She couldn't face her mother Ur. She couldn't confide in Gray and Lyon. And Jellal and Meredy were even further out of the question.
Lost and alone, Ultear was trying to find her own path to redemption from Chase—someone who disregarded rules, acted recklessly, and seemed to have no conscience.
"You're asking about me?"
"Yes."
"How could I possibly be wrong? The only one who could be wrong is this world!"
"..."
Ultear stared wide-eyed at Chase, who didn't seem to be joking. After a long moment, she let out a heavy sigh.
Why on earth did I think the number one destructive maniac in Fiore could give me a decent answer...
Just as the exhausted Ultear was about to end the conversation, Chase suddenly changed his tune:
"You can never completely eliminate all the evil in this world. Since you're already burdened with sin, why not become a witch instead? Let those scoundrels who deserve to be punished get a taste of hell."
"Giving up your life is nothing but an excuse for the weak. Punishing evil won't wash away your past sins, but it can save more people."
Hearing this, Ultear's pupils contracted sharply. She murmured to herself, "Become a witch..."
"As a Magic Council councilor, isn't that the most fitting form of redemption for you?"
With that, Chase said no more. He waved to Ultear and turned to walk down from the fence.
Crime Sorcière was originally a special guild founded by Ultear and Jellal after they came to their senses.
All Chase was doing was guiding Ultear onto that path a little earlier.
Now that the Tower of Paradise incident hadn't happened yet, Ultear—still a councilor—should be able to handle things better, right?
As for how to deal with Jellal and her position as one of Grimoire Heart's Seven Kins, those were matters Ultear would have to figure out herself!
It wasn't until Chase's figure disappeared at the end of the stairs that Ultear snapped out of her stunned state.
"Chase Lin Edgarhall... just who are you..."
Having made her decision, she downed her beer in one gulp. Her lost gaze gradually grew resolute.
Meanwhile, by a bonfire that had long since died out in a corner of the demon village.
The master and her two disciples, reunited after so long, sat together on the ground.
"So, Ur, what are your plans now?" Lyon asked.
Still in her cool outfit, Ur looked up at Ultear standing on the fence.
"I'll visit some old friends in the northern continent first. Along the way, I can get a sense of how the world has changed."
"After such a long gap, if I don't adapt, I'll be left behind easily."
She had always been deeply passionate about the magical arts—in fact, Ultear's father had left because of that very obsession.
Though after "losing" her daughter and taking on Gray and Lyon as disciples, that pursuit of magic had somewhat faded.
But now, seeing Ultear and her two disciples grown into fine mages, her long-frozen heart was stirring once more.
"Will you come back, Ur?" Gray asked instinctively.
"Of course. My beloved daughter and my two foolish disciples are here." Ur smiled.
Gray and Lyon: "Can you please drop that stupid prefix?!"
"Ahahaha! It's a term of endearment!"
"Damn it, Ur! You'd better come back soon. I can't wait to challenge you!" Lyon clenched his fist.
Unlike his earlier madness, the same words carried a completely different meaning now.
It was the joy of a child who had scored perfectly on an exam, eager to show off to their parent.
"I'll look forward to it, then."
With that, Ur smiled warmly at Lyon. "Speaking of which, I noticed it back on the temple roof, Lyon... the truth is, you..."
"You're jealous of Gray, aren't you? Of having a guild, of having comrades."
"What are you talking about? Jealous of him?!" Lyon shot back without thinking.
Ur reached out and patted Lyon's head, her smile widening. "Still as dishonest as when you were little."
Lyon's face flushed. He turned his head away, coincidentally catching sight of Sherry looking his way with hearts in her eyes, along with Yuka and Toby, who wore knowing smiles.
"Hey, Lyon—guilds are amazing!" Gray, who deeply understood this, added timely.
"I-I'll think about it..."
Lyon mumbled quietly, then his tone suddenly grew frantic. "But it's not because I'm jealous of Gray! It's just to get better resources and training so I can get stronger—stronger than you!"
"Yeah, that's it! That's all!!"
Ur and Gray smiled knowingly without a word.
Fiore Kingdom, Sabertooth Guild Hall.
The cold moonlight filtered through the windows, spilling across the not-particularly-spacious second floor of the guild, lending an air of chilling, oppressive stillness.
Master Jiemon sat in the main seat, his eyes—white with no visible pupils—looking quite unsettling.
Across from him stood a figure hidden deep in the shadows. The moonlight outside was blocked by the window frame, only illuminating a pair of high-end leather boots and half a dark red cloak.
"I heard about the last meeting, Master Jiemon."
The man's voice was sharp and thin, carrying the distinct flavor of a sinister villain, laced with temptation. "I just happened to take a request involving Fairy Tail recently. How about it? Want to team up and take them down?"
"If we do, your guild's reputation and resources will skyrocket."
At the mention of "Fairy Tail," anger immediately flashed across Jiemon's rigid face. Veins bulged on his forehead.
Ever since Chase had "ambushed" him last time, he had harbored a grudge, constantly thinking of crushing the other underfoot.
But he had only taken over Sabertooth recently. The guild's influence and connections were still at a third-rate level.
And Fairy Tail was one of Fiore's premier powerhouse guilds. No matter how much he thought about it, he didn't have the courage to provoke them.
He was, in short, a bully who only preyed on the weak.
But now!
Jiemon looked up at the man before him, radiating an overwhelming sense of oppression. Madness surged in his eyes.
Fairy Tail might be one of the strongest guilds in Fiore, but that didn't mean they had no equal rivals.
Take this man before him, for example.
He was on the same level as Makarov—a Ten Wizard Saint. His guild, Phantom Lord, far surpassed Fairy Tail in both scale and membership.
Master Jose Porla!
"It's an honor to work with you."
Jiemon rose and extended his hand toward the shadowy figure.
"Then let's hope for a glorious victory, Master Jiemon."
Jose laughed sinisterly and clasped his hand.
A conspiracy against Fairy Tail was quietly brewing.
***
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