Chapter 68 : Guild War?

Magnolia Town

Fairy Tail Guild Basement 1

Kyros had been taken away by the Magic Council. Despite reassurances from the guild's president that Kyros was safe, a lingering worry persisted among the members. They were uncertain about the nature of Kyros's impending punishment.

More recently, a purported representative of the Magic Council had arrived and taken the guild's master away, casting a shadow of unease over everyone's hearts.

The atmosphere within the guild was somber, with a palpable sense of tension hanging in the air.

"Boom!"

Natsu slammed his hand on the table and rose to his feet, exclaiming, "This is unacceptable! I can't just sit here! I'm going to storm the Magic Council and bring Kyros and the old man back!"

Gray intervened, urging, "Calm down, Natsu! That's the Magic Council we're talking about!"

"What does it matter? The Magic Council has always had it out for us, and we've always stood up to them!"

"Exactly! The tables have turned!"

"Let's try to stay composed for now."

"How can we stay composed when our president has been taken away?"

Cana interjected, "The more dire the situation, the more important it is to keep a level head. Our enemies now extend beyond just the Magic Council; we also have to contend with the Phantom Lord."

"Now that all our S-rank wizards are absent, our guild's strength is severely depleted. We'd be vulnerable if we were attacked."

"The Phantom Lord? They're nothing but a bunch of cowards! They resort to underhanded tactics and skulk in the shadows; they lack the courage to face us head-on," scoffed Elfman, expressing his disdain for their foes.

Suddenly, there was a deafening roar, causing the entire basement to shake, with dust cascading down from above.

"An earthquake?"

"What's going on?!"

"What was that?"

At that moment, Alzack descended the stairs in a panic, his expression grave. "This is bad! Look outside—!"

The members of Fairy Tail hurriedly followed him outside, gathering behind the guild building.

"Is that... what I think it is—?!"

The faces of the Fairy Tail guild members contorted in disbelief as they beheld a colossal castle supported by six mechanical legs, striding across the water toward Fairy Tail.

The imposing silhouette and the tremors caused by its movement caught the attention of Magnolia Town's residents.

Terrified screams echoed as people fled, seeking refuge from the approaching behemoth, while Fairy Tail braced themselves for whatever was to come.

"Then… what is that?!"

"A moving guild!!! Phantom Lord Guild?!!"

As the distance closed, everyone could clearly see the sign above, identifying it as the Phantom Lord Guild.

"What are they up to?!"

"Bastards! Do they want a full-scale war?!"

"Damn it! Now is not the time! Makarov and Kyros are both absent!"

A sense of panic spread through Fairy Tail. Whether it was the guild master or Kyros, any of the top Fairy Tail powerhouses would suffice, but now both were absent.

Erza and Laxus were on a mission and couldn't be reached, making the timing particularly bad.

"Boom–!"

The Phantom Lord Guild Headquarters came to a halt not far from the Fairy Tail Guild.

"Makarov isn't there, just as planned," Jose remarked from atop the Phantom Lord's guild headquarters, looking down at the Fairy Tail members below. He sensed no trace of Makarov's magic.

The current incident wasn't monumental, but it held sinister implications. With a little push from the Magic Council, Fairy Tail could be disbanded, and both Makarov and Kyros punished.

Yet merely disbanding Fairy Tail wouldn't satisfy him; he wanted to see Makarov utterly desperate, completely broken.

Six years ago, Makarov had defeated him in front of numerous Mage Guild presidents. That humiliation still lingered. To erase it, he had to make Makarov suffer and despair.

"Makarov, I can only imagine your reaction when you return to find Fairy Tail utterly destroyed. The thought alone brings me immense joy."

"The 'Magic Cluster Cannon' Jupiter is ready."

The walls of the Phantom Lord Guild Headquarters crumbled, revealing a massive black gun barrel aimed directly at the Fairy Tail Guild.

Upon seeing this ominous apparatus, the expressions of everyone in Fairy Tail shifted to panic.

"Hey, that!!"

"No!! That's a Magic Cluster Cannon!!"

"It can destroy the guild!!"

Powerful magic gathered at the muzzle of the magic cluster gun, emitting terrifying waves.

"They're serious!! They intend to kill us!!"

"Are they insane? There are still many innocent people here!"

"Clear the path!" Mirajane's voice reverberated, her expression shifting drastically.

Even though Mira was incapacitated, she remained an S-rank mage of Fairy Tail.

While there might not be a clear hierarchy within the guild, S-rank mages undeniably held a higher status.

"We won't evade! Dodging spells will only invite destruction upon our guild! We can't let them obliterate us!" Natsu roared.

"Makarov's guild members? Still daring to resist? Then let's vanish together! Commence!"

"Yes!"

The magical energy within the barrel of the Cluster Magic Cannon surged.

"Hey—-!!"

A colossal magical projectile was unleashed from the cannon's barrel, resembling a cascade of light beams, hurtling towards the Fairy Tail guild.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

Numerous guild members screamed in terror.

Suddenly, a chilling sound pierced through the chaos.

And then, a silhouette materialized before the members of Fairy Tail, directly intercepting the colossal magical projectile.

"Boom—-!!!"

A cataclysmic explosion ensued, shaking the earth and shattering nearby structures.

As the tremors subsided, all eyes turned upward.

"What… what just happened?"

"Did someone manage to stop it?"

Gradually, the smoke dissipated, revealing a familiar figure standing amidst the aftermath.

With a lithe frame, clad in a white shirt and black trousers, his long black hair tied back, he exuded a striking presence.

His handsome face drew envy from onlookers, boasting flawless, fair skin.

If Mirajane and Erza represented the epitome of femininity within Fairy Tail, this man, Kyros, surpassed even Loke in sheer charm.

Despite his unassuming stature, he exuded an aura of unwavering reliability.

With him present, it seemed as though the very sky could fall, yet he would remain steadfast.

"Kyros—!!!!"