Chapter 41: Chapter 41: First Encounter
Makarov was only surprised for a moment, but quickly adjusted his emotions:
"Esteemed guest from afar..."
However, just as Irene raised her head slightly, Makarov's words that had just started stopped abruptly...
At first glance, Makarov could see it.
The woman with crimson hair wearing a strange hat in front of him was definitely related to Erza!
Looking at this powerful female mage in front of him, Makarov had some speculations:
'She must be Erza's mother, right? Her mother is actually such a powerful mage, no wonder Erza's talent is so good...'
Although the resemblance between Irene and Erza could only be said to be seven points, the noble and queen-like aura emanating from their very core was almost identical.
In Makarov's eyes, Irene was like a grown-up Erza who always scolded Natsu and Gray with a stern face.
Just as Irene was about to speak, Aegon's hand rested on her arm, shaking his head and taking a step forward:
"We want to see Erza."
His voice was not loud, but Makarov sensed the firmness in it, and even the slight smile on Aegon's face seemed fake to Makarov.
Makarov had no intention of refusing, but before he could speak...
Creak—the gate of Fairy Tail Guild cracked opened...
Although Makarov had sternly instructed not to open the guild's door, when Natsu caught the scent of the Dragon Slayer mages from Irene and Aegon,
Even Erza and Gray working together couldn't stop him, and he forcefully opened the door.
"Natsu! The guild master said not to open the door!" Gray was still tightly holding his arm.
"I don't care!" Natsu stubbornly stuck his head out.
The comedy began to play out again, leaving both Makarov and Gildarts feeling somewhat awkward.
With the door already open, they naturally looked in that direction, and Erza, who had originally intended to scold Natsu, froze in place, her hand poised in midair.
Natsu, who had originally wanted to ask about the missing dragon, and Gray holding him, were the same. They first looked at each other, then their gazes kept shifting between Erza and Irene's faces.
Erza and Irene remained silent, staring intently at each other.
Erza's emotions were complex at the moment. Upon seeing Irene for the first time, a feeling of blood connection surged through her, her breathing quickened, her chest under the armor rose and fell, and her delicate hands tightened slightly.
"I, I... you..."
She wanted to say something, but couldn't come up with a complete sentence.
Irene, too, was feeling a bit... apprehensive, gripping the antler staff a bit tighter.
Watching the two in this state, Aegon standing behind them couldn't help but rub his brow, a faint, almost imperceptible wry smile playing on his lips.
Selene wanted to say something, but he stopped her: "Let them sort it out themselves."
"Erza, she's definitely your sister!"
Natsu's voice interrupted Erza's thoughts, but it also made Erza less nervous.
After a long silence, Irene finally sighed softly, "Can we talk?"
"Okay."
Irene led Erza away.
Selene, eagerly wanting to follow, was stopped by Aegon's hand, "I want to go, let me go, I really want to see..."
There was a hint of coquetry in her tone that even she herself seemed unaware of.
It had to be said that Selene's demeanor was indeed difficult to resist, and Aegon almost blurted out "okay,"
"Even if you cry here, I can't let you go."
"Wow! So cold!"
"How can your 37-degree mouth say such icy words!"
Makarov and Gildarts were both stunned, wondering how Aegon had managed to win Selene over...
After looking at Aegon's looks, they quickly understood.
Makarov knew that the two in front of him were not to be trifled with, so he offered kindly, "It looks like they will need some time. If you don't mind, why not come to our guild for a while? I'll treat you both to a drink."
Aegon looked at Selene pouting beside him, "Do you want to go in?"
"I want to listen to their conversation."
"Then come in with me."
A white, tender finger reached out, trembling as it pointed at the man, Selene's face tense as she glared at her man, unable to say a word, before finally, as if letting out a breath, she gritted her teeth and stomped her foot fiercely, "Let's go!"
Her appearance was as if she was about to enter the guild's tavern,
But Aegon clearly underestimated Selene,
She turned back and gave Aegon a mischievous smile...
"Hmph, I'm leaving!"
The moment she entered the Fairy Tail guild tavern, she used a magic water mirror to leave.
"..."
The speed at which she left left Makarov and Gildarts dumbfounded.
"She's quite the actress..."
With her gone, Aegon shook his head helplessly, knowing there was nothing he could do about her.
"Do you know Igniel, and do you know where he went?"
"Igniel, the fire dragon!"
Upon hearing this, Aegon turned to Natsu, who was still just a kid.
In the instant Aegon and Natsu locked eyes, the white scarf around his neck moved without wind, but eventually fell down.
"I don't know."
Just as Natsu was about to ask more questions, Gildarts swiftly knocked him unconscious with a single chop strike to the head...
Watching the unconscious Natsu, he thought silently, "I'm sorry... Natsu, Igniel is definitely not someone you can casually ask about."
Makarov chuckled on the side, "Sorry, he's still a child, I'll teach him well."
Indeed, he was still a child, Aegon had no way to argue.
Of course, he had no intention of doing anything to Natsu at the moment. Natsu was too weak right now, not worth it.
Furthermore, he didn't want to become a murderer. Since arriving in Earthland, although he had killed quite a few magical beasts, in terms of humans, he had only killed one Georg Reizen, and was supposed to add a Elefseria to the list, but Irene beat him to it.
Most importantly, Erza and Natsu seemed to have become friends at this point. If he were to harm Natsu, Erza would probably not forgive him, and it would also affect the relationship between Irene and Erza, at least for now.
For Aegon, keeping Natsu around would bring more benefits.
Seeing Aegon's noncommittal response, Makarov quietly breathed a sigh of relief. He was most afraid that Aegon would insist on taking action against Natsu.
He was well aware that the strong didn't need a reason to target the weak.
Eastern Forest—
Irene and Erza's conversation had reached a standstill, or rather it was stuck at the first step, because Irene didn't know where to begin.
A slightly seductive female voice caught the attention of the two silent women.
"Did I come late?"