Shane ultimately accepted Lucy's commission.
Of course, it wasn't because he'd gone soft.
It was because he believed Lucy would grow into a pretty decent mage someday—meaning this "deal" was, in his view, him getting the better end.
And, as it happened, mother and daughter really did seem to be on the same wavelength.
Not long after Lucy worked up the courage to ask him for help, that very evening a maid came to deliver a message: Lady Layla invited him to come to her room for a talk.
When Shane stepped into the space again—filled with a delicate, feminine atmosphere—his eyes swept around, and he realized Jude wasn't there this time. Only Lady Layla sat alone.
She was seated in a cushioned armchair with a thin blanket over her knees. Warm lamplight softened the fatigue in her brows and eyes.
"Last time, with Jude present, things didn't go very pleasantly," Layla said, keenly catching the question in Shane's gaze. Her voice was gentle. "So this time, I asked him to let us speak privately."
As she spoke, she inclined her head slightly. "I hope you won't take offense."
Shane understood and nodded.
He had to admit—Layla really was extraordinarily considerate. In conversation, she always seemed to place the other person's feelings exactly where they belonged, like a spring breeze.
"No problem." Shane sat across from her and went straight to the point. "You asked me here because you've made your decision?"
"Yes." Layla nodded lightly, her hands folded gracefully in her lap. "But before I explain anything about the keys, I have one impertinent request."
"Go ahead."
"After I tell you everything… could you please—until July 7th—refrain from leaving the Heartfilia estate?"
She seemed afraid he'd misunderstand, and hurried to add, "Of course, this is not confinement. Your actions here will remain completely free.
It's simply that the matter is extremely serious, and I must ensure the information won't leak. Please… and afterward, I will offer you a proper apology."
To her surprise, Shane showed no sign of feeling insulted.
"Sure. No problem."
As he answered calmly, he also filed away the date July 7th in his mind.
He wanted to witness that "door" tied to the Heartfilia family's fate with his own eyes. Even if Layla hadn't requested it, he wouldn't have left anyway.
Then, under Layla's startled gaze, Shane simply handed her the box containing the Virgo key.
"You—" Layla stared at the key in his hand, momentarily at a loss. "You aren't afraid I'll take the key and go back on my word… or do something to you?"
The way Shane was acting now was completely different from the cold, unyielding boy who hadn't budged an inch before.
"I'm not afraid," Shane said frankly. "I trust the Heartfilia family's reputation."
Days of observation had shown him how firmly Layla clung to her principles.
And as for Jude… that man listened to his wife.
Layla studied him for a long moment, then carefully put the key away. After that, she drew a breath, as if weighing how to begin.
Shane waited with remarkable patience, without urging her on.
After a long silence, she lifted her eyes—her first sentence making Shane's heart jolt.
"Mage… have you ever heard of Zeref?"
Zeref?
So the Zodiac keys were connected to Zeref too?
Shane couldn't help feeling astonished. It seemed the traces of that black mage were everywhere in this world.
He forced down his surprise and nodded cautiously. "A little. The legendary black mage."
A flicker of surprise crossed Layla's eyes—she hadn't expected someone so young to know such a secret.
"That makes this easier to explain," she said. She brought out the exquisite small case holding the other ten golden keys and displayed it to Shane.
"These keys can summon the corresponding Zodiac Spirits. But they are also tied to an ancient legend—one that says when all twelve keys are gathered, they can open a gate to a new world."
"So that legend…" Shane prompted.
"Yes. It's real."
Layla nodded firmly, without the slightest hint of fabrication.
"In fact, there truly is a door that can only be opened with the Zodiac keys.
It is a time-travel device called the Eclipse Gate. As its name suggests, it holds the power to interfere with time. And the keys to opening it are these keys in my possession."
"And what does that have to do with Zeref?" Shane pressed.
"Very deeply connected." Layla's fingertips brushed the edge of the key case.
"According to the information passed down from our ancestors, the Eclipse Gate is a miracle—perhaps more accurately, a forbidden device—created by combining the magical theory of the Book of Zeref with Celestial Spirit Magic."
At that, Shane fell into thought.
Demons… time devices…
What on earth was Zeref trying to do?
Beyond marveling at Zeref's near godlike mastery of magic, Shane felt a strange intuition: these seemingly unrelated acts had to be connected by some underlying purpose.
And as he was thinking, Layla spoke again—her voice weighted by something inherited through blood and time.
"Along with this information, our ancestor from four hundred years ago left our descendants a duty that must be fulfilled."
She didn't need to say more.
Shane continued for her, "In X777—this year—on July 7th, gather all twelve keys and open the Eclipse Gate?"
"Exactly."
"Then why must it be opened on that specific date? And what lies on the other side?" Shane asked.
Layla shook her head. "I don't know. I only know it is the mission passed down, and we must complete it."
"But you're still missing the Aquarius key," Shane pointed out. "And there's only one month left until July 7th."
At that, Layla's expression became unnervingly calm—resigned, and even a little resolute.
"We can only do our utmost to find it. If… if by that day we truly cannot gather them all…" She paused, her voice soft but firm. "Then I have my own way."
There was something in that calm that made Shane uneasy.
He couldn't quite name it.
So he pressed the feeling down, nodded, and said, "I understand. I understand your family's mission." He looked at her and made his own request. "Then I also have a request."
"Please."
"When you open the Eclipse Gate… will you allow me to be present and observe?"
Even as he asked, Shane felt a bit nervous.
This was the highest secret of another family's legacy. His request was, frankly, bold.
If Layla refused, he honestly didn't know what he'd do.
But Layla's answer came easily.
"No problem. When the time comes, you may come with me."
This time, Shane was the one surprised.
Seeing his expression, Layla smiled slightly. "You agreed to my selfish request, and you have shown me such trust. It's only right that I return it. Relationships between people should involve mutual understanding.
Besides…" Her gaze fell on the Fairy Tail emblem on the back of Shane's hand.
"You are a Fairy Tail mage, aren't you?"
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 120 Chapters Ahead of Others!