Chapter 188: Hades was Shaken, Ivan looking for ’Lumen Histoire’
Chapter 188: Hades was Shaken, Ivan looking for ’Lumen Histoire’
Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Hades was Shaken, Ivan looking for 'Lumen Histoire'
A peaceful afternoon passed with Juvia at the church. No further attacks came from Grimoire Heart. Perhaps they had been stopped by Azuma, or maybe they were simply deterred by the repeated use of Fairy Law. Either way, the festival continued without interruption.
Evening soon arrived, marking the start of Fairy Tail's famous magic parade.
The parade floats began at the guild's main entrance, making a loop around the city before eventually returning to the guild. Crowds eagerly awaited the grand spectacle.
In front of the guild:
Master Makarov, wearing a T-shirt with the Fairy Tail emblem, stood atop one of the floats, dancing in an exaggerated, comical style.
"The Master looks like he's in high spirits," Mirajane commented with a warm smile.
Wearing her usual armor, Erza watched the floats move off. "It seems Grimoire Heart won't be showing up after all."
...
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Forest:
Laxus had waited all afternoon and well into the evening, but no enemies appeared.
"What a waste of time!" he muttered irritably, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, darkness enveloped him, swallowing his surroundings.
It was as though he'd been ripped from the world, isolated from reality.
"If you're here, stop hiding," Laxus growled.
A paper doll materialized in the darkness, floating lightly in midair.
A voice, dripping with mockery, came from the doll. "Still so rude—no respect for your father."
"Long time no see, son," it continued. "I'm glad to see you looking so well. Makes me proud as a father."
"...Ivan." Laxus narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"
"Still no manners. Fine," the doll sighed, feigning disappointment. "I didn't expect Fairy Tail to have something like that magic app. Anyone in danger can just trigger Fairy Law."
"Nate's really something. A dangerous young man!"
The app had prevented him from acting recklessly, and Grimoire Heart was useless as well—they were also too afraid to make a move. Ivan had planned to sneak into Fairy Tail amid the chaos, but that plan was clearly out.
With no distraction to cover his tracks, he couldn't risk it. Instead, he decided to see his son.
"What are you here for?" Laxus's tone was cold. "As someone expelled from Fairy Tail, you shouldn't come near this city."
"Watch your tone, Laxus! Who do you think put that Dragon Slayer Lacrima in you?" Ivan's voice came through the doll, displeased.
As a father, his son's coldness stung his pride.
Laxus muttered, "When you were kicked out, I argued with the old man for you. But now I understand why he did it. If you're done, I'm leaving."
He turned to go.
"Wait," the doll said. "I only have one question."
Laxus stopped, willing to listen—if only because this was his father.
"Where is Fairy Tail's ultimate weapon... Lumen Histoire?"
"What?" Laxus frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb. I'm sure Makarov told you about it. It's a closely guarded secret, known only to the guild masters."
Ivan continued, "As his grandson and the future Fourth Master, he's bound to have told you."
At this, Laxus laughed. "The Fourth Master? You'd be better off asking Nate."
...
Grimoire Heart, Magic Airship
Azuma and the remaining members of the Seven Kin of Purgatory had returned to the ship. Inside the lounge, Hades sat back on the sofa, watching the livestream with a scowl. The broadcast was following the Fairy Tail magic parade, and watching Makarov dance on the float in his comical way only deepened Hades' irritation.
"Bluenote, it's night now—your turn to act," Hades ordered, glaring at his Deputy Commander.
Bluenote remained silent, a bead of cold sweat forming on his brow as his earlier arrogance waned. Though he loved battle, he wasn't foolish. At noon, Fairy Law had been cast three times in a row, each instance by a different person. Who would dare to go up against that? He'd have to be out of his mind to test the power of that magic.
"It doesn't make sense! I can understand the Magic Net's creator, Nate, using it; he's known to have that ability. But the ones who killed Zoldeo were a pair of siblings, just regular guild members. How did they know Fairy Law?"
He couldn't believe the whole guild knew how to cast it; it was too absurd.
Hades was equally unsettled. Although Fairy Law alone posed no threat to him, if ten people were to cast it at once... even he couldn't withstand that.
After a pause, he issued an order: "Bring me Jellal."
"Yes, Master."
A moment later, "White Jellal" entered the lounge. "Is there something you need?"
"It's not you I need." Hades removed his right eyepatch, revealing a Demon's Eye. "Voldemort."
Triggered by the keyword, White Jellal gritted his teeth in pain as his consciousness shifted. Used to this torment, he'd grown somewhat accustomed to it by now.
"I told you not to bother me unless it was urgent," the voice of Voldemort sounded, his tone cold and annoyed.
Hades scrutinized him carefully, still unable to discern how Voldemort's consciousness so swiftly took control of Jellal. "About multiple members of Fairy Tail being able to use Fairy Law... you must know something."
Voldemort chuckled dryly. "You think I'm some kind of question-and-answer machine? Precht, you disappoint me."
"Disappoint?"
"Got a little scared, didn't you?" Voldemort taunted.
Hades gave a small laugh. "I do intend to punish Ultear, but it's not a necessity."
In other words, he admitted he was, indeed, shaken.
Voldemort casually explained, "It's a feature of the Magic Net, something called a [Magic App]." He then provided a brief explanation of the app concept.
Hades listened, astonished. "Is this some kind of joke? Nate must be a god to create something like this."
"Who knows? Maybe he really is a human vessel for some god," Voldemort replied with a hint of amusement. "The Great Magic World you're after is a joke compared to the Magic Net."
Hades's expression turned grim. The idea that any Fairy Tail member, when in mortal danger, could activate a magic as powerful as Fairy Law was outrageous.
Bluenote, standing nearby, was equally stunned. "Is this true? Or are you just making things up?"
Voldemort shot him a glare. "Why don't you test it yourself? See if I'm lying."
Bluenote immediately fell silent. Testing it would be a death wish.
"All gifts of fate come with hidden costs, Precht," Voldemort continued. "One day, I'll collect my payment for this answer. I'll be watching you..."
As his voice faded, White Jellal's head slumped forward.
Hades fell into deep thought. The Magic App... an impossible magic. And Voldemort was just as unfathomable. If Nate was indeed a vessel of some god, then Voldemort might well be something similar.