A magic merchant infiltrating Fairy Tail

Besides mages, there were also some physically strong people. Kira noticed special emblems tattooed on their bodies and guessed they were treasure hunters or something similar. Finally, there were some ordinary people.

Without exception, all those who have been brought here will face something that will change their future—being used as sacrifices for black magic.

Those who were bound could not break free of their chains; even if they did, they could not escape from the strong orcs; even if they escaped, there was a small town outside inhabited by countless orcs; outside the town was a hidden valley; most importantly, even if they got out, there was no guarantee that they would not be attacked and captured again.

Before them was undoubtedly the location where dark magic was used to transform orcs. Dozens of ferocious and terrifying orc guards stood around the room, armed with weapons and clad in armor; one of them could take on ten!

In the very center was a high platform, on which were drawn strange and mysterious magic circles, and thirteen black iron pillars burning with blue ghostly flames, and dense magical energy filled the entire space.

At that moment, a figure stood in the very center of the magic circle, holding a jet-black spellbook, as if waiting for something. They recognized this figure; it was none other than the Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Bosk, the most likely heir to the throne!

"Time's up! Let's begin!"

Suddenly, the finance minister opened his eyes, waved his hand, and his subordinates immediately dragged thirty humans onto the stage.

The obvious intent of the maneuver immediately panicked the ten people, who shouted, "Damn it... Let me go... What are you trying to do?!"

Being inexplicably brought here, all I see are demonic beings, and like many others, I'm bound and have no freedom. Now, I'm being brought to participate in this seemingly abnormal ritual; anyone would be terrified.

As soon as the prisoner knelt on the magic circle, his knees seemed to be glued to the spot, and he could not break free.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer opened the spellbook and began chanting the incantation: "Ka...ba...da...jia...gan..."

Strange tones emanated from his mouth, and the flames on the iron pillar suddenly intensified, magical energy converged, and the magic circle emitted a blue-purple iridescent light.

"Ughhhhhh!!!!"

Amid screams, dozens of black beams of light burst forth from the magic book and struck the prisoners within the magic circle with lightning speed.

In an instant, the prisoners' bodies began to transform into those of wild beasts, with features such as manes, hooves, horns, scales, markings, and claws appearing on their heads, bodies, hands, and feet.

"What...what is this...?!"

"Waaaaah... I don't want to become like that..."

The people below were stunned. They had never imagined that they would witness something so incredible. Some of them even cried out in fear. No one was an idiot. Even if they were alright now, they were afraid that they would not be able to escape this situation.

As more and more humans turned into beasts, more and more people began to clamor, but at this moment, no one was willing to pay attention to them anymore.

"Roar--!"

A roar interrupted the commotion, and everyone looked over to see that most of the prisoners who had been turned into orcs had gone mad, constantly pulling at their chains. Only a few orcs remained rational, staring blankly at the changes in their bodies.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer counted briefly: "Hmm... only eleven people are remaining rational?"

"Wait...wait a minute! What's going on?!" one of the orcs, transformed into a tiger, cried out. "Why have we been turned into this?! What did you do?!"

The air fell silent for a few seconds as everyone stared at the legendary, kind and approachable finance minister, awaiting his answer.

"You can see that now, can't you? From now on, you'll be my subordinates!" The Chancellor of Finance's gaze was cold and indifferent. "Orc subordinates with formidable fighting power!"

"Of course, you are different from those irrational failures; you belong to the true orc legion!"

Not far away, Kira, Jura, and Princess Emerald, all cloaked in invisibility cloaks, stood in a row, quietly watching this scene.

"Damn it! How could that guy treat his own people like this!" Princess Emerald gritted her teeth, wishing she could rush up and tear the Minister of Finance to pieces. If it weren't for the other two holding her back, she would have already rushed up and offered herself up for death.

“Kirasan, have you noticed anything?” Jura asked in a deep voice.

"Black magic, with a certain conversion rate, the converted data is related to the original magic power in the body, and is subject to the user, basically the same as the information I obtained before!"

Kira originally thought that orc transformation was like the 'Tharn Gate' that demonizes humans, injecting the biological factors of beasts into human bodies to change their genes. Now it seems that it is completely different!

"The guards are there too! Should we attack now?"

"Let's wait and see, there's no rush!"

Just as the three were talking, the situation on stage suddenly changed.

"What...what a joke?! I don't want to become like this!!" the tiger-man roared, his body suddenly swelled up, broke free of his chains and rushed towards the person in front of him, his tiger claws raised high, about to strike the other person.

But in the next moment, he suddenly and uncontrollably knelt down again. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move. He was horrified. "How could this be...?!"

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, seemingly unfazed, said dismissively, "Looks like even those who maintain rationality aren't exactly smart! You think you're the first to rebel? No! I've converted so many people and remained unscathed because I have absolute control over you! Hahaha!!!"

Amidst his arrogant laughter, the thirty orcs on the platform, who had just been corrupted by dark magic, whether or not they maintained their sanity, all made the same move—kneeling before him!

The more he laughed, the more terrified the kneeling orcs became, and the more frightened the prisoners below became.

Jura frowned and asked again, "What about the magic that controls the orcs?"

"Ancient control magic, like the human subservience control magic and the dragon manipulation magic that controls dragons, belongs to the category of beast manipulation magic." Kira stared intently at the spellbook, analyzing, "It's probably a method for controlling orcs recorded in that book! However, it should only obey the caster, otherwise he wouldn't be personally performing the conversion ritual here!"

Jura's expression changed drastically upon hearing this: "Is it magic similar to Sherry's puppet show?! How terrifying must his magical power be to control so many orcs?"

“No!” Kira looked at the Minister of Finance on the platform, shook his head and said, “That guy doesn’t have much magic power, it’s just that the control effect of that magic is too strong!”

"Moreover, those orcs aren't always under control. Apart from obeying orders to fight, they seem to live quite freely in this town."

Do you think King Bosque knows about this?

"Uh...I think..."

Suddenly, the tiger-man on the platform roared, interrupting Kira's words: "Aren't you afraid of being discovered by the king for doing this?!"

Upon hearing this, the others below perked up again, their faces lighting up with hope: "That's right! As long as the Kingdom's army knows the situation here, they will definitely..."

"Huh?! You think my brother doesn't know these things?"

The Chancellor of the Exchequer shoved his face close to the tiger-man's, his brows furrowed in mockery: "How could that be? Who do you think funded the construction of this base? Who do you think was transporting supplies here?"

Not satisfied, he continued to attack their morals, bringing up evidence: "Oh, right! You must have seen that giant machine when you were arrested, right? That was sponsored by my brother!"

Chapter 387 Ambitious Man

"How could this be... His Majesty the King... treat his own people like this?"

The crowd broke down again.

Kira turned to Jura: "Did you hear that? It seems that the king knows about this."

Jura remained silent.

Princess Emerald was furious: "How heartless! Is this what a king should be like?!"

"Yes, he's such a heartless person! You must be heartbroken, right? Disappointed, right?"

As if someone else had said the same thing, the Chancellor of the Exchequer spread his arms wide, unable to contain his sarcasm, "Don't worry! You won't see him for long!"

"That blind fool actually thought my orc legion was just a bunch of beasts that only obeyed orders and fought like madmen, and instead believed in some kind of technological weapon. There's no need to keep such an idiot around!"

As soon as the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke, everyone vaguely understood his ambition.

Kira slowly remarked to Jura, "Well, the King probably doesn't know about that..."

"What exactly are you trying to do?!"

"What are you doing?? Hmph..." He sneered, showing off to the prisoners, "Soon, a mage ranked among the 'Ten Saints' will become your comrade! He will be my strongest subordinate in the future, and with his help, I can become the king of the Kingdom of Bosk without lifting a finger!!"

Kira whispered with a teasing smile, "Hey~ Jura-san, he's talking about you, isn't he?"

Jura scratched his bald head awkwardly: "Kirasan, you don't need to keep reminding me. I'll take revenge myself later!"

The Finance Minister's words drew gasps from the prisoners below: "What?! Even the 'Ten Wizard Saints'... Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of the Council for doing this?!"

"What is the Council of Mages?! How dare they interfere in our kingdom's affairs?! Not only are there the 'Ten Wizard Saints,' but I also have the princess of the Kingdom of Fiore in my hands. With this hostage, even the Kingdom of Fiore won't dare to do anything to us!"

Kira turned his gaze to Emerald again, and the other's face immediately flushed with embarrassment: "I know, they're talking about me! Kira-san, you don't need to remind me again!"

"Hahaha... Well... you have a really good memory!"

The Finance Minister's voice came again: "By the way, isn't there the guards sent by the Kingdom of Fiore to protect the princess right here? Let's start the conversion with you!"

Princess Emerald could no longer contain herself: "Oh no! They're in danger!"

"I know, so it's time to attack!" Kiramo clenched his fists. "Jurasan, I'll draw their attention, you're in charge of rescuing them!"

Jura's eyes narrowed, his mind focused, and he entered a state of combat readiness: "I understand!"

"I'll count to three and then we'll make our move... I'm talking about me and Jurasan, Your Highness can stay here! Three!"

Without a second thought, Kira flipped up his invisibility cloak and dashed out like a hawk!

"What?! Who is it?!" The Chancellor of the Exchequer saw a dark figure rushing towards him and tried to defend himself, but he couldn't react in time.

Gravity Field - Hell!!

With a loud shout, Kira unleashed a powerful punch to the ground, causing immense magical energy to erupt and crack instantly, the cracks spreading to the pillars, walls, and ceiling...

Boom!!!

A deafening roar suddenly erupted in the orc town. The castle in the center of the town, which symbolized the owner's status and was the sacred site used to perform the transformation ritual, collapsed with a tremendous force of unknown origin!

This commotion attracted the attention of all the orcs. After a brief moment of surprise, they swarmed over like birds returning to their nests.

Hidden in the alley, Jellal and the others stared blankly at the scene: "This magic... is it Kira?"

"What's he doing here? Could it be that he's also here because of the 'demon'?"

"Still as crazy as ever... Fairy Tail's fighting style!"

"Let's go! Let's go take a look!"

The castle, as if crushed by a mountain, could not bear the weight and crumbled in an instant.

With their foothold destroyed, not only the prisoners bound by chains, but even the Emerald Princess, who was still able to move, fell uncontrollably downwards along with the rocks and pillars.

"Ughhhhh!!!"

"Your Highness, be careful!!"

Jura lived up to his name as one of the 'Ten Holy Ones', reacting quickly by grabbing Emerald and jumping into the midst of the prisoners who were unable to move freely. He then waved his hand repeatedly.

Driven by magic, the scattered stones of varying sizes in mid-air quickly coalesced into thick, iron pillars of rock. These pillars overlapped each other, forming a massive, heavy, square safe house in the blink of an eye, enveloping those who were unable to move.

"I'm...I'm saved..."

"What happened? What just occurred?"

"Your Highness, Lord Jura?!"

"What? You're saying they're the princess of the Kingdom of Fiore, and Jura, one of the 'Ten Wizard Saints'?"

"Didn't the Chancellor say they were arrested?"