'Boom'
Jose's magical power erupted.
Aria also turned his face towards Jehfrit. Although his eyes were covered, Jehfrit felt as if he had already been locked onto by the other's "gaze."
Jehfrit pushed his glasses up and prepared for battle.
Just as an intense battle was about to break out.
At this moment.
Jehfrit slightly furrowed his brow.
"Waaah."
The familiar, repulsive crying sound.
An old man quietly walked into the middle of the battlefield.
Messy white hair, no beard, sobbing just like Aria, dressed in a white priest's robe, carrying a large black coffin on his back.
In his left hand, he held a brown leather book, while his right hand wiped away tears.
"Waaaah, don't fight, love peace, the world is so beautiful, we should protect it with peace, not with fighting."
Both sides looked at this uninvited guest.
"Please don't fight, don't abandon peace," the old man cried, his words sincere.
"Who are you?" Jose asked, smiling.
"Pudden," the old man sobbed, "I heard the sounds of arguing and came to stop it. Master Jose, Master Makarov, don't argue, don't fight, you should love peace."
"Is that so?" Pudden's watery eyes paused for half a second when they landed on Jehfrit.
"Of course." Jose feigned grievance. "Look at my guild, it's almost destroyed by them."
"So, Fairy Tail, Guild Master Makarov, can you stop this act of terrorism? As a member of the Guild Alliance, you shouldn't trample on peace!"
Pudden looked at Makarov. Though his tone was pleading, his teary eyes revealed an inexplicably terrifying gaze.
"Three against two." Jose smirked at Jehfrit.
"Pudden," Jehfrit spoke, "Do you want to see your own back?"
After saying this, Jehfrit took a step forward, his magical power quickly spreading outward, causing the air to vibrate slightly. Everyone in the Phantom Lord guild felt as if they were standing on the edge of an abyss, involuntarily feeling a sense of fear rising within them.
"Jehfrit?" Natsu, who was in the hall, looked up at the upper floor and said blankly, "I smell his mood—it's terrible."
"When did he get here?" Gray wondered.
"I knew something felt off earlier. It really was Jehfrit." Erza frowned slightly.
"Jehfrit, don't be rash!" Makarov waved his hand to hold Jehfrit back.
Jose's strength was not much different from his.
If they were to fight, Jehfrit would have to face both Aria and Pudden at the same time.
Aria was manageable; in a one-on-one fight, Jehfrit could definitely defeat him.
But Pudden, whose strength rivaled the Ten Wizard Saints, was absolutely not someone to underestimate!
Moreover, Pudden was notoriously difficult to deal with, especially his magic, which was particularly challenging for Jehfrit!
Unfortunately, several S-Class mages like Laxus weren't present in the guild; otherwise, they wouldn't be in such a disadvantageous position today!
This matter has to be temporarily put aside.
"You're quite frightening," Pudden sobbed.
The attack came suddenly—a sharp spike erupted from the ground, rushing straight toward Jehfrit's face at high speed!
Makarov, who had been on guard, instinctively reached out to block it.
However—
The giant's hand was pierced through by the spike, its bloody tip less than ten centimeters from Jehfrit's eye.
'Crack'
Makarov crushed the spike with force.
Jehfrit's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Master, you know I'm the slipperiest. He couldn't possibly hurt me."
"But, Jehfrit," Makarov said without turning his head, "Protecting children from harm is a parent's instinct."
"..." Jehfrit fell silent.
Makarov retracted his now bloody left hand and looked at Jose, his tone serious. "I will submit a motion to the Council, awaiting a fair verdict."
"Jehfrit, let's go."
With that, Makarov turned around.
"Are you leaving just like that?" Jose laughed.
"Don't provoke a mother lion feeding her cubs!" Makarov sharply turned back, glaring intensely at Jose.
"..." Jose's smug smile froze, a drop of cold sweat sliding down his temple.
Just a little more time!
Now is indeed not the time to thoroughly anger Makarov!
Earlier, he had arranged an ambush, and capturing Makarov without injury was the best-case scenario.
If he couldn't capture him, he didn't want to fight Makarov to the death today either, even if Pudden would lend a hand. Fighting a desperate Saint-level mage... he didn't want to risk his life or his future as a mage.
Besides, he didn't trust Pudden. Pudden wasn't his ally; the guy was insane. He wouldn't place his hopes on someone like that.
"..."
Makarov and Jehfrit left, neither Jose nor Pudden said another word.
"Master?"
Everyone from Fairy Tail looked at Makarov with confusion.
"Let's pause the war for now. We've injured many of their people and have our own wounded. Let's leave the rest to the Council's judgment. They'll give us justice," Makarov explained.
Though he himself didn't believe those people could make any useful decisions, they needed a reason, at least not to continue fighting today.
That Pudden was a troublesome character, and his magic was extremely dangerous, often crippling or killing. Continuing the fight was risky.
"Yes—" The crowd was somewhat dissatisfied but said nothing.
Phantom Lord's mid-tier fighters were strong, not far behind theirs, and they had numbers on their side.
Their S-Class members weren't present, and now the master's hand was injured.
Continuing the fight would be very disadvantageous for them!
"Master, Lucy's been captured," Erza said.
"Don't worry, I've already found out where Lucy is," Jehfrit's voice reached everyone's ears.
"Lucy..." Natsu was extremely worried, unable to suppress his flames.
As he followed the group out the door, Natsu heard Jehfrit's voice.
"Head towards the mountain."
Natsu gave no response.
Everyone followed the master out of the Phantom Lord guild, walking down the street.
With the help of Jehfrit's magic, Natsu and Happy quietly slipped away from the group.
Makarov glanced to the side and said, "Will Natsu be okay alone?"
"The few people guarding her are nothing special. Natsu can handle them," Jehfrit replied.
On the top floor of Phantom Lord.
Jose and Pudden stood by the window, watching the retreating members of Fairy Tail on the street below.
He picked up a wine glass, poured some red wine, gently swirled it, and said with some emotion, "Makarov has grown old, become timid."
Pudden sobbed, "As people age, they become fearful, seeking protection from a just order. But being afraid of loss isn't shameful; it's also a way of yearning for peace."
"..." Jose glanced at Pudden disdainfully.
Just then.
He suddenly stepped back—
He sensed a fluctuation in magical power!
Although it was very subtle, almost imperceptible!
But without hesitation, he immediately enveloped himself and Aria in darkness!