Rain battered the windows of the royal palace.
Beyond the tall glass panes, the city of Illusion had disappeared beneath a curtain of darkness and rain. Thunder rolled across the sky, while the dim lights of the streets flickered through the storm.
Inside the palace, however, everything was warm, bright, and painfully elegant.
A long dining table stood beneath a massive chandelier. Dozens of candles illuminated silver plates, crystal glasses, and enough food to feed an entire household.
At one end of the table sat Gabriel Karoshi.
His mask was nowhere to be seen tonight.
He had pale skin, crimson eyes, several scars across his face, and medium-length black hair that fell naturally around his features. His usual battle attire had been replaced by formal clothing, though the enormous sword he carried was resting safely elsewhere.
Beside him sat Leor, his eleven-year-old apprentice.
The boy's silver-gray hair was slightly damp from the rain, and his blue eyes remained sharp despite his young age. He looked almost out of place among the extravagant surroundings.
The table was covered with roasted turkey, pork, vegetables, pastries, fruit, and countless expensive dishes.
Leor stared at it for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Isn't this a little excessive?"
Gabriel calmly cut another piece of meat.
"When you become a mercenary famous enough to receive invitations from kings and feudal lords, you'll be treated like this."
He raised his glass.
"Don't look at the waste. Look at the value of what you're receiving. That's another lesson."
Leor leaned back.
"I'm full."
He pushed his chair away and stood.
But before he could leave, his expression changed.
His left hand instinctively moved toward his right elbow.
He glanced down.
The sleeve concealed beneath his formal clothes had been bothering him for some time.
Leor carefully loosened the bandage beneath it.
A faint burn mark remained on his skin.
His eyes narrowed.
He remembered the attack.
The sudden movement.
The water.
And the boy with the magma.
His fingers tightened.
Before he could think further—
"Excuse me."
Leor quickly covered the injury.
A palace maid stood beside the table.
"Leor-sama, Lord Jaro will be joining you shortly. He wishes to speak with both of you. Please remain here for a little longer."
Leor frowned.
"What does that idiot want?"
Gabriel immediately looked at him.
"Leor."
The boy clicked his tongue.
Gabriel smiled politely at the maid.
"Thank you. We'll remain here."
"Of course."
The maid bowed and left, closing the door behind her.
The moment she disappeared, Gabriel looked at his apprentice.
"What are you doing, brat?"
Leor folded his arms.
"What does that idiot want? We brought him what he wanted."
Gabriel sighed.
"Don't you ever learn? You don't insult a client inside his own home."
He glanced at Leor's elbow.
"And why are you still angry?"
Leor's expression darkened.
"Because you stopped me from killing him."
Gabriel stared at him for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Still thinking about the magma brat?"
"Yes."
Leor looked away.
"You wouldn't let me finish him."
Gabriel took a sip of wine.
"Children these days..."
He shook his head.
"Whether you killed him or not, I'm almost certain he's dead. Those injuries were severe."
Leor looked down at his bandaged arm.
"I hope he's alive."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"So I can tear those arrogant eyes out of his head before he dies."
Gabriel suddenly laughed.
"You're growing up."
He reached over and lightly tapped Leor's head.
"But don't let your anger become a weakness. Someday you'll fight someone stronger than you. You'll get injured. Maybe badly."
His smile faded slightly.
"When that happens, don't let it break your back."
Leor nodded.
"I understand."
Gabriel leaned back.
"Speaking of which..."
He pointed at Leor's arm.
"How did he even manage to hit you?"
Leor clicked his tongue.
"I was busy fighting the Council's apprentices. He attacked suddenly."
"You didn't see it coming with your Power?"
"I did."
Leor's expression became irritated.
"I saw the attack. I tried to avoid it, but the rain had turned everything into a mess. I slipped."
Gabriel stared at him.
"You slipped?"
Leor glared.
"Don't laugh."
Gabriel was already laughing.
"So the legendary Leor finally lost a fight because of rain."
"Shut up."
Gabriel laughed harder.
"That was unlucky."
Leor crossed his arms.
"He's just lucky."
"Maybe."
Gabriel's smile faded into something more thoughtful.
"But remember that feeling."
Leor looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because someday, you won't have luck to blame."
Before Leor could answer—
CLICK.
The doors opened.
Both of them turned.
Jaro entered.
He wore an elaborate royal outfit, his golden hair perfectly arranged, his expression carrying the exaggerated confidence of a man who desperately wanted everyone to believe he was important.
He spread his arms.
"Ah! My beloved guests!"
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"How generous."
Jaro ignored the remark.
"Do you know how much affection I have for the great Gabriel Karoshi and his magnificent young apprentice?"
He approached Leor and reached toward the boy's cheek.
Leor immediately slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch me."
Silence.
Jaro froze.
Then his smile returned.
"Hahaha! What a wonderful apprentice, Gabriel."
He looked at Gabriel.
"He's following perfectly in your footsteps."
Gabriel casually drank his wine.
"Don't worry about him. He's simply unfriendly toward clients."
Leor glared at him.
Gabriel continued.
"He'll grow out of it."
Jaro laughed nervously.
"Of course! Of course I'm used to today's children I already have one in the library make me nervous always . !"
Gabriel smiled.
"Your sense of humor hasn't changed, Jaro."
"Neither has your honesty."
They both laughed.
Leor merely stared at them.
Jaro eventually sat down.
"Anyway..."
He rubbed his hands together.
"There is something important I wanted to discuss."
---
Meanwhile...
Far away from the dining hall, inside the palace library—
Ultear sat comfortably on a luxurious sofa.
A book rested open in her lap.
Gareth stood nearby, serving her tea.
Suddenly—
"Ah-choo!"
Ultear sneezed.
Gareth immediately looked worried.
"Ultear-sama? Are you all right?"
Ultear rubbed her nose.
"Yes."
She looked back toward her book.
"I just feel like someone is thinking something unpleasant about me."
Gareth swallowed.
Probably Jaro.
Ultear turned another page.
Then suddenly looked up.
"Where is Jaro?"
Gareth stiffened.
"He..."
Ultear narrowed her eyes.
"He has been gone for over an hour."
"Yes."
Gareth smiled awkwardly.
"He has an important royal meeting."
Ultear stared at him.
Gareth continued quickly.
"I was delayed myself because of palace protocol and the preparations for your stay."
Ultear slowly closed her book.
"Is that so?"
A faint purple aura appeared around her.
Gareth's smile disappeared.
"Ultear-sama..."
"Are you planning something?"
"N-No!"
Gareth's voice cracked.
"Absolutely not!"
Ultear stood.
"Then why are you nervous?"
"We would never disrespect our guest! You are an honored guest of Jaro-sama."
Ultear tilted her head.
"Are the other guests more important than me?"
Gareth nearly stopped breathing.
"No! No, of course not!"
Ultear sighed.
"I just hope he isn't planning to hang another ridiculous portrait of himself somewhere."
She started toward the door.
"I'll go find him myself."
Gareth's face went pale.
"Wait!"
Ultear stopped.
He immediately stepped in front of her.
"Please remain here. I'll go tell Jaro-sama that you require him."
Ultear frowned.
"Why are you acting so strangely?"
Gareth's forehead was covered in sweat.
"I assure you, there is nothing strange happening."
"I want Jaro."
"You can ask the servants for food."
"I don't want food."
Ultear's eyes narrowed.
"I simply want to see that idiot's face."
Gareth swallowed.
"Ultear-sama..."
"Move."
He didn't.
Ultear's aura intensified.
"If you don't move..."
Gareth immediately stepped aside.
"Yes, Ultear-sama!"
She walked past him.
Gareth watched her go.
I'm going to die.
Then—
He suddenly remembered something.
His eyes widened.
The cargo.
One of the servants had told him about the special item Gabriel had delivered.
Gareth's face slowly brightened.
"The Time Lacrima..."
He smiled.
Isn't that Ultear's favorite kind of magic?
He immediately ran after her.
"Ultear-sama!"
She turned around, annoyed.
"What?"
Gareth nearly tripped down the stairs trying to reach her.
He caught himself, straightened his clothes, and forced a gentle smile.
"The reason Jaro-sama is late..."
Ultear stared at him.
"...is because he's preparing a gift for you."
Ultear's eyes widened.
"A gift?"
"Yes."
"What kind?"
Gareth smiled.
"Something very special."
Ultear stepped closer.
"What?"
"Something that represents Jaro-sama's appreciation for you."
He paused dramatically.
"The Time Lacrima."
Ultear froze.
For a moment, her entire expression changed.
Then—
"Really?!"
Her face lit up with genuine excitement.
"Yes! Jaro-sama wanted to surprise you."
Ultear grabbed Gareth by the shoulders.
"Where is it?!"
Gareth nearly cried.
"Please, Ultear-sama, follow me."
Ultear smiled brightly.
"You two are my favorites!"
Gareth's smile became painfully forced.
I'm definitely going to hell.
The two disappeared down the staircase.
---
Back in the dining hall...
Jaro was eating.
And eating.
And eating.
Gabriel watched him with increasing confusion.
Leor finally broke the silence.
"What do you want?"
Jaro stopped chewing.
"Oh!"
He wiped his mouth.
"I'm terribly sorry. I made you wait."
He laughed awkwardly.
"The food was simply too good."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"You dragged us here to eat?"
"No, no!"
Jaro waved his hands.
"I want you to stay here tonight."
Gabriel's expression changed.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Jaro leaned back.
His smile slowly became more serious.
"Because tomorrow..."
He paused.
"...everything changes."
Leor looked at Gabriel.
Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
Jaro smiled.
"I'll explain everything."
He placed his hands on the table.
"And once you hear what I have planned..."
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"...you'll understand why the reward I'm offering you will be worth more than anything you've ever dreamed of."
Thunder exploded outside.
BOOOOM.
The candles flickered.
Gabriel remained silent.
Leor stared at Jaro.
For the first time that evening, neither of them was laughing.
Something was coming.
And whatever it was—
Jaro clearly believed it would change everything.
Meanwhile in Illusion Valley
The night had grown quiet around the camp.
The fire crackled softly, sending sparks into the dark sky.
Then—
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Gildarts' loud laughter echoed through the forest.
"Shut up!"
Yaman glared at him from across the small wooden table.
The two of them had been playing cards for some time.
There was only one problem.
They were gambling.
And Gildarts was winning.
Yaman stared at the cards in his hand with growing irritation.
He slowly placed them on the table.
Then he grabbed the small pile of jewels beside him and threw them down as well.
CLACK!
"Damn you!"
Yaman stood up and walked away.
Gildarts laughed.
"Hey, hey! Don't get upset. Come back."
He picked up the jewels.
"I won't take them. Here, take your jewels back."
"I don't want them."
Yaman sat down away from the table.
Gildarts raised an eyebrow.
"You don't?"
"I lost. You won. I'm not taking them back."
Gildarts sighed.
"You're only making yourself miserable with that stubbornness."
"Shut up."
"Being a man isn't about acting like this, kid."
"Shut. Up."
Gildarts laughed again.
Yaman stared into the fire before muttering,
"I still can't believe old man Makarov actually sent you to find me."
Gildarts tilted his head.
"Old man Makarov?"
"Master Makarov."
Yaman glanced at him.
"According to what you said, you're one of Fairy Tail's strongest members. The Ace. One of the strongest after Makarov."
Gildarts scratched his cheek.
"Yeah."
Yaman looked him over.
"Judging by your behavior, I honestly don't believe it."
Gildarts laughed.
"Hahaha! Don't judge a book by its cover."
He moved closer and sat opposite Yaman.
"Anyway..."
His expression became more serious.
"You still haven't told me what happened."
Yaman stared at him.
"What?"
"What happened in the valley."
Yaman's expression immediately changed.
"I already told you."
Gildarts frowned.
"No. You told me pieces."
He leaned forward.
"I want to understand what happened."
Yaman stared at him for a moment as if he couldn't believe the question.
Then he sighed.
"Fine. One last time."
He took a deep breath.
"That bastard is a smuggler."
He pointed toward Samuel, who was sleeping nearby.
Samuel answered with a loud snore.
"He submitted a C-Class request asking for assistance. Me, Eyal, James, and two trainees from the Rune Knights accepted it."
Gildarts listened without interrupting.
"The request was supposed to be simple. Escort his goods to another merchant."
Yaman's eyes narrowed.
"But then he suddenly cancelled the delivery. He said he'd found another buyer."
"And you continued anyway?"
"Yeah."
Yaman shrugged.
"I was suspicious, but I thought it might turn into an interesting to pass the Mission ."
Gildarts smiled slightly.
"You are really reckless and idiot boy ."
Yaman ignored him.
"We entered the Valley of Illusion because, according to Samuel, the new buyer was in the City of Illusion."
He paused.
"The deeper we went, the stronger the illusions became."
Yaman glanced toward Eyal and James.
"Those two helped me deal with them. They taught me how to control my Etherano."
Gildarts nodded.
"But Samuel..."
Yaman pointed toward him.
"Nothing."
Gildarts frowned.
"Nothing?"
"He wasn't affected."
Yaman's voice became colder.
"Not once."
He clenched his fist.
"Even though he was supposed to be an ordinary merchant."
Gildarts's expression became serious.
"So you suspected him."
"Of course."
Yaman continued.
"Then the two mercenaries ambushed us."
Gildarts listened carefully.
"According to what I heard, they already knew Samuel."
He pointed toward the sleeping man.
"And someone named Jaro had hired them."
"To do what?"
"Take the wagon."
Yaman paused.
"And whatever was inside it."
Gildarts nodded slowly.
"And you fought them."
"Yes."
Yaman looked at him as though the answer should have been obvious.
"While we were trying to figure out what to do with Samuel, Eyal, James and I decided to fight."
He looked down at his hands.
"And..."
He exhaled.
"You saw what happened."
Gildarts sighed.
"Brave..."
Then he shook his head.
"But stupid."
Yaman immediately glared at him.
"Compliment me or shut up."
Gildarts chuckled.
"Fine. Brave."
He picked up his beer and took a drink.
Then he paused.
"Wait."
Yaman looked at him.
"You said there were two mercenaries?"
"Yeah."
"What were their names?"
Yaman shrugged.
"I don't know."
Gildarts frowned.
"You don't know?"
" What do you want from They are just lowly mercenaries "
But Gildarts keep looking at him to answer
Yaman thought for a moment.
"One was a boy around our age."
He scratched his head.
"I never heard his name."
Then he remembered.
"But Eyal mentioned the other man's name."
Gildarts lowered his bottle.
"What was it?"
Yaman answered casually.
"Gabriel Karoshi."
The bottle slipped from Gildarts's hand.
CLINK.
It fell onto the ground.
The laughter disappeared completely.
Gildarts froze.
Yaman noticed.
"Oi."
No response.
Yaman frowned.
"What's wrong?"
Gildarts slowly looked at him.
"...What did you just say?"
Yaman blinked.
"Gabriel Karoshi."
Gildarts's expression suddenly changed.
"What the hell were you idiots thinking?!"
Yaman's eyes narrowed.
"Why are you shouting?"
"Gabriel Karoshi?!"
Gildarts stood up.
"That bastard is an S-Class criminal!"
Yaman immediately stood as well.
"Don't shout at me! Who the hell do you think you are?"
"You fought him!"
"Yes!"
"You actually fought Gabriel Karoshi?!"
"What else were we supposed to do?!"
Gildarts pointed toward him.
"You should have run!"
Yaman's expression hardened.
"Run?"
"Yes!"
"Give them the wagon and hope they let us live?"
"You could have surrendered!"
Yaman's anger exploded.
"I'm not a coward!"
"I didn't call you a coward you Fucking brat !"
"You told me to run!"
"I told you that to survive you idiot !"
What do you think ha do you think thats you know this disgusting world you brat
Yaman stepped forward.
And said, "Don't speak as if I didn't see anything. I saw things that would make stones speak, you scoundrel!"
"We accepted the mission to protect that wagon!"
His voice echoed through the forest.
"If two bastards attack us and try to take it, what exactly do you expect us to do?"
Gildarts stared at him.
Yaman continued.
"Stand there and smile while they kill us?"
He pointed toward the darkness.
"They were mercenaries! Their job was to take the wagon and eliminate anyone who got in their way!"
His breathing became heavier from the shouting.
"And whether we gave them the wagon or not, I don't believe they would have simply let us walk away!"
Silence fell between them.
Then—
"Ugh..."
A weak groan came from the tent.
Both turned.
Eyal slowly opened his eyes.
James followed a moment later.
"What... happened?"
Eyal tried to sit up.
Then the memories returned.
"The mercenaries..."
James immediately looked around.
"Where are they?"
They noticed Gildarts standing opposite Yaman.
Both tensed.
Eyal reached for his Sword.
Yaman immediately raised a hand.
"Relax."
Eyal stared at him.
"Who is that?"
Yaman glanced at Gildarts.
"...He's an ally."
Gildarts raised an eyebrow.
"An ally?"
Yaman sighed.
"Don't make it complicated."
Gildarts smiled.
"Hahaha."
Yaman glared at him.
"And stop laughing."
But Gildarts's smile slowly faded.
His eyes moved toward the darkness beyond the camp.
Gabriel Karoshi.
That name had changed the situation completely.
This was no longer a simple escort mission.
And Yaman had no idea just how dangerous the man he had fought truly was.