After sending off Natsu and the others, he returned to rescue Lucy.
"Where is that guy Jehfrit? Why hasn't he come yet?"
Lucy anxiously waited.
'Clang'
The chains binding her were suddenly cut.
Lucy's face lit up with relief. "Jehfrit, are Natsu and the others okay?"
"Of course. Now I need you to use Gemini to disguise yourself as Byro and confuse everyone for a while," Jehfrit instructed.
"No problem at all."
With that, Lucy summoned Gemini, transforming into the old man Byro.
Jehfrit used his Deception Magic to conceal the truth.
"Let's go grab something to eat. The palace food is quite good," Jehfrit suggested casually.
"..." Lucy was exasperated. "You're really too laid-back, aren't you?"
"Just tell me if you want to eat or not," Jehfrit pressed directly.
"Eat!" Lucy immediately raised her hand.
---
Extalia, the Exceed Kingdom
Despite their initial heavy hearts, Happy and Carla felt much lighter as they traveled through the skies.
This was their homeland.
Here, every cat could talk and fly—this was their race, and they weren't alone.
"Carla, no matter what happens, I'll protect you," Happy declared with manly resolve.
He had been practicing with Jehfrit's card tricks for some time now, even fooling Natsu and Gray. He believed that no matter the danger, he could keep Carla safe!
"Tomcat..." Carla turned her head slightly, avoiding his determined gaze but moving closer to him nonetheless.
It was late, so they hadn't met the queen yet.
Instead, they were greeted by "Nichiya," who looked almost identical to Ichiya in both appearance and voice.
Nichiya didn't trouble them and treated them kindly.
After resting for the night, they were brought before Queen Shagotte.
At this moment, Shagotte paced nervously in the palace.
She was about to meet Carla.
What should she say?
Should she reveal herself? Or would Carla blame her?
But she had no choice.
For the sake of her people's safety, she had told an enormous lie.
"Your Majesty, Happy and Carla have arrived," came the announcement from outside.
Shagotte quickly composed herself, straightened her robes, and commanded, "Enter."
Two cats walked in.
They looked so alike!
Shagotte's breath caught.
Carla... my daughter. You've grown so beautiful.
But why do you look so troubled?
Forgive me for being powerless against the kingdom's decision, bringing your companions here—including you...
Is that Happy?
She glanced at him. He seemed reliable.
"We pay our respects, Your Majesty," Happy and Carla bowed.
"No need for formalities," Shagotte replied. "You've both been through a lot."
"Your Majesty, I have urgent news!" Happy immediately spoke up.
"What is it?" Shagotte asked curiously.
"This document was retrieved from King Faust's office by our companions. Please take a look!" Happy handed over the file.
"Bring it to me," Shagotte ordered. Nichiya carried the document to her.
As Shagotte read it, her pupils contracted in shock!
Her face paled with disbelief.
Nichiya was puzzled. What could possibly make the godlike queen react so strongly?
After reading the entire document, Shagotte commanded coldly, "Seize them!"
"What?!" Happy and Carla were stunned. Even Nichiya froze.
"What are you doing?!" Happy quickly pulled Carla behind him. "Your Majesty, did you understand the document? King Faust isn't just after Earthland's magic—he's also targeting yours!"
"He plans to turn Extalia and all of you into Lacrima Crystals!"
"What?!" Nichiya gasped at the revelation.
"I said, seize them!" Shagotte's expression hardened.
"Do you have any idea what kind of disaster is coming?!" Carla shouted, gripping Happy's shoulder.
"I know very well," Shagotte replied calmly.
"I can foresee events. I've seen the fall of Extalia—it's a catastrophe. You must cooperate with our actions!" Carla insisted.
"Prophecy..." Shagotte paused thoughtfully.
Nichiya stared at Carla, thinking: A prophecy—a divine ability like Her Majesty's. Could this be true? But why is Her Majesty acting this way?
"I won't repeat myself a third time, Nichiya. Are you rebelling?!" Shagotte suddenly glared at him.
"Capture them!" Nichiya hastily ordered. The soldiers snapped out of their daze and surrounded the pair.
"Damn it!" Happy pulled out one of Jehfrit's cards and waved it.
'Whoooosh'
A sandstorm engulfed the palace.
Blinded by the storm, everyone shielded their eyes. When they finally opened them again, Happy and Carla were already far away.
"After them!"
Nichiya shouted, and the soldiers gave chase.
"Nichiya, wait," Shagotte called.
"Your Majesty?" Nichiya looked at her, confused.
"Take a look at Faust's document." Shagotte handed it over.
Nichiya skimmed it and broke into a cold sweat. After finishing, he asked, "Is this true, Your Majesty?"
"Yes." Shagotte nodded.
"And Princess Carla's prophecy..."
"It's also true. I've seen it," Shagotte confirmed once more.
"So, Your Majesty..."
"Consider it another selfish act on my part," Shagotte apologized.
Throughout her life, she had lied countless times.
As the only magical and intelligent race in this world, she feared humans coveting the Exceeds. Using her prophetic abilities, she fabricated the illusion of being a deity, elevating the Exceeds above humanity, even ruling over human nations.
But it was all a lie.
Magic in the world was dwindling, and Extalia was destined to fall. Once they lived on the same land as humans, they'd inevitably be discovered. Without significant combat strength, their fate would undoubtedly be tragic.
So she told another lie, sending a hundred newborns—including her own child—to another world.
But fate had led her back to the path she dreaded most.
Faust had transferred magic from Earthland, and now Carla had returned.
How could she not know Faust's ambitions toward the Exceeds?
Even if she didn't know exactly what he planned, she understood his intent clearly enough—they were doomed to die!
But what could the Exceeds do to resist?
Shagotte clenched her robes tightly.
Whether through prophecy or countless simulations, she saw the same outcome:
Extalia would fall.
They would fail.
They would be exterminated by humans.
Fate...
If it cannot be changed, why must she see it?
Was this a curse for lying?
"Your Majesty... I understand," Nichiya realized.
"I'm sorry for having such selfish thoughts," Shagotte apologized.
"No." Nichiya took a deep breath. "But I believe that even if failure is inevitable, we will still fight!"
He gripped the document tightly. Suddenly, a card slipped out, glowing faintly.
"Huh? A magical item?"
Nichiya picked it up cautiously and infused it with magic.
'Buzz' An image appeared—a man.
It was a recording from Jehfrit.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Jehfrit, a mage of Fairy Tail from Earthland and a companion of Carla. By the time you view this message, you will likely already know of Faust's plan."
"I apologize in advance. For Carla and the future of the Exceeds, please carefully consider what I'm about to say."
"First, on the ground, as part of the Earthland side, I've infiltrated the palace. We could assassinate Faust anytime but are waiting for the right moment."
"Second, here in Edolas, the famous Jehfrit and Fairy Tail are preparing to assist us. They've split into small groups entering the city to join the battle."
"Finally, I ask for your cooperation. Play along with Faust's schemes temporarily, then acknowledge Prince Jellal's legitimacy."
"I promise you, the Exceeds will not face extinction."
"Please consider cooperating with us to overthrow Faust and overcome this crisis together!"
The recording ended.
Shagotte and Nichiya fell silent.
---
"What is the queen thinking?!"
Happy and Carla fled, pursued relentlessly by soldiers.
Happy threw a card. The ground instantly turned into a swamp—but since the Exceeds could fly, it was useless.
"Mirror!" Happy tossed another card, which transformed into a transparent mirror mid-air. Unaware, the soldiers crashed into it, bumping their heads painfully.
"Halt!" More soldiers chased them from an alleyway.
Happy flung two cards: one created a wall, and the other unleashed a fierce gust of wind.
Just as the soldiers spread their wings to fly, the wind knocked them off balance.
"Good thing we have Jehfrit's cards," Happy said. Noticing Carla seemed distracted, he assumed she was frightened and reassured her, "Don't worry, Carla. I'll protect you."
"Male cat..." Carla asked hesitantly, "Can we really change a predetermined fate?"
Happy stopped abruptly.
"Halt!" The soldiers closed in.
"Quiet for a moment!"
Happy confidently tossed over ten cards in quick succession.
Storms, rain, fire, and lightning erupted, halting the soldiers in their tracks.
Happy gazed at Carla earnestly. "What's so great about prophecies? Why always believe in something that hasn't happened yet?"
"Jehfrit said the future lies beneath our feet!"
"There are no footprints ahead—only behind, only in this very moment!"
"Don't hesitate anymore!"
"Even if the queen doesn't believe, someone as smart as Jehfrit surely has a plan. He never makes mistakes!"
"Carla, you're a mage of Fairy Tail!"
"Trust everyone, trust Jehfrit!"
"The future is ours to create!"
"..." Carla stared at him, shocked.
"Bastards!" The soldiers caught up.
"Let's go!" Happy grabbed Carla and leaped onto a wooden cart, sticking a card to its rear.
'Whoosh'
A powerful gust sent the cart speeding forward.
All the way to the cliff!
"Carla!" Happy held her hand tightly. "Get ready to fly!"
'Boom'
The cart shot off the cliff.
The two cats soared skyward.
"Happy," Carla turned to him, calling his name for the first time. She smiled softly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome!!"
Happy's heart raced, ready to show off when suddenly—
His wings disappeared!
Oh right...
Jehfrit's cards drained a lot of magic!!!
"Happy!!!"
Carla quickly grabbed him, but they were already close to the ground.
'Crash'
They landed in a field.
"Who dares destroy my crops?!" A white cat wielding a hoe jumped out.
"Ah, sorry! We didn't mean to damage anything," Carla quickly apologized.
The white cat paused upon seeing Happy.
"You two, come home with me right now!"
"Huh?" Happy and Carla blinked.
"Aren't you hungry?!" he barked.
'Gurgle'
Happy's stomach growled loudly.
"Ah, sorry," Happy said, embarrassed, clutching his belly.
'Smack' Carla facepalmed.
---
The King's Meeting Room
"How's it going, Byro?" King Faust demanded sternly.
"Your Majesty," Byro reported, "our experiment is complete. We've reached a conclusion."
"Dragon Slayers indeed possess nearly inexhaustible magic."
"If we build a machine around them, we'll never lack magic again."
"Wonderful!" Everyone cheered.
"Magic that never runs out..." Erza's eyes sparkled with longing.
"What a pity there are only two of them," Hughes lamented.
"Our Anima can continue extracting magic from Earthland," Sugarboy added. "One day, we'll claim all of Earthland's magic!"
"Exactly!"
Everyone was elated.
"When that day comes—" King Faust stood up, declaring, "I will hold eternal power!"
"All hail the king!" Everyone bowed deeply.
Across the table...
"Jehfrit, don't you think we're being a bit too casual?" Lucy remarked, munching on a snack.
While the enemy held a top-secret meeting that could "upend the world," she and Jehfrit sat across the table eating snacks.
It felt strange.
Almost playful, like a children's game.
There was an oddly relaxed atmosphere.
She glanced at Jehfrit, who was reading a book, snacking, and sipping from his fake wine gourd.
She wondered: Was everything that had happened until now, in this guy's perspective, always this easy?
Why did she feel a tinge of jealousy?
Come to think of it, it seemed like every time, they fought desperately while Jehfrit leisurely enjoyed himself...