Under Erza's sharp gaze, Simon calmly stated, "We're building the path to paradise, Erza. We need your strength."
"Paradise?" Erza paused, then gritted her teeth, "You're still constructing that evil thing?!"
"Evil?" Sho retorted angrily, "Sister, you don't understand the greatness of the Tower of Paradise!"
"Greatness..." Erza sneered, "What right does a construction built on innocent sacrifices, destined to bring greater misfortune, have to be called great?"
"Our past misfortunes weren't all because of the Black Magic Cult's Tower of Paradise?!"
"And now you're repeating their mistakes!"
The group fell silent.
Erza took a deep breath, "It's Jellal, isn't it?"
"That's right," Puppet-face Wally confirmed, "He said we needed the power of you, the traitor."
"...Erza's expression dimmed briefly before filling with determination. She turned to Lucy and smiled gently, "Lucy, tell Natsu and the others I have personal matters to attend to."
"Erza!" Lucy, being a smart girl, immediately understood what Erza intended and shouted desperately, "Don't do anything foolish! We're comrades, we should face this together!"
"Sister isn't like that," Sho mocked with a sneer, "She's someone who can abandon her comrades without hesitation when in crisis."
"You shut up!" Lucy angrily yelled at him, "Erza is nothing like what you described!"
"No need for arguments." Erza coldly stated, "Sho, I don't owe you any explanations."
Looking up at Simon, she continued, "I'll go back with you. Some things must be resolved eventually. I've waited for this day for a long time."
"Let's go." After speaking, Erza transformed into her usual armor attire.
"Erza, don't go!" Lucy cried out desperately, but Erza didn't respond and left with the group.
"Damn it!" Bound by ropes, Lucy couldn't break free. She felt her magic sealed, unable to summon her Celestial Spirits. The ropes tightened further.
"Lucy--"
Natsu's voice echoed from afar.
"Natsu--" Lucy quickly shouted back.
*BOOM*
Accompanied by raging flames, Natsu rushed to Lucy. Seeing her tied up and bent backward, he immediately extinguished his flames, even bursting into laughter.
"Hahaha, Lucy, what kind of pose is that?"
"Natsu, you idiot, untie me quickly! My bones are about to break!" Lucy angrily exclaimed.
"Got it." Natsu crouched down.
"Hey hey hey, what are you doing?" Lucy watched helplessly as Natsu's face approached.
"I'm biting through the ropes," Natsu explained.
"Awo--"
He bit the rope binding Lucy under her armpit.
"Mmm--" Feeling hot breath on her armpit, Lucy instantly blushed.
Natsu bit hard, breaking the rope. Lucy quickly stood up.
"Natsu!" Lucy urgently informed, "Something's wrong! Erza went away with some strange people, talking about some paradise..."
"The Tower of Paradise," Jehfrit suddenly appeared and answered.
"Jehfrit, you were here all along? Why didn't you stop her!" Lucy angrily confronted Jehfrit upon seeing him.
"Erza is right; some things must be faced eventually," Jehfrit adjusted his glasses.
"Jehfrit, earlier... it was your doing, wasn't it?" Natsu asked seriously.
Earlier, he had been ambushed by a puppet-faced man, but the attacker wasn't particularly strong. Natsu burst into flames and knocked him down with one punch.
However, Natsu instinctively knew the opponent wasn't human.
"That's right," Jehfrit nodded, "If we defeated them all here, we'd lose our reason to go to the Tower of Paradise."
"What do you mean?" Natsu looked puzzled.
"The Tower of Paradise is a dangerous place, and its controller, a dangerous person," Jehfrit spun a card between his fingers. He suddenly flicked it, sending it spinning upward to pierce the ceiling before returning as black light streaked with gold threads back to his palm.
"Erza wants to resolve this alone," Jehfrit explained, "But so-called family members can't help but..."
"Help her!" Natsu declared firmly.
"Precisely," Jehfrit nodded.
"So that's your plan..." Gray's voice came from behind.
Lucy looked over.
Gray and Juvia supported each other while walking over. Gray was clutching his head, looking pained.
He glared at Jehfrit, "So, just now... you were the one who intervened, right?"
"That's right," Jehfrit nodded again.
"You..." Gray sighed helplessly, "At least give us a heads-up next time."
"Your acting skills aren't good enough, especially yours, Natsu," Jehfrit shook his head.
"Bastard, who do you think you're looking down on!" Natsu angrily spat fire.
"By the way... your magic has such effects? Was that newly acquired?" Gray asked curiously.
Jehfrit's magic had always focused on deceiving the five senses. Even emotional manipulation had only minimal effect on him and Natsu.
But earlier, in an instant, both he and Juvia had collapsed, utterly terrified.
"Just a small improvement, nothing major," Jehfrit said with a modest smile—he was so humble, after all. Then he added, "Alright, let's not waste any more time. You find a ship; I'll contact the Master first."
"Okay."
Natsu and the others went to find a boat.
Jehfrit took out his communication crystal.
"Jehfrit, what is it?" Mirajane's face appeared in the crystal.
"Good evening, Miss Mirajane. Is Master at the guild?"
"He's here, He just fell asleep after getting drunk."
"I'm very sorry to disturb him, but please wake him up. I have important matters to report," Jehfrit spoke seriously.
"Alright," Mirajane nodded.
On the boundless sea...
"Are we off course?" Gray seemed uneasy.
"No..." Natsu, lying weakly by the ship's railing, barely raised his trembling hand.
"Is this how all Dragon Slayers are? Mr. Gajeel also can't handle transportation at all," Juvia remarked in surprise.
"Maybe," Gray nodded.
"Huh?" At this moment, Natsu suddenly straightened up, alertly staring in a certain direction.
"What's wrong?" Gray's expression changed. Noticing Natsu's seriousness, he immediately prepared for battle.
"I don't know, but... ugh... it feels... ugh... strange." Mid-sentence, the ship rocked, and Natsu became limp again.