Just as Hop wondered what the secret intel could be, Lahar stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the spell-shrouded group before settling on Richard.
"Our mission is to arrest the Oración Seis. Hand them over—starting with the one code-named Hoteye."
"Wait."
Jura turned to Lahar; though they'd known each other only briefly, he'd come to respect this reformed foe. "Lahar, Richard has turned over a new leaf and contributed to this campaign. Could you…?"
Lahar shook his head impassively. "The Chairman and the Councilors take this operation very seriously; I have no authority over the trial of the Oración Seis."
"Mr. Jura," Richard said softly, resting a hand on Jura's shoulder and shaking his head.
Jura immediately thought of his status as advisor to the New Council; pulling those strings might lessen Richard's punishment.
Yet Richard pressed Jura's shoulder. "Mr. Jura, I'm grateful, but even a change of heart can't erase my crimes."
"I want to face the judgment I deserve… and then start over."
Jura studied Richard for a long moment, then smiled in understanding. "Richard, if ever you finish paying for your sins and find yourself with nowhere to go, remember—Lamia Scale's doors will always be open to you."
"Thank you."
Richard bowed slightly, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes.
With his last burden lifted, Richard could finally let go; he gave Jura the book he'd never been without, then walked calmly toward the Council's troops.
Lahar signaled the soldiers behind him. Magical manacles snapped around Richard's wrists, but he didn't resist, only glancing back at the Mages in the square.
Those who had been his enemies moments earlier now watched him with concern.
"Let's go."
Lahar spoke politely; Richard's words just now had made the Dark Mage earn a measure of his respect.
Next, Midnight supported the utterly exhausted Wú as they followed.
Sorano canceled her Celestial Spirit contract and handed her keys to Lucy,
Next, Midnight supported the utterly exhausted Wú as they followed.
Sorano canceled her Celestial Spirit contract and handed her keys to Lucy. "I wasn't a worthy Celestial Spirit Mage; please treat them well. If you see Aries, tell her… I'm sorry."
Lucy looked at the three golden keys and one silver key now in her hand, then raised her eyes to Sorano, already cuffed ahead of her.
"I'll take good care of these spirit partners—and… thank you."
Sorano hesitated for a second, never looking back, then silently walked toward the Council's prison wagon.
Five of the six members departed without fuss; only Erik lingered.
He gritted his teeth, pulled the giant purple serpent Cubellios from around his shoulders, and pleaded with the gathered Mages, "Cubellios only cooperated with my Dragon Slayer Magic; it never took lives like I did. Please… take care of it."
As if understanding, Cubellios wrapped its tail tightly around Erik, refusing to leave.
Erik's eyes showed reluctance, but he knocked the serpent out and begged again.
Truly a pair of ill-fated lovebi—*ahem ahem*.
Lucy cleared her throat. She felt for them, but the decision wasn't hers; she glanced tentatively at Hop, Erza, Jura, and Ichiya—only they had the authority.
Hop exchanged a look with Erza, then turned to Jura and Ichiya.
All four nodded in silent agreement.
"We agree to shelter Cubellios."
Erza spoke for them. "As an independent being that committed no direct evil, it deserves a chance. Fairy Tail will welcome it."
"Thank you… truly, thank you."
Erik breathed in relief, bowed deeply, and after one last stroke of Cubellios's cool scales, strode toward the Council soldiers with far more ease than before.
Lahar watched everything without objection, simply signaling the soldiers to shackle Erik as well, then turned his calm, furious gaze to the last figure at the rear of the allied guilds.
"You infiltrated the Council, incited former councillors to fire Anima, and secretly completed the R System… after such atrocities, do you still intend to hide?!"
"Jellal Fernandes!"
"By the authority of the Federation, I arrest you for rebellion! Resist, and we'll kill you on the spot!"
At his words, the Council's magical soldiers raised their weapons, ready to attack the instant Jellal made a wrong move.
Except… this wasn't the Jellal they thought— "Wait."
Wendy stepped in front of Lahar. "Th-there must be some misunderstanding; my brother isn't a bad person."
Lahar frowned. "That's only the façade that dangerous man puts on. I won't ignore him—absolutely not."
Hop studied the stern, glasses-wearing officer, then glanced back at Mystogan, shielded by Natsu and Gray, and nearly laughed.
Mystogan had hidden his identity all these years precisely to avoid trouble tied to Jellal, yet in the end his look-alike self still took the blame.
It was almost comical. Hop stopped Lahar as he was about to give the order. "Having someone like you in power gives me confidence the New Council will govern the magical world well—but you've got the wrong man."
"He's Mystogan of our guild. He may resemble Jellal, but they're entirely different people."
Lahar's face screamed, I don't believe you; Mystogan and Jellal weren't merely similar—they were identical.
Hop slung an arm around Lahar's shoulder and whispered, "Mystogan's real name is indeed Jellal, but he comes from a parallel world called Edolas. The Council's archives must hold records on it."
"I'll leave it at that. The Oración Seis mean nothing to me, but if you insist on taking my comrade, don't blame me for losing my temper."
Lahar was reasonable; with Hop vouching for Mystogan, what else could he do?
He would simply return and verify the records before deciding.
"Je—Mystogan, I want you to remain in Magnolia for the next week while I confirm your background."
Mystogan nodded; it had been ages since he'd rested, and he could finally spend some proper time with Wendy.
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