Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 423: Fairy Tail? That Is the Safest Place in the World!

Kingdom of Fiore, Heartfilia mansion...

”Hurry, move faster! If Miss really escapes, I will hold you responsible!”

Outside Laylaʼs room, a group of servants were rushing forward quickly. Unfortunately, the enlarged faucet was too huge, so everyone fundamentally could not block it.

”Who went to shut off the water valve!”

The headache-ridden butler was anxiously calling out.

”No good, the water valve was also enlarged by Miss Lucy. Itʼs too heavy. We canʼt turn it...”

Unfortunately, Lucy had long calculated this point, so she had already enlarged the water valve in advance.

”Damn it! What do we do now?”

The butlerʼs face was full of headache. He was very afraid right now, afraid that the Heartfilia family would dismiss him because of his incompetence.

Of course, being dismissed by the Heartfilia family was a small matter, but once one was branded incompetent by the Heartfilia family, that person was basically finished in the industry...

At the same time, inside the Heartfilia familyʼs living room.

Jude, who looked like a drowned rat, was sitting on the sofa. His hands were crossed and placed on his legs. He lowered his head with a gloomy expression, and no one knew what he was thinking. Around him were servants holding magic hair dryers, blowing wildly at Jude.

At this moment, all the servants held their hearts and focused fully on doing their own work, afraid that they would anger Jude because of some small matter.

”Uncle Jude, Iʼm very sorry about Lucy. If I werenʼt so useless, I think Lucy wouldnʼt have escaped...”

Michelle, who had come down from the room, walked directly before Jude and apologized.

At this moment, Michelle looked delicate and self-blaming, as though she would cry pear blossoms in the rain if anything went wrong. It was very heartbreaking...

Even Jude felt his heart tighten when he saw Michelle.

”No! Lucyʼs matter is not your fault. We also bear responsibility for this matter.”

When Jude saw Michelleʼs appearance, he smiled gently. At the same time, the gloom on his face receded quite a bit.

”Got through by acting cute~”

Michelle looked at Judeʼs gradually sunny expression and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

”Then about Sister Lucyʼs matter?!”

Michelle looked at Jude and probed.

”Let that girl go crazy outside as much as she wants! After that girl hits a wall outside and learns that in this world, only home is good, I think she will come back!”

After hearing Michelleʼs words, Jude leaned back against the chair behind him, his eyes carrying helplessness.

”I-Is that so? I understand...”

Michelle nodded lightly, while secretly sweating for Lucy.

”Michelle, you must not contact Lucy privately and provide her with financial assistance~”

Just as Michelle secretly relaxed, Jude seemed to think of something. He raised his head to look at Michelle and seriously reminded her.

”Uh, well, you can rest assured about that.”

After hearing Judeʼs words, Michelleʼs body trembled slightly. She grinned and nodded guiltily.

”Michelle, you are good in every way, but you are too softhearted! The thing most feared in business is being softhearted...”

Jude looked at Michelleʼs expression and looked helpless. He knew that even if he reminded Michelle, it would probably be useless.

”Y-Yes...”

”So I think I might not be suited to participating in the Heartfilia familyʼs business matters. I should go chase Sister Lucy back instead~”

Hearing this, Michelleʼs body trembled. She looked at Jude timidly, planning to use the opportunity of looking for Lucy to also escape from the Heartfilia family.

”No! I already have no hope for that child Lucy. Brandishʼs heart is also not on the path of business! The enormous Heartfilia conglomerate, which spans the entire continent of Ishgar, cannot have no successor like this!”

”So even if the sky collapses, Michelle, you must stay in the Heartfilia family! Otherwise, I will mobilize the Heartfilia familyʼs financial power to capture you, Lucy, and that child Brandish all back, then confine you inside the family...”

After hearing Michelleʼs words, Judeʼs expression panicked. He was dignified without anger as he warned Michelle.

”I thought so~”

Michelle looked at Jude with tears in her eyes. She had already heard from Judeʼs words that Jude had guessed that the reason Lucy could so easily escape from the Heartfilia family this time included her, Michelleʼs, contribution.

”Really, the enormous Heartfilia conglomerate, wealth that ordinary people could not accumulate in a lifetime! The Heartfilia family, said to be as rich as a country, actually cannot find a successor. It truly makes one find it hard to believe...”

Jude sighed. He gently rubbed his temple and spoke helplessly.

Who knew how many people in this world were thinking about the wealth of their Heartfilia family~

Yet this enormous wealth had become a hot potato in the eyes of the three girls in the Heartfilia family. None of them wanted to take over. This made Jude somewhat unable to understand.

”When you reach my age, perhaps you will understand the importance of money.”

Jude looked at Michelle and sighed helplessly.

”Buzz!”

At the same time, the faucet inside the Heartfilia mansion that was constantly spraying water, as well as the enlarged valve, suddenly returned to normal.

”Huh? The faucet and valve both recovered?”

The workers and servants who had originally still been carrying out emergency repairs immediately twisted the recovered faucet and water valve shut, temporarily closing the water valve.

”Uncle, have you recently been planning to invest in an aquarium?”

Accompanied by a slightly lazy voice sounding inside the Heartfilia familyʼs house, a beautiful girl with a figure full enough to stretch her bikini tightly, wearing a brown coat and possessing green hair, appeared at some unknown time in front of the Heartfilia familyʼs door.

”Yo! You came, Brandish...”

”Donʼt make fun of Uncle. Uncle called you here because there is actually something I hope you can help with.”

Jude looked at the girl before the door, his expression carrying some bitter smile.

”Brandish, long time no see~”

Michelle naturally also noticed this full-figured, sexy girl. She stretched out her fair little hand and greeted Brandish.

”Mm~” Brandish, who had an oval face, nodded lightly toward Michelle before looking at Jude and asking, ”So Uncle, why did you call me here?”

”In truth, just now, Lucy escaped. I hope you can help me bring Lucy back.”

Jude faced Brandish, his eyes carrying sincerity.

”I refuse!”

After hearing Judeʼs words, Brandish did not even think before directly refusing.

”Why?”

Jude froze for a moment, then asked.

”Because itʼs too troublesome~”

Brandish reached out and took the candy in her mouth, that strangely colored lollipop, out of her mouth. She looked at Jude and spoke lazily.

”As expected?”

Hearing this, a trace of helplessness flashed across Judeʼs expression. It seemed Jude had long guessed Brandishʼs choice.

In response, Jude also had his own countermeasure...

”In that case, Brandish! As long as you can help me bring Lucy back, Uncle will help you buy all the lollipops in the entire Candy City, Candis...”

Jude looked at Brandish, the corners of his mouth rising, and threw out the bait.

”Hm?!”

Brandish, who had originally still had a lazy posture, suddenly had her eyes light up after hearing Judeʼs words. Her eyes carried some excitement, but very quickly, this excitement was stopped by Brandish.

”Uncle Jude, do you think I will be bought by you? Do you know what my relationship with Lucy is? She is one of my best sisters in this world!”

Brandish looked at Jude, her face calm and collected.

”As expected of Brandish. She fundamentally wonʼt be bought by Uncle Jude!”

Michelle looked at the calm Brandish and nodded lightly. She admired Brandish, who was always calm, very much.

”Oh? Then according to your meaning?”

Judeʼs eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Brandish and asked.

”You have to pay more!”

Brandish looked at Jude without hesitation and said.

”Iʼll also give you a factory specially producing candy for you!”

The corners of Judeʼs mouth rose, and he directly took out his bargaining chip.

”Deal!”

Brandish did not hesitate. If she hesitated one more minute, it would be disrespect toward candy.

”Brandish, give me back my expectations and praise for you!”

Michelle looked at Brandish, who had been bought by Jude just like that, and the corner of her eye twitched slightly as she spoke helplessly.

On the other side...

”Splash...”

Accompanied by the sound of water, Lucy staggered out of the lake.

”Achoo~”

As soon as Lucy came ashore, she felt the cold wind blowing toward her, and a chill surged into her heart. She could not help sneezing.

”So cold...”

Lucy realized that the current weather was not yet suitable for wearing a bikini on the street. She did not hesitate and immediately walked toward the nearby grass.

”Found it...”

After Lucy entered the grass, she rummaged around for a while and finally found a shining card among the messy grass.

Lucy did not hesitate and immediately injected magic power into the card...

”Bang~”

Accompanied by a burst of smoke, a suitcase immediately appeared before Lucy.

”Let me take a good look at how many things are inside the suitcase Michelle prepared for me in advance!”

Lucy opened the suitcase and began rummaging around. She first took out a towel and wiped the lake water off her body, then took out clean and dry underclothes and entered the woods to change. After that, Lucy, who wore a short skirt and jacket, hung the Celestial Spirit keys on the belt at her waist, then held a defensive leather whip in one hand and pulled the suitcase with the other as she advanced toward her dream.

”Everything is ready! When I return here again, I will definitely have become a true Mage of a Mage Guild!”

Lucy pulled her suitcase and stood on the hillside, shouting toward the distant Heartfilia mansion and making her vow. Then Lucy did not hesitate. She pulled the suitcase by hand and stared fixedly into the distance! At this moment, Lucy finally stepped onto the path forward. Just as Michelle thought in her heart, fly high toward your dream from now on! Lucy...

On the other side...

As Lucy advanced toward the dream in her heart, determined to become a qualified Mage.

Layla, who had just finished enjoying breakfast, took out her long-unseen remote communication magic crystal.

”Buzz~”

Accompanied by that magic crystal lighting up with bright luster, the face of a handsome young man appeared in Laylaʼs crystal. That young man had short brown-red hair, a tall and straight figure, handsome features, and wore a black trench coat, appearing both dashing and mysterious.

”It really has been a long time, Madam Layla~”

”I wonder if you are looking for me this time because there is something you need my help with?”

The young man with short brown-red hair looked at the smiling, dignified, elegant, and beautiful young married woman inside the crystal ball and asked softly.

”Oh my~”

”Mr. Evan, sorry for disturbing you again after such a long time!”

”In truth, it is not actually a major matter. It is just that Lucy suddenly escaped from our home today! I think that girl is most likely going to become the Mage she has always longed for, so I hope you can help her and guide her onto the correct path of magic!”

Layla looked at the young man with short brown-red hair inside the crystal ball and spoke softly.

”So thatʼs how it is...”

Yes, at this moment, the person communicating with Layla was none other than Evan.

After hearing Laylaʼs words, Evan revealed a look of realization. Originally, he had still been curious what matter Layla, who had not contacted him for many years, was looking for him about. Now, upon hearing it, it was actually about Lucy...

Speaking of which, after so many years had passed, that girl Lucy should have grown up too. According to speculation, in the original work, Lucy also seemed to have run away from home around this time.

What Evan had not expected was that with him, a butterfly who had randomly flapped his wings, messed up the Western Continent, Northern Continent, Guiltina, and continent of Ishgar, and even solved the problems of Elentear, Edolas, and Earth-land ahead of time, completely destroying the so-called plot, Lucy ultimately still gave up the option of being a rich young lady and living a wealthy life, and chose to walk the dangerous and exciting path of a Mage.

”Rest assured~ Madam Layla!”

”I will help you look after that girl Lucy!”

”I will think of a way to guide that girl to the Fairy Tail guild.”

”As long as that girl comes under my eyes, presumably there will be no danger.”

Evan smiled faintly and gave Layla his assurance.

”Really? Then I truly leave it to you!”

Hearing this, Layla revealed a relieved smile.

After that, Evan and Layla exchanged some pleasantries, and finally, the two happily ended the communication.

”The matter is settled~”

Layla sat comfortably in her seat and drank black tea.

Layla believed that as long as Lucy went to the Fairy Tail guild, where Evan, the strongest Mage on the continent of Ishgar, was stationed, then she would definitely be safe. With Evan protecting Lucy, presumably Lucy would definitely grow up healthily. At the same time, Lucy would definitely meet countless like-minded people in Fairy Tail and grow into an incomparably outstanding Mage.

After all, Fairy Tail was the strongest Mage Guild on the continent of Ishgar. Yes, although Layla no longer acted as a Mage, she still understood some of the situation in Ishgarʼs magic world.

”Boom!!”

Just as Evan ended the communication, accompanied by a roar, the room he was in shook.

At the same time, on Fairy Tailʼs back mountain, a mushroom cloud suddenly rose and floated toward the sky!

”Gulp, gulp, gulp...”

Evan faced this level of explosion with incomparable composure. He calmly sat inside the room and took a sip of the juice on the table.

As for the residents of Magnolia Town, they still happily lived each day, all ignoring the explosion.

”Buzz~”

Before Evan could finish drinking the juice in the cup, the sky above Magnolia Town suddenly became incomparably dim. The pitch-black night sky could not be seen with any stars. Only a golden full moon shone in the sky, and that gentle moonlight seemed to illuminate the hearts of every person in Magnolia Town.

”Boom!!”

However, before the light emitted by that full moon could soothe the uneasy hearts of Magnolia Townʼs residents, a great sun suddenly appeared in the sky. The dazzling light instantly drove back the darkness and confronted that full moon. For a moment, the sky of the entire Magnolia Town unexpectedly showed the miraculous sight of the sun and moon shining together!

In response, the residents of Magnolia Town seemed to have already become accustomed to it. Everyone still went about their own business as usual, doing their own work. There was no other reason, they were just used to it.

As for the sky above Magnolia Town, there were two legendary creatures there!

They were rare to find in the world. Even if one traveled through several worlds, one might not necessarily find them! Even on the continent of Ishgar, where magic flourished, they had already become legends! Even if placed in Guiltina, where traces of dragons existed, they were creatures that only appeared in myths, legends, and stories. They were dragons!

Moreover, they were two Dragon King-level giant dragons capable of destroying countries, shattering continents, and even damaging the worldʼs origin!

At this moment, these two Dragon Kings with heaven-reaching magic power and endless terrifying auras were confronting each other!

Among those two Dragon Kings, one had a white-gold figure like moonlight, with nine fluffy tails rising into the sky. Her enchanting and beautiful posture resembled the white-faced golden-furred nine-tailed fox in myths.

The other side was incomparably rough. Flames surged all over his body. He was a brutal and terrifying fire dragon representing the symbol of power! Perhaps if others raised their heads and saw these two dragons, they would be frightened stupid! No one could believe that in this small border town in the Kingdom of Fiore that was not even very conspicuous, there were actually two Dragon Kings capable of destroying the world hidden...

”Alright, Selene and Ignia, you two brats, quiet down for me...”

”Youʼre disturbing my sleep!”

However, this was not over yet. Accompanied by a low murmur, a middle-aged man whose whole body was wrapped in pitch-black patterns suddenly flew into the sky. His body was covered in strange markings, and his body emitted endless magic fluctuations. Without a doubt, this was also a Dragon King-level existence! For a moment, the sky changed from two Dragon Kings opposing each other to three Dragon Kings standing in a triangular balance!

”Sigh...”

At the moment when the three dragons stood in the sky of Magnolia Town, inside a magic tool shop in the town called Scarlet Heavenly Maiden, two figures sighed helplessly.

”You three are the ones who should quiet down!”

The next second, accompanied by a roar, an exceptionally beautiful heavenly maiden whose whole body was wrapped in flame-cloud ribbons, and a terrifying azure dragon hundreds of meters long, larger than any dragon in the sky, soared into the air!

Those shockingly were another two Dragon King-level existences. For a moment, the sky of Magnolia Town had actually gathered five Dragon King-level existences. With the strength of these five Dragon Kings, as long as they slightly misfired during their struggle, the entire Magnolia Town, and even the entire Kingdom of Fiore, would become history.

”Sigh...”

Under the sky, inside the town, within the Fairy Tail guild, the white-haired old man stationed in the town shockingly also possessed terrifying magic power rivaling Dragon Kings! This old man was none other than August, known as the Magic King, the Mage standing at the peak of the human species and the Fourth Guild Master of the Fairy Tail guild. At this moment, August sighed helplessly. Toward the Dragon Kings in the sky, he seemed extremely helpless.

Not to mention the five Dragon Kings in the sky, and this old man with magic power rivaling Dragon Kings, the entire Fairy Tail guild also hid dozens of terrifying auras matching the Ten Saints or even surpassing the Ten Saints. Among them were even the auras of several giant dragons. Without a doubt, Fairy Tailʼs battle power had already surpassed the total of the entire continent of Ishgar!

Yes, perhaps at this moment Layla still did not know that among the three worlds of Edolas, Elentear, and Earth-land, the most dangerous place was precisely Magnolia Town, where the Mage Guild Fairy Tail was located, which she believed was incomparably safe because Evan was stationed there...

The danger level of this town was such that even the world-destroying Black Dragon King Acnologia recorded in the Book of Apocalypse would have to weigh whether he could safely leave without losing an arm or a leg, and without taking huge slaps, if he wanted to come...

”Boom!!”

In the end, the war between five Dragon King-level beings was ultimately still won by the side with more people!

Ignia, who considered himself invincible, once again lost to righteous gang-beating! He fell again!

Inside the Fairy Tail guild.

”This wonʼt do!”

”Our Fairy Tailʼs atmosphere is too bad! We must improve it.”

”We cannot let others think that our Fairy Tail is some evil violent organization, a Dark Guild.”

Evan held Ignia, who had been beaten by him until his head was covered in bumps and his body was covered in blood, with one hand and shook his head.

”Um, I am a Mage newly joining the Fairy Tail guild. Everyone, please take care of me from now on...”

Just as Evan held Ignia with one hand, like a Chaos Demon King ruling over the world, the door of the Fairy Tail guild was suddenly pushed open. A righteous Mage planning to join the Fairy Tail guild walked into the Fairy Tail guild with a smile. Then this Mage planning to join the Fairy Tail guild froze in place.

This Mage planning to join the Fairy Tail guild stared fixedly at Evan, who was holding Igniaʼs head with one hand, and at Ignia, whose blood kept dripping onto the ground and who looked as though he could die at any moment. For a moment, he felt his heart stop, as though he could not breathe.

”Ah...”

”Um, sorry. I disturbed you! It must be that the way I opened the door was wrong!”

”No, I found the wrong Mage Guild I wanted to come to! Actually, I was going to Blue Pegasus. Sorry, sorry! I wish all of you underworld big brothers a promising future!”

After this Mage and Evan looked at each other for 0.5 seconds, he immediately bowed deeply toward Evan, apologized, and at the same time turned and fled as fast as flying.

”See! You guys are too violent. You scared away the newcomer!”

In response, Evan spoke helplessly to everyone in the Fairy Tail guild.

”Who exactly scared him away? Say that again!”

Everyone in the guild refuted one after another.