Fairy Tail: Magic is not such an inconvenient thing.

"Didn't Erza tell me not to get involved in this? If Erza wants to know something, shouldn't she tell me the story she's been hiding beforehand?"

"I…"

In fact, Abbott could have easily exposed the "secret" that Zikrein was Gerald right there and then, but he didn't.

Ebo had completely figured out that Erza and Jellal had some kind of "deep-seated hatred" between them, and that Erza's attack just now was entirely aimed at killing Jellal.

but!

That's just an appearance!

Erza subconsciously did not want to kill Jellal!

Upon hearing this, an uncontrollable murderous intent rose within Abbot.

In that instant, Abbott understood many things.

Why was Erza's expression so sad back then? Why have I been unable to truly fill the void in Erza's heart all these years? Why have I waited so many years, hoping for Erza to completely open her heart to me, yet there has been no progress at all...

So that's how it is, so it's all because of you, Gerald…

When Abbott's eyes were bloodshot, he genuinely considered blowing Zekrein's head off with a single shot.

However, reason forced him to calm down.

If he were to directly pierce this barrier, Erza would undoubtedly not give up easily; she would certainly choose to fight Jellal to the death.

With his addition, even if Erza wasn't determined to kill the opponent completely, and even if Zekrein's magic power was much higher than his own, Ebo had absolute confidence that he could kill the opponent instantly with his high mobility and strong destructive power, taking advantage of the first strike.

But what happens after you kill them?

If killing Gerald would solve the problem, Abbot wouldn't hesitate at all.

The problem is that Abok heard Erza's conflicted feelings. It turns out that the nightmare Erza has been unable to forget all these years is Jellal.

Even a seemingly ordinary little thing can become an obsession that's hard to shake off if it keeps replaying in your mind for years.

Moreover, it is a kind of deep-seated "hatred". Jellal has undoubtedly become Erza's "inner demon". If it were just simple hatred, it would be fine, but Erza is hesitant. She does not even have the determination to kill Jellal.

This is something that Abbot cannot tolerate.

Conflicting hatred can distort a person's thinking, which is a very bad sign.

Abbott cannot accept that his Erza still carries the traces of another person in her heart, not even a dead one.

If Jellal dies in front of Erza, Ebo may forever lose the chance to understand Erza's true feelings.

A dead person cannot be defeated.

Therefore, Abbott needs more information; he needs to know the whole story and the end result. He must have a clear understanding of Erza's past in order to make a truly correct judgment.

Therefore, Gerald cannot die yet.

Abbot's attack missed, but he was also glad that he had kept his composure.

Because when the heat rays passed through the side of Zekrein's brain, Abbot noticed that his face was not injured.

Normally, even if it doesn't hit, a face grazed by the heat rays should leave a burn mark, but Zekrein didn't, so Abbott understood something else—this was a thought entity.

That's really impressive, Gerald. I didn't expect that the body the other party sent to the academy for further studies was also a thought-based entity.

Fortunately, he didn't actually make a move, otherwise it would have been a futile attack. The death of the thought entity wouldn't affect the main body's strength much, but it would have alerted the enemy and brought unnecessary trouble. This guy is currently a Saint Ten, not a small fry that can be dealt with casually.

"I'm sorry, Abbott, I can't say..."

Erza lowered her head in guilt, feeling as if she had returned to that desperate island seven years ago.

"...You are not allowed to tell anyone about this. If the existence of the Tower of Paradise is exposed, all our plans will be ruined. At that time, I will destroy the tower and everyone here to eliminate the evidence. Also, you are not allowed to come near here again. If I find you here every time, I will kill someone, starting with Hugh and his group..."

Gerald's threat was still fresh in his mind. If he really revealed everything, Gerald would definitely target those remaining in the Tower of Paradise—his friends who had shared his hardships. They couldn't die because of him… absolutely not…

Ebo's telepathic magic was operating at full power, and he could even "see" fragments of Erza's memories.

So she was threatened after all? This is the kind of stupid thing Erza would do. How could she take an enemy's threat seriously? What an idiot.

"Sister Erza, do you remember what I asked you to promise me when you first joined the guild?"

"Ai...Aibo, I..."

"Back then, I said I hoped that [one day, Erza would decide to make Fairy Tail her home; one day, she would be willing to become family with me, someone we could rely on. Then, she could tell me about her past]..."

Aibo hung his head dejectedly, his spirits broken:

"So, the reason my sister doesn't want to tell me is because she still doesn't consider me a real person—"

"No! No!"

Erza suddenly stood up and hugged Ebo, tears that she hadn't shed in countless years streaming down her face.

"Abbot has always been my family! Abbot has been my family for a long time! I just... I just..."

"..."

Ebo could sense Erza's struggle and pain, but he couldn't soften his heart and stop. He had to make Erza choose between him and Jellal, and it had to be Erza herself who said it.

"Does that mean Erza still doesn't trust me? She should know that there's nothing I can't do. I'm already stronger and more capable than Erza."

Problems that my sister can't solve can be handed over to Abbot. What my sister can't do, Abbot can do.

And Aibo will always stand by his sister's side and will always help her. Has his sister forgotten what I said back then?

The so-called guild is like family. When my family needs help, I will be there for them at any time.

I heard Erza's cry for help, so I came to help you.

This was true in the past, and it is true now, so…

"Sister Erza, please believe me, okay?"

"Eibo...!"

Erza couldn't hold back her tears at all, and her dry right eye felt warm and moist.

Yes, that's right. She is completely different from that helpless little girl she was back then. She now has a powerful guild, a loving family, and... Aibo.

So, can I... also put down this heavy burden and feel a little... a little more relaxed?

"Abbot, I'm willing to tell you everything."

But you must promise me you won't do anything impulsive…”

"Okay, I promise."

Chapter 118 Investigating Ultear

"...Back then, Gerald was everyone's leader, full of a sense of justice, and someone I admired. But for some reason, he suddenly became someone I didn't recognize at all... If people can turn into demons, then Gerald is like that..."

Erza told Eibo her whole story, starting with how she and her fellow villagers were captured by the Dark Arts Order, their journey to the Tower of Paradise, where she met the normal Jellal, who gave her the "Crimson Surname"...

Despite their daily toil, they were still abused by the Order. Erza was even blinded in one eye. Jellal killed the Order's jailer to save her, but was also captured and tortured. Erza finally could not endure it any longer and led the group in rebellion. After Rob was killed to protect her, Erza awakened the [Knight] magic and completely destroyed the Dark Magic Order.

But just as Erza ran to rescue Jellal, who was trapped inside, Jellal, seemingly a different person, betrayed her...

"...He drove me off the island and threatened to kill my companions who remained in the Tower of Paradise if I didn't reveal his secret. He's really capable of doing such a thing. I had no choice..."

Erza is no longer the strong, brave, and valiant female knight she once was. The fragile Erza is no different from the ordinary little girl who used to hide and cry. After all these years, she still hasn't been able to escape that nightmare and silently endures it all alone.

Gerald, you deserve to die.

Abo took a deep breath; Erza's current appearance made his heart ache.

At the same time, Ab felt quite guilty, thinking that he should have asked about this matter sooner and resolved it earlier, so that Erza wouldn't have been tormented by this unfounded guilt for so long.

"Sister, you don't need to hide this from us. Whether you tell me or the president, we won't allow this to happen."

"Abbot! Don't be impulsive! If that Zekrein really is Jellal's twin brother, then Jellal's strength is not much weaker than his. If a level 10 Wizard doesn't act recklessly, no one in the Tower of Paradise will survive. So please don't be impulsive."

"Ah, don't worry, I won't act unless I'm absolutely sure. I already promised my sister, didn't I? I will never betray Erza."

Aibo smiled, but he was making his own plans in his mind.

He didn't actually care about the lives of the people in the Tower of Paradise; he only cared about Erza's thoughts.

If killing Jellal and everyone in the Tower of Paradise with his heat beam would put Erza at ease, Ebo wouldn't hesitate at all.

But this situation is clearly not going to work now. Kind-hearted Erza still cherishes old feelings and wants to protect all her companions in the Tower of Paradise.

Abbott came up with a perfect solution to the problem.

The so-called perfection is not about saving everyone in the Tower of Paradise, but about finding a way to make Erza completely despair of Jellal.

Erza has opened her heart to him, and the goodwill that Ebo has cultivated over the years has not been in vain. Ebo's importance in Erza's heart is clearly higher than that of a certain inhuman blue-haired tattooed man.

Erza's dilemma is also obvious. She doesn't know why the righteous Jellal has become someone she doesn't recognize. She still holds onto a certain fantasy, subconsciously feeling that "Jellal might have been forced into this."

It's a very naive thought, very much in Erza's style, but kind girls shouldn't be treated like this.

Gerald, you deserve to die.

Abbott doesn't care whether Gerald was forced or not. Whatever the reason, it doesn't negate the crime he committed. Abbott doesn't care about whitewashing.

However, Ebo might actually have some clues about Gerald's change...

Only then did Erza remember the question she wanted to ask Albert:

"Abbot, so can you decipher Zekrein's words? Do you really think Gerald has a twin brother?"

Instead of answering the question directly, Abbott took out a photograph and handed it to Erza:

"Who does Erza think this person is?"

"This is... Gerald?!"

"No, this is Mystergang."

"what?!"

Erza was a little stunned. Wait, how come there are so many Jellal? So Jellal has a very generic face?

"Do you remember the other Edolas world that Lisanna and I visited? Mystogan is Gerald from that world, and he's a prince, but he doesn't seem to have any twin brothers."

Erza's face darkened:

"You mean, Zekrein is lying to me? No, he is Gerald, isn't he!"

"Clearly, it seems that our world's Jellal is a liar, and he must have some ulterior motive for joining the Council."

Erza gritted her teeth: "No, I have to stop him!"

"Erza, are you sure? If it's revealed that you've confirmed his identity, will Jellal still let the Tower of Paradise go?"

"This... Damn it! That bastard! Abbott, what should I do..."

"If you trust me, Erza, leave it all to me. I'll handle it..."

Abbott will find out the whole story, in his own way.

-----------------

When Ultear awoke, she found herself in a pitch-black room with no windows, only the faint glow of a magic crystal. She was chained and bound to a large, F-shaped wooden frame, her magic power completely locked, leaving her unable to move.

I've been...kidnapped!?

Ultear was startled. She clearly remembered being in the Council's dormitory before losing consciousness. Who could have sneaked into the Council without her noticing, knocked her unconscious, and brought her out? Who was it?!

"it's me."

Abbot, who was sitting cross-legged and floating in the air, suddenly appeared in front of Ultear, resting his chin on his hand and looking at Ultear with a playful gaze.

"Hannah!? It's you! What do you mean by this? Why did you arrest me? Let me go! Aren't we good friends?"

Urudia was initially nervous, but after discovering that her kidnapper was "Hannah," she inexplicably felt a sense of "reassurance" and became less panicked.

"First, I hope you will stop calling me by that name. My real name is Abbott. I was just using a false identity when I went to the magic academy."

"Secondly, we are not good friends, so don't try to get close to me."

"Third, you now know my biggest secret. Don't even think about leaving this room for the rest of your life. Prepare to experience true despair."

Aibo spoke irresponsibly in a flippant tone.

"Wait a minute! I have no intention of being your enemy! Haven't we always gotten along well? Han, Bu Aibo, have you forgotten all the wonderful times we spent together? You can't do this to me! You're my only true friend!"

Urudia was genuinely panicked. The aloof Abbot she remembered wasn't the type to joke around, and she writhed on the wooden frame in fear.