Chapter 111: What Will Happen in the Future?

Natsu ran around the guild like a crazy little fire dragon for several laps, but he didn't find any sign of a dragon. Happy and Carla also flew out to search but found nothing.

Carla asked, uncertain, "Wendy, are you sure you smelled it?"

Wendy nodded. "Yes, but after leaving the guild, I can't smell it anymore."

Happy suggested, "So maybe Grandine is hiding inside the guild?"

"It could also be something or someone that has been in contact with her," Rhodes added. "Wendy, why don't we go back and search again?"

"Okay!" Wendy sniffed gently, following the familiar scent as they returned to the counter.

Wendy said, unsure, "It seems to be inside here."

"Inside the counter?" Mira bent down, taking things out from inside. "There are my bag, clothes, and Rhodes' clothes..."

Natsu tilted his head. "Why are both of your clothes here?"

"Something going on?" Happy asked slyly.

Mira knocked Happy on the head. "It's our workout clothes. We change into them when we train. Other than those... there's also this pouch."

Wendy sniffed it and became excited. "This is it! This pouch smells like Grandine."

Natsu sniffed too. "It just smells like Rhodes and Mira... and maybe also Porlyusica?"

"This pouch is a medicine bag from Porlyusica," Rhodes recalled. "Could it be that Porlyusica is actually a dragon, and that's why she always says she dislikes humans?"

"But Grandine loves humans," Wendy said. "Could I... meet this lady?"

Natsu immediately turned to run. "I'll take you to her right now!"

"Wait, Natsu!" Rhodes grabbed Natsu by his scarf and collar. "We should ask the Master first."

Natsu was running in place, annoyed. "Why make it so complicated?"

Natsu instinctively trusted Wendy and saw her as one of their own.

Rhodes also trusted Wendy to some extent, believing she would be part of the family in the future. However, at present, they weren't entirely sure.

For safety reasons and out of respect for Porlyusica, they should consult with the Master first.

After all, the old lady lived in seclusion in the forest precisely because she didn't want much contact with people.

Mira also advised, "Porlyusica doesn't like being disturbed. Let's wait for the Master to come back and ask him first. Maybe he knows more about this."

Rhodes opened the pouch. The medicinal scent masked some of the smells, but Wendy confirmed that each small packet inside had Grandine's scent.

This confirmed it—there was definitely a connection between Grandine and Porlyusica.

The Fairy Tail specialty lunch managed to divert Wendy's attention a little, but afterward, both she and Natsu were still restless.

Fortunately, the Master returned soon after.

"This child is also a Dragon Slayer?" Makarov listened to Mira's explanation. "The Master of Cait Shelter, I believe his name is Robaul?"

Wendy asked happily, "Do you know our Master?"

Makarov said, "We haven't met directly. I've only heard that they are descendants of an ancient, somewhat isolated tribe—the Nirbit tribe, I believe.

"In recent years, in order to increase their interaction with the outside world, they formed a guild. Wendy, are you also from the Nirbit tribe?"

Wendy shook her head. "Carla and I joined later, so we don't know much about that. But Cait Shelter is made up of the entire tribe, and it's a wonderful guild!"

"I see." Makarov smiled, liking this child who loved her guild. "You can go see Porlyusica, but... Rhodes."

"Yes?"

"Keep an eye on Natsu, make sure he doesn't cause trouble."

"Me?" Rhodes didn't understand why the Master thought he could control Natsu.

"What do you mean by that, old man?" Natsu wasn't happy either, but finding out about the dragon was more important. So, he grabbed Rhodes and started running. "Wendy, follow us!"

"Okay!" Wendy took two steps before stopping, turning back to bow to Makarov, then continued running after them.

Happy and Carla flew after them, staying close.

Makarov sat cross-legged on the counter, his expression a little worried.

Fire Dragon Slayer, Sky Dragon Slayer, and a summoner capable of summoning dragons...

What major event could be coming in the future that would require so many Dragon Slayers gathering in one place?

Mira asked, "Master, is something bothering you?"

Makarov shook his head. "It's nothing, just a bit of discomfort from the hangover."

Mira didn't believe him. "Really? Then you're not allowed to drink for a few days."

"No, please don't!"

"Wurm, aren't you going too?" Mira saw Wurm still sitting on the counter, eating the fish that Happy left.

"Wrrrr~" Wurm indicated it just wanted to eat.

...

Rhodes, Natsu, Wendy, Happy, and Carla rode on the giant crab and moved quickly, soon arriving at the treehouse.

Carla complained, "If you had such a convenient ride, why did you run so hard at first?"

"Hahaha, I forgot!" Natsu laughed as he jumped off and started banging on the door.

The door opened, and as Natsu was about to speak, a broom came down on his head:

"You troublesome brats, have you learned no manners at all? Your symptoms haven't fully recovered yet, so why aren't you resting properly?!"

"Sorry!" Natsu apologized even as he was hit. "But we have something important to ask! It's about—"

Bang! The door slammed shut.

"Go away!"

Natsu was about to lose his mind. "Listen to what we have to say!"

Wendy started crying, her little hands repeatedly wiping her tears.

"Sorry, Wendy, did that scare you?" Rhodes quickly said. "Porlyusica might have a bad temper, but she's a good person."

Wendy shook her head, her voice breaking as she said, "No, it's just... I'm reminded of her. Her voice, her scent, it's all the same as Grandine's. Mommy..."

Inside the treehouse, Porlyusica leaned against the door, listening to the young girl crying. For her, the Sky Dragon was like a mother.

First it was Natsu, now Wendy—was it that fool Makarov constantly causing trouble, or were major events just bound to involve Fairy Tail?

That old fool... If Natsu got dragged into trouble, there's no way she'd be able to leave him be.

One person's happiness is everyone's happiness; one person's anger is everyone's anger; one person's tears are everyone's tears...

Fairy Tail was always a guild made up of troublemakers like this.

Good grief, why did she even stay with this guild back then?

Porlyusica thought back to the past, pulled a book from the shelf, then put on a stern face again and gripped the doorknob.