Chapter 11 - Back to Fairy Tail

Magnolia hummed beneath the warmth of late afternoon.

Teresa crept along the stone paths leading toward the heart of town—toward the building that had, in some distant way, become her home: the Fairy Tail guild hall.

It stood proudly at the center of the plaza, its tall peaked roof casting long shadows across the square as the sun dipped westward. The familiar emblem of Fairy Tail carved above its grand doors seemed to glow faintly in the golden light.

Even weeks after her arrival in Earthland, Teresa found this place curious. The guild hall pulsed with energy: laughter, arguments, music, shouts of greetings—the chaos of life packed into every corner.

She moved through the crowd like a shadow—calm, silent, wrapped in her usual black Claymore tunic, her long pale blonde hair flowing freely behind her. She bore no visible weapon; her sword and armor remained stored in the Requip space, summoned only when needed.

Despite her distant nature, people had grown used to her presence. The armored woman with the silver eyes. The quiet hunter.

They didn't fear her.

They simply respected her distance.

As she reached the guild's front steps, the double doors swung open. Romeo ran out ahead of his father, waving eagerly when he spotted her.

"Teresa! You're back!"

"I was not far," she answered softly.

Macao followed behind, shaking his head fondly. "I told him to let you breathe, but he's always eager."

Teresa offered a faint nod. "It is acceptable."

The three walked inside together. The guild was as lively as ever—Reedus sketching feverishly at his usual corner table, Wakaba nursing his pipe, Max tending the bar. Nab, as always, lingered near the request board, scanning for a high-level job that never arrived.

Kinana moved gracefully behind the counter, preparing drinks while Warren carried a stack of newly posted requests.

"Quiet morning?" Macao asked as they approached.

"For now," Warren replied. "Nothing unusual on the request board."

Wakaba exhaled a lazy puff of smoke. "Which means something unusual's about to arrive."

Macao chuckled softly. "You might be right."

As if summoned by his words, a low rumble carried through the square outside.

Heavy wagon wheels.

Multiple pairs of hooves.

The sound grew louder until it stopped abruptly outside the guild doors.

The hall's chatter dimmed.

The doors creaked open, revealing a caravan of five covered wagons, each pulled by sturdy oxen. Armored mercenaries flanked the wagons, scanning the plaza warily. Their polished gear gleamed—uniform, professional.

At the center stood a tall man draped in fine crimson and black robes, his posture stiff, his sharp eyes cold but courteous. Behind him, a dark standard fluttered—a crimson eye emblem unfamiliar to most of Fairy Tail's members.

The man stepped forward and spoke with practiced projection. "A good evening to the esteemed members of Fairy Tail."

The room remained respectfully quiet, waiting.

The man smiled thinly. "I am Ralven of the Eastern Trade Guild."

Macao stepped forward, keeping his tone neutral. "You're a long way from your typical routes."

"Expansion," Ralven replied with oily ease. "The world rewards those willing to take risks. Yet risk often demands protection—which brings me here."

His gaze shifted briefly, landing on Teresa as if recognizing her instantly.

Wakaba whispered to Reedus behind Macao's back, "I don't like this."

Reedus nodded. "Merchants with guards don't usually need guild help. Not unless something serious is following them."

"I seek Fairy Tail's renowned services," Ralven continued smoothly. "Specifically, an escort for my cargo through the northern mountain passes. The roads have grown... unsettled."

"What kind of cargo?" Macao asked flatly.

Ralven's smile never wavered. "Rare artifacts. Legally acquired, naturally. But certain creatures, drawn to potent magic, seem attracted to our shipments."

"Rogue beasts?" Warren asked.

"More accurately... predators," Ralven said, lowering his voice slightly. "Fast. Unnatural. Dangerous."

He paused, then added, "Which is why I come to you. Fairy Tail's reputation for dealing with such complications is without equal."

Teresa studied him in silence, her silver eyes unwavering.

Something about the man's scent felt wrong.

The words were polished.

But polished words often concealed dangerous truths.

Macao crossed his arms. "You're asking for a high-risk escort through unstable territory."

"And offering compensation appropriate to the risk," Ralven said smoothly. He produced a contract scroll with elegant handwriting already prepared. "Generous terms, full payment upon successful delivery, and full authority granted to the assigned protector."

The members behind Macao muttered softly among themselves.

Wakaba whispered, "A bit too generous, isn't it?"

Kinana added softly from behind the bar, "Merchants don't usually give that much control to hired help—not unless they're hiding something."

Teresa spoke then, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "I will take the contract."

Ralven's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Ah... as I hoped. Your reputation precedes you, Teresa of Fairy Tail."

She did not react.

Macao glanced toward her briefly. "You're certain?"

"Yes."

Ralven extended the scroll toward Macao, who signed it carefully, eyes still cautious. The paper passed to Teresa, who reviewed the details quickly before nodding.

"Accepted."

"Excellent," Ralven said. "We depart at first light."

As Ralven returned to his caravan outside, the guild resumed its murmurs.

"Still smells wrong," Wakaba muttered.

Macao agreed silently. "I'll assign Warren to monitor their route from town."

Reedus whispered, "And maybe prepare the recovery forms... just in case."

Teresa turned her eyes briefly toward the doorway where Ralven disappeared.

She could sense it—something deeper beneath his words.

Not fear.

Not greed.

But calculation.

The hunt, she suspected, had already begun.