Deep in the forest at night, a bright bonfire burned in an open clearing. Around it, a group of strangely dressed individuals sat in a circle, devouring meat and gulping down alcohol without restraint.
Not far away stood several crude tents.
On a large rock near the fire sat a middle-aged man in crimson armor, legs spread wide in a domineering posture. Beside him stood a long spear, entirely red and engraved with intricate patterns.
Hidden in the dense trees nearby, Arlen and Ultear concealed themselves among the branches, observing everything through gaps in the leaves.
"They're actually pretty good at hiding," Ultear whispered. "Right under everyone's nose. And not even a single guard? They're seriously that confident?"
"Normal," Arlen replied calmly. "They've grown arrogant. That man in the armor… he should be the guild master of Corroders—Gordon."
Ultear narrowed her eyes.
"That armor looks amazing… and that spear too. But isn't that clearly designed for a woman? He has no shame at all."
Arlen glanced at her, lips twitching slightly.
"If it increases strength, who cares who it was made for?"
"…Fair point."
"Alright," Arlen continued. "When we move, you act freely. The guild master—and the two beside him—are mine."
From his perception, Gordon was the strongest—roughly A-Class. With the armor, likely early S-Class or slightly higher. The two beside him were at least B-Class.
Ultear was strong—but still young.
"Understood, Lord Arlen."
A purple crystal orb appeared in her hand—his gift to her.
Arlen's gaze sharpened.
"Three… two… one—move."
"Diamond Blade Break!"
Arlen burst forward, drawing Alaya Consciousness. The blade shifted from icy blue to a gleaming diamond-like gold as he slashed midair.
Dozens of razor-sharp crystal blades shot out toward the entire camp.
Caught completely off guard, the Corroders didn't even have time to react.
In an instant—
They were pierced.
Blood sprayed.
Screams tore through the forest.
Some were reduced to nothing but mangled flesh.
Only a handful survived by sheer luck—and they were immediately intercepted by Ultear.
—
Watching his subordinates turn into corpses in a single moment, Gordon's face twisted with rage.
He glared at Arlen, who was calmly walking toward him.
The two men beside him trembled in terror.
Their companions—alive and laughing just seconds ago—were now nothing but bodies.
"Who the hell are you?!" Gordon roared. "Kingdom army? Council enforcement?!"
"N-No…!" one of the men stammered, shaking violently. "That appearance… that blade… that aura… he's from Fairy Tail—Arlen! The 'Trembling Noble Prince'!"
"The… that monster?!" the other swallowed hard.
Gordon spat on the ground, eyes bloodshot.
"Trembling prince? In my eyes, he's just another corpse. Killing my men… I'll skin you alive!"
Arlen… laughed.
Softly.
There was no anger—only faint amusement.
Arrogance born from borrowed power.
—
On the other side, Ultear toyed with the remaining enemies effortlessly.
"Arc of Time."
Their magic simply… vanished.
Rewound.
Erased.
"Alright… playtime's over."
"Future Flash."
Her crystal orb multiplied into countless energy spheres, compressing into high-density projectiles that rained down from all directions.
The enemies couldn't defend.
Couldn't escape.
They could only scream.
"Ice-Make: Rose Garden."
Ice roses and thorny vines bloomed, freezing the last few survivors in place.
At the moment they were sealed—
Some of them actually cried in relief.
"It's done," Ultear smiled, holding her orb as she looked toward Arlen.
—
"Damn it!" Gordon roared. "You two—go capture that girl! I'll handle him!"
"Yes, boss!"
The two subordinates immediately moved—
"You're not going anywhere."
Arlen's voice was calm.
A magic circle appeared beneath his feet.
Gravity Magic activated.
Their bodies suddenly felt unbearably heavy.
"Wind Scar."
Arlen slashed.
Three massive golden arcs of compressed wind tore through the air, carrying overwhelming destructive force.
The ground split.
Rocks shattered.
The air screamed.
"AAAAAHHH—!"
Gordon unleashed all his magic, slamming his spear downward.
"Flame Slash!"
A blazing arc collided with the Wind Scar. Using the recoil and the armor's boost, he barely broke free from the gravity field—
And narrowly dodged.
But the other two—
Had no such luck.
Their bodies were shredded instantly.
"…Not bad," Arlen admitted. "You broke free using everything you had. But that's as far as you go."
Gordon panted heavily, then charged forward with his spear.
He understood now—
He had underestimated this opponent.
This was his last gamble.
—
Close combat.
Steel clashed.
Blade met spear again and again, sparks flying with each impact.
At first, Gordon held his ground.
But after a dozen exchanges—
He faltered.
His technique was sloppy. He had learned spear combat—but clearly never trained properly.
Without the armor, he would've already been covered in fatal wounds.
Arlen lost interest.
"…This is disappointing."
He sidestepped a thrust.
Turned.
And in one smooth motion—
Cut through Gordon's throat.
Blood sprayed.
"…How…?" Gordon choked, collapsing to his knees, clutching his neck. "Why…?"
Arlen sheathed his blade, expression indifferent.
"Power borrowed from tools is still just power. Even if it raises your attack to S-Class… your magic isn't."
Gordon's eyes bulged—
Then his body fell forward.
Silence returned to the forest.
With his death—
The dark guild Corroders was completely annihilated.
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