"Damn it, the First Master strategy has turned into a complete mess. Where the hell are they going to attack from?"
Gajeel, who had been wandering aimlessly for over ten minutes like a headless fly, finally lost his patience.
For someone who wasn't skilled at strategic analysis, trying to assess the current situation and make the right call was more painful than death itself.
So, with the First's strategy thrown into disarray, all he could do was rely on his instincts as he roamed through the city.
However, just as Gajeel turned a corner, he suddenly saw someone approaching him from the other side.
A head of black hair, a dark-toned coat—it was none other than one of the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth, Rogue.
"Gajeel," Rogue called out in a low voice as he fixed his gaze on him.
"You're really persistent," Gajeel smirked, his mouth curling up slightly as he looked at Rogue.
"Unlike Salamander, I ain't the gentle type. You better be ready for this."
.................
Crocus Plaza.
Laxus stood with his arms crossed, gazing coldly at the burly man standing opposite him, bare-chested.
"So we finally meet, Laxus," Orga said, his body crackling intermittently with black lightning, a clear sign of his fighting spirit.
"Black lightning," Laxus raised an eyebrow as he called it out.
Orga chuckled. "You've noticed, haven't you? My lightning belongs to a God Slayer."
"Slaying gods? You sure think highly of yourself," Laxus sneered.
"You've never seen a real god—if you had, you'd understand just how terrifying those monsters truly are. Forget slaying gods, I doubt you could even take down a fairy."
.................
On a Mountain Peak Not Far from Fiore
"If everything Ishu said is true... then by tomorrow, this country will be destroyed," Meredy frowned.
"At the very least, shouldn't we evacuate the citizens first?"
"That would only cause panic," Ultear replied.
"Even so..."
"Wait." Jellal, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke, murmuring in confusion, "His words might not all be true. Something about this situation feels off... but what exactly is it...?"
................
"It seems the time has come to settle this once and for all," Erza said softly as she gazed at Kagura standing before her.
"I shall fight with everything I have," Kagura declared, raising her cursed blade before charging straight at Erza.
Facing Kagura's rapid assault, Erza remained expressionless.
She slowly closed her eyes, and in an instant, dazzling light enveloped her body.
The next moment, her armor had vanished, replaced by a simple chest wrap, and her hair was tied into a single ponytail.
With her re-equip complete, Erza raised her own cursed blade, Demon Blade Benizakura, to meet Kagura's attack.
Boom!
A thunderous clash erupted as the two cursed blades collided, sending surging waves of magic bursting outward.
Sparks flew, dazzling and intense.
As Erza stared at Kagura's face, now mere inches away, she murmured, "Perfect. I was thinking the same thing. First, I will defeat you. Then, I will defeat that woman from Sabertooth."
Kagura did not reply—she merely clenched her teeth slightly, then exerted more force, pushing Erza back just a little.
In the next instant, she leaped into the air, her blade flashing as she struck down.
"Cursed Blade—Archenemy, Unleashed Form—'Steel'!"
Kagura's cursed blade descended like a piercing spear, carrying an immense impact.
The sheer force and the explosive surge of magic were so overwhelming that even Erza's expression shifted slightly.
Boom!
The entire ground shattered and collapsed under Kagura's strike.
Cracked rocks and dust tumbled into the gaping hole left in its wake.
However, despite executing such a powerful attack, there was no hint of satisfaction on Kagura's face.
Instead, her expression grew even more solemn—because she could feel it.
That attack had completely missed Erza.
In contrast, she herself was now plummeting through the massive hole, thrown off balance in midair and exposing a fatal opening.
Fully aware of her vulnerability, Kagura braced herself.
Whoosh— The smoke was instantly torn apart.
Erza's figure appeared within Kagura's line of sight, the blade of Benizakura slicing through all obstacles as it bore down on her with terrifying magic power.
Kagura leaned back ever so slightly, creating a near-imperceptible margin for reaction.
She then raised her cursed blade in an attempt to block Erza's strike.
However—
Boom!
With a resounding impact, Kagura's body was sent hurtling downward at an even greater speed.
She only came to a stop when she crashed into the ground, kicking up debris upon impact.
Though she remained conscious, the damage she had taken was undeniable.
On the other side, Erza landed steadily, watching as Kagura struggled to stand.
"You should just surrender," she said.
"Don't... be ridiculous," Kagura muttered as she slowly got back on her feet.
Blood was already trickling down from her forehead, yet her expression remained as cold as ever.
She glared at Erza with unwavering determination.
"There's no way... I would entrust Millianna's safety... to someone who harbors Jellal."
"!" Erza's pupils shrank slightly.
Kagura steadied herself and looked at Erza.
"Why, Erza? Why do you protect Jellal? You should know exactly what kind of man he is. Why, even under these circumstances, do you still choose to shield him?"
Erza furrowed her brows. "Millianna aside, why do you hold such deep hatred for Jellal?"
Kagura's expression grew complicated. "Simon was my older brother."
She took a deep breath before continuing.
"When we were young, my brother and I lived together—until it all ended fifteen years ago, during the 'child hunt.' I managed to escape, and for years, I searched for my brother. And when I finally found him… I learned that all those years, he had been suffering in the Tower of Heaven, tormented by Jellal."
Kagura clenched her fists. "Jellal… that bastard tortured my brother like that. So even if my brother forgave him, I never will. I will beat Jellal to a pulp with my own hands."
Her gaze turned ice-cold as she continued. "And because you protect Jellal, I will never entrust Millianna to you."
"That is indeed a strong conviction." Erza's expression remained calm as she looked at Kagura.
"But your strength is not enough to defeat me. From our battle just now, you should already understand that clearly."
Kagura placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and spoke in a low voice.
"You're right. At this rate, I have no chance of winning against you. Which means... I have only one choice left."
Erza's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Kagura slowly, inch by inch, draw the cursed blade from its sheath.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Kagura let out a fierce roar, fully unsheathing her sword and pointing it at Erza.
"With all my strength—I will defeat you!"
--------------
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