The capture of Trinity Raven and the sudden disappearance of Siegrain made Ultear realize immediately that
something must have happened at the Tower of Heaven.
"It's all my fault that things have come to this."
Looking at the tragic battlefield, Ultear's tone was filled with self-blame.
When mother and daughter reunited, she realized how wrong she had been before. Her first thought was to try her best to persuade Jellal to turn back and not keep making the same mistake.
Using force to suppress something is the last resort, a measure to be used only when there is no other alternative.
Unexpectedly, Jellal was crazy enough to send Trinity Raven to assassinate Chase.
As a result, this matter, which should have been resolved by her as the "culprit," dragged her benefactor Mr. Chase and Fairy Tail into it.
Fortunately, the situation did not become the worst-case scenario, or she would have added yet another unforgivable sin. "Ms. Ultear, you have nothing to do with this incident, right?" Lucy was a little confused.
From her perspective, Ultear and Jellal were both members of the Magic Council.
But that was all. There was no need to take all the blame on herself because of this, right?
"That's what I mean, Blackie, you're a good person!" Natsu's neck was still locked by Gray, but his head popped out.
"…It's Ultear, Natsu!" Lucy covered her face in embarrassment.
"Although I'm very upset with this fireball idiot, he is right. There's no need to blame yourself too much," Gray echoed.
Because of his connection to Ur, he felt a natural closeness to Ultear, like a younger brother to an older sister.
As he spoke, he tightened his grip, pressing Natsu's sandal up toward his face, and did not forget to increase the pressure.
Waves surged along the distant coast.
Juvia surfaced with a murderous look, staring at Ultear with hostility. "Love rival!"
Wait, why is she here too?
Perverted stalker, that tracks.
Seeing that everyone in Fairy Tail trusted her so much, Ultear's shoulders trembled. She bowed her head, and the guilt in her heart grew heavier and heavier.
"Actually, the one who used Zeref's remnant will to brainwash Jellal and set off all the subsequent tragedies at the Tower of Heaven was…" Ultear pondered for a few seconds, her eyes dimming as she resolved to face her sins. She looked up at Erza and said, "It was me."
Erza, who had just released her emotions and regained her composure, widened her eyes instantly. "What did you say?!"
Simon and the others also showed expressions of anger they could not conceal.
The hot-tempered Quinn exploded on the spot and demanded angrily, "Are you saying you were the one who kept us locked up here for eight years and made Erza suffer so much pain?!"
"Wait, Ms. Ultear, why would you do this?" Lucy covered her mouth in horror.
"Impossible! There must be some misunderstanding here!"
Gray instantly lost the desire to keep arguing with Natsu and pointed at Jellal lying on the ground. "This guy is obviously the mastermind behind the Tower of Heaven!"
"There's no misunderstanding. I was the one who secretly guided Jellal to do that."
Ultear shook her head slightly, her eyes firm and resolute, and told the survivors present the whole truth without hiding anything.
Halfway through, Sho could no longer control himself. He rushed forward with murderous intent, ready to tear the enemy before him to pieces.
Gray sensed the killing intent and hurriedly stepped in to stop Sho, shielding Ultear behind him.
After learning the whole story, he still could not understand why Ultear had done something so harmful.
But one thing was certain, Ultear was steeped in remorse and wanted to atone with her life.
Even if he had no right to interfere, Gray could not stand by and watch the daughter his master Ur had finally found be beaten to death on the spot.
"Get out of my way!"
Sho roared, struggling to suppress the urge to fight.
After all, the other party stood with Fairy Tail, partners of Erza and Mr. Chase who had saved her.
Simon, Wally, and Millianna gritted their teeth, fists clenched tight.
They were not as impulsive as Sho, yet the anger in their eyes was unmistakable, already at the brink of exploding.
"Enough, Gray. This is Erza and her friends' business, we have no right to get involved."
Seeing the situation teeter on the edge, Chase, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
A sudden surge of overwhelming magic pressed down on everyone present, forcing both sides to calm.
Gray froze. After a few seconds, he thought it over, then moved with difficulty to make way.
His black hair fell over his lowered face, hiding whatever expression he wore.
Lucy's lips parted. She clearly wanted to speak, but when the moment came, the words would not take shape.
Chase is right. There was no reason for "outsiders" like them to interfere.
With no one blocking him, Sho stepped forward, closing in on Ultear.
But a figure reached her first, stepping in front of Ultear.
Erza's tear-streaked face was set with rage, her eyes dark and terrifying.
The long sword gripped in her hand flashed with a chill gleam.
"Go ahead."
Ultear had no intention of resisting. She closed her eyes and calmly faced the death to come.
She knew that doing so would not wash away the many sins she had committed, nor was it an escape.
But when facing the people she had hurt, she truly could not say, "Please let me live to atone for my sins."
What she owed to Meredy and the other victims could only be repaid in the next life. The moment tears slipped from her tightly shut eyes, a cold light flashed, drawing a sharp straight line through the air.
The whole audience fell silent.
A few strands of hair drifted down, and the lacrima that had fallen to the ground was carried away into the distance by the sea breeze.
Ultear, who had not felt death claim her, suddenly opened her eyes. "Why, why "
"That's enough."
Erza's expression remained cold, and the sword in her hand dissolved into a point of light and vanished.
She could clearly feel the pain and regret radiating from Ultear.
The resolve to die as atonement does not fool anyone.
How could Titania, who never kills her enemies, take the life of someone who truly repents out of hatred?
Although it would be painful in the short term, Erza believed that only by doing this would she have no regrets in the future.
As Mira said before, no one understands the preciousness of life better than gentle Erza.
Ultear touched her shorn bangs and stood there, at a loss.
"Wait! Erza-nee!"
Just as the hotheaded Sho was about to speak, Erza gently pulled him into an embrace and said, "Let's stop here, Sho."
Boom~
There was a crisp thud of forehead meeting hard armor.
Sho finally calmed down, physically speaking.
"Ahaha, ahahaha…"
Lucy clutched her chest and let out a long breath.
Natsu and Happy's taut nerves finally relaxed.
Mira smiled, leaned toward Chase, and whispered, "You're so cunning, Chase. You knew this would be the result, so you brought up Erza on purpose, didn't you?"
"Who knows." Chase spread his hands and played innocent.
....
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