A magic merchant infiltrating Fairy Tail

BOOM! BOOM!! BOOM!!

Kira pointed his index finger and said to the three people who had fallen to the ground, "You can't do this. If you don't have the ability to react to unexpected situations, you won't be able to pass the guild's test and become an S-class mage."

The three men who stood up rolled up their sleeves and were about to punch him.

"You bastard, you really dare to say that! It's all because you suddenly did that kind of thing!"

Just as Kira was about to be surrounded and given a lecture by the three, he suddenly pointed and said, "Look! So this is the object of the 'Moon Drop'! What a big and ugly thing!"

Gray didn't believe Kira's words at all; he was already tired of using this kind of diversionary tactic when fighting Natsu: "Huh?! You're still trying to change the subject now?"

Rocky stopped punching, turned around, and frowned, saying, "Is this thing... a demon?"

Kana understood: "So that's how it is. You want to use the Moon Drop to destroy this ice and release this demon?"

Demon? Ice?

Upon hearing their words, Gray's heart skipped a beat, and he turned around abruptly. What came into view was the nightmare buried deep in his memory.

"Deliora??!!"

"Are you kidding me?! Why would Deliora be in a place like this?"

Gray exclaimed in surprise, immediately drawing the attention of the bewildered Rocky and Cana.

Light Yagami… no, Kira subtly revealed an expression that said, “Up to this point, everything has unfolded exactly as I predicted.”

Kira then looked up blankly: "Deliora? What's wrong, Gray? Do you know this demon?"

At this moment, Gray had already lowered his head, his emotions running high, and remained silent. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Daly..."

"Oh! I remember now! I remember!! Deliora! I know that name! He was a powerful demon who wreaked havoc on the northern continent more than ten years ago!"

"Kira?"

Gray, who had finally managed to build up his emotions, suddenly let them out. Kira continued, "I heard Gildarts say that he originally went to deal with this demon, but when he got there, he found that Deliora had already been killed by a powerful mage. I didn't expect that it was sealed away and that it would still be here now."

Gray looked at Kira in surprise: "You..."

"I heard the person who sealed it was named Ur, and like you, Gray, he was also an ice-type mage. What a coincidence..."

Before Kira could finish speaking, Gray grabbed Kira's collar excitedly: "You bastard! You knew about this all along, didn't you! That's why you brought me here!"

"Wait! You just said 'Moon Drops' is magic that can dissolve all magic, right? Who on earth would do something like this?! Kira! What do you know?! Tell me now!!!"

"Hey...it's a bit tight, hey..."

Rocky and Cana quickly came over and pulled Gray away: "Gray, calm down!"

"How can I stay calm in this situation?!"

"Tell me, Kira! Who is doing this?! Tell me now!!!"

Gray seemed unable to listen to anything, only excitedly repeating these words.

"You brat..." Seeing that Gray wouldn't listen, Kira had no choice but to resort to violence, punching him and sending him flying. "Calm down before you speak!!!"

Mmm, that feels good!

Gray, who had been thrown into the air, stirred on the ground before settling down. Loki and Cana asked, "What's going on, Kira? Why is Gray so agitated?"

Perhaps the punch really did have an effect, as Gray, lying on the ground, calmed down considerably. He slowly spoke with a heavy heart, "Deliora... was sealed away by my master, Uru, who sacrificed his life to teach me magic."

Word by word, Gray unfolded his memories, telling the three people who were unaware of the truth everything that had happened in the past.

"Hmm... I think I understand what's going on. No wonder you're so agitated."

Gray said fiercely, "Uru...she is the person I respect most. Whoever did this, I will never forgive them!"

Hehe, I'm waiting for you to take that back!

Cana walked over to Gray, pulled out a bottle of liquor from somewhere, placed it in front of him, and then looked at Kira with hostility, saying, "Kira, you knew all along, didn't you? That's why you brought us here... no, to be precise, you brought Gray here."

"I was wondering why you suddenly accepted the mission and violated guild rules by bringing us here, but now I understand! This was all part of your plan, wasn't it?"

Kira smiled and gave a thumbs up: "As expected of Cana, you're so smart! That's right! I planned everything!"

Gray was furious and yelled, "You actually admitted it without hesitation with that attitude? You bastard! Why would you do something like this?"

"What do you mean, why would I do such a thing? What nonsense are you talking about?" Killer was unfazed by Gray's anger. "Just like how you made Natsu deal with the person impersonating a dragon, after I learned about the situation here, I brought Gray here to handle it himself. Isn't that the same principle?"

That's right, that's the reason, and it's not some kind of perverse sense of humor.

Huh? Come to think of it, am I really that quick-witted? I can actually come up with such a reason so easily.

"Um... what I mean is, you can just say it directly..."

Kira looked innocent: "Didn't I just say that..."

Kana: "..."

Gray: "..."

Rocky: "..."

"What kind of expressions are those? Especially you, Gray! Is this how you treat the benefactor who brought you here?"

"If I hadn't lied to you... no, I mean brought you here, how long would it have taken you to discover this, given that you can't even get to the second floor?"

Gray: "...You're right, I got too excited just now, I'm sorry! And...thank you!"

Chapter 12 The Mastermind

He believed it?! He actually believed it?!

Is this even possible? Wow, that's amazing!

Kira said with an air of righteousness, "It's alright, I forgive you, but there will be no reward for this mission."

Rocky and Cana were immediately displeased: "Huh?! You shrewd businessman..."

"Fine! It's okay if you don't give me the mission reward! But... please let me handle this myself!"

“Grey…”

However, Kira completely ignored Gray's request: "What nonsense are you talking about? Get this straight, I'm the one who accepted this quest! Besides... we're guildmates, how could I let you handle this on your own?"

"Fine, at most, the mastermind behind this will let you deal with it yourself; I won't interfere."

"That's enough, thank you."

The air suddenly felt heavy...

Finally, Kira, the little devil, broke the ice: "The thing about not getting paid, that includes the two of you too."

"!!!"

"Hey……"

Before the argument could resume, purple light descended straight down from the hole above and landed on Deliora.

"Looks like it's time. Those people have started casting their spells. Let's go up and take a look!"

Without Kira saying a word, Gray was the first to rush forward.

"Wait! Gray... all of you be on high alert! Watch out for a surprise attack!!"

The four arrived at the top of the ruins, where a bright yet eerie purple moonlight suddenly appeared. A group of strangely dressed people were gathered together, chanting ancient and mysterious incantations, gathering the power of the moon. The dark purple moonlight formed a liquid and shot precisely and powerfully into the dark cave below.

The group hid behind a boulder and looked into the distance. Sure enough, below the cave was Deliora's location!

Rocky said, "Is this the Moon Drop? It looks very suspicious."

"It should be right!"

Gray clenched his fists: "Is it them? They've disturbed the peace of Uru!"

"Are those three people next to him the masterminds?"

Kana was referring to three people whose clothing was clearly different from the other extras—two men and one woman. They were standing outside the circle of people casting spells, and... well, they were also casting spells.

"These three guys are obviously underlings. The real mastermind would never dress like this! It's always the boss who orders the underlings around. Who works overtime with their employees until late at night?"

Kira spoke calmly, "You guys who grew up in guilds and had free time for missions wouldn't understand."

The group couldn't understand what Kira was saying.

However, as if to confirm Kira's words, soon, the voices of the three underlings talking could be heard in the wind.

How long will I have to do this kind of work?

"It will probably take about another week."

"The workload has increased in the last few days, and I haven't been able to get a proper rest during the day."

"After all, this is the final crucial period, so let's be serious and not ruin Lord Zero's plan."

At this moment, a mysterious person wearing a cloak and a hooded mask walked out, and then the three henchmen turned around and respectfully called out, "Lord Zero Emperor."

Kira pointed to the person who had just appeared and whispered, "See that? It's obvious this guy is the mastermind! He appeared last, had a unique look, and exuded an 'I'm the best' attitude in every move. This kind of person is the final boss of the dungeon!"

"So you're saying he was the mastermind, right?"

"Who exactly is this person?"

Zero Emperor nodded in response to his three underlings and said, "You've all worked hard today. In a little while, the plan will succeed—the plan to free Deliora!"

Gray: That voice? Could it be...?!

Startled, before Rocky and Cana could react, Gray leaped out, shouting, "So it's you? The one who tried to free Deliora?!"

Gray's outburst was so sudden that Rocky and Cana had no time to react.

Then Kira spoke up: "I'm giving you a chance to train. Those three underlings are yours to handle. Don't tell me the two of you can't beat all three of them!"

"Isn't this your task? We've left the opponents to us, what are you doing?"

"Do you still want your payment? I'm in charge of destroying the magic circle! Do you have a problem with that?"

"……No."

The three of them emerged from behind the rock and took their respective positions.

"That emblem is... Fairy Tail? Why is it here?"