Whether it was Eisenwald's Erigor or the Heartfilia Konzern's Jude, Roland had some impression of both.
But for the two of them to meet...
"Cana, is there any more detailed information on your side?"
Roland leaned back in his seat with a strange expression and couldn't help but ask.
One was the guild master of a dark guild, and the other was the boss of a railway company Konzern.
Really, he couldn't see how the two of them could have any connection.
"Unfortunately, the client didn't reveal any more details." Cana first shrugged, then continued, "But, to be targeted by that Shinigami who only takes on assassination-type missions, he's probably had a bounty put on him."
"Erigor?"
Roland turned to look at the scenery flying past the window, then pinched his chin thoughtfully.
His only impression of Eisenwald was their attempt to assassinate the many guild masters attending the conference with Lullaby... although they failed in the end.
"Don't underestimate Erigor. When Eisenwald was a legal guild, that guy was a true S-Class Mage—"
Here, Cana added in a serious tone, "If you hadn't joined, I absolutely would not have taken this mission."
She had self-awareness. After all, she had failed to be promoted to S-Class for three consecutive years. With her strength, it was impossible for her to win against Erigor.
But with Roland, it was different.
He was the strongest newcomer who had defeated Laxus and Erza fair and square!
At this, Cana propped her chin on one hand, her eyes fixed on him without blinking, the corners of her lips slowly turning up.
This is great. My lifelong wish is about to be realized.
"..."
Noticing her gaze, Roland couldn't help but meet it. Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere fell into a brief silence.
At this time, the only sound in their ears was the clattering of the train on the tracks, mixed with the lively conversations of the passengers.
Their gazes met. In less than half a minute, Cana unnaturally averted her gaze, her face faintly hot.
The moment their eyes met just now, she suddenly had the urge to hold him in her arms, and the thought of falling in love with him also appeared in her mind.
Ahem... what am I thinking?
Cana coughed lightly, suppressing the strange feeling in her heart and forcing herself to calm down.
"Want some breakfast?" Seeing her turn her head away, Roland chuckled lightly, then took out the Gourmet Tablecloth. "I happen to have a pretty good item here."
"The tablecloth that can conjure up delicious food out of thin air..."
Looking at the checkered tablecloth, Cana raised her long, slender eyebrows. She had some impression of this item.
When Natsu and Happy had no money for food, they often borrowed it from Roland—over time, the members of the guild all came to know of this strange item's existence.
"Is there anything you want to eat?" Roland asked with a smile after laying it out. "It can generate anything from desserts to main courses."
"Then... a bottle of red wine?"
As her voice fell, a bottle of red wine appeared out of thin air on the Gourmet Tablecloth. This scene made Cana's eyes widen.
"It really appeared! Does this item have no usage restrictions?"
"No, all the food is available in unlimited quantities."
"Eh!?" An incredulous sound came from Cana's mouth.
Doesn't that mean, with this item in the future, she could drink as much as she wanted without worrying about money!
Damn it, I'm so envious all of a sudden.
Cana looked at the tablecloth in front of her with a longing heart, and a thought suddenly occurred to her.
If she could get Roland, wouldn't that mean she wouldn't even have to work and could enjoy all kinds of fine wine every day?
"Mmm The taste is no worse than the red wine in the guild!"
As her crimson lips took a small sip, the taste of the wine gradually spread in her mouth, causing Cana to involuntarily squint her eyes.
"Glad you like it."
Roland said with a smile.
The train, fueled by magic crystals, was faster than he had imagined. In just half an hour, they had arrived at their destination.
—Hargeon.
Unlike the inland town of Magnolia, Hargeon was a port city near the sea. Looking out at the sparkling sea, all one could see were various fishing boats.
Through the train window, Roland could even see several magnificent, giant cruise ships.
"Hmph~ How about it? The scenery in this city is nice, right?"
Just as they got off the train, Cana stretched comfortably, letting out a suggestive hum, and then asked with a beaming smile.
She had heard from Levy about Roland's history—a traveler from another continent, with Magnolia being his first stop.
So this should be Roland's first time in Hargeon.
"Indeed, it's more beautiful than I imagined..."
Roland nodded, his gaze curiously looking at the town.
The terrain of the city was undulating, with buildings of various heights situated neatly along the streets, with many slopes and roads leading in all directions.
Not far away was the vast, azure sea. A flock of seagulls circled at low altitude, letting out crisp cries.
Sunlight like crushed gold scattered on the sparkling sea, reflecting a dazzling and charming light...
After arriving, the next thing to do was to wait for the appointed time and then go to the merchant association.
Since the client had said to set off at noon, they could relax for the whole morning.
Cana's suggestion for this was to go to a tavern for a drink—completely unconcerned about her state when meeting the client in the afternoon.
"I'm begging you... let's find a restaurant to rest for a while."
Roland said helplessly.
Is this woman's mind full of nothing but drinking?
The two of them rested in a restaurant for a while, and soon, it was time to meet the client.
The meeting place was at a commercial hotel in the center of Hargeon.
But—
"Are you Mr. Jude?"
Looking at the short old man in a top hat in front of him, Roland raised an eyebrow and asked with feigned confusion.
He remembered that Lucy's father wasn't that old.
"I am Ede, Master Jude's butler, and also the client for this mission."
The hunched-over old man pushed up his glasses and bowed slightly.
He looked very gentlemanly and polite.
"The client? But isn't the name on the mission request Jude?"
Cana stood with one hand on her hip, holding the mission request up in front of him with the other as she couldn't help but ask.
"Please rest assured. My master has agreed to this mission. After a safe return, I will pay the remuneration as promised."
Ede said quickly.
After seeing their only potential enemy, Erigor, their guild was the only one that dared to take on the escort mission, so his attitude naturally had to be respectful.
Since there was no problem with the client, Cana didn't dwell on it any longer. As long as she got paid after completing the mission, it was fine.
On the way upstairs, Roland also learned the details of the matter from the butler.
Eisenwald's Erigor, for some unknown reason—
Learned that the boss of the Heartfilia Konzern was going to attend a meeting held by the merchant association in two days, and so was preparing to kidnap him on the way to make a hefty sum.
As for why the news of the kidnapping was leaked?
"Two days ago, thanks to the passing of some people from the council, my master was not kidnapped. So I took the liberty of posting the mission request..."
Recalling what had happened two days ago, Ede said with a sigh.
"Usually, my master has no dealings with those dark guilds. I don't know why that Eisenwald guy has gone crazy—it can't be that he's short of money!"
"..."
Roland followed behind, silent.
Eisenwald wasn't just short of money. In just three short days, he had earned over a hundred million from them. They were probably already bankrupt.
"If you ask me, it's most likely a bounty posted by a competitor."
Cana crossed her arms and walked alongside him, also casually speaking.
After all, assassination requests posted by such Konzerns in order to compete for benefits were too common in the dark guilds.
"..."
Ede shook his head and didn't reply.
This kind of thing was not something a butler by his master's side could discuss.
In the hotel living room.
As the magnificent door was pushed open, Roland saw the head of the Heartfilia Konzern as he wished.
Also Lucy's father—Jude Heartfilia.
The tall man sat behind a desk, his golden hair meticulously combed back, his expression very stern, giving off a strange sense of pressure.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Jude."
Roland greeted with a smile.
Cana beside him also greeted politely.
"Are you two the ones the guild sent to escort me?"
Looking at the young man who was no older than his daughter, Jude frowned slightly, clearly already dissatisfied.
He was being targeted by Erigor, yet that famous guild had sent two young members. Were they looking down on him?
"I spent nearly four million, and all I got were two kids?"
"Where are the S-Class Mages of your guild?"
Jude's face gradually darkened as he said in a displeased tone.
"Tsk... old man, this bit of reward isn't worth an S-Class mission." Cana retorted unhappily. "At the very least, you'd have to add another eight million."
"Alright, calm down first." Roland patted her shoulder, then said with a light laugh, "Mr. Jude, why don't you see my strength first, and then judge?"
"Don't worry, it won't take much time."
"Then don't waste any more time." Jude's gaze was fixed on Roland as he said in a deep voice, "Let me be clear, if you don't meet my expectations, please return."
"No problem, but my magic's destructive power is a little astonishing..."
Roland placed one hand on the long sword at his waist and said, hesitating.
"I will compensate for any damage you two cause."
Jude replied without even thinking.
Two kids who were no older than sixteen or seventeen, how much damage could their astonishingly destructive magic do?
"Then it's a deal—"
Under Cana's expectant gaze, Roland slowly recited.
"Enclose, Murciélago..."
Dark green Reiatsu shot into the sky. The clear sky was now piled with thick, dark clouds, and raindrops condensed from spirit particles poured down.
The scene outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was like the end of the world. The atmosphere of the entire town was filled with a heavy and oppressive feeling, making it difficult to breathe.
"..."
Jude's pupils widened as he looked at the demon with outstretched wings before him, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
...Huh!?
The intense pressure made his mind go blank, and his body bent uncontrollably, as if submitting to a higher-dimensional being.
"To be honest, ever since my Resurrección, I've never used my full strength."
Roland extended his index finger and pointed at Jude's side. Dark green Reiatsu condensed at his fingertip, a gentle smile on his face.
"It just so happens that today, I'll let you see my strength."
Cero Oscuras—
The soaring Reiatsu shot out. The black Cero instantly annihilated the wall behind Jude, rushing toward the sky with unstoppable momentum.
The sky full of dark clouds was pierced through, and the bright sunlight once again poured down, finally falling from the now-empty wall.
It just so happened to fall on Jude.
"Do you have any questions now?" Roland slowly retracted his index finger and asked softly. "Mr. Jude."
"...No, I have no more questions."
After a long while, Jude slowly came back to his senses. He looked at the young man before him with shocked eyes and murmured in a trembling voice.
He could clearly feel his back covered in a layer of cold sweat, which had long since soaked his expensive suit.
Not just his upper body, but even his pants...
At this, Jude's eyes widened, and a bad feeling suddenly rose in his heart.
Impossible—
"Ro-Roland?"
At this time, Cana swallowed, looked at him with some disbelief, and called out cautiously.
This demon-like form is Roland's strength?
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