Chapter 46: Plan Exposed

Location: Enemy stronghold — inside the tower prison

A group of silent men in black cloaks arrived at Mira's cell, carrying an unconscious Lucy. The plan demanded Mira appear helpless, still only a fairy-tale cover girl with no offensive magic.

With a swift motion, they tossed Lucy into the cell and vanished, taking all her Celestial Spirit Keys — severing her ability to call for aid.

The door sealed behind them.

Mira's eyes snapped open. Carefully, she shook Lucy awake.

Lucy blinked, disoriented. Panic flared, but Mira quickly covered her mouth.

"Shush, Lucy. We're deep inside the enemy's lair. No sound, no rash moves."

Lucy's breath steadied, and Mira explained the plan.

Escanor had known all along — the enemy wanted to capture those close to him, so he'd flipped their scheme on its head.

Mira would lure their attention alone, bait in a trap.

Juvia waited offshore, monitoring enemy movements.

Natsu and Gray were tasked with rescue.

Erza would launch a frontal assault to draw forces.

And Escanor himself would strike the upper levels—directly at the heart of the tower.

Mira glanced at Lucy, fierce determination in her eyes.

The plan was set in motion.

Far across the dark sea, a small boat sliced through the waves. Natsu and Gray were on their way.

Back in the tower, alarms blared.

Erza's voice echoed with power, "Heaven's Wheel Armor—activate!"

With a mighty crash, the gate shattered.

Enemies flooded out.

"Bladeworks!" Erza's flying swords danced in a deadly spiral.

Natsu roared, "Fire Dragon's Roar!"

Gray shaped ice into a towering devil's sword, smashing foes.

The tower trembled under the onslaught.

"Go save them!" Erza commanded.

Natsu and Gray dashed toward the spire.

Erza multiplied her swords—two hundred blades glittered like stars.

But as enemies fell, something sinister happened.

Their eyes glowed red.

From the ground, twisted forms began to rise.

Limbs reassembled, sometimes mismatched, creating horrifying undead abominations.

Erza growled, "Not human…"

Dark energy surged around her.

"Re-Equip! Black Dragon Armor!"

Enveloped in dark scales, Erza unleashed a shockwave—the Black Dragon's Roar—obliterating the undead.

She swept onward, burning a path through the ruin.

Meanwhile, Mira descended from the sky, swift and focused.

But a hulking figure barred her path—an owl-headed brute with rocket thrusters strapped to his back.

"Beautiful lady, no passage here!"

Mira snarled, "Move aside."

She unleashed a dark shockwave, but the thrusters absorbed the energy, boosting the man's speed.

He laughed, "Thanks for the power!"

Mira's fury exploded as she fired rapid dark blasts.

The man dodged with uncanny speed, then fired back Mira's own shockwave.

The blast hit her hard.

Smoke cleared—Mira was shaken but unbroken.

Her "Satanic Blast" enveloped him in dark vortices—but once again, the energy was absorbed and repurposed to accelerate his thrusters.

He cackled midair, "I'm invincible!"

Mira vanished, claws gleaming red.

Suddenly, her claws shredded the thruster pack.

The man plummeted.

Before he hit, Mira unleashed a flurry of blazing red strikes—ending him.

At the tower's summit, Escanor's golden form touched down.

His eyes locked on Jellal, seated on a glowing crystal.

"Tiya was right… Ankhseram's aura surrounds him."

Jellal smirked, "Ah, the youngest Saint Ten Great Magus returns. Still awkward as ever."

Escanor's gaze sharpened.

"Do you regret not killing me years ago?"

"Not in the slightest. Today will be your reckoning."

Jellal laughed coldly.

"You think your preparations will stop me? Even Siegrain—"

"Enough," Escanor interrupted. "I know all your moves."

Jellal's shock was fleeting.

"Why haven't you exposed me yet?"

"Why ruin a good show? Your arrogance blinds you."

Jellal's smile twisted. "You'll soon beg me to stop."

A dark projection flickered, showing Escanor an ominous scene.

"The deed is done. Your gift has arrived, Escanor."

Escanor's eyes widened.

"That's…!"