The doors of Fairy Tail slowly swung open.
Makarov entered first.
Erza followed closely behind him.
At first, nothing seemed unusual.
The guild was as lively as ever. Laughter echoed through the hall, glasses clinked against wooden tables, and arguments could be heard from nearly every corner.
Macau and Wakaba were in the middle of yet another heated argument over a card game.
"You're cheating!"
"I am not!"
"You switched the cards!"
"I did no such thing!"
But then Gray noticed the two figures standing at the entrance.
His expression changed.
"Master?"
The argument between Macau and Wakaba gradually died down.
Levy lowered her book.
Cana slowly lowered her drink.
One by one, the members of Fairy Tail turned toward Makarov.
Something was wrong.
The old man's expression was unusually serious.
Makarov walked toward the center of the guild and stopped.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his eyes swept across the room.
"Everyone... listen."
The guild fell silent.
Gray immediately stood.
"What happened?"
Makarov looked toward Erza.
She gave him a small nod.
He finally spoke.
"It's about Yaman."
The name alone changed the atmosphere.
Gray's eyes widened.
"Yaman?"
"What happened to him?"
Makarov began explaining.
The mission Yaman had accepted.
The merchant named Samuel Isaac.
The shipment that was supposedly meant to be delivered to a store in Magnolia.
The suspicious circumstances surrounding the assignment.
Then came the discovery.
The store had never ordered the shipment.
Samuel Isaac was not an ordinary merchant.
He was a smuggler.
And worse—
his name had been connected to the theft of rare magical equipment from a Magic Council facility.
Among the stolen items was something extremely valuable.
A rare Time Lacrima.
The guild listened in stunned silence.
But Makarov wasn't finished.
"There is more."
Everyone looked at him.
"Two Council trainees were assigned the same mission after Yaman."
Erza folded her arms.
"They were investigating the same shipment."
"And they disappeared as well," Makarov continued.
Gray's expression hardened.
"So all three of them..."
He paused.
"...are in the Valley of Illusion?"
Makarov nodded.
"Yes."
Silence.
Gray clenched his fists.
"Then we have to go."
Makarov slowly turned toward him.
"What?"
"We can't just sit here."
Gray stepped forward.
"If Yaman is trapped in that place, we should bring him back."
Makarov stared at him.
Then—
THWACK!
His fist landed squarely on Gray's head.
"OW!"
Gray grabbed his head.
"What was that for?!"
"Because you're an idiot!"
"What?!"
Makarov pointed angrily at him.
"This isn't an ordinary mission anymore!"
He slammed his fist against his palm.
"It has become an S-Rank situation!"
Gray opened his mouth.
"But—"
"Don't."
Makarov raised one finger.
"And don't even think about saying that you're ready."
Gray immediately closed his mouth.
Makarov continued.
"I am not sending you."
Gray frowned.
"What about Erza?"
"Her either."
Erza blinked.
"Master..."
Makarov turned toward the rest of the guild.
"Cana stays here."
Cana looked surprised.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Then Makarov's eyes moved toward Macau and Wakaba.
"And neither of you."
Macau raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you looking at us?"
"Because I know exactly what you're thinking."
Wakaba scratched his cheek.
"...We were actually thinking about going."
"I knew it."
Gray clenched his teeth.
"So what are we supposed to do?"
Makarov fell silent.
For several seconds, he stared at the floor.
The guild waited.
Then—
his eyes suddenly widened.
He had remembered someone.
"There is..."
Makarov slowly raised his head.
"...one person."
The entire guild watched him.
Makarov turned toward Macau and Wakaba.
"Have either of you seen Gildarts recently?"
The moment the name left his mouth, the atmosphere changed.
Gray's eyes widened.
Cana stopped drinking.
Wakaba exchanged a glance with Macau.
"Gildarts?"
Erza looked around in confusion.
"Who is Gildarts?"
Gray turned toward her.
"You don't know him?"
Erza shook her head.
Gray sighed.
"He's one of Fairy Tail's strongest mages."
Makarov nodded.
"An S-Rank wizard."
Macau folded his arms.
"He left a while ago."
"Another S-Rank job," Wakaba added.
"And he still hasn't returned."
Makarov sighed.
"Of course."
He rubbed his forehead.
"Of all the times..."
He turned toward the communication Lacrima.
"He's the only person I can trust with this."
Everyone gathered around as Makarov activated the Lacrima.
The crystal began glowing.
Static crackled through the guild.
Then—
"OI, OLD MAN! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"
Several people jumped.
Makarov's eye twitched.
"Gildarts."
"What?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm heading back to the guild."
His voice sounded completely relaxed.
"I've finished the mission."
Makarov let out a small breath of relief.
"Good."
Then Gildarts added casually:
"Although there was a little damage."
Makarov froze.
"...Damage?"
"Yeah."
"What kind of damage?"
A brief silence.
"I accidentally destroyed the altar of a church."
The guild became completely silent.
Makarov's expression slowly darkened.
"You..."
His eyebrow twitched.
"GILDARTS!"
"Whoa! Calm down!"
"How many times have I told you not to destroy things?!"
"It was an accident!"
"How am I supposed to explain this to the Council?!"
"I don't know."
"And who's going to pay for the repairs?!"
Another pause.
"Uh..."
Gildarts laughed nervously.
"That's usually your problem, old man."
Makarov's face turned red.
"YOU—!"
He stopped himself.
Took a deep breath.
Then remembered the reason for the call.
"Forget it."
Gildarts chuckled.
"That's why you're the master."
Makarov's eye twitched.
"Where are you now?"
"I'm northeast of Hargeon."
Makarov suddenly went still.
His eyes widened.
The northeast of Hargeon.
That was the road leading toward the Valley of Illusion.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Gildarts."
"Hm?"
"I have another mission for you."
"Another one?"
"An S-Rank mission."
There was a short silence.
Then Gildarts sounded more interested.
"Oh?"
Makarov's voice became serious.
"A new member of Fairy Tail has disappeared."
"His name is Yaman Agnes."
"He's somewhere inside the Valley of Illusion."
"I want you to bring him back."
"That's all."
"No unnecessary fighting."
"No destruction."
"Just bring him home."
Gildarts was silent for a moment.
Then he laughed.
"How did some new kid manage to get himself into an S-Rank mission?"
"He didn't."
"What?"
"The mission was originally C-Rank."
Makarov explained everything.
The fake client.
Samuel Isaac.
The stolen Time Lacrima.
The two Council trainees.
And how all three had followed the same route into the Valley of Illusion.
Gildarts' laughter gradually faded.
"So this Samuel guy is a smuggler?"
"Yes."
"And the kid is inside the valley?"
"Yes."
Gildarts sighed.
"Sounds like trouble."
"It is."
Makarov's expression hardened.
"And when that brat comes back..."
He paused.
"I'll personally deal with him for accepting a mission that turned into this."
Gildarts chuckled.
"Fair enough."
Then Makarov said:
"They're inside the Valley of Illusion."
Silence.
"...You want me to go there?"
"Yes."
"Old man..."
"What?"
"I hate that place."
Makarov closed his eyes.
"Here we go."
"You don't understand."
Gildarts sounded genuinely uncomfortable.
"Do you know what I saw the last time I went there?"
Makarov sighed.
"Just tell me."
"I saw my wife."
Several people exchanged confused looks.
Gildarts continued.
"She told me she was pregnant."
Silence.
"With a girl."
Even more silence.
"And then she told me I was going to be a father."
The entire guild stared at the Lacrima.
Then—
THUD!
Half the guild collapsed.
Cana stared blankly.
Gray covered his face.
Erza looked genuinely confused.
"What kind of illusion was that?"
Makarov slowly got back to his feet.
"Gildarts..."
"Yeah?"
"Go."
"Fine."
"Now."
"All right, all right."
The communication suddenly ended.
The Lacrima went dark.
Makarov stared at it for several seconds.
Then he turned toward the bar.
"...Bring me a beer."
---
Meanwhile...
Far away from Fairy Tail, a lone figure walked through a dense forest.
Branches scraped against his large frame as he passed.
His wild red hair stood out against the darkness, while a large scar crossed his Chest.
Gildarts Clive.
He sighed.
"That old man..."
He shook his head.
"I finish one mission and immediately get another."
Yet despite his complaints, a faint smile appeared on his face.
He stopped.
Beyond the trees, the distant mountains were barely visible beneath the night sky.
Somewhere beyond them waited the Valley of Illusion.
Gildarts stared toward it.
His smile grew.
"Still..."
He rolled his shoulders.
"Sounds like this might be an interesting trip."
Then he continued walking.
---
The Valley of Illusion
The darkness inside the valley was different from ordinary darkness.
It seemed to swallow the faint moonlight that reached the ground.
The fog drifted between the trees.
The forest was silent.
Too silent.
Then—
Drip.
A drop of liquid fell onto the ground.
Drip.
Another followed.
A dark pool had spread across the earth.
Blood.
Several bodies lay scattered around it.
Yaman.
Eyal.
James.
And Samuel.
None of them moved.
Their clothes were torn and stained with blood.
The battle was over.
And the two men standing above them appeared almost completely unharmed.
Gabriel Karoshi rested his enormous cleaver against the ground.
Blood stained the edge of the blade.
Yet Gabriel himself barely looked tired.
Lior stood beside him.
He looked almost as composed.
Gabriel glanced down at the defeated group and sighed.
"You see?"
His voice was almost casual.
"If you had simply cooperated, none of this would've happened."
He looked at the blood beneath his feet.
"Life is worth more than a few jewels."
A cold smile appeared.
"Don't they teach you that in the Light Guilds?"
His eyes shifted toward Samuel.
"Or the Magic Council?"
He laughed.
"Apparently smugglers aren't taught it either."
Lior glanced toward the cart.
"Can we leave now?"
Gabriel nodded.
"Yes."
He looked toward the disguised cart.
"Take it."
"Jaro will be waiting."
Lior raised one hand.
Thin magical threads shot from his fingers.
They wrapped tightly around the cart.
The threads pulled taut.
The cart began moving.
Lior started dragging it through the fog.
Gabriel walked beside him.
Their silhouettes slowly disappeared into the darkness.
The wheels rolled farther away.
And farther.
Until they vanished completely.
Silence returned.
Only the fog remained.
For several seconds, nothing moved.
Then—
Yaman's fingers twitched.
His eyes slowly opened.
Everything was blurred.
His breathing was shallow.
He tried to move.
Pain immediately shot through his body.
He clenched his teeth.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Through the fog, he could barely see the two figures disappearing with the cart.
His hand tightened.
Blood slipped between his fingers.
"Damn..."
The word was barely audible.
He tried to push himself up.
His body refused.
His vision began to fade.
The last thing he saw was the cart disappearing deeper into the Valley of Illusion.
Yaman's eyes slowly closed.
And the valley swallowed him once again.
The mist of the Valley of Illusion stretched endlessly beneath the mountains.
For miles, there was nothing but darkness.
Then—
A shape emerged from the fog.
At first, it was impossible to tell what it was.
A wall.
Ancient stone rose from the valley floor, disappearing into the mist above. Massive towers stood on either side of it, their surfaces covered with centuries-old carvings.
And at the center stood an enormous gate.
Above it, carved deeply into the stone, were three words:
CITY OF ILLUSION
Beyond the gate...
There was life.
An entire city.
Rain poured from a sky that was permanently hidden beneath thick black clouds. Lanterns illuminated the streets, their warm light reflecting across the wet stone roads.
Merchants shouted.
Children ran between stalls.
People hurried beneath cloaks and umbrellas.
Despite the darkness surrounding the city, it was alive.
Almost disturbingly so.
---
" ten thousand jewels?!"
A woman slammed her hand against a butcher's counter.
The exhausted merchant stared at her.
"I'm sorry, madam, but that's the price."
"That much for 1 kg meat?!"
"Imports have become difficult."
The merchant pointed toward several empty crates.
"Supplies coming into the city have dropped considerably. Transportation through the valley isn't exactly easy."
The woman narrowed her eyes.
"So you're raising the price because you can."
"No, I'm raising it because I have to."
"You're all thieves!"
She turned away angrily.
The butcher sighed.
"I really should have become a farmer..."
---
Further down the street, an elderly man walked beside his son.
The boy stared upward.
"Father?"
"Yes?"
"Why doesn't the sun come out here?"
The old man smiled.
"It has been this way for generations."
"But why?"
The old man looked toward the dark clouds.
"Because this city carries the sins of those who came before us."
The boy frowned.
"Will the sun come back?"
"If we repent."
"Repent?"
"Return to the Lord."
The boy looked toward the sky.
"And then we'll have sunlight?"
The old man smiled.
"Perhaps."
The boy nodded seriously.
"Then I'll pray every day."
The old man chuckled.
"That's my boy."
They continued walking.
Neither noticed the enormous estate overlooking the city from the hill above.
---
The House on the Hill
The mansion dominated the highest point of the city.
Iron gates surrounded it.
Guards stood at every entrance.
Servants moved through the enormous halls carrying furniture, decorations and paintings.
At the center of the grand reception room stood a man.
He had long blond hair, carefully styled in an elaborate fashion.
His clothes were expensive, extravagant and clearly chosen to make him look more important than he actually was.
In front of him stood an enormous portrait.
Of himself.
He stared at it.
Silence.
Then his lips slowly curled upward.
"Magnificent."
He placed a hand against his chest.
"Truly magnificent."
A servant nervously adjusted the painting.
"Is it straight, Jaro-sama?"
Jaro tilted his head.
"No."
The servant immediately panicked.
"Move it two centimeters to the left."
"Yes, sir!"
"Now one centimeter back."
The servant obeyed.
Jaro smiled.
"Perfect."
He stepped back.
The portrait towered above him.
He admired it with absolute pride.
"The time has finally come..."
He raised one hand dramatically.
"The entire city shall witness the greatness of..."
He pointed at himself.
"Jaro-sama!"
His eyes gleamed.
Then—
"Sharla..."
His grin widened.
"SHARLA, SHARLA, SHARLAAAAAA—!"
"Jaro."
His voice died instantly.
A childish female voice had come from behind him.
"Jaro."
His expression froze.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
He turned around.
There was a girl have white skin and red eyes and purple hair in Twin Tails style sat comfortably on a luxurious sofa.
A book rested open in her hands.
Her dark-purple hair was styled into twin tails, framing her pale face.
She didn't even look up.
"Jaro."
"Yes..."
"I finished my grapes."
Jaro's eye twitched.
"...Your grapes?"
"Bring me another bunch."
His smile returned.
A very fake smile.
"Of course, Ultear-sama."
He bowed.
"Immediately."
---
The moment he disappeared into the corridor—
His smile vanished.
He marched into the kitchen.
Opened the refrigerator.
Grabbed another bunch of grapes.
Then stared at them with quiet fury.
"Damn it..."
He lowered his voice.
"Damn Hades..."
He clenched his teeth.
"Damn Grimoire Heart..."
He looked toward the ceiling.
"I'm Jaro-sama!"
His fist tightened.
"Why am I serving grapes?!"
He took a deep breath.
Then his expression changed.
A sly smile appeared.
"But..."
He looked at the grapes.
"This won't last forever."
His eyes narrowed.
"Once Gabriel Karoshi returns..."
His smile became darker.
"Once I get what I hired him to retrieve..."
He imagined himself standing above the city.
"No one will be able to treat me like a servant anymore."
Not Hades.
Not even Ultear.
He quietly laughed.
"Then..."
His voice dropped.
"Everyone will know who Jaro-sama really is."
"Sharla—"
"Jaro?"
He froze.
His entire body went rigid.
Ultear stood behind him.
She was smiling.
"Why are you laughing?"
Jaro's face immediately became pale.
"Nothing!"
He turned around so quickly that he nearly dropped the grapes.
"I was merely..."
He forced a smile.
"...expressing my happiness at being able to serve you, Ultear-sama."
Ultear stared at him.
For several seconds.
Then she smiled.
"You're strange."
Jaro laughed nervously.
"Thank you."
He presented the grapes with both hands.
"Your grapes."
Ultear glanced at them.
Then shook her head.
"I don't want them anymore."
Jaro's smile froze.
"...What?"
"I ate enough."
She returned to her book.
"Do you have something sweet?"
Jaro stared at her.
"...Of course."
---
Several minutes later, he returned carrying a beautifully decorated walnut cake.
He placed it before her as though presenting a royal treasure.
"Please."
He carefully cut a slice.
"Freshly prepared."
He placed a fork beside it.
"Enjoy."
Ultear smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Jaro watched.
She took one bite.
His eyes brightened.
"Well?"
Ultear stopped chewing.
Her expression changed.
Jaro's smile slowly disappeared.
She swallowed.
Then immediately reached for a glass of water.
"What..."
She drank.
"Is..."
Another sip.
"This?"
Jaro blinked.
"My cake?"
Ultear stared at the slice.
"How can you eat this?"
Jaro's face fell.
"...Excuse me?"
"It's terrible."
Silence.
Jaro looked personally wounded.
"Terrible?"
"Awful."
She took another sip of water.
Jaro forced a laugh.
"Haha..."
His eye twitched.
"That's actually my favorite."
Ultear looked at him.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"My mother used to make it."
For a brief moment, his voice became quieter.
Ultear looked at him.
Then at the cake.
Then back at him.
"...Your taste is horrible."
Jaro smiled painfully.
"Thank you."
"Do you have anything else?"
"Anything that doesn't taste like that?"
Jaro hesitated.
There was only one thing left.
His cupcakes.
He slowly looked toward the refrigerator.
His eyes widened.
No.
Those cupcakes had been made especially for him.
He had been saving them.
He walked to the refrigerator.
Opened it.
There they were.
Beautifully decorated.
Perfect.
His treasure.
Absolutely not.
He closed the refrigerator.
Then—
"Oh."
Jaro froze.
Ultear had noticed.
"Cupcakes."
She smiled.
"I want those."
Jaro's face collapsed.
"No."
Ultear blinked.
"Jaro."
"No."
"Jaro."
"Those are mine."
She tilted her head.
"I want them."
"No!"
He hugged the box.
"I've been saving those!"
Ultear smiled.
"Give them to me."
Jaro stared at her.
His resistance lasted approximately three seconds.
"...Yes, Ultear-sama."
---
Later that evening...
Jaro sat silently in his room.
His expression was utterly defeated.
Across from him, Ultear sat on the sofa.
The box was open beside her.
She happily ate another cupcake while reading her book.
"Mmm."
She smiled.
"These are good."
Jaro stared at the emptying box.
His soul was slowly leaving his body.
"Yes..."
Ultear took another bite.
"Very good."
Jaro looked away.
My cupcakes...
Ultear continued reading.
Then Jaro finally spoke.
"Ultear-sama?"
She didn't look up.
"Hm?"
"May I ask you something?"
Her eyes remained on the page.
"What?"
"Why do you come here so often?"
Ultear finally looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Grimoire Heart has many places under its influence."
Jaro smiled carefully.
"Surely there are more interesting places for someone like you."
Ultear closed her book.
"I like this place."
Jaro blinked.
"You do?"
"Yes."
She leaned back.
"It's quiet."
Her eyes moved toward the window.
"I can read."
She smiled faintly.
"And no one bothers me."
Jaro's expression became awkward.
"Of course."
Ultear looked at him.
"Besides..."
A small smile appeared.
"You're amusing."
Jaro froze.
"Amusing?"
"Yes."
She picked up another cupcake.
"You're always trying so hard to look important."
Jaro's eye twitched.
"I am important."
"Of course."
She said it with such complete indifference that it somehow sounded worse.
Jaro cleared his throat.
"Still..."
He hesitated.
"Doesn't Hades-sama need you aboard the guild?"
Ultear's expression became slightly colder at the mention of Hades.
"I go where I want."
Jaro immediately nodded.
"Naturally."
She returned to her book.
After a moment, Jaro asked:
"Would you like some tea?"
Ultear looked up.
"Yes."
Jaro smiled.
"Of course."
He stood.
Then Ultear added casually:
"And don't forget the sugar."
Jaro stopped.
"...Of course."
He walked toward the door.
Behind him, Ultear smiled and returned to her book.
The door closed.
Jaro stood alone in the corridor.
His expression slowly changed.
The smile disappeared.
He looked toward the dark window.
Rain continued to fall over the City of Illusion.
His eyes narrowed.
Gabriel.
Where are you?
He had no idea what was happening deep inside the valley.
He didn't know that his hired killer had already obtained the carriage.
He didn't know that three young mages lay injured in the darkness.
And he certainly didn't know that the boy he considered nothing more than an obstacle—
Yaman Agnis—
was still alive.
Jaro smiled.
"Come back soon..."
His eyes gleamed.
"Because once you deliver what I paid for..."
He quietly laughed.
"...everything changes."
From inside the room:
"Jaro."
He immediately straightened.
"YES, ULTEAR-SAMA?!"
"Where's my tea?"
Jaro's face fell.
"...Coming."
He walked away.
The rain continued falling.
And somewhere beyond the walls of the City of Illusion...
Something far more dangerous was already moving.