Such long legs.
If one isn't wearing high heels, it would be such a waste.
Gaal's hand clutched an ankle as he stared at the foot before him, and with a thought, something unusual happened.
From the immaculate sole, a hardened demon armor began to sprout, quickly covering the entire foot before splitting into crisscrossed bone bands that joined the two sides.
A pair of long legs wearing high heels appeared before Gaal's eyes. He released his grip and, stroking his chin in contemplation, felt that something was missing.
Glancing at the demon's hand floating nearby, Gaal retrieved some Curse Particles from his space and infused them into the exposed toenails of the high heels. In no time, the toenails turned a deep purple color, matching his fingernails.
Then, as he focused on the high heels grown from demon armor, Gaal raised his hand and, with a simple gesture, summoned a fair amount of steel-element materials from the pile on the ground. He merged these materials into the high heels, specifically into the heel of the shoe.
Under the control of his will, the originally cylindrical heel transformed into a sharp, sword-like blade. Gaal placed it on the ground. Clang, clang! The sharp blade that had replaced the heel struck the earth, colliding with the hard basement floor with the resounding clash of metal on iron.
Nodding in satisfaction, Gaal then commanded it with his mind to advance a few steps. Raising his hand to block, he directed the pair of long legs forward; under his control they suddenly lifted, and one leg swept out in a whip-like strike that hit his raised hand.
Gaal stood motionless, slightly turning his head.
The next second —whoosh— a flash of cold light skimmed past his ear as the sword-blade, which had replaced the heel, suddenly shot out and elongated.
Hmm… that's more like it. Whether delivered as a straight kick or a diagonal blow, this long sword would certainly be able to spring out unexpectedly; these long legs were undoubtedly a perfect assassination weapon.
Summoning his will once more, Gaal hurled the long legs toward the arms beside him. Next would be the body.
––––––
Fairy Tail Guild, at the counter.
Cana rested her chin as she mused, then said to Mirajane, "In his magic shop, everything he sells is something he's researched himself. He's got spells for automatically washing clothes, ropes that tie things on their own, and even potions that can transform substances into steel. It's an odd assortment, but maybe you can find something useful. Hmm… probably, right?"
Mirajane's lips twitched. "Ropes? Hardening? That sounds rather inappropriate. Mr. Gaal isn't that kind of person, is he?"
Cana let out a cheeky laugh and replied mysteriously, "Maybe he is, who knows? I heard that Gaal even researched a potion that makes clothes disappear! You know… why else would he be experimenting with that sort of thing!"
Mirajane gasped in shock, "Disappearing clothes? No way! Mr. Gaal isn't that sort of person!"
With a wicked smile, Cana continued, "Maybe he is~ Otherwise, why else would he be researching something like that? Perhaps it's meant for when he encounters a lone mage in the wild. Imagine spraying that potion on a lone mage's clothes, watching as she screams and clutches her body while helplessly flailing her arms. And there's Gaal, just standing opposite, recording it all with his Magic Camera in the most evil way possible, turning it into leverage over the unfortunate mage. Then, from time to time, he calls her out into the wild and…"
Click!
A bright flash cut through the air. Cana's Magic Camera, which had mysteriously appeared in her hand, quickly snapped a photo of Mirajane and her siblings staring in dumbfounded disbelief.
"Just like this—an evil snapshot!" she teased.
Elfman and Lisanna gulped hard, suddenly feeling a mysterious fear toward Cana. After all, they were just children—what on earth was up with her?
And Mr. Gaal… how could he possibly be that evil?!
Mirajane drew in a sharp breath. "This… this is too evil!"
Glancing at the photo that Cana cheerfully handed over, Mirajane couldn't help but furrow her brows. Cana, noticing, asked curiously, "What's wrong, Mirajane?"
"Hmph. I was just joking—don't worry. Gaal isn't that sort of person." Mirajane's frown deepened as she mulled over her thoughts, then she looked up and said, "No… it's not that." After a pause, she added, "Could I take a look at your Magic Camera?"
Cana handed over the Magic Camera. "What's up?" Mirajane examined the protruding button and asked, "Is it this one?"
Cana nodded. "That's it—that's the capture button."
Mirajane pressed it. Click! Click! Click! A series of flashes burst out.
As each flash appeared, her expression darkened, and the light merged with those inexplicable flashes from the night she first encountered Gaal deep in the forest.
He wasn't that kind of person? Maybe not… but clearly, that guy wasn't a good person at all!
Recalling how Gaal had deliberately pretended not to hear her apologies and those mysterious flashes that followed, Mirajane was certain beyond doubt that his heart… was absolutely black!
The three others nearby were perplexed, unsure why a sullen Mirajane kept pressing the camera button repeatedly.
Cana's mouth twitched in sympathy for the film inside, but seeing Mirajane's dark expression, she thought, "Oh well… consider it a bonus for me to play with! My film, after all!"
––––––
Ishgar Continent, Eastern Central region.
High above the mountaintop skies, the Grimoire Heart Guild airship floated steadily, making its way toward the central Magic Council.
Inside Hades's room, Azuma knocked and entered. "Lord Hades."
"Having begun practicing Dark Magic, Ivan has already succumbed to the demonic influence," Azuma reported.
Hades, looking up from his desk with a faint, cold smile, replied, "Very good. Have you recorded everything?"
Azuma nodded. "Yes, everything's been recorded. After discovering your notes, that guy didn't even clean up the body—he just started experimenting right there. And all of it was secretly captured by the devices we planted."
Hades nodded again and said, "Well done. At the next Council meeting, project the recording so we can see how Makarov and the Magic Council fellas react."
Azuma hesitated, "Aren't you going?"
Hades answered coolly, "We're merely toying with them. Those Light Guild fellows are as foolish as ever. Now that Makarov has left Magnolia Town, it's the perfect time to destroy Fairy Tail."
Hades continued, "The reason I haven't attacked Fairy Tail is exactly what Makarov feared—my own creations ended up backfiring on me. I dare not wager whether Lumen Histoire's magic power is still available. When I left, I left Lumen Histoire hidden in the guild's basement. If Fairy Tail were continually powered by Lumen Histoire's magic, Makarov wouldn't stand a chance. But now that Makarov has left, things are different."
He added, "When I departed, I told Makarov that only the Guild Master should know about that thing, because if outsiders ever learned of it, disaster would follow. And true to his word, Makarov didn't share it—even when his own son Ivan pleaded for it. While Ivan was gathering Dark Magic, full of resentment and muttering, Azuma relayed every detail to me. Naturally, I am aware of the situation."
"Now that Makarov has departed from Fairy Tail, even if Gildarts returns or if Makarov passes on the Fairy Law, without the magic power from Lumen Histoire, everyone is doomed. I intend to retrieve Lumen Histoire."
Azuma's forehead broke into a cold sweat. "Understood. Everything is in place—I honestly thought you were preparing to counter those Light Guild fools. Am I to head to the Magic Council alone?"
Azuma's legs trembled at the thought, "Not… You're going to raid Fairy Tail while I attend the meeting at the Council, right? Because if the communicator goes off over there, I'll end up dead on the spot in the Council hall!"
Hades gave Azuma a sharp glance and replied, "Don't worry. Those guys are spoiled rotten. When the time comes, just escape from the basement."
Azuma's mouth twitched. "Easier said than done…" He quickly fell silent as Hades's eyes narrowed. "Yes. Shall I notify everyone now? Where do we gather?"
Hades nodded, "Go ahead. Inform them that they must converge at the western port of Ishgar Continent as quickly as possible."
The western part of Ishgar Continent lies on the eastern side of the Fiore Kingdom. From there, by crossing the sea, is the eastern border of Fiore Kingdom—which is also where the Fairy Tail Guild is based, in Magnolia Town.
––––––
Three days later.
Magnolia Town.
Boom! A tremendous roar echoed.
Before the town's Gildarts Mode could fully activate, Gildarts himself crashed through a high wall somewhere and made his way to the Gaal Magical Cottage behind the wall. He pushed the door open and bellowed, "Gaal!"
"Me…"
Plop!!!!
"Hey, hey, hey! Where on earth did you get that?!"
Gildarts stood dumbfounded as he looked into the room. There, standing in front of Gaal's desk, was a stunning woman with long legs—she was pouring water for Gaal, wearing high heels, and sporting two thick demon horns nearly two meters long on her head.
With a look of pained dismay, Gildarts cried out, "Gaal! You have fallen!"
Gaal shot Gildarts an unimpressed look and asked, "What's the matter?"
Gildarts, gazing longingly at the long-legged beauty who had just retreated back into the room—and noticing that she appeared to be a demon—chuckled, "Where did you find such a succubus?"
Gaal said nothing.
Gildarts shook his head and grew serious. "Let's get down to business. I was on the Continent investigating the Dark Guild when I ran into Ivan. That guy wasn't acting right; he exuded an aura of Dark Magic. "
"After I noticed, I followed him, but before long he used Illusion Magic to shake me off. I tried retracing his steps and discovered a Dark Guild that had been completely wiped out. Ivan cleaned it up so thoroughly, yet the Dark Magic aura there was far too potent—it wasn't something a small-time guild could produce."
"The only person capable of using such Dark Magic is… likely that Ivan fellow. I've already informed the old man. He told me to return first, fearing a sinister plot from the Dark Guild, and to await your orders."
Gaal nodded thoughtfully and said, "I see. Then, perfect—come with me."
Beneath the ground lay a vast crystal composed of several thousand Magic Crystals that had not yet finished charging. Gildarts, ever the laborer, arrived just in time.
"Hmm? There really is a plan?" Gildarts mused.
Gaal smiled and explained, "I have a method to thwart the Dark Guild's mischief, but I'm currently missing one crucial element—a powerful Magic Power source to charge the Magic Crystals. Give it your all; I have high hopes for you."
Gildarts's mouth twitched as he asked, "Magic Crystals? That thing still needs me to supply magic power?"
---
Hey guys,
I feel like sometimes the sentences might be a bit off, or maybe I'm not using the right words. If you ever notice anything that sounds weird, feel free to let me know (maybe it's just because it's not my native language).