After she said that, Lucy understood. She had just learned about the situation from Edolas' Jehfrit.
Everyone returned to Jehfrit's estate.
The two Laxuses locked eyes, both utterly shocked.
Edolas Laxus: Who is this charming muscular hunk? Is it me?! The version of me from another world is actually this buff?!
Laxus: This skinny beanpole is me? Why does he look so timid and not at all imposing?!
"I told you," Jehfrit patted Edolas Laxus on the shoulder and laughed, "Laxus, you have potential. As long as you keep pushing yourself, you can definitely build up to this kind of physique."
Edolas Laxus was frail as a child until he met Jehfrit, who became his guiding light.
At the time, Jehfrit was just starting to rise in prominence. To encourage Edolas Laxus, he made him the vice-leader of the Muscle Worship Church.
Unfortunately, while many of the followers became muscle-bound men, Edolas Laxus only managed to reach an average level of fitness.
He had almost lost hope—until he met the Laxus from Earthland.
"Yes!" Edolas Laxus said with emotion, "Mr. Jehfrit, I will continue to persevere!"
"What did you call him?" Laxus frowned slightly; the other's address sounded too reverent.
"Mr. Jehfrit, of course! If you were me, you'd understand what Mr. Jehfrit means to me," Edolas Laxus said with admiration, "He's my idol, my guiding light!"
Laxus looked at the face identical to his own, full of adoration, while the person identical to Jehfrit merely smiled gently.
Actually, Jehfrit's smile was habitually gentle in every world. But in this world, it was purer. Behind the smile of Earthland's Jehfrit, there were usually some strange thoughts lurking.
In short.
Laxus' mindset was off!
This world's Laxus actually worshipped Jehfrit?!
And this expression—was it pride? Was it mockery? Damn it, he felt like punching someone!
But ultimately, Laxus held back—Lucy had been saying along the way that this Jehfrit could be won over.
"How did you train? You've become so handsome," Edolas Laxus said, patting Laxus on the chest.
"Um... I think we should avoid being too casual," Lucy quickly interjected.
Edolas Laxus had a good personality.
But their Laxus had the temperament of a tiger—usually aloof and unwilling to bother with anyone. Yet if provoked, he would show them a tiger hunting a rabbit.
Laxus coldly said, "Don't worship anyone. Focus on improving yourself."
"How could that be possible?" Edolas Laxus replied, "Mr. Jehfrit is someone worthy of admiration and respect."
A vein popped out on Laxus' forehead.
He couldn't stand another version of himself flattering Jehfrit!
Normally, it was Jehfrit who flattered him!
"No, Laxus," Jehfrit said, "This Laxus from Earthland is right. Everyone should admire their own indomitable will rather than others."
After speaking, he smiled gently.
'Pop' Two veins appeared on Laxus' forehead.
"I know, I've read your quotes hundreds of times," Edolas Laxus said, "But the more I read them, the more I admire you."
Three veins popped out on Laxus' forehead.
Lucy's lips twitched. She felt something bad was about to happen.
"Mr. Jehfrit, sorry to bother, but do you have any food?" Lisanna asked at this moment.
"Of course, follow me," Jehfrit smiled.
"Laxus big brother, let's go eat, I'm hungry!" Lisanna dragged Laxus away as she spoke.
"Hahaha—" Natsu burst into laughter and slapped Edolas Laxus on the shoulder, saying, "Watch me perform one for you!"
With that, he stood on one hand, then stretched out his index finger, bending the other four fingers, and amazingly completed a one-finger handstand!
"Not bad," Jehfrit nodded appreciatively.
Then they heard Natsu say, "Laxus, quickly say 'Natsu is so cool.'"
"???" Lucy and Wendy stared at Natsu with question marks above their heads.
"Natsu is so..." Edolas Laxus hadn't finished when...
"Thunder Dragon's Roar!"
"Ah—"
Natsu was engulfed in a pillar of lightning.
"Cool?" Edolas Laxus finished dumbly, then scared stiff, fell onto the ground.
"This is the magic of Earthland?" Jehfrit looked grave.
Even he felt the immense danger in that power!
"..." Everyone fell silent.
Lucy ran over and hoisted the blackened, smoking Natsu over her shoulder.
Seeing how easily she carried him, Edolas Lucy couldn't help but remark, "You're quite strong."
Lucy forced a smile.
"Very powerful!" Jehfrit gave Lucy a thumbs-up, which saddened her even more!
Everyone spent the night at the estate.
The next day, Edolas Lucy bid everyone farewell.
"Since Mr. Jehfrit is helping you all, I'll return."
"Huh? Aren't you coming with us?" Lucy was reluctant. This Lucy, who looked just like her, gave her a twin-sister-like feeling, making her fond of her and unwilling to part so soon.
"This isn't just your battle," Edolas Lucy said seriously, "Don't worry, we'll meet again—as comrades."
She would return to the guild to ask for help.
The Fairy Tail Guild of the other world.
Jehfrit's full support.
This might be the only chance to change the world!
She had come to terms with it. Living in fear and waiting for death wasn't the solution.
As Mr. Jehfrit said, magic would eventually run out anyway—better use this remaining time to do something crucial!
"Well, take care," Lucy said.
"Mm."
After Edolas Lucy left, Edolas Jehfrit said, "We shouldn't delay. Let's get moving."
"Then we'll trouble you."
Under Edolas Jehfrit's arrangements, everyone smoothly arrived at the capital city.
"Is this... what magic depletion looks like?"
The prosperity of the capital exceeded Lucy's imagination.
Hadn't they said that magic in this world was running out? Trading magical items was illegal, so residents' living conditions and environments were supposed to be much worse.
"Because most of the magic that people can't use has been redirected here," Jehfrit's expression darkened.
Before this, he hadn't fully understood what "Anima" really was.
He wasn't truly loyal to the king—it was just that the king needed his rhetoric.
He knew why—
By promoting the muscle theory, he convinced commoners that muscles were the only way forward after magic depletion, thus diverting their focus from magic.
This way, the majority who never set foot in the capital wouldn't know how prosperous it was.
He had always known.
But he believed the king's methods wouldn't last.
Not mentioning the king's mortality issue—the next prince opposed this plan.
Thus, he and the king had been using each other.
However, now that people from Earthland had come knocking, Edolas Jehfrit felt he could no longer stand idly by!
Prosperity at the cost of harming lives in another world—he couldn't accept it!
He didn't build these muscles to be a coward!
Everyone's expressions weren't good.
Especially those from Earthland. Thinking about the source of magic being Magnolia Town increased their hatred for the king!
As they walked, they arrived at the grand square.
Many people gathered around.
In the middle of the square, a huge Magic Crystal was receiving cheers from everyone.
The moment they saw the Magic Crystal, Natsu gritted his teeth, small sparks crackling between them.
"This is..." Lucy and Wendy covered their mouths.
This Magic Crystal had cutting marks, clearly a converted piece of Magnolia Town!
"Natsu, don't act rashly."
Earthland Jehfrit's voice.
Everyone froze.
A tall, pink-haired woman in a kimono approached them.
She held a card.
"Ikuto?" Lucy said.
"Mr. Jehfrit told me to wait for you here," Ikuto came over and said.
"Ikuto sister, where's my teacher?" Emily hurriedly asked.
"Mr. Jehfrit isn't here now, but he left some words for everyone." With that, Ikuto infused magic into the card.
Jehfrit's pre-recorded voice came from the card.
"Natsu, don't act rashly."
"Lucy, hold Natsu down."
"Laxus, I'm the commander."
"Emily, Wendy, are you eating on time?"
"..." Everyone fell silent.
"Cough cough." Jehfrit's voice continued.
"This isn't all of the Magic Crystals, just a small portion. Our current advantage is—they're in the open, and we're hidden. No immediate danger, so don't act rashly."
"I've infiltrated the palace to gather information."
"Wait for my news."
"Prepare for multi-front combat."
"If you have a chance, seek help from the me of this world. I believe he has the capability. No matter how people change, the core inside remains the same."
"Oh, right."
"Happy, Carla, prepare some gifts. Since your hometown is here, you might meet your parents. Think about what to say when you see them."
"That's all—"
"Oh, no, one more thing—"
"Ikuto, watch over Emily. She's been eating a bit too much lately and gained some weight."
"..." Emily's little face turned bitter, and after a moment, she whispered, "It's muscle gain…"
"Pfft—" Lucy, who had been poked at earlier about her eating, couldn't hold it anymore and burst out laughing, covering her mouth.
"Parents..."
Happy and Carla froze.
From the start of arriving here, they had been preoccupied with various events.
But now, reminded by Jehfrit, they realized they might...
they might see their parents!
Perhaps feeling nervous about returning home, Happy felt somewhat at a loss.
Helplessly, he looked at Natsu.
'Pat' Natsu slapped his shoulder and smiled, saying, "Congratulations!"
That smile was a sincere blessing, but also tinged with envy and sadness.
Happy's parents had a chance to be found.
What about his father...
Wendy was more emotional, tears streaming down, but still saying, "Congratulations, Carla."
"Wendy..." Carla's heart was complex.
"Why cry? All dragons disappeared on the same day, so they certainly aren't dead. They must be alive somewhere in the world. It's said that a black dragon has been chasing dragons and maybe drove them away. You just need to increase your strength until you can defeat the black dragon, and naturally, you'll see your parents." At this point, Jehfrit's recording from the card played.
"Are you telling the truth, you bastard?!" Natsu immediately asked.
"Can I fool you?"
"You've fooled me many times!"
"This time, I promise!"
"Hmph, if you're lying to me..."
Before Natsu finished, the recording responded, "I won't take you fishing."
"Hmph." Only then did Natsu laugh, and Wendy wiped her tears.
"..."
Although somewhat untimely, Lucy still asked Ikuto, "Is this really a recording?"
"..." Ikuto replied uncertainly, "Probably..."