Ultear, formerly a member of the Council, was later confirmed to be an undercover agent planted by the Dark Guild Demon Heart. She is now listed as an S-Class wanted criminal by the Council and serves as the President of the Independent Guild Sin of the Witch.
If encountered under normal circumstances, Lahar would certainly capture her without hesitation.
But the current situation was obviously inappropriate, especially since she had just stepped in to save someone...
In such circumstances, Lahar couldn't quite discern her stance and could only grip the sword hilt loudly demanding, "Why are you here?! Is today's incident orchestrated by Sin of the Witch?"
"Quite the opposite. Our Sin of the Witch exists and acts actively to prevent such things." Ultear smiled, turning her back to them, "But with the Council's old folks' rigid ways, I doubt they'd believe such words, would they?"
The statement seemed to deliberately single out young people like Lahar and Dolanbart from the group.
Dolanbart flickered and blocked Ultear, "As a wanted criminal, you daringly leave your back to us. Appearing before us, do you intend to leave so easily?"
Ultear laughed, "Indeed, while my back is turned towards you, why did you purposefully come to the front?"
"You…"
Ultear raised her right hand, holding a Crystal Ball in her palm, "When establishing Sin of the Witch, I was determined to resist darkness while evading your capture.
"So if you're going to act, go ahead. Don't worry about earlier; you owe me nothing."
Such rhetoric demanded Lahar to retort by virtue of his position, "Combating darkness is the Council's responsibility, and don't forget, whether Demon Heart or Oracion Seis, you yourself are darkness!"
Ultear turned to face Lahar, "I have never forgotten that, and precisely because of it, I believe that Sin of the Witch is on the right path now.
"Simultaneously, I hope you can also resolutely do what you believe is right, even if that means 'arresting me on the spot.'
"There's no need for you to remind of such things!" Dolanbart said angrily. This woman once again showed her back to him, the wicked Ultear, whom he really wanted to...
Lahar stared into Ultear's eyes for a while, then finally closed his eyes, shouting loudly, "All units, form up, target the Royal Palace, advance at full speed!"
"Yes!"
The soldiers lined up neatly and marched around Ultear towards the Royal Palace under Lahar's command.
Dolanbart quickly followed suit.
After the Council's people departed, Melty leaped out from a nearby window, complaining, "Why didn't you just leave? Meeting them like this is too risky. What if they actually try to capture you?"
"At worst, I'd just run. But they won't do that, especially that Dolanbart guy. They're different from those old fossils," Ultear said, "There are still many things we need to do, and we'll inevitably encounter them again in the future. It's better for both sides to establish a stance early."
Melty pouted, "Anyway, you always have a reason for doing risky things."
Ultear laughed and patted Melty on the head.
She believed her sins were so great that a lifetime wouldn't suffice for atonement, but Melty was different from others.
Thus, as long as it's beneficial for her comrades' future, no matter how dangerous it may be, she'll do it, even if it means dying in one of the actions.
Even the most painful death, it's what she deserves.
"Let's go. Let's check on the dragon earlier and then assist other guilds."
Though the war was heavily favoring the Mages' side, many small guilds were still lacking in combat power and needed help.
Currently, Jellal and the former Oracion Seis are doing this task.
Melty nodded obediently, "Mm."
...
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Technique: Red Lotus Flame Blade!"
Scorching flames bloomed like red lotus on Sea Prison Dragon's back, illuminating the sky over the Southern Royal Capital.
"Roar——" Sea Prison Dragon Anka let out cries of pain; Natsu's Dragon Slayer's Secret Technique brought him considerable agony, "Damn humans! And you, Atlas Frey, why did you betray us?!"
Atlas Frey argued spiritedly, "Betray? I merely befriended the child of an old comrade, acting according to my inner will, how is that betrayal?"
Natsu had already leapt onto his opponent, his fist igniting in flames again, "The old man's right, prepare yourself, you Black-winged Dragon!"
"It's Sea Prison Dragon! My name is Anka, remember it well, and reflect on it in hell!"
Saying such bold lines, his right wing was bitten by Hex-Tech Sub-Dragon, ripping away large chunks of flesh.
— Hex and Alchemy, these two unique dragons never mince words, nor do they listen when enemies speak.
No matter if the enemy chats with allies, unless Rhode tells them to stop, they are single-mindedly focused on fighting until they defeat or get defeated.
"Damn it! What kind of freak dragon is this creature?!"
Anka, without human interference, originally had the upper hand against Hex-Tech Sub-Dragon in battle with his wit but fell into disadvantage when Atlas Frey joined in.
Plus, the Dragon Slayer Mage's attacks were excruciatingly painful, and now Anka considered discarding his pride and finding an opportunity to escape.
Otherwise, he felt he might end up staying here.
While pondering, a gust suddenly blew around, followed by a sharp pain underneath Anka's chin.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Technique: Sonic Heaven Strike!"
"Ugh ugh——" Due to the blow to his chin, unable to open his mouth, Anka's cries of pain stayed trapped in his throat.
He endured the throbbing pain and glanced down, seeing a blue cat quickly moving aside with a blue-haired little girl.
— Rhode instructed Hapi to rush away after Wendy attacked.
Natsu joyfully exclaimed, "Wendy, Hapi?"
"Another Dragon Slayer Mage?" Anka cursed loudly, "How many enemies have those coexistence faction bastards nurtured?!"
"Good question."
Above came Rhode's voice, immediately following Anka felt like his head was hit by a meteor.
The pain and daze simultaneously clouded Anka's consciousness, making him suspect his skull might be fractured.
"Rhode has arrived too, huh." Natsu wasn't quite that thrilled.
Next, Hex-Tech Sub-Dragon and Atlas Frey keenly seized Anka's distraction, biting his wings from both sides, tearing apart.
"Guys, hurry up." Rhode decided to give Natsu and Wendy some sense of participation.
So Natsu leapt high, landing above Anka's head.
Hapi also brought Wendy beside Rhode, the three together opened their mouths:
"Mountain Sub-Dragon's…"
"Fire Dragon's…"
"Sky Dragon's…"
"Roar!" ×3