Chapter 693: Fairy Poetry


Vilemaw was bewildered. According to the plan, it was supposed to crush the groomsmen first, then lose dramatically to the bonds between Rhodes and his companions amidst stirring music and triumphant cheers.


So why had a bridesmaid charged it head-on, and why had Rhodes already run off carrying the bride?


"Mmph… fine. Natsu, fight while retreating! Everyone else, pull back!" Mavis's voice rang out like a commander's.


At the rear of the procession, Natsu was grinning ear to ear, deliberately aiming his flames at Erza's dress.


If Erza had been in one of her armors, it would have been fine, but this was a wedding gown, designed for beauty rather than durability. Just the heat from Natsu's flames, on top of all the running and fighting, was already fraying the delicate fabric.


Erza's fury soared to its peak… and then, strangely, began to fade.


"Laxus! Wendy! Take the last carriage! Rhodes, signal the big spider to cooperate!" Mavis shouted her next order.


"Yes!" Wendy responded at once, but when she turned, she noticed Laxus hadn't moved. "M-Mr. Laxus?"


"Mm," he answered casually, arms crossed.


"First Master said for us to get on this carriage together."


"Ah." Laxus gave a calm nod. "You go ahead. I'll follow on foot."


Wendy blinked at him, then looked down at herself, suddenly feeling very small. Did… did he think she wasn't worthy to stand beside him? Her cheeks puffed up, and she climbed into the carriage with a pout.


Laxus: "…"


He realized belatedly that Wendy had misunderstood. She thought he was looking down on her, when in reality, he just couldn't bring himself to squeeze into a carriage. He'd definitely have to clear that up later.


Even Mavis was puzzled. "Laxus, why aren't you moving?"


Thinking quickly, Laxus came up with an excuse. "If Erza keeps raging, Natsu might not hold out. I'll back him up. Maybe Wendy should come too."


Mavis squinted at him, suspicious. He averted his eyes guiltily until she finally sighed and adjusted the plan.


The Magic Parade was almost at its finale anyway. At Rhodes's signal, Vilemaw let out a roar and bounded from behind the house to the front yard, lumbering after the parade for a few steps.


But when it saw the road narrowing, lined with frightened children, it paused. Instead of attacking, it cast a massive web high into the air.


The glistening strands stretched wide enough to blanket the entire street. Makarov, Rhodes, Macao, Levy, and several others all raised their hands at once. Flames of every color ignited the web, setting the night alight.


Vilemaw cooperated beautifully, twitching its claws to retract the burning threads with lightning speed, binding Erza, who was still at the rear.


Normally, Natsu would never waste a chance like this. He'd poke Erza's cheek, tickle her side, maybe even yank her hair just to see her explode. Even if it meant being flattened afterward, he couldn't resist.


But tonight, he followed the First Master's direction. He raised his head, inhaled deeply, and devoured the rainbow-colored flames burning above. Then he exhaled, releasing a brilliant firework in the shape of Fairy Tail's emblem across the sky.


The band halted their music for just a heartbeat. And in that silence, Makarov swelled into his giant form. His left hand curled into a fist, his arm bent tight at his side. His right arm shot high above him, back of the hand forward, index finger pointing straight up, thumb stretched wide.


Gildarts swaggered over to Laxus and gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.


Laxus glanced at his grandfather's back, and for once he didn't put on his usual aloof front. Instead, he mirrored the same proud gesture, raising his arm high.


On Warm's back, Rhodes and Mira exchanged warm smiles. Side by side, they too lifted their right arms.


On the float behind them, the groomsmen and bridesmaids followed in unison. The band struck up again, fireworks bursting overhead as the effects team worked their magic.


Even Lily, Happy, and Carla, who had been circling above, paused mid-air. The three Exceeds smiled and raised their tiny paws proudly toward the sky.


Erza, still bound in the webbing, froze when she saw the guild emblem blazing overhead. Her struggle faltered, replaced with anxious urgency as she realized everyone else had already made the gesture.


Natsu strode forward with a grin, his flames blazing brightly as he burned away the spider silk binding her. With a flash of light, Erza's tattered wedding gown dissolved, replaced once more with her familiar armor.


The two childhood companions shared a smile, their bond as natural as breathing. Then they stood shoulder to shoulder and raised their right arms together.


Mavis gazed at the scene, utterly satisfied. Her small hands clasped in front of her chest like in prayer, her lips moved silently:


"The stars that shine above us are countless hopes. The breeze that brushes our cheeks carries dreams that point toward tomorrow. Come… let us stride forward together with the fairies' poem."


From every raised fingertip in Fairy Tail, tiny motes of light began to glow.


One spark became ten. Ten became a hundred. The scattered starlight spread like a sky full of stars, rising on the wind until it connected with the fiery Fairy Tail emblem shining above.


Then, the drifting flames and motes of light shifted, gathering above the hulking spider.


Vilemaw seemed to understand. Bathed in that warmth and brilliance, it lowered its head and bowed. Today, by Rhodes's design, it was a beast that could not withstand happiness and joy.


The "Beast King" retreated, and the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. The Magic Parade had reached its perfect finale.


The procession carried on naturally toward the guild, while onlookers dispersed toward Magnolia's streets. Guests streamed into Fairy Tail, eager for the feast.


By then it was already noon.


Inside, everyone found their own places. Old friends clustered together, like Jura, who was soon surrounded by guildmates. Others sought new company, particularly Macao and Wakaba, who wasted no time trying to mingle with the lovely visiting ladies.


Fairy Tail members bustled about as waiters, while others sat down casually to eat and laugh.


Warm had returned to its palm-sized form, charming guests into sneaking it food with its adorable antics.


Rhodes and Mira, still in their parade outfits, walked arm in arm with glasses of wine, personally greeting every friend who had come.


But before they could finish even one round, they were whisked away, Rhodes escorted to the guild's changing room, Mira taken back to the "Monster King's Lair."


The formal ceremony was still to come that afternoon, and both needed new makeup and attire. Elfman and Lisanna stood nearby with checklists, drilling Rhodes and Mira over and over on the order of the wedding rites.


For attire and hairstyles, the guild had relied on none other than Alzack and Bisca, whose family image was now the "authority" on such matters.


Following Magnolia's latest customs, Rhodes was dressed in a crisp white tuxedo. His long, flowing hair was trimmed neatly short, leaving him with a clean, heroic look.


He didn't feel any regret. After all, if he ever wanted it back, he could always call on the Celestial Spirit Cancer for a quick style change.


Once everything was ready, Rhodes stood before the mirror.


"It feels so tight. I'm not really used to it," he admitted, shifting his shoulders slightly. "What do you think?"


Alzack chuckled. "Formal wear isn't supposed to be comfortable. The tighter it fits, the sharper and prouder you'll look."


"The tie's crooked." Freed stepped forward without hesitation, deftly adjusting the knot before carefully straightening the handkerchief in Rhodes's breast pocket until it was perfectly square.


"There. Now it's flawless." Freed nodded in satisfaction, then fell into a dreamy daze, imagining what Laxus would look like dressed the same way.