Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 307: Lullaby

The security at the Guild Masters' Conference was... nonexistent, to be honest.

Sure, most of the guild masters were powerful mages, especially Makarov, who was practically a one-man army when sober, but the man was currently riding a high from drinks and naps. That hardly inspired confidence.

So, Rhodes took it upon himself to play backup security.

He released extra summoned beasts to patrol the surrounding area. Since the meeting was being held in the forests outside Clover Town, wild creatures like wolves, birds, and even giant crabs wouldn't raise suspicion. They just blended in with the local environment.

And it was through the eyes of two summoned crabs that Rhodes spotted something alarming.

A man wrapped in bandages was speeding through the forest in a magic-powered vehicle. Behind him were Erza, Natsu, and Gray, in hot pursuit.

More importantly, the bandaged man bore the Eisenwald guild emblem, the same dark guild they'd discussed the day before.

"Master," Rhodes said quickly, "have you ever seen a weird staff that looks like a gnarled branch... with a three-eyed skull on it?"

Before Makarov could answer, Master Bob from Blue Pegasus nearly dropped his drink. "What did you say?"

Rhodes repeated, "A staff or wand with a three-eyed skull."

"That's not a wand," Bob said grimly. "That's a flute. And if your description is right, that's Lullaby, Zeref's cursed flute."

"WHAT?!"

"You mean the one that can kill everyone who hears its music?!"

"Wasn't that thing sealed away by the Magic Council?!"

The news exploded through the banquet hall like wildfire.

Several guild masters rose to their feet in shock. The younger mages who had come to observe the meeting were visibly frightened.

"Are you saying he plans to use that here?" Mira gasped. "At the Guild Masters' meeting?!"

Even Rhodes was rattled. 'How insane would someone have to be to try that...?'

He stood up, eyes sharp. "I'll stop him."

But Makarov raised a hand to stop him. "No. You go support Erza. Leave this one to me."

Now everything clicked.

Erza must have discovered Eisenwald's plan and immediately recruited Natsu and Gray to intercept them, charging forward before the Council even issued a formal request.

'Taking on Eisenwald with just three people... yep. Classic Erza.'

...

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Lucy were charging full-speed ahead.

Happy had long since run out of magic and was now limp in Lucy's arms like a tired plush toy.

They'd learned that Kageyama, a member of Eisenwald, intended to use Lullaby to kill every guild master at the summit.

They couldn't allow that to happen.

Not while Rhodes and Makarov were there.

They sprinted through the trees like lightning, hearts pounding.

Suddenly, Natsu came to an abrupt halt.

Lucy, caught off guard, slammed into his back, flattening poor Happy between them.

"Waughhh—!" Happy squealed.

"Wha—Natsu?!" Lucy gasped.

Before she could react, Erza collided into her from behind, and Gray followed, crashing into the pile.

"AAAHH—!!" They all tumbled into a tangled heap.

"Ow..." Lucy groaned as she sat up, rubbing the back of her head.

Gray, more hot-headed than anyone in the group, exploded first.

"Why did you stop so suddenly, you idiot?!"

But Erza remained calm.

She glanced ahead and noticed a familiar large crab lurking near the path. A small smile tugged at her lips.

"No need to panic," she said softly. "There's someone here who always puts us at ease."

"Heh..." Natsu grinned, flashing his teeth. "That guy always shows up at just the right time."

Sure enough, Rhodes stepped out casually from the side of the trail, arms folded.

"Did someone just say I was handsome behind my back?"

Mira waved at the group, her expression bright. "Looks like everyone's full of energy."

All four of them blinked in surprise.

"Mr. Rhodes?! And even Miss Mira is here?!" Lucy exclaimed.

Mira smiled sweetly. "You've really made the Master worry, you know."

Rhodes glanced sideways at her. 'Wasn't it you who told him about this in the first place?'

Natsu, Gray, and Lucy suddenly looked a little guilty, rubbing the backs of their necks or avoiding eye contact.

Erza snapped back to focus. "This isn't the time to chat. He's still getting away. We need to stop him."

"No need," Rhodes said calmly, waving a hand. "The Master said he's going to take care of it himself."

"But that flute uses deadly curse magic," Lucy protested. "If he plays even a single note, even the Master could be in danger."

"Have a little faith in the old man," Rhodes replied, his voice firm.

Mira smiled knowingly. "You're the one who has the least confidence in him, aren't you?"

She had seen him earlier, quietly recalling every summoned beast patrolling the forest and stationing them around the clearing.

"I'm just being cautious," Rhodes said with a shrug.

To him, Makarov wasn't just a Guild Master. He was family. And there was no way he was going to let anything happen to him.

Right now, four Krugs were lying in wait beneath Kageyama's and Makarov's feet. A dozen Raptors perched silently in nearby trees. Six Murk Wolves prowled invisibly among the stones and shadows.

The moment Kageyama so much as breathed into that cursed flute, they would all pounce and tear him apart before he could finish the first note.

The group crept forward a little more and saw two figures crouching behind some tall bushes. Master Goldmine and Master Bob were clearly hiding in ambush.

Erza started to greet them, but Bob raised a finger to his lips to signal silence. Then he gestured for them to come closer.

"Erza-chan, you look like you've grown taller," said Master Bob, fluttering his lashes with a smile.

"President Bob," Erza greeted, her posture stiff. The nighttime setting made her feel a little awkward around Blue Pegasus's eccentric master.

Lucy, seeing Bob for the first time, leaned closer to Rhodes and whispered, confused, "Wait... she? He? Are they...?"

"It's a man," Rhodes replied without missing a beat. Then he added with a sigh, "And why are you holding your skirt like that all of a sudden?"

"T-that's because..." Lucy glanced nervously at the giant crab behind her, clearly uncomfortable.

Rhodes shot Mira a sharp look. So this is your fault. Now she thinks I'm some creep who peeks under skirts.

Mira only giggled behind her hand, clearly amused.

"Alright, quiet down and pay attention," Master Goldmine said, nodding toward the scene unfolding ahead.

Just a little ways off, Kageyama stood facing Makarov, speaking in a slow, deliberate tone.

"I want to play a song for you," he said.

For a long time, Kageyama had believed that it was the legal guilds that forced them into the shadows. Those so-called righteous mages, always looking down on others despite their own incompetence. They paraded around, high and mighty, while guilds like Eisenwald were driven into darkness.

But now, with Lullaby in hand, he believed things could change. He could erase those smug faces, destroy everything they stood for, and even reshape the magic world.

Once the flute was played, everything would be different.

Everything would begin again.

Kageyama brought the flute to his lips. His hands trembled. Sweat began to bead on his forehead.

When he had been breaking the seal, there was no time for second thoughts. When he had fought with all his might, he didn't have time to question himself.

But now... the flute was in his hand. The target of his hatred stood right in front of him. All he had to do was blow.

And yet, he froze.

'Could something as small as this flute really change the world?'

Lullaby cursed all who heard its melody. That was its power.'

'But then... what about the one who played it?'

'What would happen to him?'

...

Bonus @400 PS

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