Evergreen?!
Before the Fairy Tail members could react, Evergreen, using her folding fan as cover, took off her glasses. Her pupils, with magic circles swirling in them, locked onto the nearest person Dark Magician Girl.
"Watch out! Don't look that woman in the eyes!" Gray quickly shouted.
But his warning came too late. Dark Magician Girl had already turned into a stone statue.
This was Evergreen's eye magic. The moment someone made eye contact with her, they would be completely petrified. The effect was somewhat regular and very strong.
The drawback was also obvious: the eye contact couldn't have any occlusion — even regular glasses wouldn't do!
The sudden change made everyone start. Sensing something was wrong, Marcus quickly shouted for the citizens and tourists to evacuate.
All the onlookers immediately ran for their lives. The scene was pure chaos.
When did this idiot become such a good actress?
Chase crossed his arms, looking at Dark Magician Girl frozen in a panicked pose. Knowing her thick-skinned, oblivious personality, he thought to himself, No, judging by her expression, that's completely real...
Soon, the chaotic guild hall had only Fairy Tail members left.
"Evergreen, are you trying to ruin the festival?!" Makarov demanded.
Thanks to Chase's earlier warning, he wasn't as shocked as in the original story, but his face was still terrifyingly dark.
As Laxus's personal guard, Evergreen's actions undoubtedly confirmed the worst-case scenario he had least wanted to see!
"Every festival needs some entertainment, doesn't it?"
Evergreen ignored Makarov. She stepped forward and spread her arms.
SWISH.
The stage curtain opened. Including Mira and Erza, all the girls who had appeared earlier had turned into stiff stone statues!
Judging from the shocked and confused expressions on their faces, they had clearly been caught by Evergreen's magic completely off guard!
This was the fundamental reason even Mira and Erza had been caught — they had never been on guard against Evergreen!
After all, they were all comrades who had been together for many years.
"The festival has just begun. The strongest one in Fairy Tail — let's compete."
Freed, with his green hair and holding a longsword, appeared beside Evergreen.
"The strongest one! The strongest one!" x5
Bickslow, wearing a steel helmet, leaped down from the ceiling beams. Five uniquely shaped dolls floated behind him.
That was his magic: Star Chart: Doll Possession.
"Bastard! What did you do to my sister, Evergreen?!"
"Remove Bisca's petrification!"
"Levy!!"
Elfman, Alzack, Droy, and others instantly erupted in rage. Ignoring Freed's words, they charged at Evergreen to settle the score.
Others also shouted angrily.
CRACKLE!
Thunder rumbled. Dazzling lightning fell from mid-air, piercing the stage floor near the petrified girls' feet.
"Laxus!!"
Seeing Laxus appeared, holding arcs of electricity, Elfman and the others had to stop, afraid that someone they cared about would be harmed.
"Don't be so impatient. I haven't announced the rules yet."
Laxus's cocky gaze swept across the hall, lingering on Chase for a few seconds, and finally landed on Makarov, who was barely containing his anger.
"Let's fight. Whoever stands last in this Fairy Battle will be the winner," he said coldly.
"Haha! That's easy, isn't it? Just beat you, Laxus!"
Natsu, not fully grasping the situation, punched his fists together. After a short run-up, he leaped out with a blazing fire fist, his fighting spirit surging.
But before he could even reach Laxus on stage, BOOM, yellow lightning materialized out of thin air, easily electrocuting him. He crashed heavily to the ground.
"Compared to that waste, the Iron Dragon, who didn't even have the courage to fight back — honestly, Natsu, I like your act-now-think-later personality."
Laxus brushed his clothes, glanced at the fallen Natsu, and sneered, "Huh? Sorry, you probably can't hear me anymore."
"Enough! Laxus, undo the petrification on Mira and the others now. I can pretend this farce never happened!"
Makarov couldn't bear it any longer. He stepped forward, his body gradually growing larger.
"A farce? Don't be naive, old man!"
As if struck in a sore spot, Laxus roared angrily. "This is war! If you don't follow the rules, all these women will die!"
Looking at Mira and the others surrounded by electric arcs, the giant Makarov's forehead veins bulged.
Even though he had been prepared, Laxus's actions — threatening comrades' lives — had extinguished the last shred of hope in his heart.
Seeing Makarov not dare to act rashly, Evergreen stepped forward and added, "If you want to restore them, try to defeat us."
"Time limit: three hours. Location: all of Magnolia. Find us and fight us directly," Freed said slowly.
"There are only four of us, and over a hundred of you. The advantage is on your side, GEHAHAHA!" Bickslow stuck out his long tongue with the Fairy Tail emblem on it and laughed wildly.
"On your side! On your side!" The five dolls were inexPlicably annoying.
Just as they finished explaining the rules and were about to leave, Chase stepped out from the crowd.
"Interesting. So you're starting a Fairy Tail civil war, you stupid blond?"
With each step he took, card magic circles lit up around him.
Dark Magician, Summoned Demon, Curse of Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress, the Three Knight Musketeers, Elusive Elf Swordsman, and other card monsters appeared one after another, gathering behind Chase.
Powerful magic power swept through the hall. The momentum was surging, the oppression was immense!
"I said don't be so impatient, you damn card addict. I haven't announced the start yet."
With hostages in hand, Laxus was emboldened. Electric light sparkled around him.
"No, no. You seem to have misunderstood something."
Chase stopped and faced Laxus across the distance. "Like that junk helmet said, 4 vs. 100 is just too monotonous and boring."
"Monotonous and boring?" Laxus's eyes darkened.
"Since it's a festival, let's make the atmosphere even livelier."
Chase raised his arm and swung it down. The card monsters behind him understood tacitly. They turned into streaks of light, flew out of the guild, and disappeared into various corners of Magnolia.
"During the civil war, I will release control of the card monsters. Whichever side encounters them can try to convince them to become allies."
At this, not only Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe, but even the Fairy Tail members looked confused and incredulous.
"Chase, you—" Makarov frowned deeply.
He couldn't understand why Chase was adding to the chaos at such a tense moment, nor could he figure out his motive.
But thanks to the earlier precautionary warning, he managed to remain calm.
"What do you mean by this?" Laxus asked coldly.
"Didn't the master say it? This is just a boring farce. Since you insist on fighting, let's add a little fun."
Chase smiled. "I'll play the role of the neutral party!"
"Talking so casually — are you saying you could end this civil war anytime you want?"
Laxus completely broke down. He roared angrily, "Neutral party? Don't joke around! I made the rules!!"
In his eyes, the civil war was purely to make these foolish people realize their pathetic weakness, so they would voluntarily leave the guild, making it easier for him to take over later.
From start to finish, the only ones he acknowledged and expected anything from were Chase and Mystogan. Even Erza and Mira didn't count.
And now, Chase — one of his only two competitors — not only refused to join the fight but brazenly proposed being a "neutral party"?
This was something the always arrogant Laxus could not accept!
"Or you could just smash all the statues now, and we can start fighting right here."
Chase expresslessly met Laxus's furious gaze.
He was acting so tough, seemingly "uncerned" about Mira and the others' safety, because he knew the stubborn-mouthed Laxus wouldn't do something so stupid.
And even in the worst-case scenario, he had Monster Reborn as a safety net. There would be no irreparable tragedy.
The initiative in this civil war was completely in his hands.
"Is this a threat, Chase..." Laxus's eyes showed killing intent. His voice was incredibly cold.
"Remember your invitation last time? If you can win this war, it's not impossible for me to side with you." Chase smiled.
Hearing this, most of Laxus's anger immediately dissipated.
"Heh. The strongest guild does need a man like you."
He smiled too. "Fine. As a gesture of tolerance toward my future deputy, I accept your additional rules!"
"Now, let the war between fairies begin!!"
With that, dazzling lightning illuminated the entire hall.
When the commotion faded, Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe had vanished. Only a row of cold, stone statues remained on stage.
Although they couldn't understand Chase's behavior, Elfman and the others — to save their family's beloved and comrades — shouted and rushed out of the guild to settle the score with Laxus.
That was the most urgent matter at hand.
The chestnut ball, which had been waiting outside the guild and multiplied by Chase's magic card, quickly followed.
These cute little fluffballs would not only record the entire battle with magic cameras to pass on to the Dark Magician but also, having life-saving effects, were tasked with protecting the lives of guild members and townspeople, ensuring a completely foolproof guarantee.
Chase had worried himself sick for these trouble-making comrades.
In the blink of an eye, the noisy, spacious guild hall had only Makarov, Chase, Happy, and the unconscious Natsu.
"So, Chase, you already knew Laxus would do this?" Makarov, back to his little old man form, looked serious.
His keen, experienced awareness had noticed the chestnut ball that left with the crowd.
"I can't hide it from you, old man..." Chase smiled and scratched his head.
"I don't know where you got your information, but it doesn't matter. I only have one question."
Makarov looked worriedly at the petrified group. "You can ensure Erza and the others' safety, right?"
"Yes." Chase put away his smile and nodded firmly.
"Then I'll leave it to you." Makarov sighed and waved his hand, not saying more.
As before, he firmly believed he hadn't misjudged Chase. He knew Chase's actions, seemingly reckless, were actually well-measured.
"Then, Master, I'll go prepare. Someone might come to challenge this 'neutral party' after all."
Confirming Makarov hadn't been so angry that his heart condition had flared up, Chase said his goodbyes, turned, and walked unimpeded out of the guild.
"Hey, Chase! Stop right there!!"
Natsu's shout came from behind. He had woken up and learned what had happened from Happy.
"Neutral party means if I beat you, you'll join our side, right?!"
Natsu held a fire fist, his signature bright smile on his face. He looked eager.
Aside from Chase, he was the only one treating this grim civil war as a daily brawl.
"That's right. If you can—"
Chase stopped and turned. Before he could finish, Natsu, full of excitement, charged at him.
Then — at the entrance, just a few meters from Chase —
THUD!
He hit an invisible wall of air. His entire face deformed. He was in so much pain he grimaced.
"Damn it! Why can't I get out?!"
Natsu, confused, started punching and kicking the air in frustration.
"This is... Freed's runes?"
Makarov walked over slowly and looked up at the magic words floating in the air. "People over eighty and statues cannot pass?"
Script magic was a type of rule-based barrier magic. It could trap people inside. If the target didn't follow the rules within the barrier, they couldn't leave.
Unless the target had a special counter, even if their magic power was stronger than the caster's, it would be useless.
The disadvantage was that it required advance preparation and a fixed area, which was difficult to change arbitrarily.
"Wait! Runic rules are absolute. That means—"
Realizing the implication, Makarov held his head in his hands, shocked. "Natsu, you're already eighty?!"
"I'm eighty?!" Natsu looked horrified, mirroring the same shocked gesture.
Truly grandfather and grandson...
"Hey, hey, Natsu. I can come and go as I please~" Happy flew in and out of the entrance showing off.
"Haha. Too bad, Natsu. Looks like you've run into a problem."
Chase had expected this. He waved to Natsu from inside. "Come find me when you can get out. Bye~"
With that, he turned into a golden streak of light and disappeared at the end of the street.
"Damn it! How can this be! If I don't beat Chase and Laxus, I can't win this strongest tournament!"
Natsu furiously pounded on the air wall. His mind was still only on fighting.
Watching the direction Chase had disappeared, Makarov said gravely, "Natsu, this isn't a tournament. It's about Erza and the others' lives..."
"What are you talking about, old man? Laxus might be annoying, but he's still a bad comrade. He's definitely joking."
Natsu never thought before he spoke, so these were his honest thoughts.
Bad...comrade?
Even after Laxus did something unforgivable, you still believe in him?
Makarov knew Natsu's simple, naive nature well. That was why he looked so incredibly stunned, frozen in place.
"Um, Master... I think so too..." A weak voice came from behind.
Lucy, who had been hiding in a corner of the stage and escaped the petrification, walked over.
"Lucy, even you?" Makarov was truly surprised.
Natsu had grown up with Laxus, so that was one thing. But Lucy had only joined the guild recently, and Laxus had even targeted her directly!
Could it be...
Lucy instantly saw the unrealistic fantasy in Makarov's mind. She quickly corrected him seriously, "Don't get any ideas, Master! I have absolutely no favor for Laxus!!"
"It's because Chase said so. If Laxus really would hurt Erza and the others, Chase would have already beaten him into a pulp. He wouldn't have proposed being a 'neutral party' as an additional rule."
That's right. The one she firmly trusted wasn't Laxus — it was Chase!
"I see..." Makarov suddenly understood.
Caring leads to chaos. After Laxus started the civil war, his thoughts had been in disarray. Without Chase's earlier assurance, he might have already coughed up blood from anger.
Reminded by Lucy, the old man finally understood the core idea behind Chase's seemingly chaotic actions: He, like Natsu, believed in Laxus!
HUM HUM HUM.
As he was still in shock, purple light flickered at the entrance. Floating text into an information panel.
[Real-time battle: Nab (Attachment Magic) vs. Bickslow (Dancer Magic) — Nab wins]
[Warren (Telepathy Magic) vs. Macus (Sand Magic) — Warren wins]
[Macao (Purple Flame Magic) and Wakaba (Smoke Magic) are locked in fierce battle]
[Laki (Wood-Make Magic) successfully convinced Queen's Knight to join her team]
[Jet failed to convince Summoned Demon — successfully obtained a trendy explosive hairstyle]
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! They look like they're having so much fun!"
Watching the messages scroll by, Natsu was going crazy with frustration. He started attacking the runic barrier with Dragon Slayer magic.
"Where do you see them having fun?!" Lucy pointed at the information panel and loudly complained.
Realizing that useless idiot Natsu couldn't be relied on, the guild newbie took a deep breath, clenched her fists slightly, and her beautiful eyes sparkled with high fighting spirit.
"Decided! I'll go and recruit the neutral party — Chase!"
Flying in the air, Happy immediately commented, "Hey, Lucy, I don't know what you're basing this rash decision on, but you're really brave, you know."
"Shut up, damn cat! Don't underestimate the sibling bond between me and Chase!" Lucy confidently retorted.
She couldn't handle Laxus, but batting her eyes and acting cute? She could easily handle that damn card addict.
She could do this! She would win!!
Happy's head suddenly popped out from her inner world, his tongue curled as he corrected, "You'll die~"
To prove herself to the damn cat — and also because she wanted a little bit of the spotlight — Lucy rushed out of the guild without hesitation, quickly disappearing at the end of the street.
"Um... I'm very sorry, Master. I... couldn't be of any use..."
Perhaps inspired by Lucy's courage, a chubby white figure walked out from behind a pillar in the hall. It was Lidas, who was skilled in drawing magic, his face full of guilt.
Because he was too afraid of Laxus, he hadn't rushed out indignantly like the other comrades.
"Lidas, don't blame yourself. Leave Laxus to Chase and the others."
Makarov comforted him in a low voice, then looked at the stone statues on stage. "More importantly, I have something to ask of you. Can you go to the small wooden house in the eastern forest and invite Porlyusica?"
Porlyusica was Fairy Tail's consultant pharmacist.
Although with Chase and the chestnut ball around, there would basically be no serious casualties, just in case, they should prepare medical support.
Besides, Porlyusica might have a special medicine that could relieve the petrification of Mira and the others.
"Yes! I understand!"
Lidas was happy to be of use. He accepted the task without hesitation.
Natsu just watched as another person left. He was so angry he gritted his teeth, cursing Laxus and Freed.
"Hmph. Can't you be quiet? You're disturbing my sleep, you useless waste."
Gajeel, who had been silent the whole time, leaped down from the beam in the hall, looking unhappy.
"You wanna die, you damn iron block?!"
Natsu, already in a bad mood because he couldn't fight, couldn't take it. He was about to start a shouting match.
But Gajeel, who usually didn't get along with him, had no desire to argue. He ignored Natsu's spit and walked forward.
"We'll settle our score later. Right now, we should prioritize dealing with Laxus, right, Master?" He looked at Makarov.
Makarov nodded slightly. "Be careful. Do your best to stop those idiots."
"Don't worry. Fighting is something I'm confident in."
Confident, Gajeel raised his hand, wiped the spit off his face, and walked toward the entrance with confident, steady steps. Then—
THUD!
He confidently walked straight into the air wall.
Whether it was because he was an Iron Dragon Slayer, the sound of Gajeel's forehead hitting was crisper and louder than Natsu's.
Makarov: "..."
Natsu: "..."
Happy: "..."
"... ..."
***
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