*Click.*
Jehfrit suddenly appeared beside one of them, holding a black-handled revolver with golden edges—Teal 7.0. It looked almost identical to the previous version of Teal, except for an extra chamber.
The dark barrel pressed against someone's temple.
He said, "You won't run away today, will you?"
"Of course not," the person being held at gunpoint replied with a smile.
"That's good to hear." Jehfrit pulled the trigger.
"Don't move."
Another figure spoke, and Jehfrit froze in place—this was the same voice that had halted Gray's ice spikes before.
"Mr. Demon, you're not even here, are you?" this person said. "Stop playing these little tricks. Your magic no longer poses a threat to us."
"Hehe." Jehfrit sneered.
"Ahhh—" another man roared, unable to contain himself any longer.
"The brave must be bold!"
"This is the valor of a hero!"
"This is the courage of artistry!"
He muttered nonsense while charging toward Laxus and the others.
His body began rapidly expanding.
"No good—he's about to explode!" Erza shouted. "Requip —Adamantine Armor!"
With its incredible defense, Adamantine Armor wrapped Erza in thick armor from head to toe.
She raised two massive shields, merged them into a full circular shield, then unleashed terrifying force like a train hurtling forward!
Erza slammed into the explosive man and sent him flying!
The remaining enemies scattered immediately.
"Ice Wall!" Gray summoned a massive, thick wall of ice.
*Boom!*
A devastating explosion sent Erza flying backward!
*Crack!*
Even though Erza absorbed most of the blast, Gray's ice wall cracked all over—its power was truly formidable!
"Oh well, what a shame!" The self-exploding man reappeared out of nowhere.
He shouted, "I am the valiant knight of bravery, I am the brave knight, I am the hero, I am the knight, I am…"
"He is the Brave Knight," one of the others said.
"Damn it, that's my line!" the Brave Knight protested.
"I love the brave knight!"
"I love the valor of art!"
While muttering nonsense, the Brave Knight's self-explosion still carried serious power.
He expanded his body again as Gray and the others rushed forward.
"I haven't been defeated yet!" Erza raised her shield once more to block.
*Boom!*
This time, Erza held her ground!
Still, the sheer force pushed her back across the ground, her legs carving a ten-meter trench into the earth behind her!
*Boom!*
Laxus suddenly appeared in front of one of the enemies and launched a punch.
"You've chosen me as your opponent?"
"Being targeted by such a powerful enemy makes me feel genuinely afraid."
The enemy Laxus chose was an elderly gentleman who appeared very refined. He wore a neat tuxedo with a burgundy bow tie, stood with both legs together and upright posture.
His white hair was neatly combed into a stylish pompadour, and he had carefully maintained white facial hair—mustache on the upper lip, sideburns, and a goatee under his chin, forming a symmetrical "mouth" shape, giving him a very polite and proper look.
This man was no weak foe; earlier, he had frozen Gray's magic with just a sentence.
"Please allow me a moment to introduce myself, sir," the old man said.
To everyone's shock, Laxus froze in place, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
The old man bowed and said, "It is an immense honor to be chosen as an opponent by such a young and powerful warrior. I hope you will remember my title."
"I am the weakest among the Eight Knights. I have spent years in the northern continent maintaining peace and teaching people humility. Making me the most Humble person."
"I am the Humble Knight."
"Young warrior, I will fight with all my might. I hope I won't disappoint you."
As the Humble Knight continued speaking,
"My magic is—Persuasion Magic."
"A weak magic, only capable of making everything listen to reason."
"Jehfrit," Laxus growled, clearly annoyed. "Is this guy your teacher? He really grates on my nerves."
"Laxus! I am more humble than him." came Jehfrit's furious voice.
"Ah, bad move, sorry about that," the Humble Knight said. "But please take my advice, sir—don't destroy anything."
*Pang!*
The Humble Knight took a step back as a bullet whizzed past his nose.
*Sizzle!*
Laxus felt himself free again and immediately charged, crackling with lightning.
"You're just as annoying as Jehfrit. I'm going to beat you up!"
"Lightning Dragon's—"
"Breakdown Fists!!!!!"
Laxus roared.
Jehfrit: "???"
Did Laxus's punch carry some personal grudge?
But the Humble Knight merely said calmly, "Such attacks won't work. Harming me is fine, but what about the flowers and plants?"
*Shriek!*
The lightning dispersed, revealing Laxus's stunned expression.
After the second explosion, the Brave Knight who loved to blow himself up reappeared.
Erza realized how dangerous this man was.
"Three seconds," Jehfrit warned.
Erza understood—the entire process of self-explosion took three seconds.
So she acted instantly, pushing through the moment the man appeared.
*Boom!*
A massive mushroom cloud rose far away.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu charged toward an enemy.
"Whoa, that's an amazing spell!"
The enemy cried out, throwing a punch of his own.
*Boom!*
They were evenly matched.
Gray's eyes lit up!
There were many enemies, each powerful.
But this one was roughly equal to Natsu in strength. If he could sneak in and attack, he could eliminate one of them quickly!
"Ice-Make—Battle Axe!"
A giant axe crashed down on the enemy, and Gray didn't hold back.
"What an impressive spell!"
But the enemy extended his left hand and punched back!
*Boom!*
His fist met the sharp edge of the axe and shattered it!
Seeing both Natsu and Gray shocked, the enemy introduced himself.
"Hello, gentlemen. I am the Agile Knight, and my specialty is adapting to my opponents."
"Ah, what a sad situation."
"Why can't you accept death gracefully?"
"Instead choosing to start a tragic battle."
"How evil demons are."
"Therefore, there is nothing else to do."
The half-dressed man, wearing a suit top and nothing else below, spoke with a solemn expression.
"Battles bring sacrifice. Sometimes, to defeat a powerful enemy—especially a demon from hell—we must make sacrifices!"
"Yes…"
"Though it is not something I wish for…"
"But…"
"Sacrifices are inevitable!"
Without joining the battle, he simply turned and walked into town.
"Two beautiful ladies," another enemy stepped forward, eyeing Lucy and Juvia. "What beauty, too bad they aren't my type."
"The true beauty of the world is over there."
He pointed a finger.
Everyone followed his gaze.
The True Beauty of the World?
". . ."
A little boy looked confused.
"Gross!" Lucy fumed.
"Disgusting!" Juvia yelled.
"I'm telling the truth—I am honest," the man said. "I am the Honest Knight. My magic makes people speak the truth."
The Honest Knight pointed at Lucy and asked, "Who do you like?"
"Gray!" Lucy shouted.
"????" Juvia turned to Lucy, her face full of confusion and shock.
"Who do you like?" the Honest Knight then asked Juvia.
"Master Natsu!" Juvia blurted out, then immediately panicked, waving her hands in alarm. "No, no, I don't like Master Natsu, of course not, I mean…"
"Juvia, watch out!" Lucy screamed urgently.
*Plunk!*
Juvia was cut in half mid-air. The Honest Knight approached her and said earnestly, "I am honest. I hate ambushes."
"Gulp, gulp," Juvia reassembled and hurled a water-based spell.
"Water Slash Break!"
Sharp blades of water sliced toward the Honest Knight, but he parried effortlessly.
"Open the Gate of Lion—Leo!" Lucy waved her keys.
"Stay away from Lucy!" The radiant Leo emerged, glowing with light.
Once a guild member, now Lucy's Celestial Spirit, he appeared fully committed to protecting her. This enemy was extremely dangerous, and hesitation was not an option!
"Ugly guy," the Honest Knight said, stepping back and slicing diagonally.
Leo dodged the blade and landed a punch on the Honest Knight's stomach.
"Oof, that's scary," the Honest Knight smiled. "But my body is harder than a shield."
Leo's expression changed—his punch had felt like hitting steel!
Yet the Honest Knight suddenly reacted, retreating quickly.
*Slash.*
A crescent-shaped slash narrowly missed Leo's punch.
"Jehfrit," Leo gasped.
Jehfrit looked at Lucy and Juvia and said, "This enemy isn't strong. Don't fear him. Fight."
"Oh, getting such praise from you hurts," the Honest Knight said, then instantly shifted to anger. "How dare you say I'm not strong!"
"My blade is the sharpest in this world!"
"My swordsmanship is the strongest in this world!"
"My body is the hardest in this world!"
"How dare you say I'm not strong!"
"Enough, Honest," another voice said. "Like the demon said, those two women are yours. We'll handle him."
The speaker stepped forward.
He was a bald middle-aged man with thick, round glasses that looked like beer bottles. His lab coat was stuffed full, making him look like a swollen balloon.
"I am the Honor Knight. To send a powerful demon like you to hell is my honor!"
Another man also stepped forward. "Jehfrit, you demon, you will receive the fairest judgment."
Dressed like a judge and wearing a wig, this man gave off a very upright aura.
"I am the Just Knight."
"I hereby pronounce you—"
"Guilty!"
Jehfrit approached them.
"Hmph," the Honest Knight scoffed, turning to Lucy and Juvia. "I'll finish you two in three minutes."
"Three minutes," at the same time, Lucy and Juvia heard Jehfrit's voice in their ears.
Three minutes?
Would we be defeated in three minutes?!
Lucy hadn't expected Jehfrit to say the same thing as the enemy. She couldn't help but feel a bit panicky—after all, in her eyes, Jehfrit did have wisdom beyond the average person.
"Thinking what, Lucy? Just survive three minutes and win," Jehfrit added.
Lucy exhaled in relief.
Three minutes.
Lucy's face became determined. If it was only three minutes, she was sure she could last!
"In fact, if you two could team up and defeat him, that would be even better," Jehfrit added.
"That's difficult," Lucy said.
"Natsu wouldn't be happy if you could only survive three minutes, Lucy," Jehfrit said, then went silent.
Lucy's expression hardened, as if she had made a decision.
Meanwhile.
Natsu and Gray also heard Jehfrit's voice.
"Five minutes. Survive five minutes, and I'll come help you."
"Damn it!" These words ignited Natsu's fury. "Jehfrit, don't interfere. I'll definitely knock this guy out within five minutes!"
"Ice-Make—Gun Cavalry!" Gray responded with action.