**Chapter 9 — The Siege of Oshibana Station**
**MC POV — Approaching Oshibana Station**
The Magic Four-Wheeler skidded to a halt at the edge of Oshibana Station. Smoke curled into the sky, mingling with the early morning fog, giving the entire place an ominous glow. The station looked… wrong.
Not just wrong, chaotic. Civilians scrambled, staff shouted instructions, and magic sparkled erratically from frantic defensive wards.
"This isn't just a raid," I muttered, scanning the scene. "They've fully taken the station."
Erza, walking like a general through the chaos, didn't even glance at me. Her eyes were fixed on the staff members rushing about.
"Where are the Eisenwald mages?!" she demanded, voice cutting like a sword.
A young staff member froze mid-step, his lips trembling.
"U-uh… I… don't know exactly…"
Erza's patience snapped. **BAM!** His head flew back against a wall. Unconscious.
I internally winced. *Classic Titania.*
Another staff member approached cautiously.
"I-I can tell you… maybe…?"
Erza tensed again, hand raised.
I grabbed her arm firmly. "Stop." I said calmly. "Look at the situation. From what I see, they're inside the station. The staff are just too panicked to give details. We go in, now."
Her eyes met mine. For a split second, I could see surprise… maybe even a hint of respect. She lowered her hand, nodding.
"Agreed," she said.
---
### **Station Interior — Main Hall**
The doors burst open as we entered the main hall. The scene inside was chaos incarnate.
Eisenwald members had cordoned off sections of the hall. Smoke drifted from overturned furniture. Sparks from failed spells arced across the room.
And there, floating in the center of the hall, **Erigor** hovered. His dark robes twisted unnaturally, and his grin was wide, almost ghoulish.
He glanced down at us and laughed.
"Well, well… Fairy Tail. You think you can stop me?"
He casually drew the skeletal-shaped flute from his coat — the **fake Lullaby** that none of the others realized. Only I knew it was a decoy.
"Pathetic," he mocked, spinning the flute in his hand. "You've come into my domain unprepared."
Erza's eyes immediately snapped to him.
"Natsu! Gray! Follow him!" she ordered, pointing sharply toward Erigor.
"Understood!" Gray and Natsu shouted, charging forward.
Two other Eisenwald mages moved behind them, shadows blending with the chaos.
Meanwhile, Erza, Lucy, Happy, and I were suddenly surrounded by a semi-circle of Eisenwald members.
Lucy's hands trembled slightly as she gripped her keys. Happy floated nervously beside her.
Erza's scarlet hair flared like a banner of war. "Let's begin."
---
### **MC POV — Preparing for Battle**
I stepped slightly forward. My eyes flicked toward Erza. She looked tense, battle-ready, every ounce of her power radiating.
But something caught my attention. She'd driven the Magic Four-Wheeler from the previous station and was already showing signs of fatigue.
"Titania," I said softly, stepping closer. "You should rest. You've been pushing hard, and I can see your mana is running low."
Her eyes flickered at me — a flash of irritation… and something else. A slight acknowledgment.
"I'll handle this," she said sharply, but her posture relaxed slightly as she allowed me to continue.
I drew **two cards** from my deck.
The first glowed with a golden aura:
**"Artoria Pendragon — Saber Class Hero."**
The second shimmered darkly, almost ominously:
**"Kyoka Suigetsu — Hypnotic Weapon."**
I held them carefully, watching Erza, Lucy, and Happy. This was the perfect moment. The enemy thought they had the upper hand — but they didn't know what was coming.
---
### **Erza POV — Moment of Pause**
She noticed my calm, measured demeanor.
*He's ready. I can rely on him here.*
Her hands gripped her sword tighter, and yet, for a brief moment, she exhaled. It wasn't fear — just… trust.
"Fairy Tail," she muttered under her breath, voice low and steady. "Let's end this before more civilians get hurt."
Lucy clutched her keys, inspiration flickering in her eyes. Happy's wings bristled.
And I — well, I just tapped my cards, letting Artoria's presence fill the hall, a legendary aura of authority and justice.
---
### **MC POV — Ending Scene**
Outside the melee, the station seemed almost quiet for a heartbeat, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
The Eisenwald mages circled tighter.
Artoria's figure materialized beside me, glowing in pure golden light, sword drawn. Kyoka Suigetsu landed in my hand, shimmering faintly, ready to cast illusions across the hall.
The calm before the storm.
"Let's go save this station," I muttered.
Erza's eyes met mine. A silent acknowledgment passed between us: we would fight, together.
The battle was about to begin.
**Chapter End.**