Amidst the crowd, Lucien slowly retreated.
Every step was careful. He made sure no one paid attention to him before returning to the guild. Moving quietly, he slipped into the kitchen behind the bar, where prepared dishes were stacked neatly and barrels of wine filled the room.
The dose of the enhanced spicy laxative was limited, so it could only be mixed into the wine. Tampering with the food would be far more difficult.
Lucien showed no hesitation. One by one, he poured the substance into every wine barrel in the kitchen, ensuring each received its share.
Not a single drop remained.
This was everything. Success or failure depended on this move.
After finishing, he returned to the backyard without drawing attention. Natsu and Gray were still locked in battle. The crowd was completely absorbed in the fight, some even shouting louder than the fighters themselves.
About half an hour later, both Natsu and Gray were injured, yet neither gained the upper hand.
One wielded Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, the other used Ice-Make Magic. In the end, victory depended purely on endurance and willpower.
"Haha... it's a draw!"
"Thank you, thank you!"
Macao and Wakaba burst into wild laughter. A draw meant they had won everything.
The two of them were ecstatic, but most others were not.
Lucy, in particular, collapsed to her knees with a wail, silent tears streaming down her face. This month's rent, utility bills, and living expenses were all gone. She had even borrowed money from Ares.
Yet Lucy was not the most miserable one.
Makarov was crying even harder, as if he had lost his entire fortune.
"Natsu, you've disappointed me so much."
Happy flew to Natsu's side, his voice trembling as he lamented, "We're going to be eating dirt this month."
"Haha, thank you everyone!"
Macao stood there smugly, radiating arrogance, instantly becoming the most hated person in the hall.
"Waaah, Ares!"
Lucy rushed forward and grabbed Ares's legs, clinging tightly as she put on a pitiful expression.
"Ares..."
Happy hugged the other leg, looking up with equally pleading eyes.
The human and the cat cried together, shameless and persistent, making Ares's lips twitch.
"Ares, lend me another 10,000 J. I promise I'll pay you back next month."
"And me. Natsu and I will work hard on requests next month."
At this moment, Ares was their only hope. Pride no longer mattered.
"Ares, are you free tonight? I'll treat you to barbecue..."
Elfman slapped Ares on the shoulder, clearly having lost as well.
"What's so great about barbecue? Ares, come with me for a moment..."
Soon, everyone began crowding around him. In their eyes, Ares had become a walking treasury.
Amid the noise and chaos, the group returned to the hall. Those who managed to borrow money sighed in relief, while the rest looked defeated. It was obvious many would be taking on jobs starting tomorrow.
"Everyone, today Macao is paying. Eat and drink as much as you want!"
Macao's loud declaration instantly swept away the gloom.
Cheers erupted.
"Macao, I knew you were reliable."
"You didn't let us down."
"Let's drink!"
"Ugh!"
The entire guild hall trembled from the noise. Even the residents outside were startled at first, though they quickly grew used to it.
Fairy Tail was always lively. Because of it, Magnolia was never quiet.
Lucien sat among the crowd, laughing and cheering along.
A true actor blends perfectly into the enemy's ranks. Lucien was confident in his performance.
Food and drinks were soon served. Meanwhile, Lucy and Happy were still clinging to Ares at the bar, refusing to give up.
"Mira, can't you lend us a little too?"
Natsu, his face bruised and swollen, sat on a stool and squinted at Mira.
Gray beside him looked no better.
"I'm sorry. I only had one magazine shoot last month, and I lost 100,000 J this time as well."
Mira shook her head helplessly as she poured drinks.
Ares had just lifted his glass when his expression suddenly changed.
A red warning flashed in his vision, signaling a life-threatening danger.
"Everyone, stop!"
He turned sharply, eyes widening slightly. A powerful wave of Haoshoku Haki surged through the hall like a storm, causing weaker mages to roll their eyes and collapse.
Lucien looked up briefly, his pupils shrinking.
He knew that aura far too well.
Without hesitation, he dropped to the ground and pretended to lose consciousness, though his heart sank.
"What happened?"
The sudden shift shocked those still standing.
Makarov leapt down from the second floor, his expression serious as he looked at Ares.
Lucy clutched Happy tightly, swallowing nervously. Natsu and Gray also tensed, as if facing a powerful enemy.
They understood Ares's abilities. Their first thought was not that he would harm them, but that danger had appeared.
Ares might be protecting them.
"I sensed something life-threatening. There's a problem with the wine."
His voice was cold as he stared at the glasses on the bar.
On the floor, Lucien felt a chill run through him.
Impossible. The laxative was colorless and odorless. There was no way it should have been detected.
And Ares had not even taken a sip.
So the plan had failed.
Worse, the precious substance was completely wasted. Even demons and monsters could not endure it.
The more Lucien thought about it, the more it irritated him.
He had acted too hastily.
"I bought this wine myself this morning."
Mira's expression turned icy. If everyone had consumed poisoned wine, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
She might never forgive herself.
"I'll take some to Porlyusica for examination. Until then, keep everyone here."
Makarov made a swift decision, glancing at Ares, Gray, and Mira.
"Master, you suspect..."
Mira's voice trailed off as she understood.
Makarov did not respond, only nodding slightly.
After scanning the hall once more, he took an unopened barrel and left.
"I don't get it."
Natsu scratched his head, completely confused.
"Idiot. If the wine is poisoned, the culprit might still be here."
Gray's expression darkened as he explained.
Better safe than sorry. If the poisoner was indeed present, letting anyone leave would be dangerous.
"W-Who could it be?"
Lucy trembled, clutching Happy as she looked around at the unconscious guild members.
"Natsu, isn't your nose sensitive?"
"I don't smell anything."
Natsu sniffed the air but found nothing unusual.
"Could Ares be wrong?"
Lucy glanced at him uncertainly.
Ares ignored her completely.
His gaze swept across the hall like lightning before he slowly closed his eyes.
From his perspective, the world changed.
Everything became alive. The wine, the food, the tables, the air itself.
Using the Voice of All Things, Ares began to process every detail.
"What is he doing?"
"I have no idea."
Natsu and Lucy watched in confusion.
Then suddenly—
Bang!
Ares's eyes snapped open. He stomped his foot hard against the ground.
In an instant, the entire guild hall transformed. The floor turned into gold, spreading rapidly like a tide.
Lucien, still pretending to be unconscious, was instantly bound by the golden surface and lifted into the air.
His eyes remained closed, his breathing steady. He forced his body to stay relaxed.
___
Damn, abort mission bro.