"Even after clearing a batch, there's still this much trash left… what a hassle." Erza swept her gaze over the remaining members of Eisenwald, her tone tinged with impatience.
"Need a hand?" Ultear stepped forward and asked softly.
"No. Just cover me. I'll finish them in one go." Erza leapt high into the air as magic surged around her.
"Requip—Heaven's Wheel Armor."
"Normally, a Magic Swordsman can only change equipment while fighting," Happy explained excitedly. "But Erza's different! She can fight while equipping armor that boosts her magic power at the same time. That's her magic—Knight!"
A blinding white light enveloped Erza. When it faded, her appearance had completely transformed, like a valkyrie descending from holy radiance.
Her silver-white armor traced a clean, elegant silhouette—modest, yet carrying a sharp, breathtaking allure. Behind her, countless swords formed wing-like arrays, glinting with cold light. Her heroic bearing was awe-inspiring.
Her posture was upright, her aura imposing. Every step carried the pride and authority of a queen.
Cold armor, supple form—cool and sensual blended perfectly. Noble, powerful, and stunning beyond compare—impossible to look away from.
"Wow…" Lucy's face flushed with excitement.
Gasps echoed throughout the station hall, one after another.
"Dance, blades—Circle Sword."
Dozens of magic swords spun in the air behind Erza, both dazzling and deadly. With a fierce swing of the twin blades in her hands, she brought them crashing down into the crowd.
The rotating blades erupted with terrifying force, detonating among the enemies. Screams rang out as if they could pierce the ceiling. In a single strike, everyone still standing was brought down.
"So strong… she took them all out in one hit…" Lucy stared in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Impressive, Erza. You've gotten even stronger." Arlen clapped lightly, admiration clear on his face as he looked at the beautiful yet imposing Fairy Queen standing amid the fallen.
"You okay?" Ultear stepped forward with concern.
"I'm fine."
Erza's Heaven's Wheel Armor faded, reverting back to her usual silver armor. She shot Arlen a glance before replying gently to Ultear.
"That was ama—watch out!!"
Lucy ran over, but before she could finish praising her, her expression changed drastically. One of the Eisenwald members who had been spouting threats earlier was gathering magic in both hands, attempting a sneak attack.
Erza didn't even turn around—after all, Ultear was right beside her.
With a casual wave, Ultear summoned over a dozen crystal spheres.
"Glory of the Gods."
As her words fell, the spheres transformed into beams of energy, instantly engulfing the attacker. His screams echoed through the hall.
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Gray and Natsu were running side by side—arguing as usual.
"Work with you? Don't make me laugh," Gray scoffed.
"Fire and ice can't mix! This is all Arlen's fault for making decisions on his own," Natsu grumbled.
"To deal with Erigor, I'm enough!" ×2
They spoke in unison, then both frowned.
"Why are you repeating me?!" ×2
Bickering nonstop, they reached a fork in the path. After a quick discussion, they decided to split up.
Gray headed toward the control room. Just as he entered, a chill ran down his spine. A sharp sound cut through the air—he turned instantly, crossing his arms to block the incoming attack.
"Heh, your instincts are sharp," Rayule sneered, hanging upside down from the ceiling, staring at Gray.
In the next moment, dozens of black bandages shot out like venomous snakes, coiling toward his limbs.
"Binding Thunder Bandages—Strangle."
The bandages tightened abruptly, distorting the air itself.
Gray's gaze turned cold. A frigid aura erupted around him as a blue magic circle formed beneath his feet. He slammed both hands onto the ground.
"Ice-Make: Ice Geyser!"
The floor exploded with jagged ice spikes, instantly freezing and shattering the structure above.
"Ice-Make: Lance!"
With a wave of his hand, several ice lances shot upward from beneath Rayule, blasting him away. He crashed through a wall and collapsed to the ground.
In a flash, Gray closed in, forming an ice blade and pointing it at his opponent's throat.
"Talk. What's your objective? Aren't you planning to broadcast Lullaby here? Where did Erigor go?"
Rayule initially refused to speak, but after a "bit of persuasion," he finally revealed Eisenwald's true plan—
Those lunatics intended to use Lullaby to attack the regular meeting of the Guild Masters.
Gray's expression darkened instantly as fury exploded from him.
"You dare target the old man… He may be strict, but he's like a father to us. You bastards—!"
A freezing mist surged outward. Before Rayule could even scream, he was sealed into a rigid ice sculpture.
Gray lowered his hand as ice fragments slid from his fingers, his voice cold as death:
"I'll show you what happens when you provoke Fairy Tail… something far more foolish—and far more terrifying—than facing a dark guild."
On the other side, Natsu charged forward like a wrecking ball, blasting through every door in his path. Explosions echoed continuously.
"Erigor! Where the hell are you?!"
His voice rang through the empty corridor.
Kageyama, hidden in the shadows, followed silently, unable to resist muttering, "Doesn't this guy know doors exist…?"
"Whatever. I'll just take him down quickly."
Kageyama rose from the shadows behind Natsu and threw a heavy punch. Immediately, several shadow fists followed, striking Natsu off guard and sending him flying.
Natsu got back up, glaring fiercely.
"Who the hell are you?"
"My name is Kageyama. As for who I am…" He smirked coldly. "I'm the one sending you to hell. Shadow Cycle."
Four shadow claws shot out from beneath him, slashing toward Natsu.
Natsu dodged them all with surprising agility. Flames ignited around his fists as his eyes burned with intensity.
"Listen, I really wanna beat you up right now. But I've got more important things to do. Tell me—where's Erigor?"
"My name is Kageyama, not 'Yama'… whatever." He stuffed his hands into his pockets, acting smug. "Want to know where he is? Beat me, and I'll tell you."
"Perfect! That's just what I wanted—I'm fired up!!"
"Eight Serpent Shadows!"
Eight vicious shadow snakes lunged toward Natsu.
"Smash them all—Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"
Natsu swung both arms back, flames roaring as he unleashed a wing-shaped blast of fire, obliterating all eight snakes instantly.
"H-How is that possible?! My Eight Serpent Shadows—destroyed so easily?! That kind of power… I've never heard of a mage like this… He's a monster!!"
Kageyama screamed as Natsu's flaming fist came crashing down.
A massive explosion shook the entire station. Back in the hall, Erza and the others twitched their ears—they didn't even need to guess who caused it.
"Ugh… seriously, he's wrecking everything again. What are we supposed to do now…" Natsu muttered, shaking his hand as he walked toward Kageyama, who was slumped against the wall.
"But you admit it, right? I won. So tell me—where is he, Ka-cha-horse?"
"My name is Kageyama—remember it!" he snapped weakly. Then, with a final breath, he said, "Erigor… isn't in the station anymore…"
With that, he passed out.
"Hey! What do you mean by that? Don't pass out! Explain it properly!" Natsu shook him, but it was useless.
Scratching his head in frustration, Natsu turned and headed back to regroup with the others.