stored for a long time.
The corners of Finn's mouth twitched.
Finn swore that, if he remembered correctly, whether it was in the guild's past history.
Or in Mavis's brief memories, he knew that Warrod was actually a meticulous person.
But now...
As expected, people will definitely go crazy if they're lonely for too long, right...
Warrod looked at everyone not taking the reward he had given, and seemed to think of something, adding a sentence.
"This is a potato harvested from my field!"
"Is this... our reward?" Lucy pointed to the sprouted potato with some uncertainty.
Lucy's question made Warrod even happier: "Hahaha, of course I'm joking!"
"Huff... I thought so... hehe..." Natsu and Gray breathed a sigh of relief, laughing awkwardly.
But in the next moment, Warrod's voice turned again, and he said with a serious face: "Actually, it's a potato that I bought from the neighboring village."
"..."
Everyone seemed to be trembling all over, because they were suppressing their anger.
"It doesn't matter where it came from!!"
Finally, Lucy couldn't bear it anymore and shouted loudly.
"Hurry up and give us the money!!" Gray also roared angrily.
The two's angry shouts seemed to travel very far...
————————
Night gradually fell.
At the top of the mountain where Warrod's small wooden house was located.
"Ah so great"
Lucy's heartfelt exclamation echoed at the top of this misty mountain.
Her whole body was immersed in the naturally formed hot spring below her.
The hot spring was surrounded by low mountains formed by stones and towering trees.
The autumn wind brought slightly red leaves that floated on the surface of the hot spring, splashing a little water.
In this place, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Looking up slightly, what met the eye was a sky full of stars.
"It's really a superb view!" Even Erza couldn't help but exclaim.
"It's really beautiful, Carla!" Wendy looked at Carla on the side and echoed.
Carla, soaking in the water, nodded in agreement.
Slightly changing her posture, letting the warmth envelop her whole body.
Lucy's face even showed a little blush because it was too comfortable.
"It's so comfortable~ Being able to soak in this kind of hot spring after work is the best enjoyment!" She exclaimed again.
"As expected of Warrod-sama, he even knew there was this kind of place!" Erza also leaned back in the hot spring, her scarlet hair tied into a bun.
She closed her eyes slightly: "This hot spring can heal the tired heart and body, allowing people to readjust their mood and face tomorrow!"
"But... it's a pity that Finn didn't come..."
She seemed to think of something, sighing slightly.
"Eh?!?!" But Erza's words attracted exclamations from Lucy, Wendy, and Carla.
"But we girls are soaking, how can boys be allowed to come in?"
Lucy immediately retorted.
But Erza just looked at Lucy with puzzlement.
"Is there anything strange about it?"
Thinking of Finn, the corners of her mouth unconsciously raised a smile.
__________________
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