A magic merchant infiltrating Fairy Tail

Chapter 28 Lalabai

"In fact, I think that not only Erza, but either you or Natsu could take care of them if you spent some time."

Upon hearing Killer's words, Natsu, who had returned sometime earlier, immediately perked up with joy: "Of course! I'm very strong!"

Happy also chimed in, "Hey!"

Natsu continued, "Gray probably won't make it."

"What did you say? How about we have a contest to see who takes them down first?"

"Let's compete! Who's afraid of you?!"

Their faces were close together, their gazes sparking through the air.

However, Erza quickly suppressed the spark with her anger: "You two, shut up!"

"Yes!" ×2

Kira asked Erza curiously, "What are you planning to do?"

"We'll go straight into the Iron Forest and wipe them out in one fell swoop. If possible, we'll also try to find out what kind of sealed magic they mentioned."

It's you, Erza! You always use this simple and brutal method!

"What a brilliant plan! As expected of you, Erza!" Kira feigned approval of Erza's strategy. "But like I just said, this dark guild called Iron Forest is no challenge for you at all, and even Erigor is far from being your match. So what you're worried about is... that 'Lalabai,' right?"

Erza nodded in agreement: "That's right! Lalabai... Has anyone here heard of it?"

Natsu, Gray, and Happy shook their heads simultaneously, saying in unison, "I don't know."

Kira rolled his eyes at them: "I didn't expect any of you to know anyway. You should ask the others."

Erza was a little troubled: "But who should I ask about this..."

"Ask who? Of course, ask the most studious person in the guild. Levy! Come here for a second!"

Hearing the voice, Levy, who was studying diligently in the corner of the store, came over with a book in her hand: "Kira, Erza, is there something you need?"

Levy, a 17-year-old girl from Fairy Tail, has short blue hair and pink-rimmed glasses. She looks like a student and is surprisingly fertile despite her petite and slender build.

In the original work, she is considered one of the main supporting characters. Her strength is average, and the only thing that readers enjoy talking about is her romantic relationship with Gajeel—that bastard Gajeel, how could he do that? He actually dared to flirt with the edge of turning 18!

"Levy, you have the largest collection of books in our guild. Erza wants you to help her look into something about Lalabai."

"Lalabai? I understand, leave it to me." Levy confidently adjusted her glasses and opened the book in her hands.

The big data catalog connects all the books Lebby keeps in her dorm room using special magic; the specially made swimming goggles can increase reading speed by 64 to 128 times, much faster than swimming goggles on the market.

Both are works by Kira.

Everyone watched Levy operate the book quietly, the rustling sound of pages turning echoing for a long time.

After a long while, Levy excitedly handed over the book she had been holding: "Found it! 'Lalabai,' a legendary instrument originally used to perform 'curse-killing' magic, later transformed by the dark mage Zeref into a flute capable of releasing 'spell songs.' It looks like a wooden flute with bones attached, and there are three eyes on the skull..."

Erza and Gray were both shocked to hear this: "Zephyr? Isn't that the one..."

"Yes, the most evil dark mage from hundreds of years ago!"

Natsu, however, remained puzzled: "What?? Who is Zeref?"

It's your Nissan, Naz!

Gray sighed helplessly, "Didn't I just say that? Were you even listening?"

Erza broke out in a cold sweat. She suddenly realized that things were getting a little tricky, not for any other reason than Zeref's reputation was too great.

Lucy pondered to herself: "A flute with a three-eyed skull... a spell... Zeref?!"

"What's wrong, Lucy?" Erza asked. "Do you know something?"

"I've only read about it in books..." Lucy told everyone what she knew: "Among the many forbidden spells in the magical world, isn't there a curse spell? Lalabai... possesses a 'mass curse' spell that can kill all creatures that hear the flute's sound!"

"What?!" ×N

Erza jumped in alarm: "Damn it! Who knows what will happen if something like this falls into Erigor's hands! Bastard! What are those guys after? We have to stop him!!!"

"Calm down, Erza!" Kira's calm and even voice stopped Erza, who was about to leave.

"Kira? This matter..."

"This matter isn't as big as you think! So sit down and sort out your thoughts before you set off!"

Erza was silent for two seconds, then sighed and sat down: "You're right, I did get a little excited just now."

At times like these, Kira always seems to have the ability to control the whole situation, completely losing his usual humor when he's playing pranks, replaced by a calm mind and clear thoughts.

This phenomenon is referred to by members of the guild as... "Sage Mode".

"Ahem... Remember the magical theory I often talk about?" Kira cleared his throat, pretending to shake the juice in his hand, and slowly said, "There is no magic in this world that is invincible..."

Erza continued, "The more powerful the magic, the more obvious its flaws, and the greater the price to pay."

Since Kira became an S-class mage many years ago and became famous in the magic world, he immediately went to the most famous magic newspaper in the Kingdom of Fiore and published his combat experience and magic theories in the monthly magazine. He then compiled them into a book and sold it in bookstores, thus earning his first fortune.

Because of his title as "Sage," Kira's books, like his magical artifacts, became bestsellers not only throughout the Kingdom of Fiore but also in neighboring countries.

So... how could he not promote it within the guild?

Although the publicity effect was not ideal, over the years, every single member of the guild, even those who haven't read any of Kira's books in their entirety, can still recount most of the content and ideas.

"It seems you still remember." Kira nodded with satisfaction. That's one of Erza's good qualities; she takes everything very seriously. Anyone else would have forgotten, or even if they remembered, they wouldn't have continued.

When he turned around, his expression returned to its usual frivolous look. "Lucy, you've just entered the magical world, you'd better listen to this. It might be helpful in the future."

Kira's magical theories...??

Hmm? Lucy seems a little interested, Kira's eyes immediately lit up.

"Yes, it's very useful. I sell them in my shop. I'll take you there sometime. It's on the main street of Magnolia, in the Hope Hut..."

"Enough! Kira! Let's get down to business!"

Honestly, that's one of Erza's bad habits; she always likes to interrupt others. I don't know where she learned that from.

“Alright, alright, let’s get back to business,” Kira said, not angry at all, since the other party was a big client. He continued, “The theory we just discussed is missing one point.”

Those who manipulate magic will ultimately be manipulated by magic!

The crowd was confused. So what? What exactly are you trying to say?

Kira sighed in disappointment. "After all these years, how come there isn't a single person in this group who has a good enough understanding with me?"

"The information Levy just found says that LalaBai is a magical artifact that was modified by Zeref, right?"

Erza was a little confused: "Yeah, so what?"

"According to records, Zeref created many demons, and LalaBai was modified by Zeref and is a magical artifact that can cast 'Spell Song'. So, let's make a bold guess that LalaBai itself is very likely a demon."

Chapter 29 The props should be taken out one by one.

"The magical item is... a demon?"

This claim is not only novel but also outrageous, but it's not so hard for the easygoing people in Fairy Tail to accept.

"As far as I know, each of the demons created by Zeref possesses unique and powerful abilities."

Kira squinted and said, "You need to understand, if LalaBai isn't just a magical artifact, then our ultimate enemy might not be those useless creatures in the Iron Forest, but a demon enhanced by Zeref!"

"That Zeref..." Erza's eyes clearly showed some apprehension.

“The Deliora we saw on Devil’s Island this time is one of the demons created by Zeref,” Kira said, glancing back at Gray. “Their strength is far beyond that of ordinary people, and I think Gray is the most qualified to say that.”

“Deliora…” Gray lowered his head, feeling uneasy. Could Lalabai be another Deliora? This must be stopped!

Kira glanced at Natsu, who was still playing with Happy, knowing nothing but how to fight.

Fortunately, not everyone misunderstood the meaning behind Kira's words. As an S-class mage, Erza had more mission experience and was far more intelligent than Natsu and the others. She immediately understood what Kira meant: "I know what you mean. You mean we have to make our move away from the crowd, right?"

"That's right! It's one thing for you guys to smash up the streets when you're doing missions, but this time is different. You need to think about the consequences before you act! If someone dies, the guild leader will have a hard time explaining it to the council!"

Maklov: Smashing the streets is one thing? Someone who can say something like that would even consider whether or not to confess?

Erza gave Kira a deep look: "In that case, you should come with us! It'll be safer with you there."

Yes, I love hearing that!

"Don't worry!" Kira patted Erza's armored shoulder. "If Ralabai were really that strong, it would have been dealt with long ago. Since its seal could be broken by a few small fry, it means it's not anything special."

"So you don't need to be too afraid! Besides, there aren't any powerful mages in the Iron Forest. They actually want to use LalaBay. Maybe in the end, they'll be turned on by LalaBay without us even having to lift a finger."

"Alas, those who manipulate darkness will eventually be devoured by darkness."

Although Kira's words had some effect, Erza was still worried: "We can't gamble our hopes on this possibility. You just said it yourself, it's a demon that Zeref modified. If we leave it unattended, there will be big problems!"

“We really can’t just leave it like this. Alright, for the sake of Lalabai, I’ll go with you!” Kira nodded helplessly. “Oh, right, there’s one more question before we set off…”

"What's the problem?"

Where is the Iron Forest?

Erza showed no shame whatsoever for her recklessness and ignorance: "You can find out by asking around in Ghost Lotus City!"

Ghost Lotus Castle is where Erza saw the group from the Iron Forest. Simple and straightforward! Very Fairy Tail! But…

Kira winked and teased, "I thought only Natsu could say something so obviously thoughtless. You've surprised me, Erza."

Natsu: "What did you say?!"

Happy: "I think Kira is right..."

Lucy covered her mouth and chuckled to herself...

What should have been a very troublesome matter was brought back to normal by Kira's simple words.

"There's one more thing! What exactly is Ironforge's purpose in taking Lalabai?"

This stumped Erza. All she could think about was not letting these things fall into the hands of the Iron Forest. She wanted to beat them up, steal them, and eventually hand them over to the Council.

As for their purpose, Erza hadn't figured it out yet, only guessing slightly: "The Iron Forest is a dark guild, so attacking Lalabai must be to create chaos, and it must be in a crowded place where people can hear them."

“That’s right, they might even kill a few people of sufficient importance to demonstrate their strength.” Kira continued to analyze, “If it were me, I would probably attack members of the royal family, members of the council, or something like that.”

Gray was speechless: "This guy... he can actually say things like that without any pretense..."