Chapter 394: Sealing the Darkness Within
Chapter 394: Sealing the Darkness Within
Simon wanted to touch his face and eyes, the very features that were disfigured and lost during that fateful incident.
"At that time, Elusa suddenly gained control of magic and led us to defeat the Magic Soldiers," Simon recounted.
"Rob," Rod thought to himself, a name he had never heard before.
He asked Mila and Gray, but neither of them knew who Rob was.
According to Simon's story, Rob was not a young man at the time, and he claimed to have been a proper guild Archmage before leaving the guild, but his magic power had completely faded since then.
Perhaps that was why he ended up captured and imprisoned.
The tragic death of the older guild members at the hands of the Dark Magic Sect weighed heavily on those present, evoking feelings of sorrow and indignation.
However, the Dark Magic Sect had long been overthrown, and even if they wanted revenge, there was no one left to seek it from.
"We managed to capture a ship from the Black Magic Guild, and Elusa went to find Gerald, who was being tortured in solitary confinement. We thought that once they both joined us, we could just board the ship and leave. But..."
Simon paused, then continued, "But suddenly, Gerald told us to disembark, claiming that Elusa had planted bombs on the ship. And as we fled, the ship indeed exploded!"
"How is that possible?" Mila and Lucy exclaimed in surprise.
"Impossible!" Gray's reaction was even more intense. He almost leaped onto Rod's ship to confront him, "There's no way Elusa would do such a thing!"
"We couldn't believe Elusa would betray us either, but the fact remains that the ship exploded, and Elusa disappeared," Simon explained.
"Gerald told us it was because Elusa hadn't learned magic the right way, so she became intoxicated with its power and wanted to discard our shameful past," Simon continued.
In truth, neither Simon nor his companions knew exactly what had transpired during the brief time Elusa went to rescue Gerald.
Hearing this, Gray calmed down, "In the end, it's just Gerald's word against ours, isn't it?"
Simon didn't deny this, "If it weren't for Gerald leading us off the ship, we would've all died in the explosion. So, we believed his story and followed him to take over Paradise Tower."
"Gerald fed us, clothed us, and told us that by doing this, we could create our own utopia, a truly free world..."
"So, we all worked for him, calling the R System 'Paradise Tower' and striving for it day after day for eight years."
"Over these eight years, the occasional news from the outside world only intensified our longing for it, and our resentment towards Elusa, who had become famous after leaving us, grew stronger."
"But I believed in her from the start, even though I pretended to believe Gerald."
Despite his words, Rod had no intention of untying him, "If you believed in Elusa from the beginning, why didn't you take her away during the darkness? Why did you have to cooperate with them?"
"Because I was waiting for the right moment—a moment like this, when powerful Archmages gather together." Simon's voice was filled with emotion. "Gerald is too strong; only by combining our strengths can we defeat him and truly save Elusa!"
Gray and Natsu were slightly moved, but Rod could only think, "What the hell..."
"If that's the case, you should've told us from the start. What if something happened to one of us?" Rod asked.
If they had known earlier and included Elusa in the battle against the Three Ravens, things might have been easier, and the risk to the others could have been reduced.
"I needed to assess your strength. If you had died at this level, I wouldn't have placed my hopes on you," Simon admitted.
"You..." Gray was visibly upset.
"You managed to anger Gray-sama," Juvia muttered, a gloomy aura emanating from her.
Lucy moved away from her, "Yikes... I can feel the tension."
"Rod didn't know what to say about this person. He was truly infuriating, and his infuriating nature was truly infuriating.
And he was too stupid.
There were countless ways to handle this situation, but he chose the worst one.
Whether it was hiring a legitimate guild to form an alliance and deal with Paradise Tower, or reporting to the nearby guards and using the power of neighboring countries to suppress them;
In such a large Fiore Kingdom and such a large Aslant, there should be a few people who could deal with Jelf, right? Even if it was just a temporary message before taking action today? They could have first turned some of the deceived companions, then dealt with the Three Ravens, and then prepared more and gathered more people to attack.
No matter which method they chose, it would be better than rushing over to save someone.
Not only did they lose Elusa's powerful fighting strength, but Rod also had to consider Elusa, who was now trapped with her magic sealed.
Moreover, because Elusa and Happy were in constant danger, they now had a 'Countdown' hanging over their heads, and their anxious state of mind was growing every moment.
Looking at Simon, it didn't seem like he was acting, he was truly... How was this person's brain wired?
After lurking for eight years, he came up with such a 'good idea'?
What a pig teammate! Rod was so angry.
Lucy thought for a moment and asked, "Why didn't Elusa ever mention such an important matter? If she had told the Guild Master from the beginning..."
Gray paused, if they had told the Guild Master eight years ago, perhaps there would have been a reliable yet unreliable uncle who would have come to flatten the tower.
Although it would have caused some destruction, it would have definitely resolved the issue.
"Perhaps she was caught with some leverage, like all the people in the tower being hostages or something." Mira thought for a moment and said, "Elusa must have always considered you as companions, so she didn't dare to reveal even a hint of the plan.
Over these years, her heart must have been filled with anxiety and unease... That's why she always wore her armor."
Mira understood her old rival's personality and abilities too well.
If it weren't for a former companion suddenly turning against Elusa, even if she had to consider Lucy's capture, she wouldn't have been taken away so easily.
"That's for sure, that's just how Elusa is..." Gray still remembered that when he was younger, he had once seen Elusa crying alone.
Gray had thought that after so many years, Elusa must have changed, but now he was certain that there was a darkness within her heart that had always existed.
That person, beneath the armor, was actually a strong-willed self, and a fragile heart.
"But it doesn't matter now." Gray said firmly, "We'll seal away the darkness in her heart!"
No one knew how much weight these words held for Gray, but everyone could feel his determination.
"Is... is that so... Is that what you think...?" Simon was so touched that he almost wanted to cry.
After hiding among a group that doubted and hated Elusa for eight years, Simon endured endless loneliness and longing.
He had wanted to speak up for Elusa countless times, but he held back each time.
Finally, someone spoke to his heart, and the legendary Magic Man was so understanding.
Gray, the Ice Magic user, stood among a group that was now so warm.
Elusa had found a wonderful companion, how wonderful!
Juvia held her face, "Gray-sama, so cool!"
Natsu pounded on the Crab Ship's back, "Stop blabbering, I'll rescue Elusa and Happy, and defeat that guy named Jelf."
"Don't jump to conclusions, and don't just hit the crab responsible for the ship." Lucy thought there might be many enemies, and Natsu couldn't be reckless.
"..." Rod sighed, the situation had escalated to this point, and they could only think of a way to resolve it.
First Objective: Rescue Elusa and Happy.
Second Objective: Deal with Paradise Tower and free Elusa from the place that gave her nightmares.
Third Objective: Consider those deceived by Jelf as well.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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