Seeing Erza truly angry, Natsu and Gray couldn't help but feel a little intimidated—but their expressions remained firm.
Erza let out a sigh, planted her magic sword into the ground, clenched her fists… and promptly beat the two of them senseless.
It had only been a scare tactic anyway. They were all guildmates—there was no way she'd actually cut them down. Lucy, Happy, and even Natsu and Gray themselves understood that, which was why the two didn't resist at all while getting pummeled.
"Phew… I feel much better now."
Erza exhaled, her anger and worry finally vented, though her face remained stern as she glared at the bruised and swollen duo.
"You pass—for now. But when we get back, you'll still be punished by the Master. What you did this time went too far."
"As long as we complete this S-Class mission, the old man probably won't punish us too harshly, right?" Natsu grinned widely.
"What have you found since arriving on Galuna Island?" Erza asked.
"We only got into the village yesterday, so we didn't have time to investigate much. But the village chief, Moka, told us quite a bit."
Gray crossed his arms and recounted everything they had experienced so far.
"Destroy the moon? That's completely unrealistic! It's so far away—how are we even supposed to reach it, let alone destroy it?" Lucy exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief.
Even Erza had been momentarily stunned when she first heard the request. It wasn't just strange—it was outright absurd. There was only one moon. Putting aside whether it could be destroyed… even if it could, no one in their right mind would actually do it.
"You made the right call. For now, we should regroup with Arlen and Ultear first," Erza said decisively.
Before they could go much farther, Erza's expression suddenly sharpened. She turned toward the dense bushes on both sides and spoke coldly:
"Who's there? Stop hiding."
Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Erza immediately formed a back-to-back formation. Happy hovered in the air, ready to fly off and call for Arlen and Ultear if needed.
"Heh heh… As expected of the Fairy Queen. Such keen perception."
As soon as her voice fell, a man in a black robe and a demon mask stepped out from the bushes on the left. Though his face was hidden, the mockery and battle intent in his eyes were unmistakable.
"Who are you? Are the villagers' curse and the purple moon your doing?" Erza demanded coldly, her body tense and ready to strike.
"Heh. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kazami, one of Lord Bai Ye's Royal Guards—the 'Wind' of the Four Divine Generals. A pleasure to meet you, Fairy Queen Erza Scarlet."
The masked man gave a polite bow.
The group frowned. Neither the name Kazami nor Bai Ye rang any bells.
"Who's Bai Ye? Never heard of him," Natsu said bluntly.
"Heh, it doesn't matter if you haven't. I didn't come here to fight. I sincerely advise you—leave Galuna Island at once. Do not interfere with Lord Bai Ye's plans."
"Sorry, that's not happening," Erza replied without hesitation. "Fairy Tail completes the requests it accepts. We will not tarnish our name."
"Who exactly are you people? And what are you planning? Are the villagers' condition your doing?" Gray's body emitted a chill as he spoke, clearly ready to fight.
"Heh… Disrespecting Lord Bai Ye is punishable."
The masked man's hand twitched beneath his robe, and a wind blade shot toward Gray at a strange angle.
"Gray, watch out!" Erza shouted.
But Gray had already reacted.
"Ice-Make: Shield!"
With a quick hand seal, a wall of ice formed instantly, blocking the wind blade.
"You dared to attack—then you're enemies of Fairy Tail," Erza declared. "Everyone, be careful. I'll handle him. Happy, go find Arlen and Ultear!"
She didn't hesitate. Anyone who attacked her comrades in front of her had already crossed the line.
"Wait—Fairy Queen, there's no need to fight! We just want you to leave Galuna Island!" Kazami's expression shifted—he hadn't expected Erza to escalate things so quickly.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Erza's eyes were sharp as blades. "Putting aside the villagers' request—you attacked my companion. That alone is reason enough to fight. As for your identities… we'll find out after we defeat you."
She stepped forward, a magic sword appearing in her previously empty hand, and slashed straight at him.
"Tch… a bunch of lunatics."
Kazami leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the strike, cursing inwardly. He regretted acting too hastily—but it was too late now.
Since words wouldn't work, only battle remained.
He jumped into the air and swung both hands, sending two wind blades flying toward Erza as he shouted:
"If talking won't work, then we fight! All of you—come out! Give Fairy Tail a proper welcome!"
As his voice echoed, three figures burst out from the bushes—two men and one woman.
The woman had long rose-red wavy hair and bright blue eyes, with a pink cat-ear headband. She was strikingly beautiful, both charming and lively.
Of the two men, one had a dog-like face with a lean but muscular build, while the other was short, with a long braid, wearing a blue cap and robe, his hands clasped behind his back.
Natsu, Gray, and Lucy immediately grew alert, their eyes filled with battle intent—especially Gray, who was still irritated from the earlier sneak attack.
"Lucy, the woman in the middle is yours. Natsu and I will handle the other two," Gray said, locking his gaze onto the enemies. "Don't hold back."
"Got it," Lucy nodded.
"I suggest you surrender," the red-haired woman stepped forward with a smile. "Because all of this… is for love~"
"…Great, another weirdo," Lucy muttered.
"Don't bring love into this—it's obviously about fighting," the dog-faced man complained.
"Enough chatter," the short man said calmly, hands still behind his back. "Lord Kazami has given the order. Let's properly entertain our guests from Fairy Tail."
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