Chapter 18

To whoever invented the pills for motion sickness, know that you have Natsu Dragneel's utmost respect.

Right now, Natsu was standing on the deck of the ship, enjoying the wind brushing on his fave with a grateful smile.

"Ah, this is the life." Natsu couldn't help but mutter in satisfaction. He never knew riding on a ship could be so satisfying.

He wonder what does it feel to ride a car …like his Edolas counterpart. It would be cool to have one right?

Maybe …maybe a car that would even transform into a giant mechanical golem? Wait, they weren't mechanical golem …was it machina? Macro? Machia? Something along those lines.

He remembered Mira talking about that female mage from Blue Pegasus she encountered who uses a form of take over magic that allows her to take over "souls" of machines.

On side note: Mira and that female mage have some sort of rivalry because they were both models and Mira won the Miss Fiore title…well, one-sides rivalry as Mira doesn't seem to care about the title at all.

Now, back to the topic on hand, Natsu doesn't even know that machines have souls. Wait, does this ship have a soul as well? If so, that would be so creepy.

Just imagine your pillow or blanket watching you all night long as you sleep would definitely send shivers down your spine.

"Master Dragneel,"

Natsu almost jumped out at that sudden call. Fortunately, he managed to hold his ground and casually turn around to face Kaori of the Garou Knights.

"What's it, granny?" He asked.

The old woman seems to not be bothered by the way he called her and continued, "We will reach the port of Stella in two hours. Let us meet up in the cabin to finalize the plan."

"Oh, okay."

Kaori nodded and turned around, heading towards the cabin with Natsu following not far behind him.

On the way, Kaori decided to engage in small talk with the Fairy Tail's master.

"I was actually surprised that you have a rather strategic mind, master Dragneel." She said, "I meant no offense, but your reputation depicts you as more of a muscle head who charge first without any plan."

Should he tell her that it was true?

If it wasn't for the first master drilling those lessons into his brain he would've stayed the same. He swear that little girl was far scarier than Erza …and that's saying something.

He wondered if it was alright to leave Happy's education to her hands?

"Here we are," Kaori opened the door to the cabin.

Natsu snapped out of his thoughts as he went inside, shrugging off the feeling that Happy was suffering from Mavis' hands.

Happy can wing it, right?

...…

...

…

"We have arrived," Natsu stated as the ship docked. "So this is Stella huh, it's my first time here. Maybe I should buy some souvenirs after this job."

Currently, Natsu was using a magic item to temporarily change the color of his hair to scarlet, and his eyes to blue.

He was wearing a black suit over a white buttoned up collared shirt along with black pants and matching shoes. (For some reason, he so got into wearing suits that he actually contemplated wearing them most of the time)

He was actually disguised as a son of a rich businessman hoping to expand their business to Stella, while Kaori and Wanda were disguised as his bodyguards.

It wasn't strange for people like them to arrive to Stella, after all this country's economy is more business-friendly compared to others; having low tax-rate on personal income and tax exemptions on foreign-based income and capital gains. So it's also regarded as a tax-haven for the wealthy people.

"We will be heading to the embassy to leave the girls first," said Wanda. "We will meet you up in the Bar Altair half an hour later."

"Very well, be careful." Said Kaori, before looking at her disciple, "Remember, while you're there, do not make troubles. And learn everything you can from them."

Though it is an embassy, it also serves as a base for Fiore's Intelligence Officers, and it was because of this that Fiore was sure that it was the Kingdom of Stella who stole the staff.

"Understood, sensei!" Kamika put her fist on her chest, standing up straight.

"Good, now go." Kaori nodded in satisfaction.

Natsu stared at Kaori, "You seem to really care about your disciple, granny."

Kaori watched as Wanda, Kamika, and Cosmos disappeared into the crowds before she nodded. "Yes. I have been taking care of her since she was a child. After all, she's the only legacy left behind by my old flame who have passed away."

"Huh. Won't your husband get jealous that you're taking care of the child of your ex?" On side note, Natsu knows about relationships, romantically or platonically.

He simply doesn't care about those stuff.

He doesn't see the point.

Kaori just smiled at him, and changed the subject, "By the way master Dragneel, please stop referring to me as "granny" while I'm in this form. It ruins our disguise."

"Oh, right. Sorry." Natsu scratched his cheek as he smiled wryly.

Looking at Kaori, she now has the appearance of an old man in butler uniform, completely different from her original appearance of an old woman in kimono.

"With that being said, let us observe the area for awhile before heading to Bar Altair. We need to gather information as much as possible."

"Got it." Natsu nodded.

Well, Wanda was already out to acquire information from the embassy, but Natsu and Kaori thinks it's better for them to have their own investigations than to just rely on information provided to them.

It could save their lives.

...…

...

…

Kingdom of Stella, Altair Palace.

King Animus was sitting on his throne, observing the soldier who came to deliver information to him.

There is also a beautiful young woman with honey-colored hair standing beside him. She is Sonya, the "childhood friend" of the king and was treasured greatly by himx

"So? How is that Zash doing? Did he finally arrive in the capital and have the staff?" Asked Animus.

"Your majesty, they have successfully obtained the staff." The soldier then hesitated for a moment, but eventually sighed and decided to speak up, "Unfortunately, their return will be delayed for they have chosen to return to Stella by land through Bosco."

Bosco was the most crime infested country in the world. If you don't have any connections to the underworld in that place, it won't be strange for you to just wake up one day in a workshop of a dark mage with your innards about to be ripped from you.

"I understand," Animus clicked his tongue in annoyance, but he really do understand why Zash decided to return by land.

After the news of the staff came out, it would surely cause Fiore to tighten their securities and since the Fiore Straight is owned by them, no one will be able to go in or out of their territory if they chose to take that route.

"You may leave," Animus waved hand, signaling the soldier to leave the place, "this is getting annoying."

"Can the power of that staff really prevent a national disaster from falling on our kingdom?" Asked Sonya, looking doubtful.

Sonya is very kind-hearted person who cares for her kingdom and people, while she also is loyal even if she dislikes the methods of the ones she is loyal to.

Zash mercilessly killed Fiore knights, and Zash was actually a foreigner from Fiore who joined Stella and rose to the position of the Secretary of the State.

However, he practiced dark magic and wanted to overthrow the royal family of Fiore but was pursued and ousted before finally using his connections to join Stella.

Zash even killed his companions to earn the trust of the king.

"Yes. Only the power of staff can suppress the terrifying power hidden in the Stellariom which might cause them to explode and destroy our country."

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AN: Ahhhh, I can't take it anymore, I'm too tired I want to sleep, sorry for the quality of this chapter, my mind was not functioning normally. I want to sleep. This hasn't been edited, I didn't even read it , sht im too sleepy im out