Chapter 109: The True Power of an S-Class Mage
"I never noticed how well-endowed Erza is. She's at least a D!"
George couldn't help but exclaim as he looked at Erza in her new armor.
The Heaven's Wheel Armor's design focused heavily on the wings and lower body, while the upper body was barely covered, giving her a look that was both divine and alluring.
Although he was surprised by the sudden transformation of the Cursed Flute into a three-eyed demon, George wasn't panicked.
He noticed that Master Makarov and the other guild masters had already arrived.
Moreover, they stood there without a hint of tension, casually commenting on the battle between the three-eyed demon and Erza's team.
This could only mean one thing: while the three-eyed demon was powerful, it wasn't a significant threat to these guild masters.
Most of these guild masters were S-class mages, and Makarov was one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
The key point was that they clearly recognized the Cursed Flute. Just moments ago, one of the guild masters had been explaining to Lucy about the creator of the Cursed Flute, Zeref.
Knowing the nature of the Cursed Flute and still remaining so calm, George guessed that the curse's killing spell might not be able to harm these guild masters.
Or perhaps they knew how to counter the Cursed Flute's curse.
"Dance, my swords!"
Erza, clad in the Heaven's Wheel Armor, flew through the air. Dozens of magical swords spun around her, forming a deadly whirlwind as she charged at the three-eyed demon.
"Is this the true power of an S-class mage?"
George was slightly awestruck as he watched Erza, Natsu, and Gray relentlessly pummel the three-eyed demon, leaving its massive body riddled with holes.
It turned out that during the fight with the Black Steel Forest guild, the three of them hadn't even used their full strength.
"Uh, George, we're counting on you later…"
While George was marveling at the trio's strength, Makarov walked up to him, rubbing his hands and chuckling.
George snapped out of his thoughts and looked around, realizing that the entire city had been reduced to ruins during the battle. He couldn't help but twitch his whiskers.
Repairing such a large area would take a considerable amount of time, even with his super wand.
"Master, are you trying to kill this cat?"
"Hahaha, don't be silly. Take your time. We can take it slow. Work one day, rest one day—it's fine as long as the city gets repaired eventually!"
Makarov carefully pinched George's shoulders with two fingers, his attitude exceptionally friendly.
George's eyes gleamed, and he smiled in response:
"Since you've put it that way, as a mage of the guild, I'll naturally do my best. No need for a day off after each day of work. I'll try to repair the city as quickly as possible."
Crocus wasn't a large city, and there were no skyscrapers. The tallest buildings were only five stories high. If he worked diligently, he could probably finish in three to five days.
If the amplification effect of his wand improved, he might even finish in one or two days.
"However, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with…"
"No problem! If it can help you speed up the repairs, it's a small matter. Leave it to me."
Makarov patted his chest, assuring George.
Compared to repairing an entire city, George's request was trivial.
"You pests… all of you, die!"
The three-eyed demon, despite its massive size and strength, was made of wood and had relatively low defense. Under the coordinated assault of Erza, Natsu, and Gray, it quickly began to falter.
In a fit of rage, it unleashed its innate magic as the Cursed Flute.
"Curse of Death!"
A purple magic circle appeared above its head. As it took a deep breath, the grass around the city withered, and a surge of immense magical power erupted.
"Pfft~~~~"
A sound resembling a fart came from the three-eyed demon's body.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
"Seems like… nothing happened?"
Lucy blinked, muttering in disbelief.
She had expected the three-eyed demon's curse to be devastating, but it turned out to be a dud.
"The Cursed Flute, created by the dark mage Zeref, is indeed powerful when used in a sneak attack.
Within the range of its sound, ordinary people and low-level mages would have their souls sucked out and die instantly.
Stronger mages can resist it for a while.
If those stronger mages are also skilled in soundproofing magic and barriers, the curse becomes practically useless.
That's how it was sealed in the past."
The master of the Four Hounds guild explained.
"So that's its weakness."
George finally understood why the guild masters weren't worried. Soundproofing magic wasn't particularly difficult, and many of the guild masters here were likely proficient in it.
Of course, even without the curse, the three-eyed demon's massive size and destructive magical energy blasts were still formidable.
At least, George didn't have the strength to deal with it right now.
"So, it can't use the curse now because its body is full of holes, so it can't produce the sound?"
After the Four Hounds master's explanation, Lucy understood why the three-eyed demon's curse had failed.
"Ah, my voice, my beautiful voice… What a joke!"
The three-eyed demon, snapping out of its embarrassment, flew into a rage.
Its three eyes glowed, and a torrent of flames surged toward everyone.
Natsu, however, rushed forward and inhaled, swallowing all the flames.
"Not bad. My magic power's fully replenished!"
"It's time to end this. Ice Make: Spinning Disc!"
Gray unleashed all his magic, creating a large, high-speed rotating ice disc that shot toward the three-eyed demon, cutting it in half at the waist.
"Requip: Black Wing Armor!"
Erza, still in the air, switched from the Heaven's Wheel Armor to the Black Wing Armor, which greatly enhanced her destructive power. With a lightning-fast strike, she split the three-eyed demon's head open.
"The flames of my right hand and the flames of my left hand, combined into one.
Take this—Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
As the three-eyed demon was critically wounded by Erza and Gray, Natsu leaped into the air and unleashed his strongest attack, combining the demon's flames he had just absorbed.
A massive fireball crashed down on the three-eyed demon, and the resulting explosion shook the heavens.
When the dust settled, the three-eyed demon had vanished, reverting to the Cursed Flute with a skull-shaped head, which fell to the ground.
(End of Chapter)