Chapter 17 : Plot Begins!

Hargeon Town, being the nearest sea outlet to the Fairy Tail Guild, remained bustling with various trades.

Kyros had been on many long journeys in recent years, often passing through Hargeon, so he was well acquainted with the price comparisons here.

Soon, Kyros arrived at a small restaurant he remembered well. Upon entering, he immediately spotted a familiar figure seated inside. The fringe of cherry-red hair was unmistakable. There, sitting at the table, was Natsu, with the blue cat Happy beside him. Happy was the first gift Kyros had given to Natsu.

"Natsu! Happy!" Kyros exclaimed loudly upon seeing them.

Natsu and Happy looked up in disbelief at the familiar voice.

Upon seeing Kyros's face, excitement lit up Natsu's expression.

"Kyros!"

"Happy" and Natsu called out to Kyros. Happy even spread its wings and flew over, and Kyros reached out to hug him.

"Kyros, it's been so long! I've missed you!" Happy said to Kyros.

Kyros gently rubbed Happy's little head and replied, "I've missed you too."

"Kyros! Let's have a showdown!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Stop! We're in a restaurant. We can talk about it later," Kyros responded.

At that moment, Kyros noticed a cute girl with blond hair sitting across from Natsu. She wore a blue headband on the right side of her head, a white top with blue trim, a black short skirt, and a leather whip around her waist. Despite not being young, she had a lovely face and fair skin, exuding an air of youthful vitality. Kyros was momentarily surprised upon seeing her, sensing a faint familiarity.

Soon, Kyros recalled who the girl was. It was Lucy, also a prominent character in the Fairy Tail animation. Though cute and charming, Kyros's personal preferences leaned more towards Erza and Mirajane.

As Kyros observed Lucy, he couldn't help but wonder if the plot was starting earlier than expected. The realization brought a sense of nervousness; if the plot was indeed starting, it meant he would soon encounter Acnologia, leaving him with little time.

Upon seeing Kyros, Lucy was taken aback by his handsome appearance. "So handsome!" she exclaimed.

As Kyros strode in with a black, hefty mace slung over his shoulder, there was a hint of confusion in the air. Why would such a dashing fellow opt for a weapon as barbaric as a mace?

"Well, if someone you know is around, I suppose I should head off too. I covered the bill, so take your time with the meal," Lucy announced, rising from her seat with a smile directed at Kyros before making her exit.

Natsu and Happy sat frozen for a moment, then erupted into tears, dropping to their knees and crying out, "Thank you for treating us to dinner!!"

"Thank you!!"

Kyros's entrance had already drawn considerable attention upon his arrival at the restaurant, but this unexpected display added an extra layer of commotion.

"Hey! Cut that out!! How embarrassing!" Lucy was taken aback by Natsu and Happy's dramatic reaction.

"No, there's no need for thanks. After all, you guys helped me out too... It's just common courtesy, isn't it?" Lucy replied calmly.

"Well, we didn't exactly set out to help you initially, it's just..." Natsu trailed off, then had a sudden idea, pulling out a signed board. "Here, take this as a token of our gratitude!"

"I don't want it!!" Lucy retorted, storming off after swatting the board away.

Kyros watched Lucy's departure with a hint of surprise. Her presence didn't seem to be directly linked to Natsu's group.

Seated once more, Kyros smiled and inquired, "Who was that girl? And how did you guys end up here?"

Natsu and Happy proceeded to explain their reason for being there. The two had received word of a dragon sighting in Hargeon Town from fellow guild members.

In Natsu's mind, any fire dragon he encounters must be his father, the Fire Dragon King Igneel. Regardless of the distance, he rushes to investigate any news related to dragons.

Kyros understood that Igneel, the Fire Dragon King, resided within Natsu's body, sparing him from fruitless searches. However, he hesitated to disclose this directly to Natsu.

When Natsu and Happy rushed here by train, they discovered that the news of the fire dragon was false; it wasn't Igneel at all, but rather a man.

This man appeared somewhat contemptible and crude, employing allure magic to ensnare numerous girls, including Lucy, who had just departed. However, due to their interruption, Lucy's magic was inadvertently unlocked, and the man invited them to dinner as a gesture of gratitude.

As Natsu and Happy recounted the encounter, Kyros's mind conjured a familiar image.

"So, the real story is just beginning!"

It had been seven years since she arrived in this world, and Kyros's recollection of Fairy Tail was somewhat hazy, yet certain scenes remained vivid.

"If the story is just beginning, we still have time to prepare."

"What's beginning?" Natsu and Happy looked puzzled.

"Never mind. Waiter, let's order!"

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