The most crucial step was gathering sufficient intelligence.
So, she questioned the village chief and obtained the following information—
When the purple moon appeared, the villagers would transform into demonic forms.
This phenomenon had been occurring for the past three years.
As they walked, Erza analyzed aloud, "But during those three years, the island was conducting the Moon Drip ritual. Everyone should have been able to see the magical light emanating from it."
Jehfrit quietly pulled out his camera.
Natsu and the others hadn't noticed anything amiss—until Erza stepped onto a pile of grass. It turned out to be a deep pit trap Lucy had set earlier to catch enemies.
"Whoa!"
Erza instinctively let out a startled cry as her foot slipped, and she tumbled into the pit below.
Natsu and Gray were both taken aback.
"She actually made a 'whoa' sound!" Natsu was genuinely surprised. Even Erza had moments like a normal girl.
"How cute," Gray murmured, his cheeks faintly reddening.
'Click-click-click' Jehfrit rapidly snapped photos, capturing the scene with glee.
Especially Gray's blushing face.
Hehe, this material would come in handy later!
Lucy, on the other hand, clutched her face in horror. She had accidentally trapped Erza!
She was definitely going to get beaten up for this!
"..."
Erza climbed out of the pit, her expression unreadable as she resumed her analysis.
Everyone inwardly marveled at her composure. Truly, this was Erza.
But only Jehfrit noticed how red her ears had become. He wisely kept quiet, knowing that pointing it out now would mean certain punishment for him.
Erza continued her reasoning, "Doesn't that make the location suspicious? Why didn't anyone investigate?"
"Well..." The village chief hesitated, sweat dripping down his face. "There's a legend in the village that warns us not to approach those ruins."
"But," Lucy interjected, "you've done far more complicated things than that, like hiring guilds for missions. And there have already been casualties."
"Please tell us the truth!" Erza's tone and expression were unyieldingly serious.
Finally, the village chief stammered an explanation. They had tried multiple times to approach the ruins, but no matter what, they always ended up back in the village, as if ensnared by magic.
"Jehfrit, you're an expert in this field," Erza said after hearing the explanation, turning to look at him.
Jehfrit replied, "It's not magic in the conventional sense. I didn't detect any traces of magical energy."
"I thought so."
Erza nodded.
"Erza, do you already know something?" Gray asked.
"Yes."
---
Far away.
In a tree.
The diminutive mage Zalty, still bearing bruises from earlier, held a crystal ball and chuckled sinisterly. "As expected of the Fairy Queen. She's already figured out the mystery."
"You're still here?" Jehfrit's voice suddenly whispered in his ear. "Do you want another beating?"
Zalty's heart jolted. Before he could move, the cold barrel of a gun pressed against his temple.
"Don't move." Jehfrit's voice was soft yet chilling.
Jehfrit glanced at the crystal ball in Zalty's hand and asked, "Who are you livestreaming to?"
"That's none of your business," Zalty sneered.
"Do you have a death wish?" Jehfrit tilted his head slightly.
"..." After some thought, Zalty realized this man wasn't one to hesitate when it came to killing. Quickly, he asked, "What do you want to know?"
"Lyon, Reed, and this crystal ball..." Jehfrit said. "You serve quite a few masters."
Zalty'spupils shrank slightly.
"I'm curious about Reed and his group," Jehfrit pressed. "Tell me everything."
"I really don't know much," Zalty shook his head frantically, seeing the displeasure on Jehfrit's face. "They approached me six months ago and forced me to spy for them. Gad was incredibly powerful—you know that too."
"After joining them, they never fully trusted me, so my knowledge is limited."
"All I know is that they're not from this country. They came to the island to study Deliora, but before they succeeded... you killed them all."
"It's the truth!" Zalty insisted again.
"Fine." Jehfrit lowered his gun and said, "I'll spare you—for now. Consider it a favor since you're such a 'beauty.'"
"Why did—" Zalty instinctively began to ask, but Jehfrit's figure had already vanished.
Zalty stared deeply at Jehfrit's retreating back before quickly fleeing.
His heart was pounding wildly.
He'd been discovered!
But why?!
---
Jehfrit silently returned to the group, seamlessly replacing his decoy body. No one noticed he had ever left.
To be honest...
At first, he hadn't even remembered who Zalty was.
That is, until Natsu mentioned that the man smelled like a woman.
Then it clicked—
Ultear, Ur's daughter.
Jehfrit's decision to spare Ultear wasn't because she was beautiful—that was merely an excuse.
The main reasons were twofold: respect for Gray and Ultear's unpredictable ace-in-the-hole ability.
Though Jehfrit was confident in himself, having an extra trump card never hurt.
Besides, letting Ultear live posed no threat to his interests.
Why waste effort on unnecessary conflict?
---
"So, let's destroy the moon."
Erza took a step forward.
"How is that even possible?!" Lucy exclaimed in shock.
"Natsu, I need your help." Erza took another step, her armor shifting into a new form.
Golden armor now adorned her, striking a balance between elegance and power. Two small cat-like ears perched atop her helmet.
"The Giant Armor enhances throwing power," Erza explained, pulling out a sleek, imposing spear. "This is an Anti-Evil Spear."
"Natsu, use your explosive magic to assist me."
"No problem!" Natsu grinned excitedly, flames flickering visibly in his throat.
"Find a high vantage point."
Erza and Natsu ascended to the watchtower.
Erza raised the spear.
"Natsu!"
"I'm fired up!"
Natsu unleashed a terrifying burst of flames.
"ARGH!!!"
With a roar, Natsu slammed his fist into the base of the spear just as Erza hurled it with all her might!
'BOOM'
The spear soared skyward.
"Go for it!" Natsu cheered.
'CRACK'
The spear struck a transparent barrier resembling glass, causing it to crack—but not shatter completely.
"Not enough power!" Erza declared, turning to Jehfrit. "Jehfrit, your turn!"
"Got it."
Jehfrit raised his gun, channeling his magic.
"Cero."
'WHOOSH'
A six-meter-wide beam of black energy slammed into the spear.
'BOOM'
The entire sky shattered!
Behind the debris, the pure white moon emerged.
"The moon wasn't shattered—it was the sky?!" Lucy gasped in astonishment.
"This island was enveloped by a malevolent membrane," Erza explained. "It was formed by the residual exhaust from the Moon Drip ritual, crystallizing into a thin film."
"So that's why the moon appeared purple!" Lucy finally understood.
"But they haven't reverted to their human forms," Gray observed, puzzled.
"Because they're demons," Jehfrit interjected. "Being demons, they couldn't approach the temple."
After glancing around, he added, "Though this applies only to weaker demons. Powerful demon from Books of Zeref wouldn't be affected."
"Exactly," Erza elaborated. "They've grown so accustomed to their human forms that they've forgotten their true demonic nature."
Jehfrit chimed in, "All thanks to the Moon Drip ritual, which drained nearby lunar magic, leaving them unable to replenish it and forcing them to regress into humans."
"Jehfrit seems well-versed in this area," Erza praised.
"But why do demons revert to human form without lunar magic?" Lucy asked curiously.
"Hmm, why indeed?" Jehfrit shrugged. "It's a fascinating mystery. I'm still searching for the truth behind it myself."