Chapter 87.2 : Time Needed!!

A loud explosion echoed as a mushroom cloud rose in the distance.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu roared as he lunged at one of the other enemies.

"What an impressive attack!" the enemy exclaimed as he countered with a punch of his own.

The impact created a massive shockwave, and surprisingly, the enemy's attack met Natsu's with equal force, resulting in a stalemate.

Gray's eyes widened at the sight of so many formidable opponents. It was clear they were dealing with powerful enemies. But this one, who had matched Natsu's strength, might be vulnerable if attacked by surprise.

"Ice-Make: Battle Axe!" Gray conjured a massive battle axe and swung it with full force toward the enemy.

"What a strong spell!" the enemy said as he stretched out his left hand and met the axe head-on with his fist.

The resulting impact shattered the blade into pieces, leaving Gray in shock.

The enemy smirked at both Natsu and Gray, who now stood equally stunned. "Hello, you two. I am a Spiritual Knight. My specialty is countering opponents with flexible tactics."

"Ah, it's really quite sad." 

"Why not just do it properly? Accept death."

"This is going to be a tragic battle."

"What a wicked demon." 

"At this point, there's no other way." 

A man dressed in a suit jacket but wearing nothing on his lower half spoke with a sense of righteousness: "There will be sacrifices in battle. Sometimes, to defeat a formidable enemy—especially a demon from hell—sacrifices are necessary."

"Yes," a voice agreed.

"Though I'm not happy about it," another added.

"But," he continued, "sacrifice is inevitable."

The half-dressed man did not join the battle but instead turned and headed back toward town.

"Two lovely beauties," said a person who had just stood up, gesturing toward Lucy and Juvia. "They're gorgeous, but they're not my type."

"They're the most beautiful in the world," he declared, pointing in their direction.

Everyone couldn't help but turn to see what he was talking about.

"The most beautiful in the world?" a young boy asked, confused.

Lucy bristled with anger. "Ugh, that's disgusting!" she snapped.

Juvia added with equal annoyance, "I can't believe you just said that!"

The man, who seemed unbothered by their reactions, replied, "I'm just telling the truth. I'm the Knight of Truth—I only say what is true."

"My magic compels people to be honest."

The Knight of Truth pointed at Lucy and asked, "Who do you like?"

"Gray!" Lucy shouted without hesitation.

"???" Juvia looked at Lucy in shock, completely taken aback by her response.

The Knight turned to Juvia and asked her the same question. "Who do you like?"

"Mr. Natsu!" Juvia blurted out, then immediately realized her mistake. She quickly waved her hands, trying to correct herself, "No, no! I don't mean it that way! I don't dislike him, but I—"

"Juvia, watch out!" Lucy shouted urgently.

'Slash!' 

Before Juvia could react, the Knight of Truth lunged at her with his sword, striking her in two. He stated bluntly, "I don't like sneak attacks, so I prefer to strike head-on."

Juvia's body dissolved into water and reformed, and she instantly countered with her own magic. "Cutting Water!"

A sharp blade of water shot toward the Knight of Truth, but he deftly blocked it with a swift backhanded slash.

"Open, Gate of the Lion—Leo!" Lucy called, waving her key.

Leo, a former member of Fairy Tail and now one of Lucy's Celestial Spirits, appeared in a burst of radiant energy, his lion-like aura glowing. 

As soon as he appeared, he lunged at the Knight of Truth with full force, knowing this opponent was dangerous. There was no room for hesitation.

"You're quite the unattractive one," the Knight of Truth remarked, stepping back and swinging his sword in retaliation.

Leo dodged the attack and retaliated with a strong punch to the Knight of Truth's stomach, hoping to gain the upper hand.

The Knight of Truth grinned, 'Ah, how scary.' But then he added with a smirk, 'My body is tougher than any shield.'

Leo's expression shifted as his punch landed on the Knight's armor with a metallic thud—it was like hitting an iron wall! Yet, the Knight's demeanor changed suddenly, and he stepped aside, avoiding the full force of the attack.

The sound of a blade slicing through the air could be heard as the Knight swiftly drew his sword, its light tracing an arc that narrowly missed Leo's fist.

'Everit!' Leo shouted, concerned.

Everit glanced at Lucy and Juvia, then at the Knight of Truth. 'Don't worry,' he said with a reassuring smile. 'This guy isn't as strong as he looks. Just stay on your guard and fight him.'

The Knight of Truth's expression darkened at these words. 'It hurts to hear that,' he said, his voice dripping with sadness before his face contorted with rage. 'How dare you say I'm not strong!'

'My sword is the sharpest in the world!' he declared, pointing at his blade.

'My kendo is the most powerful kendo in the world!' he continued, raising his voice.

'And my body? The hardest flesh you'll ever find!'

'How dare you say I'm not strong!'

'Enough of your boasting,' another voice interrupted. 'Just like the devil told you, those two women are left to you. Leave him to us.'

A new figure stepped forward. This man was bald, with thick, round glasses that resembled beer bottles. He wore a white coat that bulged around his middle, making him look like a rotund snowman.

'I am the Knight of Honour,' he announced with a hint of pride. 'It's an honour to send a demon like you to the depths of hell!'

Another person rose to his feet. This one had the attire of a judge, complete with a powdered wig, and he radiated a sense of righteousness.

'I am the Knight of Justice,' he said sternly, holding a gavel in his hand. 'And I declare you guilty, Everit! You are sentenced!'

As he spoke, Everit advanced toward them, ready to face the Knight of Honour and the Knight of Justice. The battle was far from over."

"Hmph." The Knight of Truth snorted as he looked at Lucy and Juvia. "Three minutes to take you both down."

"Three minutes." Everit's voice echoed in Lucy and Juvia's ears at the same time. 

Three minutes? 

Would they be defeated in just three minutes?

Lucy felt a flicker of panic. She hadn't expected Everit to say the same thing as the Knight of Truth. She knew that Everit had a wisdom that was far from ordinary, so his words carried a lot of weight.

"What are you thinking, Lucy? You win if you last for three minutes," Everit clarified.

Lucy let out a sigh of relief.

Three minutes! 

She felt her resolve strengthen. If it was only three minutes, she could definitely hold on.

"Actually, it would be better if you and Juvia could defeat the Knight of Truth together," Everit added.

"It's not easy," Lucy replied.

"Natsu wouldn't be satisfied if you could only hold on for three minutes, Lucy," Everit commented before turning off the communication link.

Lucy's expression grew firm, her eyes filled with determination. She seemed to have made a decision.

On the other side of the battlefield.

Everit's voice echoed in Natsu and Gray's ears.

"Five minutes. If you hold out for five minutes, I'll step in to help."

"Bastard!" Natsu's anger flared at the comment. "Everit, don't get in my way. I'll take this guy down in five minutes!"

"I'll do it in minutes."

"Ice-Make: Lance!" Gray added, backing up his words with action.

****

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