The setting sun, like blood, stained the rolling, inky waves with an ominous crimson gold.
Atop the cliffs of Fiore Kingdom's western coastline, an ancient castle, built from dark grey basalt, stood isolated, like a slumbering beast.
The salty sea wind poured in through moss-covered high windows, stirring the flickering candlelight and casting several distorted, elongated shadows on the walls of the empty, cold hall.
Jose sat enthroned at the end of the hall on a massive seat carved from a single block of obsidian.
The former Guild Master of Phantom Lord, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, his face was now devoid of the composed facade he once put on for the Council, leaving only unconcealed gloom and a suppressed, soon-to-erupt madness.
His gaunt fingers nervously tapped the cold armrest, making a soft "tap, tap" sound that was particularly jarring in the silent hall.
Below the steps, the core strength of the Phantom Lord Guild—the Four Elements—were each seated.
Sol, the Earth Element, a gaunt figure in a crisp, earthy yellow suit, leaned back in a stone chair, a look of unconcealed greed on his face.
Aria, the Wind Element, Jose's direct disciple, stood tall and straight like a javelin.
His face was covered by his signature white mask, concealing all expression, revealing only two sharp, hawk-like eyes.
He sat meticulously, like an emotionless statue.
Tutu Maru, the Fire Element, wore a wide-sleeved robe with flame patterns, a crimson long-handled katana slung at his waist.
A habitual, seemingly lazy smile played on his lips, but the index finger of his left hand, resting on the hilt of his sword, was lightly tapping the tsuba on and off, the subtle tremor of his fingertip betraying his inner unrest.
Juvia, the Water Element, was the most unique presence.
Even within the dry confines of the castle, a miniature rain cloud, as if woven from the purest blue velvet, hovered above her head.
Tiny, continuous raindrops fell, yet strangely, they only existed within a half-foot radius around Juvia, forming a small, damp microclimate, with not a single drop reaching the cold floor.
She held a dark blue, Gothic-style umbrella with tattered lace trim, most of her face hidden in the shadow of the canopy, revealing only a slightly pale jawline and tightly pressed thin lips.
Beneath the umbrella were a pair of grey-blue eyes, as calm as the deep sea, or even lifeless, as if indifferent to everything around her.
Aria took a step forward, bowing slightly, his voice from beneath the mask having a metallic, grinding quality, clearly breaking the silence: "Guild Master Jose. The Oración Seis has passed its highest resolution, formally accepting all of us into their ranks."
He paused, seemingly observing Jose's reaction, "Lord Brain, the former Guild Master of the Oración Seis, stated that to showcase the new spirit and formidable strength of the merged guild, the guild name will be changed to 'Ten Demon Generals.'"
A subtle, almost imperceptible air of self-importance appeared in the corner of Jose's eye; he awaited further details.
Aria continued: "Lord Brain specifically instructed me to convey: Guild Master Jose, your strength and status are deserving of respect, and thus you are specially appointed as Vice Guild Master of the Ten Demon Generals. Effective immediately."
"Vice Guild Master?"
A brief silence, like a cold current, instantly froze the air in the hall.
Jose's fingers, tapping the armrest, abruptly stopped.
His deep-set eyes suddenly shot out two icy, eerie gleams, staring intently at Aria's eyes beneath the mask.
"Heh heh... heh heh heh..." A low, cold laugh squeezed out of Jose's throat, at first suppressed, then suddenly rising in volume, turning into unbridled, wild laughter, "Hahahaha! Brain! He gave me this position? Vice Guild Master? Hahahahaha!"
His laughter echoed and reverberated through the empty stone walls, carrying a hysterical undertone.
Sol, at the foot of the steps, flinched, and Tutu Maru's left hand clenched the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.
The shadow beneath Juvia's umbrella seemed to deepen slightly.
The wild laughter subsided, Jose abruptly fell silent, his expression twisted, but his voice intentionally rose to an inciting, passionate pitch: "Good! Very good! Lord Brain is truly 'generous'!"
He gnashed his teeth as he spat out the last four words, then his face was once again covered by a frantic fervor, "But what does it matter? It's just a title! Listen! This is our true goal!"
He suddenly rose from the throne, his wide, dark purple robes rustling, and a surging magical pressure, like a tangible tsunami, roared forth, making the air itself wail.
"As long as we join forces with the Oración Seis, as long as they find that legendary ancient magic—'Nirvana'! Then, let alone a mere Fairy Tail! The entire Fiore Kingdom will prostrate itself at our feet!"
His gaze, like a cold snake's tongue, swept over the four below, full of enticement.
"Just imagine! When the light of 'Nirvana' illuminates the land, it will completely reverse people's hearts! The righteous will fall into darkness, and the ignorant populace will spontaneously submit to the 'new order' we bestow upon them! By then,"
Jose spread his arms, as if embracing an illusory empire, "you, my most loyal 'Elements,' will no longer be mere Mages! You will be meritorious pioneers who expand our territory! You will be the great lords and hereditary nobles of this new land! Endless wealth, supreme power, the reverence of all! All will be within your grasp!"
"That's amazing! Guild Master!" Sol exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement, suddenly standing up and waving his fists, shouting in a rough voice, "Earth Element Sol swears to follow Guild Master Jose to the death!"
The most avaricious of the four, he was already fantasizing about himself sitting high in a lord's mansion overflowing with gold.
Aria, however, merely nodded slightly, his eyes beneath the mask remaining calm and unperturbed, as if the grand vision Jose described was nothing more than dust carried on the wind.
Loyalty to him was a command; as for power and wealth, they were far less important than strength itself.
Tutu Maru's face still held that lazy smile; he even raised one hand, palm up, a small cluster of warm, orange-red flames dancing on his fingertips, seemingly echoing Jose's speech: "Hmm, sounds... quite interesting."
He lowered his eyelids slightly, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames, as if admiring a work of art.
Only Juvia, who was closest to him and also seated, caught a fleeting, extremely complex light in his eyes the moment he raised his hand—a light that contained struggle, sarcasm, and even a hint of imperceptible pity.
Jose's satisfied gaze swept over Sol and Tutu Maru, and finally landed on the woman who remained quiet, holding her small umbrella, with a small patch of rain beneath her head.
"Juvia?" Jose's voice deliberately softened, carrying a condescending inquiry, but deep in his eyes was an unquestionable command and a hint of imperceptible impatience.
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