Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master
Chapter 505: Codename ETD

Chapter 505: Codename ETD

They were back. Every single one of them was back.

Swallowing that golden elixir felt like reclaiming control over fate itself. Maybe it wasn’t as dramatic as defying the heavens, but the feeling of recovering lost magic was beyond words.

Gray formed ice blades between his fingers, testing their sharpness. Natsu spun fire around his arms like playful ribbons of flame. Erza cycled through multiple armors and weapons in rapid succession, her body glowing with power.

Even Rhodes tested out his magic. With a spark of thought, he reached toward the Rift, and felt it answer. His connection to Summoner’s Rift had returned.

The first thing he did, however, was not to summon monsters or flex his power, it was to summon the Blue Sentinel.

Blue runes lit the ground, and the colossal golem emerged, pulsing with ancient energy. It silently walked over to Mira and the others, placing its stone hand on the ground as a surge of mana flowed into their bodies, gently restoring their magic.

"Lucy... you’re an idiot."

"I’m sorry—" Lucy quickly bowed.

Even Happy didn’t hold back: "You really are an idiot this time."

For once, Lucy didn’t argue. She looked like she was about to cry.

Because it was her fault. She had forgotten something so important it left everyone vulnerable in this unfamiliar world for two whole days.

All this time, they had been forced to "reconnect with nature," in other words, struggle without their magic.

Rhodes sighed deeply. He couldn’t stay angry for long.

"Gemini gathered intel. Virgo helped with disguises and clothing. Cancer gave everyone stylish haircuts. Sagittarius provided support from a distance..."

He had actually been proud of her. In his eyes, Lucy had finally reached the point of being a dependable Celestial Spirit Mage.

But now? It was clear that being strong in battle and being reliable in life were two very different things.

Lucy looked up at him like a scolded puppy, too guilty to speak.

’Forget it. We’ll talk when we get back.’ With that thought, Rhodes changed the subject.

"So... after Mr. Lily transported the magic crystal, Gajeel helped you all recover and then stirred up some chaos?"

Elfman nodded. "That’s right. Sis fought off more than 2,000 soldiers by herself. She even beat someone who looked just like Erza."

"Oh?" Erza’s eyes sparkled with interest. "My counterpart from this world? I wish I’d had a chance to meet her."

Mira gave a faint smile. She had, in fact, defeated that Erza. It was a shame she couldn’t bring her along as a trophy.

"So," Rhodes calculated aloud, "that’s two of the four Magic War Troop Captains taken out, and the army’s numbers have been severely reduced..."

"I think it’s three captains," Lisanna corrected gently. "Lily is the First Magic War Troop Captain."

"Huh?" Rhodes blinked. "An Exceed? A cat serving as a captain in Edolas?"

That must be one impressive cat with a serious backstory.

"Well, in any case," he concluded, "the enemy’s strength has taken a serious hit."

Erza crossed her arms. "Then our original plan needs to change."

"Right," Rhodes nodded. "I was planning to sneak into the capital for intel, but now..."

He smiled.

"We skip the recon. We go straight for the crystal. Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy can destroy it with Dragon Slayer Magic."

Marl and Lucky, unfamiliar with how Fairy Tail operated, looked a bit concerned.

"That magic crystal is enormous, practically an island," Lucky said, frowning. "Can just three people really destroy it?"

Natsu stepped forward with a wide grin, his body already radiating heat. A flicker of flame rose from his throat.

"Ahahaha! Leave it to me!"

"Ghihi~ Just a mountain?" Gajeel cracked his knuckles with a loud, metallic clang. "I’ll definitely destroy more than Flame Brain over there."

"You wanna go?!" Natsu shouted immediately, fire flickering around his shoulders.

Wendy, although clearly nervous, still raised her hand and said softly, "I’ll do my best to help too!"

Happy looked especially proud as he turned to his parents. "When it comes to pure destructive power, you can totally count on us!"

Lucy didn’t say a word this time. After her earlier mistake, she knew better than to complain, choosing instead to sulk quietly behind everyone with a stiff smile.

Rhodes couldn’t help but chuckle. "Poor master. If he knew how chaotic this trip has been..."

Once the decision was made, no one hesitated. It was time to move.

The journey to the capital was long, but Rhodes had that covered. With a casual wave of his hand, magic circles glowed around him.

Two Crabs, six Wolves, and a towering Golems emerged in sequence.

The creatures growled, chirped, or stomped into place like loyal steeds awaiting their riders. Together, they were more than enough to carry ten mages and five feline companions.

Before departing, Rhodes walked over to Gajeel and patted him firmly on the shoulder. "Thanks, Gajeel."

"Huh?" Gajeel looked at him blankly. Then it clicked, Rhodes was thanking him for freeing Mira and Elfman back in the capital.

"Don’t get all sentimental on me," Gajeel scoffed. "I wasn’t trying to save anyone. I just wanted to cause a ruckus."

"Mm-mm-mm," Rhodes grinned. "I’ll treat you to all-you-can-eat iron when we get back."

"Tch." Gajeel turned away and climbed aboard one of the crabs, carrying a snoozing Lily on his back. He didn’t say anything, but the corners of his mouth twitched up ever so slightly.

The others chose their preferred mounts. Wendy giggled as Carla gracefully leapt onto a wolf’s back. Natsu and Happy picked the crab, while Lucy nervously climbed onto one of the wolves, mumbling something about fleas.

"Alright," Rhodes gave the command. "Move out!"

With that, the squad of summoned beasts surged forward in perfect coordination, thundering across the grassy plains toward the capital.

—

Meanwhile, back in the royal capital of Edolas...

A heavily armored airship rumbled into the sky.

Inside, Hughes, Captain of the Third Magic War Troop, stood beside a bound and shackled Knightwalker, Edolas’s Erza. Her face was bruised, her armor shattered, but her pride remained intact as she glared at her escort.

Hughes glanced at her, then looked down at the orders sealed with the royal crest.

They were heading to Exceed.

The mission: deliver the criminal to Queen Shagotte.

By royal decree.

It wasn’t long before the colossal airship crossed into Exceed’s airspace.

Bathed in morning sunlight, the floating island nation sparkled like a jewel in the clouds. The majestic towers and suspended walkways caught the eye of any outsider. Naturally, the Exceeds noticed the aircraft immediately.

Within minutes, word had reached the palace. Guards rushed to Queen Shagotte’s throne room, and State Minister Nadi arrived with his retinue to confront the intruders.

The airship docked cautiously at the edge of Exceed’s platform.

As the ramp descended, Hughes stepped off slowly and knelt on one knee.

"Such majesty... to stand upon sacred ground is a divine honor," Hughes said with the practiced eloquence of a noble. "Every inch of this kingdom radiates holiness. Your people, your angels, shine with noble grace."

The nearby Exceeds puffed out their chests proudly, accepting the praise as if it were obvious truth.

Only Minister Nadi, who knew the truth of Exceed’s past, looked tired of the charade. He raised a paw and interrupted curtly:

"Exceed strictly forbids human entry. State your purpose. Now."

Hughes remained kneeling, his voice respectful.

"I am Hughes, Captain of the Edolas Royal Army’s Third Magic War Troop. By the order of His Majesty, I have brought Erza Knightwalker, accused of offending the divine Exceed, to be judged by Her Majesty, Queen Shagotte. Please permit us temporary passage."

Nadi felt something was off.

The way Edolas handled this matter was far too ceremonious. A normal criminal would have been quietly tossed into prison and left to await judgment.

Why go to such lengths?

Was it because the criminal this time was different?

But before Nadi could voice any objection, Hughes clapped his hands crisply. Two royal soldiers descended from the airship, supporting a limp figure between them, Knightwalker, the Erza of Edolas, unconscious and disarmed.

The gathered Exceeds, watching from the floating platforms and balconies, immediately burst into scornful murmurs. Some raised their voices.

"Sinner!"

"Traitor!"

No one knew who shouted first, but soon the Exceeds were hurling not just words, but small stones.

Their aim was... chaotic. Some struck Knightwalker’s armor, sending sharp clangs into the air. Others bounced off the soldiers’ plating.

A particularly well-aimed stone clipped Hughes on the forehead.

He winced slightly as it stung, but instead of growing angry, he smiled.

’So this... is the wrath of the gods?’ he thought, almost reverently.

Then, bowing deeply, Hughes spoke: "Please allow us to present the criminal directly to Her Majesty the Queen."

Nadi’s fur bristled. Something about that smile unsettled him. He forced composure into his voice:

"Th-this minor offense... there’s no need to trouble the Queen. We can handle it ourselves."

But Hughes simply nodded in mock submission: "If that is your will—"

And then he straightened.

In one swift motion, a cylindrical device appeared in his hand.

Whoosh...Bang!

A crimson flare rocketed into the morning sky, trailing smoke and fire.

A second later, shadows covered the skies.

Dozens of winged beasts swooped down, ridden by armored troops of the Aerial Legion.

They emerged from behind clouds, cliffs, and concealed runes, silently surrounding the floating island of Exceed.

The Legion Team of Edolas, the elite aerial strike force, had arrived.

Nadi’s blood ran cold.

He staggered back as soldiers began jumping off the airship, shouldering large, rune-inscribed launchers.

"What are you doing!?" Nadi barked, voice trembling. "This is sacred ground!"

Hughes’s smile deepened. He raised two fingers.

"Code ETD, operation initiated."

Before the Minister could shout again, the soldiers took aim.

Zzzzt!—SHWAM!

Beams of white-blue light burst from the cylindrical weapons, sweeping through the panicked crowd.

Wherever the light hit, an Exceed was instantly engulfed in magical glow, and transformed.

"Wh-what is this!?"

"Queen, save us....aaah!"

"No! Please!"

The once-proud citizens of Exceed were turned into cat-shaped crystal statues, one by one.

Some tried to fight back with magic, others fled by air, but it was no use. The Legion Team, trained precisely for this assault, intercepted every escape route from above.

Nadi stood frozen.

His mind couldn’t comprehend what he was witnessing

His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.

All he could do was whisper, voice hoarse:

"It’s over... It’s all over..."

Code ETD, officially named "National Territorial Security Final Defense Operation", was known by another title, used by King Faust himself.

The Angel Annihilation Operation.

...

Bonus