Chapter 34 : Great Anza??

"Alright, alright." Everit nodded vigorously, his teeth clenched as he declared, "You've left me no choice!"

He brandished a bundle of photographs, lifting them high. "Look at these! Cana took them. Who wants to sneak a peek at some wedding shots?"

"You scoundrel!" Cana, usually sauntering about in a swimsuit, blushed like a bashful maiden whose first kiss had been stolen. She erupted, "You rascal! You're resorting to magic to trick others!"

"Lies?" Everit smirked. "Allow me to jog your memory; it's the 23rd."

"Ugh," Cana choked on her words.

"Cana, what's the deal with these wedding photos? Are you actually tying the knot?!" Erza's eyes widened in shock.

"Not at all!" Cana hurriedly approached Everit, seizing him by the collar, producing a bottle of wine from behind, and thrusting it into his mouth.

"Gulp, gulp."

The figure before her imbibed the wine, but it wasn't Everit.

Cana suddenly found herself dousing Gray with wine.

"Dammit!" Cana whirled around to locate Everit.

"Cana, you should realize that when I'm on alert, you can't lay a finger on me," Everit sat at the counter, his palm pressing against the photograph.

"You rogue," Cana gritted her teeth, advancing towards Everit and stooping decisively, "I apologize for slipping sleeping pills into your drink!"

"Nicely done," Everit nodded approvingly.

"Give me back the photo and help me explain!" Cana demanded fiercely.

"Here." Everit pushed the photo towards her.

Cana hastily snatched it, only to find it wasn't a snapshot from her wedding, but merely a picture of her victorious moment in the town's drinking contest.

"You—" Cana was at a loss for words.

"Ah, well, I only saw it from afar and didn't have time to snap a picture," Everit explained with a grin.

He had been so far away at the time, he thought he was seeing things, even doubting if it was the same person. By the time he got closer and confirmed it was Cana, she had finished her trial with the clothes and disappeared into the changing room.

"..."

"Cana, what's happening?" Erza's curiosity peaked, and everyone else was equally intrigued. Even Lucy, who had been crying moments ago, halted her tears to eavesdrop.

Cana sighed helplessly, "It was a job. A store wanted me to endorse their swimsuits. I had to try them on before making a decision."

Getting Cana for endorsements?

Everyone nodded in understanding, considering Cana's usual attire.

"That makes sense."

"Then someone from the bridal shop next door spotted me and thought I'd be a good fit for their gowns, so they asked me to be their spokesperson," Cana pouted. "I tried them on, but they didn't feel right, so I declined."

"Why doesn't anyone ask me to endorse things?" Erza looked slightly dejected.

"Because you're always in armor, they probably figure the armor shop's already got you covered," everyone assumed.

"So, Cana, you're not actually getting married," a girl said disappointedly.

"Well," Cana said with a smile, "I currently have no intentions regarding this."

"Laxus, what do you mean by not returning to the guild?!" Mirajane's voice boomed angrily.

Everyone turned their attention towards the counter.

Mirajane was communicating with Laxus through the crystal device.

"Exactly as I said," Laxus replied from the other end, nonchalantly.

Mirajane snapped, "Lucy and our comrades are in peril, and the Phantom Lord is eyeing over us once more. Another war could be upon us at any moment!"

Laxus yawned, "That's your concern, not mine. And as for Lucy, if she were to sleep with me, perhaps then I'd consider protecting her."

"Laxus!"

Natsu's furious voice echoed through the room.

He erupted into flames, resembling a wrathful dragon.

"Natsu?" Laxus frowned, observing Natsu's enraged countenance. He paused for three seconds before bursting into laughter, "Hahaha! Natsu, are you searching for your leash?"

"Natsu?" 

"Calm down, he's not worth it!" Gray restrained Natsu.

"Laxus, how could you utter such audacious words!" Mirajane scolded.

"And what if I did? Do you wish to challenge me?" Laxus retorted casually.

"Forget it, there's no use talking to him." Cana said angrily, "We'll handle it ourselves!"

"Well then, handle it yourselves," Laxus chuckled.

"When we and the Phantom Lord are both wounded, will you return to take over the guild, Laxus?" Everit gently pushed Mirajane aside to face Laxus.

"What are you implying?!" Laxus' expression turned serious upon seeing Everit.

"It's nothing, Laxus," Everit remained calm, unlike the others. "Wait until we're all gravely injured, wait until the Phantom Lord can no longer fight, then you can appear like a god descending on Earth."

"Laxus, it's quite the scheme you've got there," Everit tilted his head, his smile laced with sarcasm.

"I never considered it that way. I have no interest in seizing power!" Laxus retorted angrily, "I aim to earn the position of Guild Master rightfully!"

"Everit, if the old man can no longer be the Guild Master, and you admit you're incapable of bearing the burden, then perhaps I'll return, but..." Laxus smirked evilly, "You'll have to beg me!"

"Haha," Everit chuckled lightly, picked up his cane, and drew the sword Haven.

He gently stroked the blade and calmly stated, "I'm going to take down the Phantom Lord's leader - Jose Porla."

Then, it happened.

"Everit!"

Laxus erupted in fury.

*Crash!*

But Everit shattered the communication crystal.

"Everit?" Everyone was taken aback.

Everit sheathed his sword slowly, a smile playing on his lips. "Laxus certainly knows how to taunt an idiot, but..."

"Before me, he'll be tricked."

A hiss echoed as all eyes turned to Everit's smile, sending shivers down their spines.

Everit adjusted his glasses with a gentle smile.

Laxus, proud as he is, cannot bear Jose being defeated by Everit, no matter how much he desires to take over the guild.

Treading through dark underground passages, illuminated only by candles every five meters.

In the underground temple at the passage's end, several dark figures gathered.

"Aaaaah!" A cry shattered the temple's silence.

Someone asked in surprise, "Knight of Mercy, are you wounded?"

The Knight of Mercy sobbed, "Yes, an evil fiend disrupting peace has injured me. I wish to judge him, but his magic is... troublesome."

"Who?"

"Fairy Tail, the elegant mage."

"Let me see. Ah, deception magic, manipulating the senses and emotions. Truly dreadful."

"Knight of Honor, can you create magical items to counter him?"

"Of course, I've slain forty-six such prodigies!"

"Thank you."

"Alright, let's conclude for now," someone reminded.

"Ah - Great Anza, please protect us and preserve peace in this world."

"Great Anza -"

Everyone knelt around a stone statue.

The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows.

In the dim light, a three-meter-tall stone statue appeared lifelike.

Wings adorned its back like an angel's.

Eight arms wielded eight weapons.

Its face bore a compassionate, gentle expression.

"Great Anza—"

Once more, they bowed in reverence.

****

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