The Demonic Curse

"Her body is weak, and her pulse is very faint. Her temperature is not high, so this couldn't be a fever from any bug bites.

"Little girl, tell me what symptoms your mother has been experiencing for the past few days," Porlyusica asked, her tone grave as she looked at Cana.

Cana gulped as she answered, "Um, Mom used to sneeze every so often, and um, she sometimes says that she is too cold. She… she also loses consciousness randomly".

At the end of her words, Cana was crying. For a little girl her age, this much pressure is too much.

"A cold and a change in body temperature, huh? " Porlyusica mumbled and then thought of something. Then she took out a small branch that had white leaves from her medicine basket and placed it on Cornelia's forehead.

As soon as the branch touched Cornelia's forehead, there was a hissing sound. The white leaves turned dark in an instant and withered away.

Both Akira and Porlyusica, who knew what this meant, had ugly looks on their faces.

"Porlyusica, what is the matter with Cornelia? " Makarov, who noticed their expressions, asked hurriedly.

"Demons. This girl is cursed by a demon". Porlyusica spoke as she rummaged through her backpack.

"What? When did this happen?" Gildarts, who heard this, couldn't control himself and shouted.

"Makarov, take this troublemaker out now. I need to concentrate. This lass has already lost most of her soul due to the curse," Porlyusica shouted as she glared at Gildarts.

Seeing her glare, Macao and Wakaba wisely held Gildarts and took him away forcefully with other members. They also took little Cana away with them. After everyone left, the only ones who stayed were Akira, Makarov, and Sera.

"Granny Porlyusica, how much damage are we talking about?" Akira inquired, pulling out some other medicinal herbs Porlyusica might require.

Porlyusica was about to scold him too, but seeing this kid being helpful, she held back her anger and answered, " This lass has been branded by a demon who had been slowly sucking away her life and soul. I think this is related to Damura village's recent demon outbreak.

"You mean the village where the council apprehended a cult that tried to summon a demon? " Makarov asked in shock. Although the Damura village was very close to Magnolia, the village chief of that village didn't send any quests toward Fairy Tail but went straight toward the council. So Makarov didn't really know many details apart from the fact that the council managed to stop a group of cultists who were trying to summon a demon from Zeref. Although it has been almost two months since this happened, Makarov still remembers it due to the high number of casualties that were reported.

" Yes, " Porlyusica said as she inspected Cornelia's body, searching for something. It was not until she flipped her to the side that she found what she was looking for.

There was a dark tattoo on Cornelia's back. It had the design of a circle inside a pentagram and with a cat.

"A curse seal. " Makarov's expression turned ugly as he looked at the seal.

"This girl must have passed by that village and was unknowingly branded by the formation that those cultists used. Fortunately, her magic power is decent, or else she would die instantly like the others". Porlyusica, she said with a sigh.

"But shouldn't she be alright now since the demon's plan of resurrection had failed? " Akira inquired, attempting to recall every detail he could about demons.

Irene's books didn't have much information on demons since at that time dragons were the most dangerous enemy there was.

"Technically, yes, but it seems the demon was not destroyed by the council. " Makarov furrowed his brow as he answered.

What Akira said was true: if the demon's resurrection ritual was destroyed, then Cornelia, who is a bystander, should not be affected at all. After all, the Damura village and the village she lives in are very far from each other.

"Makarov, you should send someone to investigate the Damura village and destroy the ritual site completely. If the demon is completely dead, then I would be able to stabilize her condition". Porlyusica said as she began to grind some medicine together.

"Okay, Porlyusica. I'm counting on you; we will immediately go to Damura village and destroy that demon". Makarov said as he dashed outside.

Akira hesitated for a moment before he turned to look at Sera.

Sera knew what he was worried about and said, " Go, I will take care of things here. "

Akira nodded as he also dashed outside. Akira was conflicted on staying here or going outside to help. After all, with his knowledge, he is very helpful for both places. But with Sera's reassurance, Akira made his decision.

Here they have both Granny Porlyusica and Sera to help out Cornelia, but out there they would need Akira's magical knowledge if there was really a formation.

Not everything can be solved by breaking everything.

….

Makarov emerged from the emergency treatment room and made his way to the guild lobby, where everyone had gathered.

"Master, how is Cornelia? Did Grandma Porlyusica heal her?" Gildarts, who was walking in circles, noticed Makarov's presence and came towards him immediately.

Taking a deep breath, Makarov spoke with a serious expression, "Cornelia's situation involves a demonic curse seal. Porlyusica said she could stabilize her situation for now, but we have to go and either destroy the ritual or kill the demon who is sucking away Cornelia's life force".

"Master, tell me where is that bastard demon is. I will finish him myself, " Gildarts said with a cold tone. He will definitely show that guy what true hell is.

Makarov was about to refuse since Gildarts would be too emotionally unstable for this mission. However, someone intervened at the last moment to stop him.

"Master, you should agree to this. If the demon we are facing is really a demon from the book of Zeref, then we would need Gildarts help no matter what, " Akira spoke as he also came to the guild lobby.

Makarov had a troubled expression. He logically understood that, in the worst-case scenario, this type of mission requires someone of Gildarts' caliber. But he is very hesitant to send Gildarts while he is still unstable.

"Master, don't worry, I will be going with him. With me there, I'm sure Gildarts would behave, " Akira said as he looked at Gildarts.

Although Gildarts is very unstable, he still understands what was going on, so he nodded repeatedly.

"What? No way am I allowing this. " Hearing Akira is also joining Makarov, he refused decisively. There is absolutely no way he is letting Akira go on this mission. Especially with the high probability of facing a demon from the book of Zeref.

"Master, I don't need to brag, but I don't think anyone has more knowledge in formations than me in the guild. And master, you should really stop underestimating me for my age, " Akira said as he looked Makarov dead in the eye.

Feeling Akira's determination, Makarov felt helpless. His gaze went to the other child, Cana, who was listening to their conversation, and he finally made a decision.

"Okay, you can go with Gildarts. But I'm also adding Macao and Wakaba to your team just to be safe". Makarov said with a sigh. "And get moving. The sooner you finish your mission, the sooner we can cure Cornelia. "

"Yes, Master. " Akira, Gildarts, Macao, and Wakaba all shouted in unison. And without wasting any more time, they left the guild immediately.

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