章 158: Chapter 158: The Truth, New Members?
Following Nate onto the deck, he saw that everyone else was already gathered there.
Lyon looked at Nate with hesitation.
"You want to ask about Ur's whereabouts, don't you?" Nate could see the question written on his face.
After a moment, Lyon replied, "Your master said you've already graduated from her teachings."
"She often plays [Magic Arena]. If you reach the King rank, you might even get matched up with her."
King rank?
Lyon's gaze sharpened. Only two hundred people could hold that rank, with spots fixed so that one could advance only if another fell. As it stood, there wasn't even a single mage at the Gold rank yet, let alone King. But Lyon was determined; he felt certain he'd make it there eventually.
"I understand. I'll reach King rank," he said with determination, choosing not to press Nate further about Ur. His new resolve was to surpass his master by facing her himself in the arena.
The group disembarked from the airship, where members of Cait Shelter awaited them below.
Wendy, one of their own, cheerfully introduced everyone. "This whole village is our guild, Cait Shelter."
"It's a small guild," she explained, "so we don't get major requests, but we're known for our textile products!" Her voice brimmed with pride as she spoke of her home of seven years.
The guild master, Roubaul, stood before them with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture slightly bent with age.
"Fairy Tail, Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, and dear Wendy and Carla…" Roubaul began. "Thank you all for defeating the Oración Seis and stopping Nirvana. On behalf of the regional guild alliance, I offer you my deepest gratitude!"
Nate smiled and observed Cait Shelter's members with his Six Eyes. As he suspected, they were all projections, created entirely from Roubaul's memories.
Ichiya stepped forward, his rich voice captivating, "Master Roubaul, this victory against the Oración Seis wasn't an easy feat. But through the strength of friendship among comrades, we triumphed!"
His three 'brothers' from Blue Pegasus clapped in support, each one calling him "teacher," "brother," or "master" in turn.
Carla rolled her eyes. "Why do they keep calling him different titles?"
Ultear chuckled softly. "He's really taking all the credit for himself."
Nate watched with a faint smile, amused by the show.
And Ichiya wasn't finished.
Each word was punctuated by the chorusing cheers of his team, and soon he had even roped in Wendy and Happy, who clapped along to the dance until Wendy turned red with embarrassment. The guild members of Cait Shelter, however, remained impassive.
The energetic atmosphere cooled as Roubaul cleared his throat.
"Everyone," he began gravely, "you must have many questions about Nirvana and the Nirvit Tribe."
The playful mood was replaced by solemnity.
Ichiya's tone grew serious. "Yes, why was Cait Shelter the Oración Seis' first target after they acquired Nirvana?"
There were closer guilds between Worth Woodeea and Cait Shelter's northeast edge, such as Blue Pegasus, but they had chosen to target Cait Shelter first.
Roubaul, sighing heavily, replied, "I apologize sincerely for all of this."
Natsu scratched his head. "Doesn't bother us at all, right, Happy, Nate, and Ultear?"
Happy gave an enthusiastic "Aye!"
Ultear looked at Nate knowingly, sensing the truth as he did, while Wendy offered a gentle smile. "Master, I'm not bothered either."
Roubaul's expression softened with affection as he gave Wendy a long, meaningful look. "What I have to say… concerns you, Wendy."
The look in his eyes made Wendy feel uneasy.
Then Roubaul turned to Nate. "Sir Nate, once you've heard what I have to say, I'll have a favor to ask of you."
Nate nodded. "I can tell right away that you're a spirit. And I sense you've reached your limit."
The others were surprised by his revelation.
Roubaul shook his head. "There's no need for you to help me, Sir Nate."
"To see mages of your talent rise in this age reassures me that Nirvana will not fall into evil hands."
Nate had nothing to say. He didn't want to interfere, save for his live streaming task. With or without him, other Wizard Saints would handle Nirvana. Brain's plans to act as judge over light and dark were nothing but fantasy.
"Please, let me explain."
Though Nate already knew, the others listened in stunned silence as Roubaul revealed everything.
First, Roubaul was not a descendant of the Nirvit Tribe—he was one of them.
Second, he had created Nirvana four hundred years ago.
Third, he intended it to prevent war, but the powerful magic had a dark side.
"The more darkness Nirvana turns into light, the more darkness it stores," he explained. "And that darkness… eventually turned inward upon my people, the Nirvit Tribe."
Roubaul was the only one left. "My body vanished long ago. I exist now only as a spirit, redeeming myself… or perhaps waiting for someone to destroy Nirvana once and for all."
He looked at Nate and smiled as if freed. "My task is finally complete…"
Nate felt a pang of understanding. A person could live so long that they welcomed the end.
Roubaul had the option to continue existing, but he declined it.
"Master…" Wendy's voice trembled, seeing faint particles of light drifting from Roubaul's form.
"Don't be sad, Wendy," Roubaul reassured her.
With him went all the spirits he'd created over the years, each one leaving a parting smile for Wendy and Carla.
Tears streamed down Wendy's face as each member disappeared. "No! Don't go, please! I love this guild… I love everyone!"
Nothing could stop it.
As Roubaul himself began to fade, he explained the last hidden truth. "I've kept something from you, Wendy. Seven years ago, a young man named Jellal brought you to me."
"He looked at you with sincere eyes, and I couldn't refuse. But Wendy, he wasn't the Jellal of this world. I believe he was from another."
With a final kind smile, Roubaul whispered his goodbye. "Live happily with true friends, Wendy and Carla. Farewell."
The last of him dissolved into particles, returning to the ether.
"No!" Wendy's heart-wrenching cries filled the silence.
Nate knew Roubaul wouldn't accept help, and he couldn't force him to stay in the mortal world. He knelt by Wendy and gently patted her head. "He's gone to a better place, Wendy. One day, you'll see him again."
"Really?"
"Really." Nate nodded, speaking sincerely. He wasn't lying—he believed in the spirit realm beyond this world.
After Roubaul disappeared, Cait Shelter dissolved as well. Wendy and Carla returned to Blue Pegasus' ship with them, saying tearful goodbyes to the home and family they had known.
The ship made a stop at Lamia Scale the next day, leaving Lyon and Sherry before finally reaching Magnolia.
Back at Fairy Tail, the guild threw a lively celebration to welcome them back.
The next morning, Master Makarov introduced two new members:
"Everyone, this is Wendy, and this is Carla."
"Hello, everyone…"
Beside Makarov, Gajeel spoke up awkwardly. "I'm Gajeel the Iron Dragon. Nice to meet you all."
~~~
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