Chapter 61: Phantom's Motive

"What do you mean, my boy? What does the Heartfilia family have anything to do with this? Aren't they just a rich business family?" Makarov asked doubtfully. Erza also looked at Natsu with her head tilted in a confused manner.

"That's where you're wrong, gramps. Let's talk about this in more detail in private. I don't want others to hear what I'm about to say." Natsu said seriously making both of them surprised.

Makarov nodded and gestured them to follow him inside an empty room since the guild master's office was ruined due to the attack.

Natsu locked the door properly and made sure there was no one eavesdropping on their conversation, turning to see Makarov and Erza looking at him with doubtful eyes.

"Okay, no one's listening to us," Natsu exclaimed, looking at them seriously. Makarov and Erza didn't do anything other than continue to silently stare at him.

"Now let's continue our previous conversation. The Hearfilia family is targeting our guild because of Lucy. They want Lucy to quit the guild, so they're using the Phantom Lord to pressure our guild." Natsu continued looking at them severely. Makarov and Erza became so shocked that their jaws almost hit the floor upon hearing his explanation.

"What does Lucy have anything to with the Heartfilia family? Isn't she just a normal girl?" Erza asked, looking at him with narrowed eyes.

"Yeah, why would the Hearfilia family go this far for just a girl? Unless…" Makarov became wide-eyed, realizing something, but Natsu interrupted him from any further speculation.

"That's right, gramps! Lucy is from the Heartfilia family, and guess what, she's the daughter of the current head of the family." Natsu answered, making both of them wide-eyed.

"But why would Lucy hide this from us?" Erza asked doubtfully. She didn't understand why such a rich girl would want to join their guild.

"I guess Lucy has her reasons for not mentioning it to us. Besides, it doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor. Anyone who joins the guild is family, and we Fairy Tail mages never abandon our family!" Makarov said with a determined expression, causing both Natsu and Erza to smile.

That's right, it didn't matter whatever background Lucy had, she was one of them.

"You're right, master! Lucy is now one of us. I won't allow anyone to take her forcefully." Erza declared with a brave expression.

"Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about the more important stuff. I think that the Phantom Lord will make another move soon." Natsu said in a grave tone making both Makarov and Erza knit their brows.

"Are you sure about this, my boy? I don't want to make this issue bigger than it already is." Makarov looked at him for confirmation. He didn't want to escalate the issue. Erza perked her ears waiting for his reply.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure about it. The Phantom Lord wants this to escalate into an all-out guild war. They must be pretty jealous to see Lucy in our guild. They might have misunderstood her joining us as a sign of Heartfilia's support in the future." Natsu answered them, making them grind their teeth in frustration.

"But that's not true at all. We would never use her for the guild's benefit." Erza replied with narrowed eyes. Makarov sighed hearing this. He knew Jose wouldn't take it too kindly to see his rival guild flourishing.

"That's right Erza, but the Phantom Lord doesn't see it that way. I'm sure they're desperate to separate Lucy from us. This attack was just the beginning. They'll be even more ruthless next time, and I'm sure their next target will be our guild members seeing that we didn't take their previous provocation seriously." Natsu replied grimly, making both Makarov and Erza stunned.

"What do you mean, Natsu?" Erza asked suspiciously. Makarov also perked his ears to listen to him.

Natsu looked at them gravely and answered. "It means that someone from Phantom Lord will attack some of our guild members tonight."

"How dare they!?" Erza exclaimed angrily. Makarov was also angry hearing this. He didn't want any harm to befall his family. The guild was his home after all.

"Are you really sure about this, my boy? This could lead to a full-out war between us." Makarov looked at Natsu seriously asking him for confirmation. He wanted to ignore the Phantoms, but if they aimed to harm his children, then he would make them pay for it even if it meant an all-out war.

"I don't have any proof right now, but why don't we wait for the night? If someone from our guild gets attacked, then it should be sufficient evidence for you. Isn't that right, gramps?" Natsu asked looking at Makarov with a meaningful smile. He knew this old geezer was very protective of his children, and he considered everyone from the guild as his children.

"Master…" Erza said, looking at worriedly. She didn't want anyone from the guild to be harmed.

"Sigh… you're right, my boy. If the Phantom Lord did that, I wouldn't stand for it. I would make them pay for it even if it meant going against the council. If they want a war so bad, then so be it. We will make them suffer for daring to go against us." Makarov declared with a powerful voice making Natsu and Erza smile.

"I'm glad to hear that, gramps. I was itching to fight those bastards." Natsu said looking at the guild master with a grin. Makarov and Erza sighed looking at him. They knew Natsu was a battle maniac deep inside even if he tried to hide it.

"You should stay in the guild for the night, Erza. I'll leave for now." Natsu said making Erza nod.

"Where are you going, my boy?" Makarov curiously asked.

"I'm going outside. I'll patrol the city tonight. My nose is meant for tracking after all. I'll inform you if I find anyone suspicious." Natsu replied before leaving the guild. He didn't want Gajeel to harm Levy after all.

"Master, are you really sure about this?" Erza worriedly asked. She didn't want to see a war between their guilds if possible.

"Sigh… let's wait and see. I just hope that the Phantom Lord doesn't do anything stupid, but if they do try to harm one of my children, I'll make them pay for it." Makarov declared with a resolute tone. Then, both of them left to make preparations for the night.

Makarov told everyone to spend the night in a group while Erza also told Mira about the plan for the night.

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~Edited by Nyanodesu

Read up to chapter 67 in advance at my p@treon:

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