Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

Chapter 119: I'll Protect You

Moreover, while Laxus was often arrogant and overbearing, in reality, he hadn't had many genuine conflicts with guild members in the past. Fights in Fairy Tail were normal; even though this recent one became terribly intense, there had been special reasons behind it.

"Isn't this punishment a bit too harsh?" Lucy asked softly.

Erza replied, "It's the Master's decision. Laxus really went too far this time."

Su Yan added, "He had no choice. The old man is the guild's Master, and for the sake of the guild's future, this was his only option."

Su Yan could imagine the dilemma. With so many people in Fairy Tail who'd grown up together, many might forgive Laxus. But some wouldn't. If Laxus wasn't punished severely, they might feel Master Makarov cared more about personal ties than fairness, causing a rift within the guild.

"What a joke!" someone yelled. "Why is Laxus the only one kicked out?"

"Weren't we in on it with him?!"

The three members of the Thunder God Tribe rushed over as soon as they heard that Laxus had been expelled.

Laxus just said, "That's the old man's verdict."

Evergreen objected, "We won't accept it!!"

"Yeah, you can't leave just like that," Bickslow chimed in.

Laxus gave a weary smile. He'd always been difficult to deal with, and yet these three idiots had chosen to follow him. They'd even joined him in a foolhardy betrayal.

"You're troublesome, you know that?" he said, turning away. "There's no goodbye."

"Why take all the blame alone?!"

"It's not about blame," Laxus said quietly. "I'm different from you. I don't feel any real attachment to this guild."

"Then we'll go beg the Master!"

"Gray and Natsu will never agree. What about Su Yan?" one of them added.

"No," Laxus said flatly. "None of this is Su Yan's fault. I'm the one who dragged it out, never letting it go. Actually, Su Yan never once cared about competing with me. He's protected the guild for years. He also saved it from my rampage this time. I hate to admit it, but he's unbelievably strong."

His eyes flicked away. "A dragon, even… That's beyond what I can handle, but knowing he's here makes me feel strangely relieved."

"Then—"

Before Evergreen could finish, Laxus turned and waved them off. "Take care."

"Laxus!!" Evergreen called after him unwillingly.

"What about the Thunder God Tribe?!" Bickslow protested. "Damn it!!"

Freed, silent all the while, finally spoke, watching Laxus's back with resolve. "We'll meet again, Laxus…"

Somewhere in a barren desert stood Raven Tail, the Dark Guild.

"Caw~ You're so pretty, heh," said a man in his fifties or sixties to a crow perched on a railing.

The crow dissolved into paper scraps, which he flicked aside. "Pity that pretty times are always brief, puha-ha-ha… Right, Gajeel?"

Inside the room, Gajeel leaned against the wall. The man was none other than Ivan, guild master of Raven Tail—Makarov's son, and Laxus's father.

Gajeel remarked, "I never heard Laxus was a Dragon Slayer until the word got out. Is it true?"

Ivan laughed. "A fake. Just a fake. Ha-ha-ha!"

"Fake?"

"That kid was weak as a child, so I pitied him. I implanted a certain crystal in his body."

"A magic crystal that grants Dragon Slayer Magic?!" Gajeel asked in surprise.

"Yes, extremely rare. Perfect for my plan. Now that the old man has exiled him, Laxus will come to us. Then I can rip that crystal out and sell it for a fortune—money we'll use to crush Fairy Tail. Ha-ha-ha! Meanwhile, you stay undercover. Even if you get discovered, don't lead them to me."

"Don't worry. I won't disgrace myself," Gajeel said.

The next evening in Magnolia, the Harvest Festival began. Fireworks painted the sky, and Fairy Tail's Magic Parade kicked off. In bright costumes and floats, Fairy Tail's wizards took to the streets, leading an exuberant procession. Tourists flocked from all around to watch.

Lucy and Levy, wearing cute outfits, danced and sang from the lead car. Gray, dressed as a prince, and Juvia, dressed as a princess, formed a fairytale scene on a crystal castle float. Erza performed a sword dance, and Natsu wowed the crowds with his fiery display.

Above them all, Su Yan soared in his azure dragon form again, drawing gasps of wonder from the spectators. Even Makarov joined, dressed in clownish attire, merrily twisting and dancing in the parade. From a distance, Laxus watched, wearing a small smile.

In the past, he would've thought his grandfather's antics embarrassing and refused to be near him. But now, just seeing Makarov healthy and happy brought Laxus more comfort than anything else.

As Laxus turned to leave, he froze and glanced back. Makarov stood there with his left fist near his chest, right hand in the shape of a pistol pointed skyward—an old signal Laxus himself had come up with as a child. To Laxus's shock, every Fairy Tail member was doing it, too.

Suddenly, tears welled in Laxus's eyes. He could practically hear Makarov's voice: Even if I can't see you, even if you're far from me, I'll watch over you and protect you.

Wiping his face, Laxus took one last look at the guild parade and murmured softly, "Thanks, Gramps." Then he turned and walked off, the heartbreak in his eyes replaced by a faint, determined resolve—and gratitude.