Chapter 33 : This time is really over?

The atmosphere in Eisenwald turned tense as all eyes fixated on Kyros in horror.

Even the sharpest of swords failed to pierce Kyros's skin, and magic proved futile against him. Could he truly be human?

Their attacks were rendered ineffective, while Kyros's retaliation seemed to inflict twice the damage. Those struck by his mace were either fatally wounded or left incapacitated, instilling a deep-seated fear among them.

Erigor, observing Eisenwald's fear of Kyros, wore a grim expression.

"What a pathetic lot!"

"I'll handle this fellow. The rest of you focus on those two women and that kid!"

"Understood!"

A collective sigh of relief swept through Eisenwald. Though the skirmish had been brief, Kyros's presence weighed heavily upon them.

"Attack!"

Erza charged towards the Eisenwald contingent, wielding a magical sword with unparalleled grace.

"Swoosh!"

Erza's elegant swordplay was akin to a dance of death, reaping enemies like wheat in a field. While lacking Kyros's brute force, her prowess emanated a different kind of strength.

"Incredible!" Lucy gasped in awe at Erza's display of power.

Her tenure in Fairy Tail had been short, yet encounters with formidable individuals like Natsu, Kyros, and Erza made her question if they were not more akin to monsters.

"Enough! You won't escape my ranged magic!"

Swish!

Erza's magic sword morphed into a spear in an instant.

"What?!"

The spear swept through, striking down the caster attempting long-range magic.

"Wow!"

"A spear?!" Lucy exclaimed in disbelief as Erza's sword transformed into a spear.

As Erza landed, the spear morphed into a pair of swords, then into a mighty axe.

"How... does she change weapons so swiftly?!" Lucy asked, bewildered.

"Happy" chimed in, "The magic sword operates on a principle similar to Celestial Spirit Magic—calling forth weapons from other dimensions. 'Replacement' refers to the swift swapping of weapons."

"Ah! Incredible!"

"Erza's talents extend beyond that," Happy added.

Erza's expression darkened as she surveyed the multitude of adversaries.

"This pace is too sluggish. I'll dispatch all of you in one fell swoop."

"Revelation: Celestial Wheel Armor!"

Erza donned the Celestial Wheel Armor, a stunning ensemble crafted from silver-white steel.

"Wow! It's magnificent!"

"Heavenly Wheel: Circulating Blades!"

The steel swords orbiting Erza swirled into a lethal ring, dispatching all foes in their vicinity.

"Incredible!! Erza!!" Lucy exclaimed, her admiration for Erza evident.

"Most mages rely on weapon changes during combat, but Erza is unique. She enhances her prowess by altering and perfecting her magical armor. That's Erza's magic as a knight!" Kyros observed Erza's battle with a smile, finding it as captivating as ever. She was truly the woman he admired.

"Damn it!" Erigor's eyes widened in recognition of Erza's formidable strength.

"Erza, could it be…?" Kageyama of Eisenwald stared at Erza, sensing a familiarity in her presence.

Piado of Eisenwald challenged Erza: "You scoundrel! Face me in battle!"

"Splut—!"

Erza swiftly dispatched Piado with a single strike.

Kageyama's disbelief was palpable: "Unbelievable! Piado was defeated in one move! It's true! She's the mightiest woman of Fairy Tail, Erza, known as the 'Queen of Fairies'!"

"Erza, the Queen of Fairies?!"

The members of Eisenwald were astonished. The Fairy Tail guild had gained significant renown, especially among the new generation. Erza, hailed as the 'Queen of Fairies', was a renowned mage.

Kageyama's expression darkened. Encountering Erza, the "Queen of Fairies", was unexpected. Despite their plan hinging on hostage capture, Kageyama's gaze shifted towards Lucy.

"You're mine!"

Kageyama's hand pressed against the ground, and a shadow swiftly extended towards Lucy, forming into an arm aiming to seize her.

"What's that sound?" Natsu, who had been unconscious, snapped awake upon hearing the commotion.

"Look out!" The shadow arm lunged towards Lucy, catching her off guard.

Natsu materialized beside Lucy, flames engulfing his palm as he swiftly severed the shadow arm.

"Natsu!"

"It's you…" Kageyama recognized Natsu with disdain. He harbored a deep-seated grudge against Natsu, blaming him for the loss of his ears at the hands of Erigor.

Natsu grinned, locking eyes with Kageyama. "Indeed, it's me. And this time, it's a showdown on solid ground!"

With flames blazing, Natsu charged into the ranks of Eisenwald, unleashing fiery fury upon his adversaries, sending them reeling in shock and pain.

"Damn you! Behold my mighty fireball!"

A sizable fireball coalesced within the grasp of an Eisenwald wizard, hurtling toward Natsu.

Natsu's eyes gleamed as he observed the incoming inferno, promptly parting his lips to intercept it. With swift motion, he consumed the fireball entirely.

"Meh, average taste. You need to work on your fire magic," Natsu quipped.

"What?!"

The onlookers from Eisenwald were dumbfounded witnessing this spectacle.

"Fire...?!"

"He... he actually ingested the flames!"

"Is he even human?!"

"Hoo~! Thanks for the snack!" Natsu grinned, patting his stomach and wiping his mouth.

Kageyama's expression shifted as he witnessed Natsu's fire consumption, his mind racing with a realization.

"You pest! Arrogant little brat!" Kageyama bellowed, slamming his palm against the ground.

"Eight Shadows!" His shadow morphed into eight serpentine forms, lunging towards Natsu.

Natsu's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You keep calling us flies, huh?" The honor of Fairy Tail remained untarnished, and though Kageyama deserved retribution for their last encounter on the train, it seemed now was the perfect moment.

Drawing in a deep breath, magical energy surged within Natsu's maw.

"Salamander's Roar!"

A cataclysmic blaze erupted forth, obliterating Kageyama's shadowy assailants and hurtling towards him.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!"

*BOOM!*

Kageyama was engulfed by the fiery onslaught, emitting a deafening cry. As the flames subsided, Kageyama slumped unconscious, a flicker of fire lingering at the corner of Natsu's mouth.

"Little Kage!!" A voice from Eisenwald cried out witnessing Kageyama's defeat.

Kageyama, too, recognized Natsu at last, her voice trembling with horror. "That's him! Crimson hair like cherries, a scarf resembling dragon scales, and the ability to consume flames! He's Fairy Tail's 'Salamander'!"

"It's all over! This time, it's truly over!"

****

Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/AniScout