Rowan took a moment to reassess the situation rather than panic.
The demon's sudden appearance was shocking, but one detail kept him calm. Makarov and the other guild masters had already arrived, and none of them looked alarmed. They stood at a distance, watching the battle unfold with the relaxed focus of veterans assessing technique rather than survival.
That told Rowan everything he needed to know.
The three-eyed demon was dangerous, but not an existential threat to people at this level. Most of the guild masters present were S-Class mages themselves, and Makarov was in an entirely different category altogether. More importantly, they clearly understood what the Cursed Flute was and how it worked. One of the guild masters was even explaining its origins to Lucy in a measured, almost academic tone.
If they could remain this composed while knowing exactly what the artifact was capable of, then its deadliest ability clearly wasn't enough to threaten them under these conditions.
High above the ruined streets, Erza moved again.
"Dance, my blades!"
Wearing her Heavenly Wheel Armor, she hovered in the air as dozens of enchanted swords spun around her, forming a roaring vortex of steel. The blades tore into the demon relentlessly, carving deep gashes across its massive body.
Below, Natsu and Gray coordinated seamlessly, pressing the attack from opposite sides. Fire and ice struck in rapid succession, never giving the demon a moment to recover.
Rowan watched in silence, genuinely shaken.
So this was the real difference.
When they had stormed the Dark Guild earlier, none of them had gone all out. What he was seeing now was the true combat strength of S-Class mages fighting without restraint.
"Rowan," Makarov said suddenly, sidling up beside him with an unusually friendly grin. "I'll be counting on you later."
Rowan glanced around at what remained of the city. Large sections had been reduced to rubble. Entire streets were unrecognizable.
His whiskers twitched. "Master… are you trying to work a cat to death?"
Makarov laughed heartily. "Nonsense! Take your time. Fix a little, rest a little. As long as the city gets rebuilt in the end, we're happy."
Rowan smiled politely. "In that case, I'll do my best to finish as fast as possible."
Croba wasn't a massive city. No skyscrapers, no complex infrastructure. If he focused, a few days of work should be enough. Faster still if his wand's efficiency improved.
"But," Rowan added, "I'll need your help with one thing."
"Say no more," Makarov replied immediately. "If it speeds up the repairs, I'll handle it."
Before Rowan could say more, the demon roared in fury.
Its massive wooden body was riddled with holes, its movements slowing under the relentless assault. Realizing brute force alone wouldn't save it, the demon drew upon its true nature.
"Curse Execution."
A violet magic circle flared above its head. The surrounding grass withered instantly as dark magic surged outward.
Then… nothing happened.
An awkward silence fell over the battlefield.
Lucy blinked. "Did… something go wrong?"
One of the guild masters from the Four Hounds stepped forward, explaining calmly. "The Cursed Flute is lethal when used in ambush. Anyone within range, especially civilians or low-tier mages, would lose their souls instantly. Stronger mages can resist, and those skilled in sound suppression or barrier magic can nullify it entirely. That's how it was sealed in the past."
Understanding dawned across Lucy's face. "So because its body is already damaged… it can't produce the sound properly."
The demon realized it too.
"What have you done to my voice?!" it shrieked, flying into a rage. All three eyes blazed as it unleashed a wave of fire across the battlefield.
Natsu stepped forward, inhaled deeply, and swallowed the flames whole.
"Not bad," he grinned. "That topped me right back up."
Gray didn't waste the opening.
"Ice-Make: Cyclone Disc!"
A massive spinning ice blade shot forward, slicing cleanly through the demon's midsection.
In the air, Erza switched armor in a flash.
"Requip: Black Wing Armor!"
She vanished in a streak of motion and cleaved straight through the demon's head with a single, devastating strike.
Natsu rose high into the sky one last time, flames roaring from both arms.
"Fire Dragon King's Brilliant Flame!"
The combined explosion lit up the city.
When the smoke cleared, the demon was gone.
All that remained was the Cursed Flute, lying silently on the ground once more.