"Irene… you've endured enough."
Arlen's voice was gentle as he held her hands tightly, as if trying to pass warmth into them.
"These four hundred years of pain… it's over now. Let the past fade like smoke in the wind. Those memories are just a chapter in your life—not a cage meant to imprison you."
"I'm fine… but thank you, Arlen."
Irene looked at him seriously.
His words were like a beam of warmth piercing into her long-still heart. After four centuries, she had long since grown numb to the past—
Yet this was the first time someone had spoken to her like this.
The first time someone had truly cared.
Seeing her calm again, Arlen asked softly,
"What are your plans now? Do you want to come with me to Magnolia… and meet Erza?"
Irene hesitated.
She wanted to see her.
The daughter she had abandoned.
But she was also afraid.
Afraid of how she would feel.
Afraid of how Erza would look at her.
No matter the reason back then—
The fact remained.
She had abandoned her.
And if Erza ever learned that she had once intended to take over her body using Enchantment Magic…
What would she think?
Sensing her hesitation, Arlen spoke again.
"You don't need to overthink it."
"Instead of standing here trapped in your thoughts… why not take a step forward?"
"Even if it's just to see her from afar."
"If Erza knew her mother was still alive… she would be happy."
"You should talk—openly."
"And if you feel guilt… then spend the rest of your life making it up to her."
"Loving her."
"Even if she can't accept it immediately… at least she'll know you're alive."
"That you never forgot her."
"…No."
Irene shook her head.
"I still don't know how to face her."
"And… my body hasn't been resolved yet."
In the end, she chose to deal with her own condition first.
And perhaps—
Use that time to prepare herself.
"…Alright."
Arlen nodded.
"I respect your decision."
He understood.
For Erza, it had only been a dozen years.
But for Irene—
There was a gap of four hundred.
"About your condition," Arlen continued after a moment, "if neither Alvarez nor Ishgar has answers…"
"You might want to go to the northern continent—Guiltina."
"I've read that the world's oldest guild is there. It's called Magia Dragon."
"You might find what you're looking for."
He went on to explain everything he knew from ancient texts—
The oldest guild in the world.
Founded over a century ago.
A fortress crowned with a stone dragon.
Once devastated by dragon attacks.
"…Guiltina… Magia Dragon…"
A spark of hope flickered in Irene's eyes.
"Thank you. I'll go and see."
"Perhaps… I'll find an answer there."
"Then go."
Arlen smiled faintly, raising his teacup.
"And take care of yourself."
"I hope you get what you're looking for."
"…Thank you."
For once, Irene's expression softened.
She lifted her cup slightly and took a sip.
At that moment—
Her mood was lighter than it had been in centuries.
That night, beneath the bright moon, the two talked for a long time.
Until deep into the night.
And true to her nature—
Irene acted immediately.
The very next morning, she told Arlen of her decision to leave for Guiltina.
"You really don't waste time," Arlen said with a slight smile. "But… that's just like you."
"Since you've decided—go forward without hesitation."
"Have a safe journey."
"Thank you, Arlen."
Irene looked at him seriously.
"You are the first human in four hundred years… who has stayed by my side for this long."
"I promise you—now and in the future…"
"I will never act against you."
"Or Fairy Tail."
"…Thank you."
Arlen smiled.
"I hope we meet again."
If nothing else—
That promise alone meant that even if war ever broke out between Fiore and Alvarez—
Irene likely wouldn't intervene.
She said nothing more.
Instead, she looked at him quietly.
Then—
Reached out and took his right hand.
Crimson magic gathered.
A small magic circle formed on the back of his hand—
Then vanished.
"…What was that?"
Arlen looked down, then back at her.
He didn't pull away.
He trusted her.
"I sealed a portion of my magic inside your hand," Irene said calmly.
"If you ever face danger… you can use it."
"Consider it… payment for accompanying me these past six months."
She paused.
"…Though I hope you never need it."
"…Thank you, Irene."
Arlen meant it.
He understood what this meant.
A safeguard.
One that would only be needed—
If he ever faced something beyond his limits.
"Until next time."
With that—
Irene lightly tapped her staff.
A crimson magic circle spread beneath her feet.
Her body dissolved into particles of light—
And vanished.
"…Goodbye, Irene."
Arlen looked at the place she had disappeared.
"I hope your journey to the northern continent brings you what you seek."
"I'll be waiting for the day we meet again."
A strange feeling lingered in his chest.
Indescribable.
"…What a nice place."
He stretched lazily.
"Next time, I should bring Ultear and Erza here."
With a wave of his hand, he stored away the tent and table.
A gentle breeze passed through the forest.
And without looking back—
He walked toward the outside world.
It was time to return.
To Fairy Tail.
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