On a secluded island far out at sea, a towering cylindrical structure stood tall. At its highest level, a hooded man sat before a chessboard. The board was completely empty, and it was unclear what exactly he was seeing in it.
A long-haired man walked up behind him and said, "Your subordinates returned. But it seems they failed to bring back the person you wanted."
The man raised his head, revealing a face marked with peculiar patterns.
"Oh? Erza wouldn't fight those four, and Natsu hasn't awakened his full power. What could've happened that caused them to come back empty-handed?"
The man behind the scheme to attack Erza—there was only one person who could command such a mission.
Jellal. The source of Erza's shadow, the youngest member of the Ten Wizard Saints, and the Councilman "Siegrain" were all manifestations of his lingering thought.
A woman dressed in a kimono with a red sword at her waist spoke, "It's just as you said. That Charles person appeared. Following your orders, they didn't fight and chose to retreat."
Jellal nodded. "Then it's not their fault. If that man has shown up, trying to forcibly bring Erza here is no longer an option."
A man with an owl's head said, "Told you already, you should've sent the three of us instead!"
Jellal shook his head. "Leaving Charles aside, Erza isn't as simple as you think. If you went, she wouldn't be as gentle as she was with Hugh and the others."
The kimono woman picked up on something in his tone and said, "Seems like you're quite wary of this Charles."
Jellal nodded without hesitation. "He defeated the Demon of Zeref's Book, Lullaby, on his own. Then he bested one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Jose, in direct combat. He's the one variable in my plans that I can't control."
The long-haired man said, "If that's true, doesn't that mean the plan can't proceed?"
But Jellal merely smiled. "It's alright. Erza will come here on her own—to bring closure to everything."
…
Back at the destroyed inn, Charles sat across from the group.
Natsu was shouting angrily about going after that "blockhead bastard" to get revenge, while Gray was surrounded by Juvia checking on every inch of him, asking if he was hurt.
Both had taken a hit during last night's ambush by Wally and Simon. Though it hadn't been a full-on battle, they'd definitely been outplayed, which was quite humiliating—especially in front of Charles.
To make things worse, Gajeel, who had accompanied Charles, stood off to the side making sarcastic remarks that only fueled their embarrassment.
Still, through all the chaos and arguing, the group had grown closer.
The one clearly not doing well, however, was Erza. She sat there, spiritless and dazed, leaving Lucy at a loss for how to comfort her.
Charles walked up and said, "Seems everyone has their vulnerable moments."
Erza looked up at him. "You knew about them all along, didn't you?"
Charles nodded. "Not just them. I know everything about your past too."
Suddenly, Erza stood up and grabbed Charles by the arm. "What's going on? What do you know?!"
Charles shook free of her grip. Even with his physical resilience, her grasp hurt—proof of how agitated she was.
"Erza, calm down!" Lucy hurriedly stepped between them to stop her.
Charles also said, "We're in the same guild. If you want to know, I'll tell you everything."
Erza took a breath and lowered her eyes. "Sorry… I lost control."
Seeing her composed again, Charles began telling her everything he knew. That included what Jellal was trying to do, how he had become what he was, and even that Siegrain was nothing more than a projection of Jellal's thoughts.
"I see…" Erza murmured.
She had long been tormented by why Jellal had changed so drastically. Now that her doubts were cleared, some of the weight lifted from her shoulders.
Charles looked at her seriously. "Now that you know the truth, what do you plan to do?"
Before she could answer, Lucy spoke up, having also listened to the explanation. "That Jellal wants to sacrifice you and even plans to activate Etherion. We should report this to Master and let him contact the Council. They'll take care of it!"
Erza smiled. "Thank you, Lucy. I know you're worried about me. But this time… I want to end it with Jellal myself."
Lucy had suggested this out of concern.
Jellal intended to launch Etherion at the Tower of Heaven—one of the Council's strategic weapons used to intimidate the continent. No one knew if the tower could safely absorb such vast and volatile magical power.
And Jellal wasn't just anyone—he was on the level of a Ten Wizard Saint. Plus, he had a number of unknown but capable subordinates. Going to the Tower of Heaven meant facing all of them.
But Lucy wasn't worried about the danger. With this group—especially with Charles there—no enemy was too strong.
What she worried about was Erza's emotions. Just hearing Charles describe it was enough to tell how painful her memories of that place were.
Going back would be like reliving a nightmare.
Erza had sensed Lucy's compassion, and she thanked her for it. But by now, she had regained her resolve.
Charles said, "Jellal may have been manipulated into darkness, but everything he's done since has been of his own will. He really is someone who would sacrifice you without hesitation."
Erza's expression remained steady. "That's why it must be me who ends it."
Charles rolled his eyes. "You sound just like Gray did back then."
Hearing his name, Gray immediately looked over with suspicion.
Charles went on, "Gray had the same look, acting like he had to sacrifice himself. It was ridiculously stupid."
Gray's face turned beet red. He hadn't quite reached social death, but just remembering his old melodramatic behavior was already unbearable.
Erza's expression also changed. The emotions she had been building up suddenly felt off.
Charles continued, "You're Erza of Fairy Tail. You don't have to bear your pain alone. That's what comrades are for. Don't even think about self-sacrifice. That's not what resolve means. True resolve is solving everything together with your friends—and living on with a smile."
Tears welled up in Erza's eyes, and she couldn't stop them from falling.
"Thank you… truly, everyone!"
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