With Kagura fully rested and Irene now tagging along, I decided it was time to move. I gave Fenrir one last pat before dismissing it back in a flash of light.
With Fenrir unsummoned, I reached into my Inventory and pulled out something more suited for a group. A flash of light later, a sleek, black vehicle materialized before us—the Regalia.
Irene's sharp eyes flickered toward it, her expression unreadable. "Hmph. Extravagant."
Kagura's eyes went wide as she gasped softly. "Woooah…"
I patted the hood with a grin. "This, little lady, is the Regalia. Smooth ride, comfy seats, and way better than walking."
Kagura slowly stepped closer, reaching out with tiny hands to touch the shiny surface. "It's so… big!" She looked up at me with wonder. "Is it a… magic cart?"
Before I could answer, a smooth, synthetic voice chimed in.
"Incorrect. The Regalia is a state-of-the-art vehicle designed for both luxury and high-speed traversal. It is not a 'magic cart.'"
Kagura let out a tiny squeak and quickly hid behind my leg, peeking out at the floating device near my shoulder—NIMO, in its usual sleek drone form.
I chuckled. "Relax, kiddo. That's NIMO. It talks a lot, but it's helpful."
Kagura peeked at NIMO again, tilting her head. "It's… little."
"I assure you, my capabilities are anything but little," NIMO replied.
Kagura blinked at that, clearly unsure what to make of it.
I opened the back door for her. "Hop in. You'll love it."
She hesitated, then clambered inside with careful movements. The moment she sank into the plush seat, her eyes lit up. "It's so soft!"
"See? Told ya," I said with a grin.
Irene slid into the passenger seat without a word, inspecting the interior with mild curiosity before settling in with her usual composed demeanor.
NIMO said. "Would you like me to prepare an itinerary for your journey? Or perhaps provide entertainment? I could read historical texts aloud. Irene might enjoy that."
Irene, who had just stepped into the passenger seat, gave the drone an unimpressed glance. "I doubt you possess anything of value."
"Oh, I assure you, I have an extensive database. Would you prefer analysis on ancient dragon scripts? Perhaps a dissection of historical conflicts?" NIMO's tone was almost smug.
Irene narrowed her eyes slightly. "Hmph."
I chuckled. "Careful, NIMO. She might turn you into scrap if you keep pushing your luck."
"I calculate a low probability of that," NIMO responded. "However, I will remain vigilant."
As I slid into the driver's seat, NIMO floated beside me, scanning the dashboard. "All systems optimal. Ready when you are, Captain."
"Appreciate it," I said, gripping the wheel.
---
Its been hours since we started travelling.
The Regalia cruised forward, cutting smoothly across the landscape. Irene sat beside me, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Kagura was curled up in the back, blinking groggily as she slowly woke up.
I stole a glance at her through the mirror. Seeing her more aware, more engaged in conversation, brought a sense of relief. A day ago, she barely spoke. Now she was snapping at me like a proper brat. It was a good sign.
I broke the silence. "So, what's your plan when you find what you're looking for?"
Irene didn't answer immediately. She kept her gaze on the horizon, her fingers resting against her chin in quiet contemplation. "That depends on what I find."
"Vague. Mysterious. Figures," I mused.
She turned her head slightly, regarding me with a cold, assessing gaze. "Is that a problem?"
"Not at all. I like knowing what I'm dealing with, though."
"You know nothing," she replied evenly.
"Correction," NIMO interjected. "He knows quite a lot. Would you like a statistical breakdown of his knowledge?"
"No," Irene and I both said at the same time.
"Understood," NIMO replied, unbothered.
From the backseat, a tiny voice piped up. "You talk too much."
I glanced in the mirror again to see Kagura rubbing her eyes, her expression drowsy but unimpressed.
I feigned offense. "Et tu, Kagura?"
She yawned. "You do."
NIMO whirred. "That is an accurate observation."
Irene let out a quiet scoff, almost imperceptible. "For once, the child speaks sense."
"Et tu, Irene?" I repeated, shaking my head in mock betrayal. "And here I thought we were forming a deep sense of camaraderie."
She didn't even spare me a glance. "Do not mistake proximity for familiarity."
"Ouch." I placed a hand over my heart. "I'll try to recover from that."
"Drive," she said coolly, her tone carrying no room for argument.
"Yes, ma'am," I muttered, pressing down on the accelerator.
The Regalia roared forward as we sped down the road, the journey truly beginning.
The journey continued smoothly, the road eventually giving way to rougher terrain as we neared the coastline. The salty scent of the ocean filled the air, and the distant crash of waves grew louder.
Soon, we arrived at the beach, where golden sand stretched endlessly toward the horizon, meeting the vast, rolling sea. I parked the Regalia near a cluster of rocks and stepped out, inhaling the crisp ocean breeze.
A small tug at my sleeve made me glance down. Kagura was holding onto me tightly, her fingers curled into my coat. "Why are we here?"
I turned my gaze toward the distant town ahead. "We're looking for the ones responsible for what happened to Rosemary Village."
Her grip tightened. "The ones who took Brother… and Erza?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
I already knew what had happened—how Simon, her older brother, and Erza had been taken along with the other children when the village was attacked. But hearing Kagura say their names, her voice trembling slightly, made it feel heavier.
Irene, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Your brother and Erza." It wasn't a question. Her voice was as composed as ever, but there was something else beneath it—something distant, restrained.
She didn't react outwardly, but I caught the way her crimson eyes flickered.
So, she is searching for her daughter.
Kagura's hands clenched into small fists. "They were taken when the village was destroyed. I… I wanted to go after them, but I was scared. I didn't know how."
I placed a hand on her head, ruffling her dark hair gently. "You don't have to do this alone anymore."
She looked up at me, her golden eyes wide before she slowly nodded.
Irene stepped forward, her gaze sweeping across the horizon with calculated sharpness. "And how exactly do you intend to locate a hidden structure in the middle of the ocean?"
NIMO, who had been hovering silently, pulsed. "This is the closest landmass to the Tower of Heaven. The structure is located just beyond the horizon."
Kagura blinked, staring at the vast blue. "But… I don't see anything."
"Because it's concealed," Irene deduced, eyes narrowing slightly. "A magical barrier, most likely. Complex, but not impenetrable."
"Correct," NIMO confirmed. "Without the right means, the tower remains undetectable to normal perception. However, its existence is undeniable."
I crossed my arms, staring at the seemingly empty ocean. "A place where people are taken and forced into slavery… makes sense they'd go to this much trouble to hide it."
Kagura flinched at the word slavery, her tiny fists trembling.
I rested my hand on her head again, this time gentler. "We'll find them."
She looked up at me, her gaze fierce despite the fear lingering beneath it. "Promise?"
I crouched slightly to meet her eyes. "I don't make promises I can't keep."
She stared for a moment before nodding, determination setting in.
Irene's expression remained unreadable as she observed the exchange. Then, without turning her gaze from the sea, she spoke. "Wasted emotions will not help you. If you intend to rescue them, focus on what must be done."
Kagura didn't fully understand, but she frowned slightly, her grip tightening on her sleeves.
I glanced at Irene. "Cold as ever."
"I am realistic."
I smirked. "If you say so."
With a snap of my fingers, I reached into my Celestial Inventory. In a flash of light, a sleek, black motorboat materialized onto the sand, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight.
Kagura gasped, eyes widening. "It just poofed!"
I chuckled. "I can do a lot of things."
She hesitated before stepping closer, poking the side of the boat as if checking to see if it was real. "It's so cool…"
Irene examined the vessel with a critical eye, running her hand over the polished hull. "Practical."
I shot her a grin. "I was hoping for 'impressive,' but I'll take it."
She gave me a side glance but said nothing.
I clapped my hands together. "Alright, all aboard. Next stop—the Tower of Heaven."
The boat cut smoothly through the water, the engine humming beneath us as we sped across the open sea. The salty breeze whipped through my hair, and the rhythmic splash of waves filled the silence between us. Kagura sat near the front, her small hands gripping the edge of the boat tightly, eyes wide as she took in the vast ocean. She was clearly unused to traveling like this.
Irene sat with her usual composed expression, her crimson eyes locked onto the horizon. She had said little since we left, but I knew she was analyzing everything—calculating the risks, considering possible outcomes.
The air felt heavy, charged with an unspoken tension. Then, through the thinning mist, we saw it.
The Tower of Heaven.
Even from a distance, the massive structure loomed ominously. Jagged stone spires stretched into the sky, their dark forms cutting through the clouds. It wasn't just a prison—it was a monument to cruelty.
Kagura's grip on the boat's edge tightened. Her eyes, filled with a mix of awe and fear, fixated on the distant tower. "That's… the bad place?" she asked, her voice small.
I nodded. "Yeah. That's where they took your brother."
She clung to the sleeve of Irene's cloak, her tiny fingers curling into the fabric. "Is he scared?"
I paused before answering. "Maybe. But he's strong. And we're going to get him back."
Irene finally spoke. "Charging in recklessly will accomplish nothing. If this place is truly a stronghold, there will be defenses."
"I know," I said, keeping my eyes on the tower. "We need to find a way in first."
She turned her gaze toward me, cold and expectant. "And I assume you have something more than foolish bravado to offer?"
I smirked. "I was planning to do a little recon before making a move."
She exhaled through her nose, unimpressed. "At least you're not entirely brainless."
Kagura, still holding onto Irene, stared at the tower with furrowed brows. "I wanna see Brother now…"
I placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "We will. But we have to be smart about it."
She looked up at me, searching for reassurance, then gave a small, hesitant nod.
Irene glanced at the tower again. "If you intend to move quietly, that means I am expected to stay behind."
I met her gaze. "Someone has to watch over Kagura. If things go wrong, I need you ready to act."
Kagura looked between us, frowning. "But… I can help!"
I crouched beside her. "I know you want to help, but right now, the best thing you can do is stay safe. If anything happens to me, you'll need Irene to get you out of here."
She pouted, her tiny hands balling into fists. "I don't want you to not come back."
I smiled, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I'll come back."
She stared at me for a long moment before slowly nodding.
Irene crossed her arms. "You're a fool if you think you can handle an entire stronghold alone."
I shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time."
She scoffed. "Then don't expect me to save you if you fail."
"I won't," I said simply.
She didn't argue further, though her gaze lingered on me for a moment before shifting back to the tower.
As we approached the shore, the plan was set. The Tower of Heaven was waiting, and it was time to get to work.
The night concealed my approach as I reached the outer walls of the Tower of Heaven. The crashing waves masked the sound of my movements as I latched onto the rough stone surface, scaling upward with practiced ease. The structure was massive, but that only meant more places to hide.
NIMO's voice chimed in my mind. The office is located near the upper levels. Several guards are patrolling the interior, but their routes are predictable.
"Perfect." I smirked as I reached a ledge, pulling myself up before slipping into the shadows.
With silent steps, I navigated the corridors, weaving past guards with the help of NIMO's scans. The slavers weren't expecting an intruder. Why would they? This was their stronghold, and their victims had nowhere to run.
But tonight, that would change.
I reached a heavy wooden door—the office. Without hesitation, I pressed a small, intricate device against the lock. The artifact hummed as the mechanisms inside clicked, and within seconds, the door creaked open.
Slipping inside, I took in my surroundings. The office was dimly lit, cluttered with maps, documents, and stacks of jewels—no doubt profits from their cruelty. A large desk sat in the center, and behind it, a massive window overlooked the tower's lower levels.
I didn't waste time. Reaching into my Inventory, I pulled out a magical artifact—a crystalline sphere pulsing with energy. This wasn't just any item; it was a Containment Field Orb, designed to create an impenetrable magical cage around a designated area.
Setting it down in the middle of the office, I activated it with a single tap. The sphere pulsed, and in an instant, translucent barriers of light erupted, extending throughout the office and beyond. They slithered through the walls like veins of magic, branching out to form an invisible dome over the entire upper level.
Containment Field Activated. NIMO confirmed. No one will escape beyond this point.
I grinned. "Now we're playing by my rules."
The moment the trap was set, I heard hurried footsteps outside. Someone was coming.
I turned toward the door, my fingers twitching toward my weapons. Time to welcome my guests.
The moment the door swung open, I moved.
No hesitation. No mercy.
In an instant, Ivory and Ebony were in my hands, the twin pistols roaring as I fired. The first man barely had time to register my presence before his chest exploded in a shower of blood, his body flung backward into the hallway.
The second reached for his sword—too slow. I closed the distance in a blink, twisting past him as Rebellion flashed into my hand. A single slash, and his body hit the ground in two pieces.
The last one, the fool with the whistle, fumbled to raise it to his lips.
Bang.
The bullet punched through his skull before he could make a sound, painting the wall behind him red. He slumped forward, dead before he hit the floor.
I exhaled slowly, letting the silence settle.
Three bodies. Quick, clean, efficient.
I wasn't in the mood for playing around. These bastards trafficked people—children. They didn't deserve anything less than what they got.
NIMO's voice echoed in my mind. No alarms. No witnesses. Area secured.
I nodded, stepping over the corpses as I approached the desk. The room itself was simple—nothing extravagant, just old furniture and stacks of paperwork. But that didn't matter. What mattered was the information they had.
I reached into my Inventory and pulled out a small, dark crystal—the Archive Sigil. With a flick of my wrist, I slammed it into the desk, and immediately, a surge of energy rippled through the room. The sigil activated, glowing faintly as it latched onto the surface, absorbing every piece of information contained in the documents.
Processing... NIMO reported.
While that worked, I turned my attention to the door. The hallway beyond stretched into darkness, lit only by flickering lanterns. I knew what lay ahead—more guards, more slavers, and at the very bottom, the prisoners.
But now, with the slavers sealed inside this damn tower, there was no way out for them.
I cracked my neck, rolling my shoulders.
Time to cleanse this place.
The Archive Sigil pulsed one last time before fading into nothing, its job complete.
All documents copied. Floor plans, guard rotations, prisoner logs… everything, NIMO reported.
Perfect. I wouldn't have to waste time searching.
Sliding Ivory and Ebony back into their holsters, I stepped toward the door, gripping Rebellion in one hand. There was no point in being subtle anymore.
I slammed my foot into the wood, blasting the door off its hinges. It crashed into the wall outside, the impact sending a shockwave down the hallway.
Shouts erupted further down. Heavy boots thundered toward me.
Good.
Let them come.
A group of slavers rounded the corner—six of them, armed with swords, axes, and crude magic. Their eyes widened as they took in the scene, blood still dripping from the doorway behind me.
"The hell?! Who—"
Boom.
I moved first.
One step, and I vanished, reappearing in their midst before they could react.
Rebellion flashed. The first man's head hit the floor before his body did.
I twisted, my blade cleaving through the second's chest, carving through flesh and bone like paper.
The others snapped out of their shock, raising their weapons. Too slow.
I lashed out with a boot, crushing a throat, then spun, slicing clean through another's waist, severing him in half.
The last two tried to run.
Ivory barked once. A bullet tore through one's spine, dropping him like a ragdoll.
The last made it three steps before I closed the distance, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him into the wall so hard the stone cracked.
"W-Wait! Please—" he choked out, blood spilling from his lips.
I didn't wait.
I plunged Rebellion through his chest and let him slide down the wall, his eyes dulling.
Silence.
A pool of blood spread across the floor, soaking into the cracks of the ancient stone.
I rolled my shoulders. "That's eight."
Seventeen remaining on this floor, NIMO informed. Reinforcements coming from the lower levels. Estimated numbers: fifty plus.
I grinned.
Finally. Some real fun.
Without a second thought, I stepped over the bodies and continued down the hall, my blade dripping red.
The stench of blood and damp stone filled the air as I made my way deeper into the tower. The slavers put up a fight—if you could even call it that—but they were nothing more than obstacles in my path.
Now, with the upper levels cleared, I descended into the heart of the stronghold: the prison cells.
The torches lining the corridor flickered weakly, casting long shadows across the jagged walls. The deeper I went, the heavier the atmosphere became. It wasn't just the smell—it was the weight of suffering, of countless lives stolen and chained within these walls.
Then, I heard it.
Soft sobs. Muffled whispers. The sound of chains rattling.
I reached the end of the hallway and stepped into a large chamber. Rows of iron-barred cells lined the walls, stretching deep into the darkness. Dozens of figures sat huddled inside, their faces pale and sunken, their bodies frail from starvation.
Children. Elders. Men. Women.
All of them prisoners.
I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening.
The slavers would pay for this.
My gaze swept across the cells, searching—until I saw them.
Jellal. Erza. Rob.
They were in the farthest cell, grouped together with other children. Erza's body was covered in bruises, her crimson hair dirtied and matted. Yet even in her weakened state, she held herself upright, eyes burning with silent defiance.
Jellal sat beside her, his hands balled into fists, his face hard with determination, but there was an unmistakable fear beneath it.
And then there was Rob. The old man was thin—too thin—but his eyes still carried the warmth of someone who hadn't lost hope.
A small girl clung to Erza's side, sobbing quietly into her arm.
I stepped forward. The moment my boots hit the stone, Erza's head snapped up.
Her eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, there was nothing—just silence.
Then Jellal noticed me too, his eyes widening. "Who…?"
I smirked. "Took you long enough."
Rob blinked, studying me carefully before realization dawned on his face. His eyes widened in shock. "You… You bear the mark of Fairy Tail."
A murmur ran through the prisoners at the mention of the name. Some barely reacted, too weak to process anything, while others stirred with faint hope.
I stepped up to the cell door, placing a hand on the cold iron bars. "I'm here to get you out."
Erza, despite her injuries, narrowed her eyes. "Are you… alone?"
Jellal flinched. "If you are, you'll be killed."
I chuckled, gripping the lock. "If I were worried about that, I wouldn't be here."
With a single twist of my wrist, the metal groaned and shattered like brittle glass. The cell door swung open with a creak.
For a moment, no one moved. The prisoners stared in shock, as if they couldn't believe what just happened.
I reached into my Celestial Inventory and pulled out a small pouch filled with Senzu Beans.
"Eat one," I instructed, tossing them to the prisoners.
They hesitated, eyes darting between me and the small green beans in their hands.
Rob furrowed his brows. "What is this?"
"A miracle," I said simply before popping one into my mouth to prove it wasn't poison. "Chew and swallow. You'll understand in a second."
Erza was the first to take the leap, biting into the bean. Her wounds closed instantly, her frail body regaining its strength as her eyes widened in shock.
Jellal followed, gasping as power surged through him. The exhaustion, the hunger, the pain—all of it vanished.
One by one, the prisoners ate. The room filled with gasps as their injuries healed in an instant. Broken bones realigned, bruises faded, and strength returned to their limbs. The children who had been too weak to stand rose to their feet, their eyes filled with newfound energy.
Rob clenched his fists, looking at his restored hands in disbelief. "I… I haven't felt this strong in years."
The atmosphere shifted. The hopelessness that had suffocated them for so long was gone.
Now, they had a chance.
I knelt down in front of the youngest child, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You all feeling better?"
The boy nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Yeah…"
I stood up, rolling my shoulders. "Good. Then let's get the hell out of here."
The corridors echoed with the sound of rapid footsteps.
With their strength restored, the former prisoners moved quickly, following me through the maze-like structure of the tower. The occasional slaver who crossed our path didn't live long enough to regret it.
A bullet through the skull.
A blade through the heart.
A snap of the neck.
One by one, I wiped them out.
This wasn't a rescue mission anymore.
This was an extermination.
We reached a massive staircase leading to the exit. The night sky was visible beyond the doors, the scent of saltwater filling the air.
I turned to Rob. "Take everyone and get to the boat we came in on."
Rob frowned. "And you?"
I glanced back at the tower, checking the magical barriers I had placed earlier.
The remaining slavers were still trapped. Rats in a cage.
"I still have some cleanup to do," I said flatly.
Erza stepped forward, her fists clenched. "We can fight—"
"No," I cut her off. "You've been through enough. Let me handle this."
Jellal opened his mouth to protest, but Rob placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trust him."
I turned to Erza. She was young, but the fire in her eyes was undeniable.
Someday, she'd be a warrior. A leader. A force to be reckoned with.
But not today.
I placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair. "Go."
Then, without another word, I turned away, stepping back into the darkness.
Time to finish the job.
—----------
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