Cough, cough.
A cough drew everyone's attention.
Jellal, who had been lying on the ground, woke and stared up at the sky with resentment in his eyes.
The Tower of Heaven project had been one step from success, and he simply could not accept defeat.
"No, it can't end like this. Wait for me, Master Zeref. I will resurrect you, and I will bring 'true freedom' to this world."
Even with no chance left, Jellal still dragged his badly injured body, inching toward the waterline.
"Jellal," Erza sighed softly.
Maybe too much time had passed, or maybe Chase's influence had tempered her heart.
Seeing the man she once admired so wretched, she felt far less turmoil than she had expected. Her emotions were not as tangled or fierce as she had imagined.
What remained were regret and heartache.
According to Ultear, she had only invoked Zeref's name to guide and amplify the darkness already in Jellal's heart. She had not directly altered his memories.
In other words, everything that happened at the Tower of Heaven had been driven by Jellal's own will, and could not be excused away with a simple claim of being "controlled."
It was over now, and Erza no longer wished to untangle who bore how much blame.
She was exhausted in body and spirit. All she wanted was to return to Lucy's place in Magnolia, soak in a comfortable seaweed bath, sleep well, then start a fresh day of guild life.
"Well, Ms. Ultear, is there no way to restore him to his original self?" kindhearted Lucy asked tentatively.
Ultear withdrew her sorrowful gaze, shook her head, and said, "I've been trying for a while, but his obsession is already deeply rooted. It will take a long time to change."
"Besides, I can't be sure he would still be himself by then."
"Unless he could lose all his current memories, and let new experiences awaken the kindness within him…"
After nearly half a month of trying, this was the only path Ultear could see.
"I see. Why didn't you tell me something so simple earlier?"
Natsu pumped his fists, eager to try. "Let me smack him on the head with my Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Lucy gaped. "Are you a devil?!"
"A hot head should be treated with ice." A burst of cold air formed in Gray's palm.
"You're even less reliable than Natsu!" Lucy snapped.
"Ai~! How about we treat him to some of our treasured, premium sea fish? He'll be cured the moment he eats it!"
"Are you serious?!" Lucy was beyond words.
These guys sound like they're trying to finish Jellal off.
"I'm telling you, it's fine to mess with Lucy like that on a normal day, but don't butt in at a time like this."
At last, Chase stepped forward, flipping a card between his fingers. "Let the professionals handle professional work."
He turned the card over. It was the magic card, "Brainwash."
He was a little surprised that Ultear had actually landed on the amnesia route from the "original." That kind of thing felt too mysterious.
It wasn't like they were going to copy the source exactly, toss Jellal into the sea, then have Oración Seis fish him out, right?
Since Jellal had been brainwashed by Ultear, he would just brainwash him back, simple and direct.
"You… what are you going to do?!"
Jellal, struggling to crawl away, noticed Chase walking slowly toward him. Fear flickered in his wild eyes.
He had no strength to resist now.
Chase couldn't be bothered to talk. He activated the card's effect.
A pair of terrible demonic hands thrust out from the glowing magic circle, tore through Jellal's skin and muscle, and dove straight for his mind.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
A piercing pain ripped through him. Jellal's cry was heart-wrenching.
Unlike brainwashing an ordinary person like Jude, brainwashing a Ten Wizard Saint was extremely difficult, and even a small misstep risked backlash.
Jellal's will to resist was too strong, so Chase didn't have the luxury of making this a gentle process.
Erza, Lucy, and the other girls turned their faces away, unable to watch.
Natsu, Simon, and the rest wore grim expressions.
Everyone still trusted Chase. They knew he wouldn't fool around when it came to serious business.
The miserable screams circled the island for nearly a minute before finally fading.
Jellal passed out again.
"What, what happened?" Ultear asked, flustered.
Chase wiped the sweat beading on his forehead. "That should about do it. But once he wakes and his magic recovers, it'll take time to guide him. I'm leaving that troublesome part to you."
Jellal was simply too strong. Unless the brainwashing was maintained actively, it would be hard to get as clean a result as with Jude.
And his situation wasn't the same as Jude's to begin with.
Hearing this, Erza and the others let out a collective breath.
"But Mr. Chase, I…" Ultear looked embarrassed.
Jellal would certainly be imprisoned and punished later.
As for herself, she had committed too many sins to remain on the Council. She wanted to return to Grimoire Heart to rescue Meredy and settle things once and for all with Master Hades.
"This is as far as I go. You don't expect me to clean up everything for you, do you?" Chase raised an eyebrow.
"You misunderstood, I never thought that at all!" Ultear waved her hands quickly.
"It's not impossible, but there's a price," Chase replied at once.
"Huh?" Ultear blinked in confusion.
After a moment, she sighed. "After what I've done, I'm no longer fit to stay on the Council."
She deliberately sidestepped the matter of the Dark Guild.
It wasn't that she distrusted Chase and the others, but Master Hades was terrifying, already beyond the realm of ordinary humans.
Ultear had not yet returned to Grimoire Heart and didn't know what Hades was about to do to Fairy Tail. She simply didn't want her benefactors entangled with an enemy that dangerous.
"That won't do. If you walk away from the Magic Council now, won't all our effort be for nothing?"
Chase's tone brooked no argument. "Fairy Tail still needs your protection."
Because of his intervention, the Council hadn't been destroyed and rebuilt like in the source.
Judging from how things played out there, Chairman Crawford Seam was a fool greedy for money and power.
And Fairy Tail's staunch supporter, Mr. Yajima, was likely about to retire.
After all, the guilds were under the Magic Council's jurisdiction. Without an ally on the inside, who could say when a guild might be disbanded.
In that case, having Ultear as a second supporter would be ideal.
Of course, Ultear and Siegrain had always appeared close, so the Council would surely scrutinize her in the days to come.
Chase had confidence in Ultear's ability, after all, she had been undercover for so many years.
Such blunt words left Ultear momentarily speechless.
"Don't you want to atone for your sins? If you stay in the Council, you can fight crime more effectively," Mira said with a smile, voicing Chase's true thoughts.
She knew Chase too well.
He would not keep Ultear on the Council merely for the guild's benefit, or rather, not only for the guild's benefit.
"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone about your relationship with Jellal." Erza, who had also seen through the heart of the matter, stepped forward.
As she finished, she lifted her eyes toward Simon and the others, especially Sho.
"I… I'll listen to Sister Erza," Sho muttered, turning his head aside despite himself.
The dark-skinned boy's flushed cheeks said everything.
Simon, Wally, and Millianna had even less to object to.
For them, breaking free of Jellal and reuniting with Erza was already the greatest stroke of luck.
"Ahahaha! That sounds pretty good."
Natsu laughed. "Ultear, we'll handle all future complaints, thanks!"
"Ultear is not your excuse to do whatever you want. We still have to pay for damages," Lucy shot back, quickly adding, "and before you ask someone for help, at least say her name correctly."
"Hey, Ultear, if you get any good commissions later, let us know first." Gray was even more direct.
"Gray, clothes."
"Huh? When did that happen?!"
"Gray-sama looks so handsome without his clothes. Then Juvia will join too."
"Ah! The perverted stalker is rising from the sea!"
Hearing everyone decide things on their own, Ultear hesitated.
All those words dissolved into a soft sigh. Feeling their kindness, she finally accepted it. Resolute, Ultear drew out her crystal ball and contacted the Council.
The Tower of Heaven incident involved a black magic cult and many innocents, leaving a terrible impact, so personnel needed to be dispatched to handle the aftermath.
On the other end, Council members were still investigating the mysterious disappearances of Trinity Raven and Siegrain.
After hearing Ultear's report, they were stunned and broke into a cold sweat.
They had never imagined that Siegrain Jellal would mount something so dangerous right under their noses.
The R-System was a forbidden art that could shake the entire magical world.
If Jellal had succeeded, never mind their current positions, the Council's dignity itself might have been lost.
So, as soon as the news landed, a compulsory inspection unit led by Lahar was launched.
Aboard the Council's most advanced magic cruiser, they soon reached the small island where everyone waited.
The guards and laborers freed by Chase and Sho were all taken back to the Council and placed under strict questioning and review.
As the investigation deepened, the Review Board staff grew more and more alarmed, chills running down their spines.
Since Fairy Tail had foiled the conspiracy, they were, beyond doubt, public benefactors.
So, after cooperating with the most basic questioning, they were invited to the Review Board's reception room.
The one assigned to receive them was, naturally, the short, affable Mr. Yajima.
At the tea table, Yajima passed the freshly brewed black tea to each guest in turn.
Everyone thanked him. Even Natsu, who never cared for formalities, accepted his cup with both hands. He had no love for the Council, but Mr. Yajima was an exception.
"You handled this beautifully, Chase."
Thinking back to the reactions at the internal meeting, Yajima could not help the faint smile tugging at his lips. "Everyone in the Council owes you a favor."
"Mr. Yajima, you're too kind. I just got lucky."
Chase scratched his head with a grin. "I've caused you a fair bit of trouble in the past."
Maybe in the future too.
When Yajima found a spare moment, he would sometimes drop by Fairy Tail to chat with Makarov. He had met Makarov once or twice.
"This wasn't luck alone," Yajima sighed.
Jellal ranked among the Ten Wizard Saints on merit alone, which spoke volumes about his strength.
Across the entire Ishgar continent, there were only a handful who could defeat him.
After a sigh, Yajima suddenly changed the subject and grew stern. "But trouble is real. I'm retiring soon, so remember to rein yourselves in."
Chase answered, then hunched his shoulders and fell silent.
Even before this kindly elder who truly cared for Fairy Tail, he had to tuck away his swagger.
"Ala-la." Mira laughed behind her hand.
"Haha, I didn't expect Brother Chase to have that side to him," Lucy burst out laughing on the spot.
"And you! Newbie Lucy, I've heard a lot of rumors about you lately!"
Called out by name, Lucy stopped laughing at once. She straightened her back and apologized in a panic. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"Um, Mr. Yajima, how will the Council handle Simon and the others? And Jellal "
Erza could not help asking.
On the way back, she had invited Simon and the others to join Fairy Tail once this was over, but they refused.
Rather than hold Erza back, those who had been imprisoned for eight years wanted to see the world outside if they had the chance.
At that, the relaxation on Yajima's face gave way to a more serious look.
"Simon and the others those who returned with you, yes? With your testimony, once the detailed investigation concludes and confirms they were also victims of the Tower of Heaven, they'll be released if nothing's amiss."
"As for Jellal, there's no formal conclusion yet, but he will most likely receive life imprisonment."
"I see…" Erza stared silently at the teacup in her hands.
She felt happy for Simon and the others, and she felt sorry for Jellal.
"More importantly, there's something crucial to Fairy Tail, and it concerns Chase."
Yajima opened his eyes a fraction and looked at him. "Just now, we unanimously approved a proposal allowing you to take this year's Ten Wizard Saints assessment."
After his last talk with Makarov, Yajima had kept this matter in mind, but hadn't found the right opportunity.
The Tower of Heaven incident provided it Chase had not only shown the responsibility and ability to help maintain stability in the magical world, he had also indirectly safeguarded the Council's future and reputation.
On that basis, even those who normally opposed Fairy Tail had to compromise.
There was one detail Yajima did not mention, though. If Chase succeeded, Makarov would have to retire early.
Just like Warrod Sequen, one of Fairy Tail's founders who had already retired, two Wizard Saints were not to exist in the same guild.
Hearing this, his companions lit up with rightful excitement.
Natsu and Gray were so envious their eyes nearly popped.
Chase himself looked incredulous. "What, the Ten Wizard Saints?!"
The title sounded impressive, but it also meant greater duties and obligations. He would no longer be just a carefree guild mage.
He remembered mentioning this to Makarov before. It seemed like the sort of thing that would be hard to refuse.
"Forget it. Mr. Yajima, I'll owe you one and repay you later," Chase replied decisively.
"This topic was raised by Makarov. If you have questions, take them to him."
Sensing what Chase was thinking, Yajima added with a meaningful look, "This is about Fairy Tail's honor. If you sit for the assessment, you give it your all."
Chase's mouth twitched.
So the old man was playing hardball.
Chase resolved to hurry back and make him withdraw the proposal.
No matter how strong he was, he would still have to yield to Gildarts.
....
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