Caesar glanced at Brandish.Brandish sighed and prepared to leave.
"Let's wait until it's over.Then the two of them can have a good talk.There was a misunderstanding."
Caesar's words stunned Brandish.She lowered her head and hummed softly in agreement.
There were eight players left in the arena.
They were Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, Wendy, Lucy, Ur, Juvia, and Jellal.
Just as the final melee was about to begin, Ur suddenly sighed.She raised her hand."I am withdrawing."
"Well?"
Gray froze for a moment.The next second Natsu punched him away.The others rushed Gray as well, trying to eliminate him quickly.
"You lot, enough.Ice Formation.Heavy Cavalry Regiment."
In an instant, a dozen ice giants in heavy armor appeared.They carried knights' lances.They charged forward and forced everyone back.
Ur was teleported out by Caesar.She landed next to Ultear.
"Why are you giving up?"
Ultear puffed her cheeks.She was upset because she had just been overwhelmed in her fight with Juvia.A moment later, several attacks blasted her away.She was instantly eliminated.
There was no helping it.Anything could happen in a chaotic battle.
One second everything was fine.The next second a flaw appeared.Then you were eliminated by focused attacks.
"Winning means nothing compared to my daughter."
Ur smiled and rubbed Ultear's face.Ultear's small resentment faded.
Meanwhile, the five winners had already been decided.
They were Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, Wendy, and Jellal.
Lucy and Juvia narrowly lost.
That was fine.Caesar's information said each team would have three substitutes in case battles became too intense and main fighters could not participate.
The team lineup was quickly confirmed.
Captain: Mirajane.
Team members: Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, Wendy, Jellal.
Substitutes: Lucy, Juvia, Betty.
Some people were confused why Betty chose to be a substitute.But she was a substitute, so no one questioned it.
Substitutes were not paid unless they played.If they did, part of the starters' pay went to them.
With everything settled, Brandish expanded the territory and restored it to its original state.
Caesar called Lucy over.
Lucy was confused when she met Brandish.
"You are a Heartfilia.What is Leila to you?"
Brandish went straight to the point in a room below Fairy Tail's guild hall.
"Leila is my mother.And you are?"
Lucy asked, confused.
The next moment Lucy shrank to the size of a thumb.Brandish grabbed her.
"Brandish."
Caesar spoke in a low voice."This is Fairy Tail.Not the Alvarez Empire."
Brandish trembled at Caesar's angry tone.She quickly calmed down and lowered her head."I'm sorry."
Lucy was still shaken.Caesar sighed."Never mind.Lucy, summon Aquarius.She knows the most about what happened between you two."
Lucy nodded and opened Aquarius's gate using water Caesar provided.
Unlike before, Aquarius was calm this time.
She looked at Lucy and Brandish.She sighed."You two finally met.I am sorry about what happened to Grammy.Let me tell you the truth."
Aquarius used magic to take them away.
Caesar waited only a short time before they returned.Brandish was crying.Her resentment had disappeared.
"Now that business is done, let's talk about something else."
The gentle Aquarius was gone.She held a pointer.She looked at Brandish.
"What should you call me?"
"Aquarius… Master."
"You brat.Bark like a dog."
Aquarius raised her whip, ready to hit Brandish.Caesar stopped her.
Brandish already reacted out of muscle memory from past discipline.
"She is mine," Caesar said calmly.
"Tsk.Did not expect that brat to be so lucky.Hey.You too.Learn from her.I am going on a date.A date."
Aquarius left.
"No need to emphasize it."
Lucy felt crushed inside.She put away Aquarius's key.She looked at Brandish, who was pulled up by Caesar.She then looked at Caesar again.She smelled gossip.
"Th… thank you."
Caesar blocked Aquarius for her.Brandish lowered her head and thanked him quietly.
"We do not need to be formal."
Caesar sighed."Let me take you home."
"No."
Brandish looked up seriously."The dessert you promised me."
She helped, so she wanted her payment.
Caesar covered his face.But he did not refuse.
He teleported her to a dessert shop that Erza and the others liked.He packed dozens of desserts for her.He let her sit and eat slowly.
Brandish smiled happily as she saw the desserts.
Caesar watched her and suddenly said, "Sorry."
Brandish paused, then continued eating."There is nothing to apologize for.Timalia tricked me.I am pregnant out of wedlock.I am going to be a mom."
She took another bite.Her eyes narrowed."I do not want to disturb your life.You and that demon have a good relationship.I am too lazy to get involved.Too much trouble.I will treat it like a dream.After the child is born, I will give it to Timalia."
"Don't."
Caesar spoke with full seriousness."Leave the child to me."
Brandish froze.She felt emotional.
She took a bite and looked at Caesar.She thought, This guy is actually pretty reliable.
Caesar thought, Mirajane is carrying a boy.Brandish is carrying a girl.I must take her back.My dream of having a daughter can come true.
Luckily Brandish could not read minds.Otherwise she would have thrown her dessert cup at Caesar's face.