Chapter 23 : Deliora!!

Everit grinned and remarked, "If I were a God, Happy, I'd gift you a stunning white cat with wings, one that chats as charmingly as you do."

"Huh? Really? Seriously!" Happy's excitement was palpable.

"Well. Just hold on," Everit replied.

But before anything further could happen, Happy snapped out of his reverie, exclaiming angrily, "Everit, your face is broadcasting lies loud and clear!"

"No, Happy, you've got to trust me!"

"You're the last person I'd trust about what you say!" Even the usually easygoing Happy couldn't restrain himself and gave Everit a playful punch.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," Everit hurriedly apologized, raising his hands in surrender.

Once Happy's ire subsided, Everit explained, "Truth is, I'm not entirely sure myself. There's another faction of foes here, and I stumbled upon them. They've set up a barrier, leaving me no choice but to confront them."

"Escape," Lucy began to protest, but her words caught in her throat.

"Are you alright?" Erza inquired with genuine concern.

"No," Everit admitted with a shake of his head.

"You are really mysterious. It's a shame I didn't witness you go all out in battle," Gray lamented.

"That's beside the point. Anyway!" Everit changed tack, "Natsu's locked in combat with a formidable enemy. Let's not dally and lend him our aid!"

"Alright," Erza agreed.

Despite lingering doubts, since Everit kept silent on certain matters, everyone opted to bury their concerns.

Yet, this encounter not only deepened Lucy's understanding, having recently joined, but also provided Erza and Gray with a renewed insight into Everit's capabilities.

In the dense jungle,

Zalty swiftly soared toward the temple, his thoughts racing alongside.

"What in the world?!"

"What incredible power!"

"Even I couldn't handle Ward in that state, yet he was dispatched in an instant, utterly defenseless!"

"This sheer, unadulterated power devoid of magic... could it be a demon?!"

"An unknown demon?!"

"Do not underestimate that magician!"

"My intelligence failed me; this fellow is more terrifying than Erza!"

"No!"

"I won't allow you to disrupt my plans!"

"Fortunately, you're also from Fairy Tail. I know your weaknesses!"

Everit and his companions hastened toward the temple, only to be confronted by a throng of enemies blocking their path.

These individuals donned uniform black robes, brandishing weapons that emitted an intimidating aura.

However, even Lucy could discern the feeble magic emanating from this group; only five among them possessed true mastery over magic.

Despite their lack of strength, their reckless assault caused considerable trouble for everyone.

"Everit, unleash your magic swiftly," Erza urged, a note of urgency in her voice.

None among them wished to harm ordinary civilians.

Yet, the group's desperate fighting style rendered the trio somewhat helpless.

"My apologies," Everit muttered, adjusting his glasses with his left ring finger, his face obscured by his hand. "The preceding battle has depleted nearly all of my magical energy. I can only transport one person."

"I'm going!" Gray exclaimed promptly. "I'll defeat Lyon!"

"Understood," Everit acknowledged.

In an instant, both he and Gray vanished into thin air.

Erza interjected suddenly, her tone serious. "Everit, though I'm uncertain of your intentions, you're aware of my limits."

Silence followed her statement.

Lucy was bewildered.

Happy remarked, "This is one of Everett's worst lie."

"???" Lucy's confusion deepened.

Everit led Gray past the enemies.

Without delay, Gray made his way towards the temple.

Meanwhile, Natsu continued his skirmish with Lyon.

With Gray's departure, Natsu assumed control of the duel.

Zalty emerged, drawing Natsu into pursuit.

Everit remained conspicuously absent, offering no aid to anyone.

Now was the moment to return to the time he cherished most – indulging in melons and enjoying entertainment.

He lingered upstairs for a brief moment.

Observing the two ice magicians engaged in a dazzling spectacle of magic, he watched as spells intertwined amidst the skies.

A shiver ran down his spine.

Turning away, he descended the stairs.

Natsu clashed with Zalty.

This short mage wielded considerable power, leaving Natsu struggling to gain the upper hand, instead finding himself outmaneuvered at every turn. 

To buy some time, Zalty and Natsu engaged in a game of hide and seek.

Presently.

The darkness enveloped them.

"It's night," Zalty remarked, gazing proudly at the moon above.

He hadn't anticipated such smooth sailing.

Erza and that elegant mage had been halted by a bunch of weak enemies.

Truly, it was the Legal Guild.

"I found you!" Natsu, once more, relied on his acute sense of smell to locate Zalty.

"How did you find me?" Zalty was dumbfounded.

"I've got a keen nose," Natsu replied, perplexed, "but why do you smell like a woman?"

Zalty was at a loss for words. This guy was indeed a hide-and-seek prodigy.

"You're busted," Natsu's body ignited with flames as he declared with fervent determination, "Gray will knock that guy out, and I'll knock you out a million times! Then it'll all be over!"

"Yes, it'll be over," Zalty grinned.

'Boom'

The magic circle activated, casting a purple beam of light onto the ice.

"Deliora, it's time for your resurrection," Zalty announced proudly.

"I won't let you have your way!"

Natsu charged at Zalty with all his firepower.

After dodging Natsu's punch, Zalty smiled and remarked, "Is it wise to use such potent fire magic here?"

"If melting ice was that easy with just fire, you wouldn't need to work so hard," Natsu retorted. He wasn't one to be restrained by the enemy's words; his brain was at its sharpest during battle!

"Just need to take you down quickly, then deal with the guy above preparing for the ceremony!"

Zalty nodded appreciatively, "Your adaptability on the battlefield truly astounds me."

"Quit the chatter!"

Natsu pursued, aiming to dispatch this slippery foe swiftly, yet he found it challenging.

'Click'

The ice began to crack.

A white hand gently pressed against the fracture.

Unnoticed by anyone.

Everit had already taken position.

"The pact is nearly fulfilled."

"But before that,"

Everit extracted a camera and snapped a picture of Deliora.

This creature appeared much more menacing and formidable than Lullaby, compelling a Ten Wizard Saints level mage to make a trade.

It could serve as deception material in the future!

Moreover, Deliora was a notorious demon responsible for great calamities and spreading terror far and wide.

It surely instilled fear in many.

When facing enemies anew.

Presenting Deliora would be far more intimidating than Lullaby!

And for specific foes, it would yield twice the result with half the effort!

"Aang——"

Deliora roared in excitement.

Numerous cracks fissured throughout the iceberg, signaling its impending "resurrection"!

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