During the day, the villagers of the demon village could appear in human form. Moca had a kind smile on his face and was carrying a bamboo basket.
"Master Ur! Lord Lyon! Everyone!" Moca greeted them warmly, "The village picked some fresh berries today. They taste great, so I brought some for everyone to try!"
"Village Chief Moca, you're too kind." Ur stood up and walked over with a smile.
"It's nothing, it's nothing!" Moca handed the bamboo basket to Ur. "Thanks to Master Ur and Lord Lyon, our village can be so peaceful. Please accept this small token of our appreciation!"
The bamboo basket contained purplish-red berries, exuding an enticing sweet aroma, looking plump and juicy.
"Thank you, Village Chief!" Sherry happily took the basket.
"Is little Lina not here today?" Toby poked his head out and asked. The "little Lina" he spoke of was a cute little girl demon from the village with tiny goat horns on her head.
"Haha, that girl went to the beach with her mother." Moca laughed, "Next time I'll have her bring fruit to Uncle Toby."
"Great, great!" Toby nodded happily.
Village Chief Moca looked at Lyon, his eyes filled with gratitude and admiration: "Lord Lyon, I saw you casting magic from afar just now, and that magical aura... it's truly growing stronger and stronger! The aura of Devil Slayer Magic is becoming even purer! It seems you have completely mastered the essence of this magic passed down by our ancestors!"
Lyon nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Thanks to the teachings of the Village Chief and the elders."
Village Chief Moca waved his hand, a sincere apology on his face: "Not at all! You and your companions have helped us a great deal!"
"Over the past year, if it weren't for your help in driving away those fierce magical beasts that invaded the village, solving those dangerous requests for us, and even helping us build houses and cultivate fields... how could our village have such peaceful days now?"
He sighed, his gaze sweeping over Yuka and Sherry, with a hint of regret: "Speaking of which, it's truly shameful. Of the Devil Slayer Magic passed down in our village, only Lord Lyon, Master Ur, and young Toby can learn it."
"Lord Yuka and Miss Sherry... seem incompatible with this magic. I'm truly sorry..."
Upon hearing this, Yuka immediately pushed up his glasses and smiled gently: "Village Chief, you're too kind. The path of magic is inherently about destiny."
"While Devil Slayer Magic is powerful, it may not be suitable for everyone."
"Sherry and I both have our own paths to follow."
Sherry also nodded quickly, a bright smile on her face: "Exactly, exactly! Village Chief, don't take it to heart!"
"Over the past year, you and the villagers have been so good to us, providing us with lodging, teaching us about the island, and often bringing us delicious food. We are already very grateful!"
"Moreover, Senior Ur and Brother Lyon have also been guiding us in our training!"
Village Chief Moca looked at Yuka and Sherry's open-minded and cheerful demeanor, and the apology on his face finally eased slightly, revealing a relieved smile: "It's good that you think that way! You are all benefactors of our Galuna Island! If you need anything in the future, just ask!"
Lyon looked at the sincere smiles on the faces of Village Chief Moca and the villagers, then at his companions and master chatting easily beside him, and a trace of warmth flashed in the depths of his ice-blue eyes.
He picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
This kind of peaceful and human-filled life was something he had never dared to imagine.
Village Chief Moca exchanged a few more pleasantries, then left with the villagers.
Ur watched their retreating figures, then turned and took a letter from his embrace.
"Oh, right, Lyon, this is for you." Ur handed the letter to Lyon.
Lyon took the letter; a golden Fairy Tail emblem was stamped on the envelope.
"A letter from EZ?" Lyon was a little surprised.
"Mm." Ur nodded, "He wrote to say that Gray and his companions should arrive on Galuna Island in the next couple of days. He hopes we can, as previously agreed, help Gray resolve his inner conflict."
Lyon unfolded the letter and quickly scanned it. His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes became deeper.
"Gray..." He murmured the name, and the image of his stubborn, impulsive junior, who also carried a heavy past, appeared in his mind.
"I know." Lyon folded the letter, put it away, and looked at Ur, his tone calm and firm, "Master, don't worry. Even if it's not to repay EZ's kindness, I will help with Gray's matter."
His gaze swept over Yuka, Sherry, and Toby: "Are you ready? Our 'play' is about to begin."
Yuka pushed up his glasses, a glint flashing in his eyes: "Ready anytime."
Sherry clenched her fist: "For Gray!"
Toby nodded vigorously: "Mm! Help Gray!"
Ur looked at the four disciples before him, who had grown into reliable and warm individuals, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
The sun shone on the open space in front of the Moon God Temple, warm and serene. However, beneath this calm, a "storm" meticulously prepared to save a companion's heart was already brewing.
Galuna Island, west coast, evening.
A uniquely shaped black magic speedboat, resembling a sea beast, cut through the waves and steadily docked on the rocky shore.
Two figures jumped off the speedboat.
The tall and muscular Elfman landed first. He vigilantly scanned the surroundings, his rugged face solemn: "Man! This is Galuna Island! It feels... a bit off!"
Following closely behind was Gray Fullbuster.
His ice-blue short hair fluttered slightly in the sea breeze, his stern face was deeply furrowed, and his deep eyes held a hint of complex emotion that was hard to detect.
He looked around the island, shrouded in purple moonlight, feeling the faint... evil aura permeating the air?
"Deliora..." Gray muttered to himself, his voice cold and piercing, carrying deep-seated hatred and a hint of... indescribable heaviness.
He instinctively clenched his fists, his knuckles turning slightly white from the effort.
Just then, on the sea not far away, a figure, like a mermaid leaping out of the water, gracefully landed on the rocks by the shore!
Splash—!
Water splashed everywhere!
Gray and Elfman immediately looked over, alert!
A woman in a blue dress with long aqua-blue hair stood on the rocks. She was completely soaked, water dripping from her hair, but her sapphire-like eyes were unusually bright. At this moment, she was staring at Gray, unblinking, filled with surprise and worry!
"Lord Gray!" Juvia's voice was filled with excitement and a slight sob, "Juvia has finally found you!"
Gray looked at the suddenly appearing Juvia, his brows furrowing even tighter: "Juvia? Why are you here?"
"Juvia was worried about Lord Gray!" Juvia said without hesitation. She quickly jumped off the rocks and ran to Gray, "Juvia heard that Lord Gray was coming to defeat Deliora, so Juvia rushed here immediately! Juvia wants to fight alongside Lord Gray! To protect Lord Gray with a flood of love!"
Elfman looked at Juvia and scratched his head: "Love—! Juvia is here too! The man's team has grown!"
Gray looked at the undisguised worry and fervent love in Juvia's eyes, his heart trembled slightly, but was immediately suppressed by a stronger hatred and sense of mission.
He said coldly: "This is not a game! Deliora is very dangerous! You..."
"Juvia is not afraid!" Juvia immediately interrupted him, her eyes incredibly firm, "As long as Juvia can be by Lord Gray's side, protecting Lord Gray, Juvia is not afraid of anything! Even Deliora, Juvia will wash it away with a flood of love!"
Gray looked at Juvia's stubborn demeanor, knowing that more words were useless, and could only sigh helplessly: "...Do as you wish. Stay close, don't hold us back."
"Yes! Lord Gray!" Juvia's face immediately broke into a brilliant smile, and pink bubbles uncontrollably floated around her.
"Hmph." Gray snorted coldly, turned his head, and looked sharply towards the depths of the island, in the direction of the dimly visible Moon God Temple.
He could feel a powerful and... somewhat familiar cold magic aura coming from that direction!
In that magic, there seemed to be... the aura of a demon?!
Gray's eyes instantly became as sharp as knives!
"Elfman, Juvia, let's go!" Gray growled, taking the lead and walking towards the Moon God Temple.
His steps were firm and heavy, each one as if treading on ice.
Elfman immediately followed, and Juvia also quickly trailed behind, her gaze never leaving Gray's back.
The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their three shadows long.
A "storm" meticulously prepared to resolve a long-buried inner conflict had finally descended upon Galuna Island!
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"