https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-385-Personal-Information-Protection-Act/12965954/
Chapter 384: Perhaps, the Wooden One
Chapter 384: Perhaps, the Wooden One
"To be criticized by an old friend to this extent, perhaps the 'rules' are at fault as well."
The Star Spirit King gazed at Lucy, and also at Natsu who was hugging her, Gray standing protectively in front, and the Fairy Tail members surrounding them.
"Leo, who committed a crime to protect his comrade Aries, his old friend who wanted to save Leo, and..."
The Star Spirit King looked down at the crowd below and revealed a toothy grin.
"In the name of this beautiful bond, I shall make an exception. Leo of the Leo Constellation, I forgive your sins and allow you to return to the Star Spirit Realm. Be grateful for the guidance of the stars!"
"Your Majesty..."
"If you still wish to atone, I command you to live as a friend's strength and protect those friends who are worth cherishing, even at the cost of your life!"
The Star Spirit King's cloak billowed, transforming into a river of stars that swept away with the night sky and the stars.
The night returned to normal, and cheers erupted from the cliff.
Natsu showed a brilliant smile, "What's this? Isn't this reasonable? That bearded old man, I thought we were going to fight."
Lucy, held by Natsu, also laughed, "It's the Star Spirit King, and he does have a beard."
Happy appeared at the right moment, "They're a couple."
"Huh?!" Lucy quickly freed herself from Natsu's embrace.
Loki smiled through his tears, "Thank you, Lucy, and everyone. I..."
Gray patted Loki's shoulder, "Go and take care of your body first, we'll settle the score later."
"Thanks." Loki's figure gradually faded, and the starlight transformed into a golden key that fell into Lucy's hand, "From now on, please take care of me."
Lucy's face showed fatigue, but more than that, she was happy, "I'd like to take care of you too."
"Oh, what's with this wedding-like dialogue?" Mira cupped her face, "Looks like Lucy and Loki..."
"They're a couple!" Happy exclaimed.
Lucy loudly defended herself, "We're not!"
The group joined in the commotion, "Damn you, Loki!"
"Not even letting go of Lucy?"
"Let's beat him up!"
"I said we're not!" Lucy's voice almost drowned out everyone else's.
"Mar...marriage?" Erza, who had been calm and composed throughout, suddenly blushed furiously.
"Erza, wake up!"
After the chaotic commotion and laughter, Lucy smiled. In this guild, it seemed she would never have to worry about being alone.
"Case closed!"
"Let's go back!"
Someone shouted as they headed back to the guild.
A few old-timers whispered among themselves, "The Blue Pegasus is in that city over there, and there..."
"Since everything's fine now, let's... hehehe..."
"Hehehe..."
The group surrounded Lucy, the great contributor, as they returned, chattering about topics like 'I never expected Loki to be a Star Spirit.'
Most people didn't notice a few suspicious individuals quietly slipping away from the group.
"Those guys..." Mira observed their actions, wanting to share the gossip she had just discovered with someone, but she realized that Rod wasn't by her side. He was sitting cross-legged on the Swift Crab, trailing alone at the back of the group.
Mira went to the back and stood in front of the Swift Crab.
The Swift Crab, being perceptive, stopped and waited for Mira to get on before continuing.
Mira reached out and waved her hand in front of Rod's eyes, "What are you thinking? You're not planning to sneak off to the Blue Pegasus, are you?"
"How could I?" Rod leaned against her side, gazing up at the sky.
Normally, he would have added a remark about their high scores, but today he merely sighed, "I just suddenly feel a bit redundant."
"Layla's situation or the Phantom incident, for instance.
Although he meddled in every matter, it always felt like things would have been resolved without him.
Instead, his presence added unforeseen variables.
For example, if he had found Loki first and knocked him out, bringing him to the Cat Transformation Inn, Loki might have disappeared halfway there.
The same goes for the Demon Heart incident; if it weren't for him, Elfman might have taken longer to resolve his inner conflict, but he might never have encountered such danger.
In the past, I'd always feel proud of my progress, my improved title, or my romantic developments.
But today, almost missing the opportunity to rescue Loki felt like a bucket of cold water splashing down on me.
In the future, if I encounter similar 'plot-like' events, should I still get involved?
Mila patted the Swift Crab's back, signaling it to slow down.
She adjusted her sitting position, placing Rod's head on her lap, and gently massaged his scalp.
"You always overthink things. If you were more like everyone else, with simpler thoughts, life would be much easier."
"But I can't help but worry about Loki almost dying because of me." Rod rolled over, hugging her waist, and muttered his concerns.
"You're actually worried about this?" Mila patted his head gently, not using too much force. "Have you considered that if you hadn't come, without the Insight Crown and Ember Crown, Lucy might have collapsed from summoning too many Celestial Spirits?"
"Probably not."
"What if you hadn't joined the war against the Phantoms? Could someone have been killed by Jose?"
"The Guild Master would have defeated him, I think."
"Then, what kind of pain would I have to endure without you?"
"..." Rod's arms tightened around her, not daring to answer.
Mila spoke for him, "Are you thinking, 'Maybe I can get through this on my own soon'?"
Mila tapped his head, "Maybe, perhaps, you always imagine the best-case scenario when you're not around.
Have you considered that Layla might have been cursed to death, or that the Phantom Giant's activation could have caused casualties around the Guild?
Maybe if you hadn't taken Elfman out, that village might not have been left with any fire seeds, and maybe I...
You've become an indispensable part of the Guild, a trusted and reliable companion to everyone, and an important part of my life.
I don't want that 'maybe' you're talking about."
...
Following Mila's instructions, the Swift Crab moved at a leisurely pace, no longer living up to its name, as it slowly wandered behind the crowd.
Someone in the group would surely notice the absence of two important members.
"Damn it! They're using the big crab without me! I want to ride too!" Natsu turned to run.
Gray grabbed Natsu's scarf, keeping him in place.
Natsu protested, "Let me go!"
Gray tugged his scarf firmly, "I don't know what they're talking about, but I advise you not to disturb them."
"Yeah, Natsu." Lucy cupped her face, "Maybe Rod and Mila are having a romantic conversation and doing something romantic, ya~"
Natsu asked, puzzled, "So what? I just want to borrow a crab from Rod."
Lucy spread her hands, "Natsu, you're so dense."
"Then lend me your crab to ride."
"Carla is not for riding!"
(End of Chapter)
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