Chapter 28 : Old Man??

Deliora was defeated, Lyon was vanquished, the "moon" shattered, the villagers regained their memories, and the village chief's son, Bobo, returned.

The quest was officially concluded.

Night fell.

The villagers extended invitations for everyone to stay overnight and partake in a banquet.

Reluctantly, Lyon's team also accepted Natsu's invitation and joined the festivities.

"Mr. Wizard, you're quite the charmer!"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Would you consider me even though I am a demon?"

"It matters not if you decline. Would you care to spend a hot night?"

"Please take me with you. Give me your exceptional genes!"

Silence lingered in response.

At the banquet, Everit naturally became the center of attention.

The demon girls made no attempt to conceal their admiration for him.

"Everit!" Erza spotted a demon girl offering a wine glass to Everit and called out, "Come here!"

"Ha, got it," Everit rose from his seat and moved to sit beside Erza.

Erza's presence intimidated the demon girls, causing them to retreat.

They then turned their attention to Gray.

"Gray, clothes!" Erza reminded him.

"Huh?" Gray suddenly realized—where were his clothes?!

"Hahaha, Gray, you exhibitionist!" Lyon chuckled.

"Lord Lyon, your clothes..." Sherry, beside him, cautiously reminded him.

She desired to catch a glimpse of Lyon's physique but felt envious of another woman's gaze.

"Ah?!" Lyon also snapped out of it.

"Hahaha, fool!" Gray joined in the laughter.

"Imbecile, it's time you remembered the might of your elder brother!" Lyon retorted, his embarrassment turning to anger.

"I'm right here with you!" Gray countered, refusing to be outdone.

And so, the two engaged in drinking together.

"Natsu, taste this. It's delightful!" Lucy enjoyed a savory dish and eagerly offered it to Natsu.

"Huh?" Lucy had intended to let Natsu eat the dish with his own spoons, but before she could react, Natsu had devoured half of the food with her spoon in a single bite.

"You rascal!" Lucy was both embarrassed and irritated. Unsure whether to scold Natsu earnestly or playfully, she watched as Natsu remained unperturbed, his body swaying with laughter. "It's delicious!"

The banquet continued.

Everyone reveled in the festivities.

The following morning.

Bidding farewell to the village and Lyon's group, everyone departed by boat.

Hargeon Town was bustling with activity as everyone took a moment to enjoy their lunch break. Amidst the cheerful chatter and clinking of utensils, a conflict brewed between two tables of guests in the front-right corner of the eatery.

Seated at Table 7 were a man and a woman, clearly a couple, savoring a peaceful meal together. Their desire for an undisturbed lunch was palpable.

At Table 9 sat three male guests, one of whom sported vibrant, colorful hair. His gaze lingered on the female diner's waist and lower body, a lecherous expression betraying his intentions. After a prolonged stare, he couldn't resist the urge to approach.

Casually sliding into the seat adjacent to his companions, he positioned himself back-to-back with the female diner before 'accidentally' dropping the spoon.

"Oops, I dropped it," he feigned, leaning in close to retrieve the utensil but surreptitiously invading the female guest's personal space.

"Ack!" The startled woman gasped as she felt an unwelcome touch. Jerking her head around, she caught sight of the intrusive stranger.

"Apologies, I didn't mean to startle you. Just reaching for the spoon," the colorful-haired interloper explained, feigning innocence as he rubbed his nose.

"Mind where you're going," the woman's companion warned sternly, clearly displeased.

"I said it was an accident, not intentional. Why the hostility?" The colorful-haired guest erupted indignantly, glaring at the male diner.

"I didn't say anything," the man retorted, perplexed.

"What's with that look? Doubting me? Think I did it on purpose?" the colorful-haired provocateur accused, his temper flaring.

"I don't, I'm just—" the male diner began, only to be cut off.

"Still talking back, you scoundrel!" the colorful-haired antagonist shouted, prompting his companions to rise menacingly.

"Alright, alright, no need for a confrontation," sensing trouble brewing, the male diner hastily ushered his girlfriend away.

The trio made no attempt to halt their departure, but as the female guests passed by, they brazenly groped her private areas!

Witnessing their lecherous intentions, Everit swiftly produced three cards, ready to intervene.

"Hey, let's not escalate things," a voice suddenly broke through Everit's thoughts, accompanied by the sound of sobbing. A foreboding sense of danger spurred Everit to instinctively pivot and prepare for the worst.

The visitor appeared as an elderly man, his face bare of any beard, his white hair unkempt. Clad in a flowing white priest's robe, he bore upon his shoulder a black coffin, towering as tall as a man. Weariness etched deep lines on his countenance.

In one hand, he clutched a book, while the other wiped away tears that flowed freely as he moved.

"Ah!"

At that moment, Everit pivoted, only to be met by a woman's piercing scream—a clear indication she was touched.

"Hahaha, so tender!"

"The aroma is exquisite!"

"It's remarkably smooth!"

Their laughter echoed proudly through the air.

"You scoundrels!" The male patron's patience snapped. He balled his fists, ready to strike.

"Whoa, now, let's not resort to violence. Peace, my friend!" With a single stride, the old man bridged the gap, seizing the male patron's hand.

"They were the instigators, tormenting my companion!" the male patron retorted, his voice thick with anger.

"Nevertheless, brawling is not tolerated!" the old man admonished.

"And who might you be? What concern is this of yours?!" The male patron's expression twisted in disdain.

The old man's grip was ironclad, rendering all resistance futile. Despite the male patron's struggles, the old man's hold tightened, the pressure threatening to break bones!

"Hahaha, many thanks for your intervention, old man." The trio paid no heed, seizing the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

"Damn you, release me!" The male patron seethed, launching a volley of kicks towards the old man.

"Clang!"

Erza swiftly intervened, her scabbard intercepting the blows aimed at the old man's feet.

"And who might you be? Are you showing favoritism again?!" The male patron's tone was laced with fury.

"I'm here to assist you," Erza replied calmly.

"Please, remain composed." Everit approached, offering clarification. "I'll help you apprehend those three, but refrain from retaliating against this individual."

After uttering those words, Everit produced three cards from his pocket.

"Don't engage!" The elderly man attempted to intervene upon seeing this.

'Shua'

'Boom'

'Kakakaka'

Erza unsheathed her sword, flames condensed in Natsu's hand, and Gray unleashed his icy magic power.

The elderly man's movements halted.

Everit stood shielded behind them, paying no heed to the old man's furious glare as he hurled three cards forward.

The cards spun through the air, precisely striking the trio and sending them tumbling to the ground, before transforming into a black stream of light with traces of gold and returning to Everit's grasp.

From the gathered crowd, several enthusiastic individuals rushed forward and administered a severe beating to the fallen trio, leaving them bruised and wailing. Soon after, ropes were brought forth to tightly bind the three offenders.

Everit declared, "The culprits are securely bound. You may transport them to the authorities. Do not linger here any longer."

"Very well, thank you!" The male bystander felt a twinge of unease but chose not to dwell on it. 

Hastily, he escorted his girlfriend away and joined the compassionate bystanders in delivering the perpetrators to the law enforcement office for trial and sentencing.

****

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