The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

As Alia prepared to unleash his ultimate attack, Kira stepped in with impeccable timing.

"Defense!"

Two magic spells erupted around Markov, neutralizing the sneak attack.

Kira smirked, retracting his hand. "I knew you were lurking. Your clever plan? Useless once seen through!"

Markov, now recovered from the shock, swung his fist and sent Alia flying. The enemy crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Markov shook his head, a mix of relief and frustration evident on his face. "I'm really getting old. To think I almost got ambushed… If not for your quick reaction, Kira—"

"Don't worry about it!" Kira reassured him, but his expression grew serious. "President, we have a bigger problem. Joseph isn't just playing around."

Joseph's thought body stood smugly, his sinister grin spreading across his face. "I underestimated you, Kira. But if you think that was my only move, you're sorely mistaken!"

Kira's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Joseph's grin widened. "While you're here fighting phantoms, I'm already in Magnolia. What can your defensive spells do against me, one of the Ten Holy Mages?"

Markov's eyes widened. "Magnolia?!"

"Exactly," Joseph gloated. "While you were distracted, I used the Phantom Castle's teleportation to arrive at your precious guild. I'm there right now!"

Near the Fairy Tail guild, Mira and Lucy stared up at the imposing mechanical castle now looming over their home. The enormous structure cast a shadow across the town, its dark emblem of Phantom glaring like an uninvited guest.

Lucy clung to Mira's arm, fear evident on her face. "That's… the Phantom Lord emblem! Why is it here?!"

Mira's face darkened. "That's Joseph… and the Phantom Castle."

Their fears were soon confirmed. Standing atop the floating fortress was Joseph himself, his voice booming across the square.

"Oh, 'Demon' Mira," he jeered, his tone mocking, "I've heard stories of your past strength. But judging by how exhausted you look, you're not quite the terror you used to be, are you?"

"What are you planning, Joseph?" Mira shouted back, forcing confidence into her voice despite her trembling limbs.

Joseph sneered. "What am I planning? I'll tell you. Destruction! Let's see how long your precious guild lasts!"

With a wave of his hand, the front of the Phantom Castle transformed. A massive magic cannon emerged, its enormous barrel glowing with ominous energy.

"The Jupiter Cannon!" someone gasped from the gathered Fairy Tail members.

The air grew heavy with tension as the cannon aimed directly at the Fairy Tail guild.

"FIRE!"

The ground shook as the Jupiter Cannon discharged its immense energy. The roar of the blast drowned out all other sounds, and a beam of destructive magic shot toward the guild.

Lucy froze, her instincts screaming at her to run, but her legs wouldn't move.

"Mira-san!"

Mira grabbed Lucy's arm and tried to pull her away, but the beam was too fast.

Just as it seemed their fate was sealed, a burst of golden light erupted from the ground. Pillars of shimmering energy surrounded the guild, forming a massive defensive barrier.

"What's this?" Mira exclaimed, her eyes widening.

The golden light coalesced into a protective shield adorned with ancient magical runes. The energy absorbed the full impact of the Jupiter Cannon, neutralizing the attack.

Back at the Phantom base, Joseph's thought body visibly bristled with anger. "What kind of defensive magic is this?!"

Kira grinned. "Oh, that? Just a little something I set up around the guild. You know, for situations exactly like this."

Markov looked at Kira with surprise. "You did this?"

"Of course," Kira replied smugly. "I call it the Amaterasu Shield—an improved version of the President's original spell. It's powered by magic crystals I placed around the guild. Unless Joseph himself has a stronger spell, it'll hold."

Joseph seethed. "Clever brat. But how long can your shield last? Once the Jupiter Cannon recharges, your precious guild is finished!"

Joseph, standing atop the Phantom Castle, ordered his subordinates to prepare the Jupiter Cannon for a second shot.

"We need more time!" Mira said urgently.

Lucy nodded, gripping her Celestial Keys tightly. "I'll stay and help defend. If we can hold out long enough, the others will return."

But as the Phantom Castle began its next attack, Mira realized they couldn't hold out forever. "We need to destroy that cannon!"

At the Phantom base, Markov turned to Kira. "We have to stop him, now!"

Kira nodded. "Leave Joseph's thought body to me. You need to return to the guild and deal with him directly."

Markov hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But don't take unnecessary risks, Kira."

With a wave of his hand, Markov summoned a teleportation spell, disappearing in a flash of light.

Kira turned back to Joseph's thought body, his grin turning feral. "Well, old man, looks like it's just you and me."

Markov reappeared in Magnolia just as the Phantom Castle began charging the Jupiter Cannon again.

"Everyone, fall back!" he commanded.

Mira and Lucy turned to see their president arriving, his presence bringing renewed hope to the defenders.

"President!" Mira called out.

Markov nodded at his children. "Hold the line. We'll make it through this."

As the Jupiter Cannon prepared to fire again, Markov raised his arms, his magic surging with a brilliance that outshone the sun.

"Fairy Tail will not fall!"

Back at the Phantom base, Kira faced Joseph's thought body with unflinching determination.

"You talk a big game, old man," Kira taunted. "But let's see how you fare when the tables turn."

Joseph sneered. "You're just a child playing with magic. I've been doing this for decades."

Kira's smirk widened. "Then it'll hurt even more when I take you down."

As the two clashed, their magic filled the air with crackling energy, each determined to outwit the other.

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