Chapter 509: Irene and Brandish's Decision
Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia.
September, x786.
The day Irene woke up and spoke with Alfonzo about why she and Brandish came to Magnolia, A group of Rune Knights, led by Lahar and Doranbolt, were surveying the damage from the battle between Alfonzo, Retsu, and Irene.
"*Sigh* We're going to have to report this to the council." Lahar said while adjusting his glasses. "We've already talk to Fairy Tail, but we were not able to get much information, unfortunately."
"Do you think they were holding back information from us?" Doranbolt, or rather Mest Gryder till disguised as Doranbolt, asked with a frown. "I mean, they still aren't particularly fond of the Magic Council, despite the fact that their former master is a member."
"No, I don't." Lahar replied. "Although they don't like us, they are not outright hostile towards us. Besides, everything they said matches with the interviews we had with the civilians. And these traces prove it."
The day after the battle, the Rune Knights and the Fourth Magic Custody Unit arrived to investigate the reports some civilians made after hearing Irene's roars and seeing the flashes and explosions from the battle.
Since then, the Magic Council have been interviewing anyone they could about what happened. And that included the wizards of Fairy Tail. And to their surprise, they were very forthcoming about what happened.
Or at least, that's what Fairy Tail wanted them to believe.
The story Fairy Tail and Retsu told the Magic Council was that Retsu, while on her way back to Mermaid Heel, was attacked by an old enemy. And during the fight, Alfonzo, Gildarts, and Ur were alerted to what was going on. So, the three strongest members of Fairy Tail rushed to their ally's aid. And when they arrived, the assailant ran away while leaving some threatening words.
Unfortunately, the attacker wore a mask and a hood. So, Retsu was unable to identify her attacker. And as unfortunate as that was, Retsu mentioned that she had made far too many enemies over the years to remember who it was that had attacked her, a story the Custody Enforcement Unit believed.
"Either way, all we can do is find as many clues as possible." Lahar said while watching his subordinates work. "We can't allow someone willing to attack a member of the Magic Council to roam freely.
Nodding in response, Mest was just about to respond. However, before he could, he began to shudder in terror. Then, like a rusty machine, he slowly turned his head towards the sky. And when he did, he saw the silhouette of a large black dragon with white, feathery wings approaching from the sky.
"Acnologia…" Mest muttered in sheer terror, remembering the last time he saw the Dragon King of the Apocalypse. However, this time it was much more terrifying as he was seeing him at a much closer distance.
Naturally, Acnologia's presence scared more than just Mest. Everyone looking over the battlefield was just as scared. And when they saw Acnologia's indifferent gaze, the only thing they could do was pray to whatever god they believed in, hoping that Acnologia was not in the mood to kill at the moment.
Eventually, after several minutes of tense silence, the Rune Knights and the Custody Enforcement Unit lost hope when they saw Acnologia open his mouth and take a deep breath.
"It's over…" Lahar muttered in a resigned tone.
Once Acnologia finished taking his deep breath, however, he only snorted. Then, while looking down at the humans below with disdain and mockery, he flapped his wings before flying away.
As soon as Acnologia's presence could no longer be felt, everyone surveying the battlefield, without exception, collapsed to the ground while breathing heavily.
"I don't know why he left, but I think I just became a believer." Mest said while wiping the cold sweat from his brow. "I've never prayed for anything in my life. But this time, it worked."
Nodding his head in agreement, Lahar could not find the words to say. However, after a few moments, he stood to his feet and barked an order.
"Hurry up and finish investigating!" Lahar shouted. "If that thing comes back for some reason, we do not want to still be here!"
Hearing that, all the Custody Enforcement Officers and Rune Knights snapped out of their stunned states. Then, while moving as quickly as they could, they finished surveying the battlefield before they all made their way back to Era to report.
The reason for Acnologia's appearance was actually quite simple. Though, the people from the Magic Council had no way of knowing. Acnologia had shown up because he felt Irene's draconic power.
However, because he was so far away, it took him a while to arrive on Ishgar. And because Alfonzo used anti-magic restraints that completely stopped Irene's magic power from exiting her body, Acnologia was only attracted to the remnant traces left behind from the battle. And he had no way of tracking it to Magnolia thanks to the time since the battle ended.
Since that day, a little more than a week has passed. In that time, Shizuka finished her treatment of Irene, leaving her with a perfect bill of health. In the meantime, Irene and Brandish have been discussing their options while in captivity.
"So, what are we gonna do?" Brandish asked. "Are we going to betray?"
Instead of responding immediately, Irene turned her head in Brandish's direction. Naturally, Irene's silent stare while in her dragon form made Brandish uneasy. Because despite the fact that both of their magic power had been sealed, Irene could still kill Brandish with her overwhelming physical strength as a dragon. Luckily, Irene's mobility was greatly hampered by Alfonzo's restraints. So, she was certain she could get away had Irene lost her temper at some point.
After a few seconds of tense silence, Irene turned away before laying her head on top of her paws.
"*Sigh* Honestly, I'm leaning towards that." Irene said in a tired tone. "Just like he said last time, I am Earth land's first Dragon Slayer. And because of incomplete information, I turned into what you see now after over using my [Dragon slayer Magic]. And because of that, I lost many things. Things I did not realize I cherished until they were gone."
Knowing that Brandish was talking about the ability to taste food and sleep, as well as several human emotions, Brandish could only lower her head in sympathy. And had she known about the fate of Irene's daughter, she would completely understand why Irene made that decision.
"Unfortunately, if I tell Fairy Tail everything, you will be implicated as well." Irene continued. "And unless you are willing to capitulate, I don't see you having a good outcome."
Brandish immediately widened her eyes upon hearing Irene's words.
"But couldn't we just tell something made up?" Brandish asked. "Then, once the opportunity presents itself, we make a break for it?"
"In most cases, that would be true." Irne said while shaking her large, draconic head. "But then, there's a pretty good chance I'll lose the one thing that I've truly desired for centuries."
To that, Brandish fell into contemplation. It's not like she truly wanted to be one of the emperor's twelve shields. IN fact, she only accepted the position because she felt that she owed the Alvarez Empire for raising her after her mother passed away. Still, as someone who would rather not be involved in conflict, the thought of leaving sounded rather appealing to her. Especially after the months of relaxation she had after accepting the mission to investigate Alfonzo.
"*Sigh* It looks like I don't have a choice." Brandish said in a wispy tone. "I'd rather not spend my days in captivity after you tell them everything. And being put to death as a spy sounds even less appealing."
Hearing that, Irene turned towards Brandish with a wry smile on her dragon face. Though, to Brandish, it only looked as if Irene was bearing her sharp teeth at her.
"That's probably the best decision you could make." Irene said. "Because I'm sure death is a much more likely outcome than life imprisonment. Of course, it would come after a healthy dose of torture to get as much information out of you as possible."
At the thought of being tortured for information, Brandish could not help but shiver. However, before she could scare herself too much, the doors to the elevator slid open, drawing Irene and Brandish's attention.
"So, I think I've given you ladies enough time to ponder my offer." Alfonzo said with a smile as he stepped out of the elevator.
"Hmph! You say that as if you had not been eavesdropping on every word we muttered since you brought us here." Irene said disdainfully.
Smiling sheepishly in return, Alfonzo understood why Irene and Brandish, who was also glaring at him disdainfully, would think that way. However, Alfonzo had no monitoring devices set up in the hanger. Other than the standard measures that would let him know if they were trying to escape. However, with their magic power sealed, Irene and Brandish had no way of knowing that.
"Anyway, that doesn't matter." Irene said after calming down. "I'm sure you already know that we've decided to accept your offer. Defecting to your side can grant both of us something that we want. And we already know that you must have a fail-safe in the case that we betray you."
"Good." Alfonzo replied, not trying to dispel the misunderstanding. Since he planned to remove their restraints, they would find out that there were no listening or viewing magic items in the hanger once they had access to their magic power again. "Well then, let's get rid of those restraints, then."
*Snap!*
With a snap of his fingers, Alfonzo dispelled the restraints on both Irene and Brandish. Then, he used his [Metal Magic] to remove all the anti-magic sigils.
"Oh ho, you're quite trusting, aren't you?" Irene asked with an eyebrow raised. "Who's to say we won't just attack and take you hostage now that our restraints are gone?"
"Although I probably won't be able to get the restraints on you before you can attack, I can have this room completely covered in sigils way before your attacks can reach me." Alfonzo replied with a shrug. "Then, that would leave me in a two-on-one situation with a dragon and a stronger than average young woman who can't use magic."
"And you think you could take on the both of us without your magic?" Brandish asked in a strong tone.
In response, Alfonzo looked at Brandish with the same gaze that he looked at Gildarts with when he brought the two to the hanger.
"Why do you think I would leave myself unable to use magic, too?" Alfonzo asked curiously.
"*Sigh* He's used magic in front of us while standing atop the anti-magic sigils before, Brandish."
Hearing that, Brandish remember the way Alfonzo floated the platters containing Iren's meals while walking across the hanger. Then, she looked away with a slight blush on her face.
"Anyway, Irene, could you [Transform] back into your human form?" Alfonzo asked. "The elevator won't fit your dragon form. And I'd rather not let you out through the hanger doors. Acnologia might come back. And I'd rather not have him nude Magnolia because he senses you."
"Acnologia was here?" Irene asked as she was covered in a bright white light. "Had I known, I would have been able to kill him."
"Yeah, I seriously doubt that." Alfonzo replied while lessening the intensity of the light Irene's [Transformation] spell produced. "I mean, I've fought you both. And he outclasses you by a lot."
In response, Irene remained silent. However, when the light reseeded, she wore a deep frown at the thought of being underestimated. But with the chance to regain her humanity on the line, she squashed her pride. Then, she looked herself over.
"*Sigh* All my clothes are fine." Irene said in a disappointed tone. Then, she touched her head, which was missing her usual fur-brimmed witch hat. "Unfortunately, that hat was the only one I had."
"I'm sure Lici wouldn't mind making you another one." Alfonzo said with a shrug as he approached the two. "Anyway, I need each of you to wear one of these."
As he spoke, Alfonzo reached int a pouch that was fastened to the sash acting as his belt. And when he pulled his hand out of the pouch, he was holding a pair of exquisite orichalcum bracelets inlaid with several colorful lacrima.
Before he reached the two, however, Alfonzo vanished in a burst of speed and purple light. A moment later, he reappeared between Irene and brandish. ON top of that, the two bracelets were no longer in his hands. Instead, they were hugging the left and right wrist of Brandish and Irene, respectively.
"What is this?" Brandish asked angrily. "You sealed my magic power again?"
"No, this is different." Irene said while letting her magic power spread out. "WE can still circulate our magic power., we can even eject it from our bodies. But we can't condense any of it to cast a spell."
Hearing Irene's explnation, Brandish also tried ejecting her magic power from her body. And the only thing she could do with it was use [Magic Power Detection]. Then, she turned an incredulous expression in Alfonzo's direction. Meanwhile, Alfonzo only shrugged once again.
"Better safe than sorry, you know." Alfonzo replied. "I spent a lot of all-nighters to get those magic items just right, too. You should be praising my ability as a magic item crafter rather than glaring at me like that."
"Yes, this is truly impressive." Irene replied. "And I can understand why you did it. But do you really think you can stop me if I empower myself with magic?"
*Smack!*
"Yeah, I do." Alfonzo replied while catching Irene's fist that was aimed at his sternum. "Even though you may be a dragon. Without the ability to condense your magic power, you'll never be physically stronger than me."
"I see." Irene replied as she withdrew her fist. "So, the condensation of magic power is not just external… Very interesting."
"Well, if you're done testing the limits of my magic item, let's head to the guild hall." Alfonzo said. "I'm sure Ur would love to hear the real reason why the two of you came to Magnolia."
With that, Alfonzo turned and made his way towards the elevator. Meanwhile, Irene and Brandish exchanged glances.
"He really wasn't watching or listening to us." Brandish said in a shocked tone after sweeping the whole hanger and bathroom with her [Magic Power Detection].
Shaking her head, Irene followed Alfonzo towards the elevator with Brandish following behind her a beat later.
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