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The burning flames combined with Natsu's already powerful Armament Haki greatly increased the might of his attack.
Before he could react or defend, a strong fiery punch slammed heavily into Everlue's potato-shaped body.
The powerful impact of the flames pressed the unprepared baron into the ground, creating a large crater, with half his body sinking into the earth, and the ground around him continuously cracking outward.
Influenced by Noah, Natsu, who used to be reckless, now learned to interrupt enemies' casting spells.
The blue cat, like an arrow, darted through the smoke and showed off what he had in his hand to the blonde girl. "Lucy, look what good stuff I found!"
Happy held up the Gold Key, which was the Virgo Celestial Spirit Key that Everlue had been forcefully interrupted by Natsu and couldn't use.
"Here, Lucy, consider this an apology from me and Happy for joking with you earlier."
Natsu leaned over, took the Gold Key from Happy's hand, and without waiting for Lucy to say anything, he slipped it into her hand, then continued, "Now, Lucy, you're a Celestial Spirit Mage with four Gold Keys. Congratulations!"
"Congratulations for what...?"
Lucy helplessly watched the man and cat high-fiving in front of her. Although she was also very tempted by the Virgo Key, Celestial Spirit Keys require a contract to be used.
And the current contractor for the Virgo Key was Everlue, who'd been knocked out by Natsu. That perverted Duke was unlikely to voluntarily break the contract.
After hearing Lucy's explanation, Natsu scratched his head. If the apology gift they gave Lucy couldn't be used, then such an apology would seem insincere.
"Then is there no other way to break the contract?"
"There is, but it's very cruel. As soon as the contractor dies, the contract is naturally broken."
As a kind young lady from a prominent family, Lucy would never use such a method to obtain a Celestial Spirit Key, and Natsu and Happy naturally didn't condone such means either.
"No choice then. Let's ask Noah later—he reads a lot."
The surrounding battles were just like Natsu's defeat of Everlue.
The twenty-person team of the Black Magic Cult and several members of Eisenwald were all lying on the ground, covered in sword wounds of varying depths.
"Damn it... how can she be so strong...?"
"It's the rumored Queen of Fairy Tail... she defeated all of us in one move..."
"It seems only Erigor-sama (Priest-sama) personally intervening can defeat her..."
"..."
Amidst the varying wails, Erza, in her Heaven's Wheel Armor, effortlessly completed the harvest, also knocking out the four strangely shaped "maids" Everlue had collected.
Having swiftly dealt with the enemies, the remaining dark force members in the dungeon were only Black Priest Dachiru and Kageyama, a member of Eisenwald, who was at the dungeon altar.
"Damn it! Those useless fools couldn't even buy a little time!" Noticing the people sprawled on the ground, Dachiru's face turned extremely ugly.
If Kageyama didn't have the ability to unseal Lullaby, and if Everlue's dungeon wasn't a necessary condition for the unsealing, he, a high-ranking combatant of the Black Magic Cult, would never associate with these weaklings.
A strong gust of wind came, forcing Dachiru to stop his internal complaints, because the Mage he was facing put immense pressure on him.
S-Class Mage Mirajane, a beautiful and vibrant young woman, was known for her starkly contrasting cold battle style, earning her the title of "Demon."
Dachiru had experienced Mirajane's power back in Silent Town. If he lost focus, he might truly die.
"Torrential Surge!"
Facing the relentless Mirajane, Dachiru channeled his Magic, and a thick, violent torrent of water erupted from the ground, cutting off the space between him and Mirajane, while several water arrows shot out.
However, Mirajane didn't even bother to retaliate with Magic. Having used Satan Soul, she simply extended her right hand, and her demonic claw, covered in Armament Haki, tore apart the Magic attacking her.
Mirajane's relaxed demeanor greatly surprised Dachiru. How much time had passed since their encounter in Silent Town? How had this woman become so much stronger?
He couldn't defeat her last time—how could he be her opponent now, facing an even stronger Mirajane?
No, this couldn't go on.
Dachiru immediately decided on a strategic retreat.
What were missions compared to his own life? Dachiru's ability to rise to the position of Priest, second only to the Bishop in the Black Magic Cult, was due to his keen sense of risk avoidance.
A blue Magic circle flashed in front of Dachiru, and from it flew a water dragon formed from condensed water. The water dragon spun in the air, looking quite imposing.
Sensing the surging Water Magic, Mirajane, thinking her opponent was unleashing a powerful attack, no longer held back. A large amount of Dark Magic gathered in her hands, and a black storm instantly formed.
However, just as the two spells collided, the seemingly mighty Magic water dragon was no match, disintegrating into countless water particles under the sweep of the dark storm.
Looking back, the Black Magic Priest was nowhere to be seen.
In the spreading water mist, Dachiru stealthily moved using Magic. He thought, Didn't expect that, did you? What looked like a big move was actually my escape route!
What good is being strong?
Running fast is what truly matters!
Looking at the dungeon passage that was within reach, the Black Priest smiled. The thought of escaping from the "Demon" again filled him with a sense of superiority.
Times change, Fairy Tail... just you wait!
Just as Dachiru was reveling in his triumphant thoughts, a demonic claw silently approached him. Five crimson bloodstains slashed across the Priest's robe, making Dachiru shriek.
"You... how could you..."
Clutching his wound, the pain made Dachiru feel as if he'd been disemboweled. He looked in horror at the "Demon" who'd suddenly appeared to block his way, not understanding how she could find him so quickly.
"Hmph, you fool. If you want to escape, the dungeon passage is the only way out. Is it that hard to guess?"
Mirajane sneered. She truly despised people like Dachiru. Becoming a Black Magic Priest at least meant his talent far surpassed ordinary Mages, yet Dachiru only focused on escaping and preserving his life.
Perhaps Dachiru also knew of his numerous crimes and feared falling into the hands of justice one day, which was why he acted this way.
Darkness surged between her fingers, and Mirajane casually shot out two magical light rays that pierced Dachiru's legs. For people like him, the loss of hope for escape was the greatest despair.
However, Dachiru's despair quickly vanished due to the light that erupted from the altar in the center of the dungeon.
"Hahaha, Lullaby is unsealed!"
"Well done, Kageyama!"