As he spoke, Udaru Das stomped on his guitar, breaking it. He then took the fine strings and wrapped them around his neck.
".Don't..."
Udaru Das looked at Jehfrit pleadingly.
But his hands suddenly tightened with force.
"Hiss—"
Lucy and Juvia quickly turned around.
"Rest a bit before moving again. In your current state, you'll be in trouble if you encounter strong enemies. Don't worry about Natsu and Gray."
"The healing potion is in your pocket, Lucy. You know how to use it."
After saying this, Jehfrit left.
"Jehfrit feels so scary," Juvia said.
"Mmm," Lucy sighed, "In this situation, we can trust him."
"Gray-sama..." Juvia placed her hand on her chest, praying devoutly, "I hope you're safe."
"Natsu..." Lucy whispered softly, "You won't lose, right?"
"Cough cough."
Coughing sounds came from ahead.
Jehfrit walked through the passage, which suddenly opened up.
A wide room filled with birdcages hung in the air by chains.
Ahead was an enemy.
The muscular man with an owl's head.
Remnants of ice were nearby; it seemed he had just been defeated as Gray's opponent.
"This kind of failure..." Fukurou struggled to prop himself up, "Can't be called justice!"
"Only true justice, justice I recognize, can defeat me!"
*Tap*
Footsteps approached.
Fukurou turned to look at the newcomer and said, "Are you that ice user's companion? Wait a moment, I'll stand up soon!"
"Your will is quite strong, but..." Jehfrit slowly drew his sword.
"To take advantage of someone in this state isn't justice!" Fukurou's heart surged, unleashing his potential and standing up.
But suddenly, his abdomen was kicked hard!
He looked puzzled at the approaching enemy in the distance, wondering who had kicked him.
With confusion, Fukurou flew out from the passage and fell downwards.
He wasn't a real bird; his flying magic tool was gone.
"This isn't the end of justice..."
*Splash*
A long wooden bridge.
Cherry blossoms falling like snow.
and where Cherry blossoms met the earth,
the untouched snow bloomed red,
Sounds of battle continued without pause.
This Kansai-accented swordsman brought great pressure to Erza.
She consecutively used several sets of armor, all cut down by the opponent.
'What a powerful woman, no wonder she's the Fairy Queen. Her magical power is fearsome!'
'However, the style my master taught me, Moon Style, isn't bad either!'
'Ultimate swordsmanship can cut through magic!'
"Even in a world of magic, the way of the sword doesn't decline; there are just fewer people seriously training."
"Everyone wants to become a great mage, thinking there's nothing outside of magic that can change their fate."
"But—"
"They've overlooked since the beginning of human civilization, when cold weapons were cast from copper and iron, the power that has been passed down to this day – the way of arms for those without magical talent."
Ikuto gripped the hilt of her sword; Erza's expression grew serious.
"Magic is radiant, like the sun in the sky."
"The light of swords can reflect the moonlight in the sky."
"Fairy Queen, my name is Ikuto, Moon Style – Ikuto!"
Almost instantly, Ikuto appeared before Erza!
"Requip!"
Erza quickly switched to another set of armor, holding a long sword.
But Ikuto was too fast!
*Swish*
In an instant, Erza's armor was cut to pieces!
Erza hastily retreated.
"Heavenly Wheel Armor!"
The Heavenly Wheel Armor, with four steel wings, was very elegant. It not only excelled in attack and defense but also had many weapons.
"Heavenly Wheel – Cycle Sword!"
Dozens of swords spun towards Ikuto.
Ikuto remained calm, gripping the hilt of her sword, elegantly stepping back half a step.
"Moon Style – Yaksha Flash Void."
In an instant, countless flashes of swords and shadows.
All of Erza's Cycle Swords were cut to pieces!
So strong!
Erza was shocked.
Ikuto leaped to her front.
Trouble!
Erza hurriedly blocked with her sword.
*Crack*
Her armor shattered on the spot.
Her sword was too fast!
And too sharp!
Erza quickly retreated.
"Moon Style—" Ikuto held the hilt of her sword, spinning once, "Garuda Flame."
Sparks burst from the blade, turning into towering flames!
"Flame Empress Armor!"
Erza quickly changed into armor highly resistant to fire.
But the sharpness of the Moon Style still forced her back. The Flame Empress Armor creaked, emitting a sorrowful sound of shattering.
"Requip!"
Black armor equipped, Erza held a serrated giant blade.
"With this armor, I can't hold back!" Erza said.
"Bring it on." Ikuto showed no fear.
*Boom*
The fierce battle erupted.
Erza's strength sank; Ikuto didn't dare to meet it head-on.
But Ikuto's speed was fast, causing Erza much frustration.
The intense battle nearly destroyed the environment completely.
Ultimately, Ikuto had the upper hand.
*Boom*
Erza retreated to Sho's side, her armor battered and torn, the serrated giant blade broken.
"Sister!" Sho exclaimed in shock, "Even someone as powerful as you couldn't defeat her?!"
"It's not like that, Sho." Erza retracted the Hellfire Armor.
She walked straight towards Ikuto.
"Given up resistance?" Ikuto frowned slightly.
"I'm not powerful enough..." Erza requipped.
The new outfit wasn't armor, just red pants with cloth strips covering her top for modesty – she abandoned all defenses!
"But whether it's your lives or Natsu and the others', I must carry them forward –"
"I absolutely will not fall! As a member of Fairy Tail and Erza Scarlet!"
Two long swords appeared in Erza's hands. She looked at Ikuto with determination, "Your swordsmanship is very powerful, but... I have an absolute reason not to lose to you!"
Ikuto smiled faintly, gripping the hilt of her sword, her red lips parting, "Withering is the fate of love and life."
*Boom*
Erza unleashed her full magical power, leaping towards Ikuto!
'Emily must live.'
'Lyle… must become a role model for younger siblings.'
Ikuto smiled faintly. As she swung her sword at Erza, her fingers loosened from the hilt.
*Swish*
In an instant.
Victory decided.
Ikuto's long sword shattered, her beautiful kimono stained completely with blood.
"Why?" Erza turned around, frowning at Ikuto's back.
"Because cherry blossoms only bloom for a week, they are precious."
Ikuto collapsed.
Consciousness gradually faded.
Past memories flooded her mind—
A cute little girl asked, "Master? Why is our swordsmanship called Moon Style?"
Lying in bed—a thin, pale-faced woman smiled, "Magic is like the miracle of the sun—"
"In spring, it makes flowers bloom; in summer, it makes leaves flourish; in autumn, it ripens fruits; in winter, it brings warmth."
"A truly amazing power, isn't it?"
"But not everyone possesses strong magic."
"Does lacking strong magic or being unable to become a mage mean one cannot create miracles?"
"Not at all."
"The moon can create miracles too!"
"When the sun isn't present, it can dispel darkness and guide travelers at night; it can also make the sea flow, forming beautiful tides."
"Moon Style, the way of the sword – let every practitioner become that gentle moon, then spread this gentle miracle – let countless moons illuminate the world when the sun isn't present, making the lone moon in the sky no longer solitary."
"When there are more moons, completing miracles like the sun, by then— even if I cease to exist, what is there to grieve about?"
"Ikuto, you resemble me. I never intended to teach you, but it was your choice."
"Perhaps one day, you'll be like me, a quietly dimming moon in a world where moonlight dispels everything."
"Just like this beautiful flower, something that can convey and store affection, though it always withers, it is its fate."
"But new love can grow beside it."
"Ikuto, are you afraid of withering like it?"