Chapter 90: Ciel Illusian and Ciel Nightwalker (5)
Unlike Natsu and Wendy, Lucy was locked in a solitary cell. While Ciel and the others were elsewhere, she sat and tried to sort through the thought that Happy and Charle had been called "Exceeds."
"Happy and Charle are members of that race called the Exceeds."
Exceeds.
In Edolas they were like angels — beings worshiped as the queen's kin. Their queen Shagotte was treated like a god. The word of a god was absolute; she oversaw the lives of humans. If Shagotte pronounced death on someone, that person would surely die.
Lucy remembered reading about the Exceeds in a book found at Luen Village just before they reached the capital. To think Happy and Charle were Exceeds stunned her — and yet part of her wanted to deny it outright.
"This is insane. What kind of law is that?"
"Hoho, well done — you learned something about this world," a voice said.
Before Lucy could finish complaining about Edolas's warped worldview, the cell door opened. Erza of Edolas — Erza Nightwalker — stepped in, spear in hand.
"Are you all right?! Huh?!"
"Yes… everyone's safe."
"Thank goodness!"
Erza breathed out with obvious relief. Seeing Lucy relaxed even while facing someone who could execute her unsettled Erza, and sensing Lucy might be receptive, she listened as Lucy spoke up.
"You look exactly like Erza… your face, your voice… I relaxed for a moment."
"Erza of Earthland…" Erza faltered, glancing down. Lucy took that as a sign she might be able to reach this version of Erza and began to tell her what she knew about the Erza back home.
"You… in my world you're a Fairy Tail member. You're also Ciel's partner!"
"What?!"
"Strong, cool, a little scary, but everyone relies on you. Yet you secretly like sweet desserts and beautiful clothes — you're heavenly, really."
"…"
"And—eek!!"
Whether because she couldn't take any more or because Lucy's words were dangerous, Erza grabbed Lucy by the hair and hauled her out of the cell.
If Lucy talked much more, Erza feared she'd hesitate about what had to be done. What they were about to do—though it concerned another world—would still mean killing many innocent humans. Erza Nightwalker had a faint sense that it was wrong.
"Stop yammering. I'm sorry, but I'm not the Erza you know."
"Ow! It hurts!"
Dragged by the hair, Lucy didn't stop talking. She tried to convince Erza.
"B-but… deep down, we're alike, right? You're not someone who enjoys others' suffering. And this Ciel here doesn't look like a bad person either."
"…"
"I was surprised you two were married and had a child, but I think you and Ciel — even in a different world — share the same core."
"…"
"Please—help us! I want to save my friends!!"
"Shut up!"
"Eek!!"
Lucy's argument wasn't wrong. She was not guilty. The wizards dragged here from Earthland were not to blame either.
Still, to save this world—and to remain with Ciel—Erza knew they needed power. They had to obtain magic.
And that meant killing the Earthland Ciel. That remained an unchanging truth.
"W-wait!!"
"You'll die here."
"Erza doesn't do that to people who don't resist! Erza is kind! She would never do something like that!!"
Erza's spear gleamed coldly in the light.
Her voice was calm, but the words that left her lips dripped with a quiet cruelty.
"You really are carefree. For me… it's enough just to protect my own happiness. They call me the Fairy Hunter for a reason. I've already killed more than a few of your guild."
Lucy's eyes widened in horror.
"Don't say that—don't dare say that with Erza's face, with her voice!"
Erza didn't answer. She only turned away, the red cape behind her fluttering faintly.
"Goodbye, Lucy. Don't grieve too long. Ciel Illusian will be joining you soon enough."
"What…?! You said everyone was safe!"
"That man is the exception. He doesn't belong in this world."
"W-wait! Please—Kyaaaah!!"
Erza hesitated for the briefest second.
Ever since having a child, her heart had softened in ways she couldn't admit.
She understood Lucy's words — the fear, the will to live — but Shagotte's command was absolute.
If she disobeyed, she would lose everything she held dear.
And for the sake of that fragile happiness, she buried her hesitation.
Erza shoved Lucy toward the edge. The blonde girl screamed as her body dropped into the void below.
It was then—
"LUCY!!"
"Happy! Charle!!"
Two shadows streaked through the sky, wings spread wide.
The Exceeds — Happy and Charle — caught her mid-fall, saving her just in time.
"Phew… that was close! I thought I was done for—wait, your wings?!"
Charle smiled faintly.
"It seems it was all in our hearts."
"Yeah. Guess I got a little fired up after all this time."
Erza's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Y-you…! The queen ordered your execution—how dare you defy Her Majesty!"
The Exceeds landed, wings flaring proudly. Charle's gaze was sharp and steady as she faced Erza.
"The queen's decree has been rescinded."
"H-how can that be? Even an Exceed has no right to overturn the queen's will!"
Charle's tone dropped, cold and commanding.
"You will hand that woman over to me."
"Impudent human! Do you even know who I am? I am—"
"Princess Charle of Extalia. Daughter of Queen Shagotte."
The moment those words left her mouth, Erza's composure shattered.
Her knees hit the ground in an instant.
"F-forgive my insolence, Your Highness!"
"Where are the three Earthland wizards?"
"B-beneath the western tower, underground!"
"Release them. Now."
"I… I can't. It's beyond my authority."
"Enough talk! Do as I say!"
Charle's voice thundered with royal force. Erza faltered, bowing her head, struggling for words—when a sudden shout cut through the corridor.
"Erza!!"
"Pantherlily?"
The captain of the First Magic Battalion came rushing down the hall with his troops.
"Those two Exceeds are Fallen Angels! Exiled traitors from Extalia itself!"
"What?!"
"Run!!"
"W-wait—what do you mean I'm not a princess anymore?!"
"Once an Exceed falls, they're branded a traitor, apparently," Happy muttered.
Realizing they'd been exposed, Happy and Charle took to the skies, fleeing fast as arrows.
"Get back here, you damn traitors!!" Pantherlily roared, teeth bared in fury.
Erza's eyes burned with the same anger — not just at their betrayal, but at herself.
She clenched her fist and struck the marble floor, the sound echoing through the corridor.
"Tch… I've been fooled."
"That bastard…!"
"Erza, calm yourself! They're not our only problem right now!"
"What do you mean—has something else happened?"
"Earthland's wizards have breached both the Eastern Palace and the Western Tower!"
"What…?!"
At the report of intruders in the palace, Erza grabbed her spear and sprinted down the corridor.
"Erza!"
"Pantherlily! You take care of the ones at the Western Tower! I'll handle the Eastern Palace!"
"H-hey, wait!"
....
Meanwhile, Lucy and her group were flying toward the Western Tower, hoping to rescue Natsu, Wendy, and Ciel.
"There they are—! The Fallen Angels!!"
"So many cats…!"
"They followed us?!"
Above them, Nichiya appeared, leading a whole squadron of Exceed soldiers, wings glittering in formation as they dived toward Happy and Charle.
"We can't stay in the air—it's too dangerous! Let's go down to the ground!"
"W-wait, Charle!"
They had no choice but to abandon the sky and descend, but as soon as Charle saw what was below, she froze midair.
"The sky… and the ground… both full of enemies! Wh-what do we do now?!"
Above them were the Exceed troops of Extalia, and below, the Edolas Magic Army—every division except Erza's own—waiting to strike. They were completely surrounded.
"Lucy, what about your Celestial Spirit magic?!"
"These cuffs are blocking my magic! And even if I could use it, there are too many of them!"
"Then we've got no choice—we head inside the building!"
"Right!"
Just as they touched down on the castle's outer ledge, a black banner unfurled along the walls.
A deep horn sounded—and then came the light.
A blinding flash burst from the fortress walls, forcing Lucy to cover her eyes as she stumbled and fell backward.
"W-what's happening?!"
"Why are they aiming at the Exceeds instead of us?!"
From the castle ramparts, powerful beams of light shot upward, forming a massive circular magic seal that trapped the Exceeds in the air.
Nichiya and the soldiers cried out, blinded and gasping as the radiance wrapped around them.
"What is this?! You filthy humans—!"
"Uwaaaaah!"
"Eeek!!"
Lucy forced her eyes open, still dazzled by the light, and looked to the sky.
The beings said to be angels or gods in this world—the Exceeds—were being attacked by humans.
"H-how can this be?! I thought the Exceeds were supposed to be gods or angels to these people!"
"Could this be… a rebellion?!"
"What are they trying to do?"
"I don't know," Lucy said, catching her breath, "but this chaos is our chance! We have to use it to save Wendy and the others!"
"Aye!!"
With that, they spread their wings once more and darted toward the tower—using the confusion of the collapsing heavens to make their move.
Though no one knew exactly what was happening, Lucy and her companions decided to seize the moment of chaos. They sprinted toward the western building, determined to rescue their captured friends.
Even without their commander Erza, the Second Magic Division quickly regrouped. Following their squad leader's orders, they began their pursuit.
"Damn it! The Fallen Angels and that prisoner— they must be heading to rescue their comrades! After them!"
....
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the castle, chaos erupted within the Eastern Palace as well.
"Kyaaaa!!"
"A-a demon!"
"Someone call the soldiers!"
"We can't! Everyone's gathered at the central fortress!"
The sudden appearance of a woman with silver hair and crimson robes—a being that looked every bit like a demon—threw the palace maids into panic.
The corridors rang with shrieks as the unarmed attendants fled in terror. The few guards stationed nearby had already been knocked unconscious or worse.
"Hiiiiiick!!"
"Hey, you."
"E-eek?! Y-yes?!"
Mirajane caught one of the fleeing maids by the wrist, her demonic aura flaring like black fire as she demanded an answer.
"Tell me where Ciel is! The one you're holding prisoner in this castle!"
"C-Ciel…?"
"Ciel Illusian!"
"I-I don't know anyone by that name, but… if you mean Lord Ciel, he's in the large room at the end of this corridor—Kyaa!!"
Before the maid could even finish, Mirajane was already running.
Ciel was in danger.
That was all she needed to know.
Gajeel's warning still echoed in her mind—"If we're too late, Ciel might die."
Whatever the risk, she had no time to hesitate. She flew straight through the palace halls, kicking open doors as she went.
"Ciel!!"
Following the maid's directions, Mirajane arrived at a set of ornate double doors at the corridor's end.
Without hesitation, she slammed her fist forward.
Boom!
The door exploded into splinters—
—and the sound of a baby's wail filled the room.
"Waaah! Waaaaah!! Ueeeeng!!"
"Huh…?"
Mirajane froze.
Inside the lavish chamber stood Ciel—not bound, not wounded—but gently rocking a small baby in his arms.
"There, there, Setsura… Daddy's right here, so don't cry, okay?"
"Waaah… ueeehh…"
"…Ciel?"
The demonized Mirajane blinked, completely thrown off by the sight.
She'd expected blood and chains—not… this.
"You've really gone all out for yourself, haven't you?" she muttered, half in disbelief.
"Hm?" Ciel glanced up, confused, then smiled faintly.
"Could you wait just a moment? She's still crying. Let me calm her down first."
"A-ah… o-okay…"
"Ueeeeng…!"
"Shh, it's okay… There's nothing to be afraid of."
Ciel's voice softened as he rocked the infant with surprising tenderness.
His touch was practiced, careful, full of warmth.
Watching him cradle the child, Mirajane—still in her demonic form—could only stand there in stunned silence.
The sight before her didn't belong in a battlefield.
It was something heartbreakingly human.
It was undeniable — the man before her looked completely different from the Ciel she knew.
The aura that radiated from his body, his clothing, even his presence — everything was changed.
His hair was a brighter, more vivid blue than before,
his eyes softer yet sharper, carrying both warmth and danger.
The loose, flowing clothes he wore somehow exuded an intoxicating charm, a kind of effortless allure.
And above all, the gentle way he cradled the baby in his arms, cooing softly — calling himself "Daddy."
Mirajane tilted her head, utterly baffled.
"Kyarururu~!"
"Ahh… finally stopped crying." Ciel smiled, stroking the baby's small head.
"Ciel… what happened to you—?"
Before he could answer—
"CIIIIEL!! SEEEETSURAAAAA!!"
"Huh?!"
Mirajane froze as a familiar, fierce voice roared from behind her.
She turned just in time to see Erza charging into the room, spear in hand, thrusting straight toward her.
Startled, Mirajane barely managed to block the attack.
The shock of recognition struck both women at once.
"E–Erza?! What the hell are you doing?!"
"Kh…!"
Before the clash could escalate, Ciel stepped forward with an exasperated sigh.
"Now, now~."
He caught Erza midair with one arm as if it were nothing, letting her land safely.
As Mirajane stood there speechless at the surreal scene, Ciel began speaking calmly to Erza, as though none of this were strange.
"Didn't I tell you? When I'm done, you'd take care of Setsura. I'll handle things outside."
"I'm sorry… something came up."
"It's fine. But it looks like we've got an intruder. Erza, stay here and look after Setsura."
"I can fight too!" Erza protested.
"For the baby's sake. A mother should take care of herself if she wants her child to be safe."
"Ugh…"
Mirajane blinked in confusion.
"W-wait— what? Baby? Mother? Did you just say pregnant?! Ciel! Erza! What are you two even talking about?!"
The way they spoke — the tenderness between them — it was so natural, so intimate, that Mirajane felt her jaw drop.
As if to confirm her worst suspicions, Ciel handed the baby gently into Erza's arms, then reached for the curved sword at his waist.
"Sorry, miss. But I'm not the Ciel Illusian you know."
"You must be from Earthland… one of my other self's comrades."
Mirajane's eyes widened.
"Then… you're the Ciel of Edolas?"
Ciel smiled faintly.
"Guess introductions are in order. I'm Ciel Nightwalker."
"This is my wife, Erza Nightwalker."
"And the baby you're looking at is our daughter, Setsura Nightwalker."
"Also… my wife's expecting our second child."
"—WHAT?!!!"
The room practically shook from Mirajane's shriek.
The sound of her voice echoed off the palace walls, loud enough to make the chandeliers tremble.
Her eyes darted between the three — husband, wife, and baby — her mind spinning in disbelief.
This wasn't just another world.
It was another life.
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