"The Council and Siegrain"
In Ishgar, magic was fully integrated into daily life.
This led to conflict and the rise of Dark Guilds.
The Magic Council managed all magic-related matters and maintained order. Guild activities and missions were overseen by the Council, which also investigated and punished rule violations.
Even the continent's highest honor, the Ten Wizard Saints, was bestowed after Council review.
The Council's power wasn't due to its strong mages or military might, but to its possession of forbidden weapons capable of suppressing anything—and not just one.
Seeing the frog, Drake immediately recalled these facts. Outside of Council members, such creatures didn't appear in the original story.
"Everyone stay put; I'm a Council envoy!"
Although the Council was destroyed several times in the original story, it seemed to only serve as a backdrop to highlight the villains' power.
However, the Council directly managed the guilds; its sudden arrival made everyone speculate about its purpose.
The frog, without beating around the bush, stated directly, "Regarding the recent Iron Forest terrorist incident, Erza Scarlet and Drake Igneel are under immediate arrest on suspicion of eleven crimes, including property destruction!"
"What?!"
"Seriously?"
"You're kidding me!"
…
Drake, wearing handcuffs, walked with Erza down the corridor of the Fiore branch of the Magic Council.
After being brought here, they were informed that they would immediately face the Council's judgment.
It was truly a magical world; this Council branch completely defied architectural principles; the upper half of the building was suspended in mid-air.
Drake felt no nervousness; he couldn't recall the details of this trial from the original story.
It probably wasn't a significant plot point, and the Council wouldn't intentionally make things difficult; otherwise, there would have been a Fairy Tail rebellion against the Council in the original story.
However, regarding this vaguely remembered plot point, Drake was curious about something else.
Lullaby was defeated by Drake alone, in plain sight; the regular meeting hall was leveled by his Crimson Phoenix Sword.
The Council targeting him was reasonable, but why Erza? It seemed that in the original story, only Erza was taken away.
Erza certainly wasn't the one who caused the most destruction.
Natsu was responsible for the demolition at Oshibana Station and the damage to the railway during his fight with Erigor!
Yet, Erza was the one taken away; there was definitely something fishy going on.
Erza understood better than Drake that this so-called trial was merely a formality.
Although the Council constantly threatened to punish Fairy Tail, it always resulted in apologies or insignificant fines.
While they unexpectedly resorted to arrest this time, the outcome would likely be no different.
The Council understood Fairy Tail; unlike the reckless actions of Dark Guilds, Fairy Tail's actions were chaotic but ultimately controlled.
But if it involved their comrades or family, Fairy Tail would undoubtedly show them what true lawlessness meant.
Most importantly… Fairy Tail openly boasted a Wizard Saint and five S-class mages.
Gildart had already surpassed the strength of a Wizard Saint, and among the younger generation, Natsu and Gray, while not having passed the S-class exam, undoubtedly possessed S-class potential, if not outright strength.
Master Makarov also had extensive connections, maintaining good relationships with most of the guild masters; even several Council members and Wizard Saints were his old friends.
Frankly, Fairy Tail had every right to contend for the title of the strongest mage guild on the continent of Ishgar.
The Council would be insane to target Fairy Tail. That's why Fairy Tail frequently caused major incidents, constantly teetering on the edge of the Council's authority without facing any real consequences!
However, the Council also needed to maintain its face and demonstrate its authority. Therefore, the arrest of Drake and Erza was indeed just a formality; the trial wouldn't yield any other results.
Thus, even with handcuffs on, Erza remained remarkably composed.
However, this composure vanished the moment Erza saw the person standing at the end of the corridor. Drake could clearly sense Erza's body trembling slightly.
Drake looked over; it was a young man with blue hair. He was wearing a well-tailored robe, had a cheerful smile, and the markings under his eyes added a mysterious air to his appearance.
Upon seeing him, the previously arrogant frog quickly bowed. The man's position within the Council must be quite high.
Siegrain, the youngest member of the Council and the youngest of the Ten Wizard Saints. He was undoubtedly a rising star!
He consistently ranked at the top of the male mage popularity polls in mage magazines as the most desirable boyfriend.
Yet, Erza, faced with this man who was the dream boyfriend of countless women, displayed unusual emotions.
Disgust, regret, confusion… and fear!
Indeed, Erza, considered a terrifying figure by problem children like Natsu and Gray, the knightly and strong Erza, actually experienced fear.
Drake understood the reason—Siegrain's true identity.
Siegrain didn't actually exist; he was a thought echo of someone else.
In this world, mages, besides cultivating magic most suited to their magical attributes and awakening unique magic, could also learn universal magic applicable to all mages.
Thought echoes were one such type of magic; mages could split their own spiritual power and magic to create an echo or clone of themselves.
Siegrain was such a thought echo, and his original was a mage named Jellal. Jellal had split off a full half of his magical power to create Siegrain, thereby deceiving everyone and even obtaining the positions of Council member and Wizard Saint.
Erza and Jellal had known each other since childhood; they were both captured by a cult that want to revive Zeref, and they supported each other through countless hardships.
But under endless torment, Jellal had finally broken down, exploited and manipulated into madness.
Eight years ago, he used the lives of his comrades to threaten Erza, forcing her to leave her companions behind.
At the same time, he deceived his comrades, framing Erza as a traitor and turning the others into tools to accomplish his plan.
Jellal's fall had inflicted immense damage on Erza, remaining a nightmare for her to this day.
Even without knowing Siegrain's true identity, the sight of his face alone was enough to shatter Erza's composure.
"Siegrain!"
Siegrain walked over. "Erza, it's been a long time!"
Seeing Erza's wary stance, Siegrain said, "Don't be nervous; this is just my thought echo. Those old-timers inside are the same; they wouldn't come here personally for such a trivial matter."
Erza, who hadn't understood why the Council had arrested her, now had a suspicion!
"I see, so it was you! How boring," she said.
Siegrain spread his hands, smiling strangely. "That's rather hurtful; I defended Fairy Tail, you know!
Those old men just wanted a scapegoat to avoid trouble."
"Shut up!" Erza said coldly, her gaze fixed on Siegrain's face; she didn't believe a word he said.
Siegrain moved closer. "Well, I just wanted to see you before the trial…."
Drake stepped in front of Siegrain, who was still approaching. "Councilman, although we're about to be tried, that doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful!"
"Drake Igneel?" Siegrain stepped back slightly, carefully observing Drake.
"It's our first meeting; unfortunately, it's not an appropriate setting; otherwise, I would have really liked to get to know you properly!"
Having finished speaking, Siegrain turned to Erza. "Erza should understand what I'm about to say, so I won't waste words. Then, as a Council member, I'll wait for you on the other side!"
With those words, Siegrain's figure dissipated into thin air. And Drake heard a single word escape Erza's lips from behind him.
"Demon!"
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