Chapter 90: Laxus – Don’t Underestimate Fairy Tail [Aharnita Town Arc · End]
*Crack.*
The Adamantine Armor on Erza's body shattered completely.
"Hahaha, bravery!"
The Brave Knight laughed wildly as he charged toward Erza.
Jehfrit was growing increasingly frustrated. His magic required time to take effect, but this guy only lasted three seconds before reviving—or so it seemed.
Of all the enemies present, Jehfrit found this straightforward self-exploding foe particularly vexing. He was essentially immune to Jehfrit's magic.
What exactly was his ability beyond self-explosion?
*Boom.*
Another explosion.
Erza resisted with her Flame Empress Armor, though it was significantly weaker in defense than the Adamantine Armor.
She was blown backward.
"Hahaha—"
The Brave Knight emerged from the smoke, laughing maniacally.
"Erza, run!" Jehfrit shouted.
Without hesitation, Erza turned and fled.
"Stop!" The Brave Knight gave chase.
More than three seconds had passed!
Jehfrit's magic infected the Brave Knight, and in that moment, everything clicked.
"Damn it!"
"They're all liars!"
The Humble Knight prided himself on commanding everything.
The Honest Knight spouted nothing but lies.
The Agile Knight was a one-track-minded fanatic.
The Honor Knight specialized in underhanded tactics.
The Justice Knight judged people guilty without explanation.
The Sacrifice Knight sacrificed others freely.
And the Brave Knight? A sneaky bastard!
"Erza!"
Jehfrit explained, "His other magic is teleportation!"
Yes, the Brave Knight didn't use resurrection magic—he used teleportation.
Through infecting the Brave Knight's body, Jehfrit realized the truth. The enemy wasn't a living being at all, just a mass of flesh—living beings couldn't lack emotions entirely. Since Jehfrit couldn't find any emotional core, there was only one possibility: puppets. And since they all looked identical, they were soulless clones.
So…
If each explosion involved a clone, how did the clones appear?
If not nearby, then it must involve teleportation magic.
Thus, the Brave Knight wasn't brave at all. He simply teleported clones from afar to explode repeatedly.
Erza immediately understood. "Where's the real body?"
That stumped Jehfrit.
"Give me a moment," Jehfrit said, multitasking as he fought two enemies, protected his comrades, and occasionally provided support.
He was also trying to figure out how to locate the Brave Knight's true form and counter the Humble Knight's magic.
Well…
He didn't actually need to exert himself too much.
After all, less than a minute remained until the three-minute mark. Once the time was up, everyone except the distant Brave Knight could be dealt with instantly.
But it was better if his companions defeated them—experience points were useless to him, but valuable for Lucy and the others.
Safety stemmed from strength, and a strong guild wasn't built on one person alone.
"We're ready!"
Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Juvia shouted simultaneously.
Their words were shielded from the enemies—a sort of team comms system.
Their respective foes continued their relentless attacks.
The Honest Knight spewed lies, while the Agile Knight doggedly countered every strike.
Lucy and Juvia lured their enemies closer to Natsu, who was also moving to meet them.
Closer and closer.
"Jehfrit!" Gray called out.
Jehfrit's eyes narrowed.
*Swish.*
The senses of the Agile Knight and Honest Knight were completely deceived. Though they could still sense Natsu's magic, Jehfrit hit them with a full combo of "falling from a rooftop + roller coaster + pendulum swing," utterly disorienting them.
They briefly froze but quickly realized they'd been tricked and broke through one layer of deception.
No second layer was needed. In a battle like this, even a split-second of rigidity meant the end.
"Natsu!" "Gray-sama!"
Lucy and Juvia shouted.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—"
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!!!"
"Ice-Make: Blade—"
"Seven Slice Dance!!!"
Ice blades extended from Gray's wrists and arms. He reached the stunned Honest Knight first, twisting his body rapidly.
*Boom.*
Before the Honest Knight could react, Gray sent him flying into the sky.
Though his body was tough, Jehfrit's bullets always forced him to dodge headshots.
So…
"Ahhh—"
Natsu unleashed a terrifying surge of magic power.
"This is bad!" Several knights sensed danger but couldn't intervene in time!
*Boom.*
Two fiery blades struck the Honest Knight, sending him flying.
Flames erupted from Natsu's fist as he delivered a devastating uppercut.
"Fire Dragon's—"
"Iron Fist!"
*Boom.*
The Honest Knight was obliterated!
Without pause, Natsu turned to another enemy.
Meanwhile, the Agile Knight was locked in a stalemate with Lucy and Juvia.
Forced balance, huh?
"Water Dragon Spiral!" Juvia unleashed a torrent of water toward the Agile Knight.
"Open, Gate of Lion—Leo!"
Leo appeared, his fist glowing with the image of a fierce lion, and delivered a blinding punch.
"Bring it on!"
The Agile Knight confidently raised both hands to block.
"Gray-sama!"
But Juvia suddenly stepped aside, revealing Gray hidden within the water vortex!
"Not good!"
The Agile Knight's face changed, but it was too late.
Though he managed to block Juvia's water dragon and Leo's punch, Gray burst out of the vortex.
"Seven Slice Dance!!!"
*Boom.*
The Agile Knight was sent flying.
At that exact moment, Natsu arrived!
"Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon's Fist!!"
Natsu attacked with fiery intensity.
The Agile Knight was pummeled mid-air by thousands of punches!
"Don't let up!" Jehfrit reminded them. "Lucy, summon Virgo to assist Laxus!"
Lucy, who had just relaxed, quickly gathered her remaining magic power.
"Return, Leo."
Gritting her teeth, she summoned the last of her strength.
"Open, Gate of Maiden—Virgo!"
"Princess, I'm sorry!" Virgo apologized immediately upon appearing.
She had earlier lied under control, claiming to hate Lucy the most.
"It's fine, go help my companion!"
"Yes, Princess!"
Virgo dove underground.
Elsewhere.
The Humble Knight saw two of his comrades fall and grew anxious.
"As members of a legitimate guild, you've consistently sheltered this demon!"
"I initially didn't want to kill bystanders."
"But after my earnest advice, you refuse to repent!"
"In that case, you must also face judgment!"
"All things, heed my command!"
A terrifying surge of magic erupted. Laxus remained calm.
"Don't move, demon." The Humble Knight stood tall, freezing Laxus in place.
*Click click click.*
What was that sound?
Before the Humble Knight could react, a hole suddenly opened beneath him!
His feet left the ground!
For the first time, the usually composed and humble knight's face showed panic.
"Lightning Dragon's—"
"Roar!!!!"
The Humble Knight melted in the pillar of lightning.
All of this happened within seconds.
The Humble Knight, Honest Knight, and Agile Knight—all defeated!
"No!"
The Honor Knight shouted, throwing a magical crystal to the ground, summoning a magic circle.
Trying to escape?
Jehfrit had been watching him closely. As soon as the crystal was thrown, he raised his gun.
*Bam.*
Bullseye!
"Ice Make: Ice Geyser!" Gray froze the jumping Justice Knight in mid-air.
Though the Justice Knight broke free an instant later—
"WE ARE—FAIRY TAIL!!!!"
Natsu roared, stopping his assault on the Agile Knight and redirecting his final blow, sending him flying toward the Justice Knight.
*Bam.*
The Agile Knight collided head-on with the Justice Knight, sending them both flying backward.
"Lightning Dragon's—"
"Breakdown Fist!"
Laxus soared into the air, delivering a thunderous punch.
*Boom.*
A torrent of lightning exploded outward!
One strike took down two!
"Don't underestimate Fairy Tail!"
In his final moments of consciousness, the Justice Knight saw Laxus' determined face and, not far behind him, Jehfrit smirking as he adjusted his glasses.
Fairy… Tail.
The Honor Knight and Justice Knight—dead!
In the town.
The Sacrifice Knight raised his arm, shadow lightning crackling.
"No, Mr. Edward, this isn't killing you—it's sacrificing you for the sake of this great war!"
Before he could finish his sentence, the Sacrifice Knight was shocked to realize his comrades had already been defeated!
This was bad!
The Sacrifice Knight prepared to act.
"Satan Soul!!!"
Suddenly, a white-haired demoness charged forward.
"Evil Orb!!!"
A black, ominous orb of energy formed around her fist, radiating terrifying power.
As the Sacrifice Knight moved to act, he suddenly found himself bound!
Looking down, he realized the ground had turned into stone chains, tightly restraining him!
"Spare me!"
The Sacrifice Knight, who had preached about inevitable sacrifice, ended his life begging for mercy.
But Mira wasn't about to stop.
*Boom boom boom.*
With frightening speed, she unleashed nearly a hundred punches in an instant!
At that moment, Tifania appeared.
"Red Thread Lock!"
Her fists and arms were covered in red threads.
She became a red blur, charging toward the Sacrifice Knight.
"Eclipse: Forest Fire Fist!"
*Boom.*
One punch—
Peace restored!
Jehfrit glanced over.
The white-haired queen demon.
The violent girl with a leek on her head.
"…" He shivered.
Tifania turned to look directly at Jehfrit, who had been hiding his presence, locking eyes with him.
"Hmph, fragile goose." Tifania smirked, turning to Mira. "Miss Mira, I apologize, but given the circumstances, now isn't a good time for shopping. Plus, some idiot here ruined my mood. Since your companions are all here, I'll take my leave. Let's shop together next time."
"Huh?" Mira nodded helplessly. "Alright."
Tifania took a few steps, then paused, suddenly removing one shoe and hurling it at Jehfrit, who was standing with his back turned, gazing up at the cliff.
*Bam.*
"Ow—"
Jehfrit's head was struck. He grabbed the culprit—a beautifully crafted shoe.
Furious, he glared at Tifania , grinding his teeth.
This woman!!!
"Neener neener!" Tifania stuck out her tongue, then turned away triumphantly. Flowers and grass rose from the roadside, weaving into a shoe that she then slipped onto her foot. With light steps, she bounced away happily.
"Hmph!"
Jehfrit growled, tossing the projectile aside and blasting it into oblivion with a single shot!
Then he looked up at the cliff.
From earlier, he had been thinking—or rather, eliminating possibilities—for where the Brave Knight might be.
Finally, he pinpointed the top of the cliff.
Not too far—otherwise, teleportation wouldn't be so fast and seamless.
Not too close—otherwise, his magic would have detected him.
Somewhere with a clear view of the battlefield.
There was only one place.
Jehfrit flew up to the cliff, but before reaching the top, he sensed the enemy's presence.
Brave?
No.
Cowardly!
On the cliff were over twenty clones, all identical, lying on the ground waiting to be teleported for self-destruction.
The Brave Knight had already pulled out a boomerang shaped device, attaching it to his back, transforming it into a jet-powered flight artefact.
Trying to escape?
Jehfrit raised his hand and fired a Cero.
Reducing him to nothing!
With the Brave Knight's death, the twenty-plus clones began to swell.
"Oh no!"
Jehfrit's expression darkened.
*BOOM.*
A massive explosion shook the earth, collapsing the land beneath it!
A corner of the cliff crumbled.
Rocks and dirt tumbled down toward the town below, resembling an apocalyptic scene.
The group below stared in confusion.
Jehfrit quickly explained, "It's the Brave Knight! His real body was on the cliff. Seeing his comrades defeated, he detonated all his clones. You need to stop the collapsing cliff—I'll pursue him!"
"Got it." Natsu nodded, then leaped high into the air.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade!"
Two fiery blades shredded the massive boulders.
"Requip: Heaven Wheel Armor!"
"Heaven Wheel: Chaotic Sword Dance!"
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
The large chunks of rock were obliterated.
"Juvia!" Gray turned to Juvia. "We'll work together to block the smaller fragments and dirt!"
"Understood!" Juvia was thrilled to cooperate with Gray—it was her dream come true!
"Great Wave!"
Juvia manipulated all the nearby water, forming a towering tsunami.
"Ice Age!"
Gray froze the wave, creating an icy dome.
All the falling rocks and dirt were blocked, sliding off to either side of the town. Though some houses were buried, there were no casualties.
"Phew—"
Everyone sighed in relief.
"I got him." Jehfrit returned.
"That should be the end of it," Gray said.
"Yeah."
"Ha—" Gray exhaled deeply, falling backward.
"Juvia can't keep going either." Juvia, her face flushed, collapsed beside Gray.
"Love is in the air~" Happy popped out, sticking out his tongue.
"…" Gray was speechless.
"…" Juvia's face turned bright red, her expression excited.
"Lucy, are you okay?" Natsu approached Lucy.
"Mm." Lucy nodded.
"Love is in the air~" Happy ran over again.
"…"
*Thud.*
Erza and Laxus sat on a nearby rock, catching their breath, when Happy bounded over.
"Love is in -"
"…" Erza was too tired to respond.
*Zap.* Sparks flickered from Laxus' fingers.
Happy quickly scampered away.
"Jehfrit, everyone." Mira approached.
"Mira?"
"Miss Mira?"
"How did you get here?"
Though they had sensed Mira's magic earlier, they were puzzled why she was here.
"I came shopping, but it seems shopping is impossible now." Mira smiled.
She reached out her delicate hand, gently rubbing the back of Jehfrit's head. "Are you okay?"
"It hurts." Jehfrit pouted.
He had fought continuously since morning, enduring several battles.
And the worst injury he sustained was from being hit on the head by a shoe.
He could have risked a bump on the head—a crippling injury for a frail mage like him.
Damn it!
It's like going to a sword fight and ending up killed by a catapulted wooden Trojan Rabbit hurled straight into your face.
How embarrassing!
"Well…" Mira chuckled. "Do you want me to blow on it?"
"No need…" Jehfrit sighed. "I'm not a kid."
"*Blow blow*—" Mira was already gently blowing on his head, massaging it. "Pain pain fly away—"
"Love is in the air~" Happy ran over again.
"You're addicted, aren't you, Happy?" Jehfrit smirked.
Happy's face turned pale, and he bolted.
This was Fairy Tail…
Ikuto watched the group enviously—it was the scene she had always dreamed of.
"Ikuto-nee." Emily hugged Ikuto. "Let's join Fairy Tail together."
"…" Ikuto fell silent.
"By the way…" Gray suddenly spoke. "Does this mean we missed the machine exhibition?"
"…"
Natsu, Jehfrit, and Happy immediately hung their heads, utterly dejected.