Ultear, formerly a Council member, was later confirmed to be an undercover agent planted by the Dark Guild Grimoire Heart, designated an S-Class fugitive by the Council, and is now the guild master of the independent guild Crime Sorcière.
If they had met normally, Lahar definitely would have brought people to arrest her without a second thought.
But the current situation was clearly inappropriate, and she had just acted to save people.
Under these circumstances, Lahar couldn't immediately figure out her stance, so he could only grip the hilt of his sword and loudly question, "Why are you here?! Was today's incident planned by Crime Sorcière?"
"On the contrary, we, Crime Sorcière, exist and actively operate precisely to prevent such things," Ultear smiled, turning her back to them. "But given the rigid style of those old fogeys in the Council, they probably wouldn't believe that, would they?"
Her words sounded as if she were deliberately singling out young people like Lahar and Doranbalt.
Doranbalt flashed forward, blocking Ultear. "As a fugitive, you dare to turn your back on us so brazenly? Now that you've appeared before us, do you think you can leave so easily?"
Ultear laughed, "Yes, even though I turned my back on you, why did you specifically run around to face me?"
"You..."
Ultear raised her right hand, holding a Crystal Ball in her palm. "When I founded Crime Sorcière, I already decided that we must fight the darkness while also evading your arrests.
"So if you intend to strike, go ahead. Don't worry about what just happened; you don't owe me anything."
Lahar's position required him to refute this statement: "Fighting darkness is the Council's responsibility, and don't forget, whether it's the former Grimoire Heart or the former Oración Seis, you yourselves are darkness!"
Ultear turned around and looked directly at Lahar. "I have never forgotten that point, and precisely because of that, I believe Crime Sorcière is now following the correct path.
"At the same time, I hope you can firmly do what you believe is right, even if that means 'arresting me on the spot'."
"I don't need you to remind me of that!" Doranbalt was furious. This woman dared to expose her back to him again. The evil Ultear, he really wanted to...
Lahar stared into Ultear's eyes for a moment, finally closed them, and announced loudly, "Everyone, form ranks! Target the Royal Palace! Full speed ahead!"
"Yes!"
The soldiers formed neat ranks and, led by Lahar, bypassed Ultear and proceeded toward the Royal Palace.
Doranbalt quickly followed suit.
After the Council members left, Meredy jumped out of a nearby window and complained, "Why didn't we just leave? Meeting them like that was too risky. What if they really tried to arrest you?"
"At worst, we would just run away, but they won't do that, especially the one called Doranbalt. They are different from those old fossils," Ultear said. "We still have many things to do, and we are bound to run into them again in the future. Stating our position early is better for both sides."
Meredy pouted, "You always have a reason, no matter how dangerous the thing you do is."
Ultear smiled and patted Meredy's head.
She believed her sins were profound, and she probably couldn't atone for them even if she spent her entire life trying, but Meredy was different from others.
Therefore, as long as it benefited the future of her companions, no matter how dangerous, she would do it, even if she died during the mission.
Even suffering the most painful death was what she deserved.
"Let's go. We need to check on the condition of that Dragon we just saw, and then go support the other guilds."
Although the battle situation had completely shifted in favor of the Magicians, there were still many small guilds with insufficient fighting power that needed help.
Jellal and the former Oración Seis were already doing exactly that.
Meredy nodded obediently. "Mhm."
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Flame Blade!"
Scorching flames bloomed like a crimson lotus across Levia, the Sea Dragon's back, illuminating the sky above the southern district of the Royal Capital.
"Aooo!"
The Sea Dragon roared in agony as Natsu's Secret Art struck home. "Damn humans! And you, Atlas Flame, why did you betray us?!"
Atlas Flame snorted righteously. "Betrayal? I merely befriended the son of an old friend and acted according to my own will. Where is the betrayal in that?"
Natsu had already leapt onto Levia's back, his fist reigniting with flames. "Uncle's right. Get ready, you black-dragon!"
"I am a Sea Dragon!" Levia roared furiously. "My name is Levia! Remember it well and recite it in repentance in Hell!"
As he shouted, his right wing was suddenly bitten by the Hextech Dragon, tearing away a massive chunk of flesh.
The Hextech Dragon and the Chemtech Dragon were special existences among dragons. They did not waste words, nor did they listen to their enemies.
Whether the opponent was fighting or chatting, as long as Rhodes had not ordered them to stop, they would relentlessly attack until either they or their enemy fell.
"Damn it! What kind of monster is this dragon?!"
Once the human interference briefly ceased, Levia might have relied on his superior intelligence to gain a slight edge against the Hextech Dragon. But with Atlas Flame joining the fray, he was completely overwhelmed.
Worse still, that Dragon Slayer's attacks were growing heavier by the second.
For the first time, Levia seriously considered abandoning his pride and escaping. Otherwise, he was certain he would die here.
As that thought crossed his mind, a violent gust suddenly swept around him, followed instantly by searing pain in his lower jaw.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Light Drill!"
"Mmm—!"
Levia's scream was cut short as his jaw was smashed upward, preventing him from opening his mouth.
Enduring the pain, he glanced downward and saw a blue cat darting sideways through the air, carrying a small girl with long blue hair.
Rhodes had instructed Happy to retreat immediately after Wendy completed her attack.
"Wendy? Happy?" Natsu exclaimed in surprise.
"Another Dragon Slayer?!" Levia cursed furiously. "Just how many enemies did those fools in the coexistence faction raise?!"
"Good question."
Rhode's voice sounded from above.
An instant later, Levia felt as if a meteor had slammed into his skull. Pain and dizziness flooded his senses, and he briefly wondered whether the bones in his head had shattered.
"Rhode's here too," Natsu said, sounding noticeably less excited.
The Hextech Dragon and Atlas Flame seized the opening without hesitation. They lunged simultaneously, biting into Levia's left and right wings and tearing them apart in unison.
"You two, hurry up and join in," Rhodes said calmly, clearly intending to give Natsu and Wendy some participation credit.
Natsu leapt high, landing above Levia's head.
Happy carried Wendy over to Rhode's side.
The three of them opened their mouths together.
"Mountain Dragon's..."
"Fire Dragon's..."
"Sky Dragon's..."
"Roar!" x3