It had been a couple of days since the Earthland mages arrived on that world and were welcomed into the city of Rimuru.
During that time, Lucy and Gray were hanging out chatting with the new friends they had made in the city while the others were undergoing training.
Erza spent most of her time training with Hakuro and in that time, Erza came to admire the older kijin's skill and dexterity.
She even imagined what would happen if she met Kagura, another swordswoman from her world.
Natsu, Wendy and Gajeel were going through much tougher training than Erza, as they were being trained by Veldora, the storm dragon.
The training consisted of them attacking him non-stop until they either hit him or got tired, whichever came first.
It was almost always the latter, but as they went through the training, Veldora would give them tips on how to use the advantages and disadvantages of their respective elements as well as ideas for new moves.
However, we didn't concentrate on them, but in a very remote area of the city, far away even from the Federation.
In an area in the middle of the forest, there was a small group of people, but these were not just any people, for these were the strongest members of Phoenix Tail.
"AARRGGHH! I've had enough! We've been exploring this forest for days and all we've found is more trees! Admit it! We're lost!" exclaimed the tuxedoed man angrily.
"Will you calm down already, Treasgold? You're getting on my nerves!" said the blue-skinned woman.
"You shut up, Reflacta! It's not like you're giving ideas either!" said Treasgold.
"There's no getting around our current situation." said the plague doctor.
"Babus is right. None of us expected that spell to be altered in such a way as to teleport us to another place." said the samurai.
"And of all places, it had to be another world different from ours. Even if I don't like this situation, I'm interested in the idea of knowing what kind of opponents I might encounter in this world." said the stout man.
"Is it that you only think about fighting, Roksteelan? How about fighting another one of those monsters we've been encountering on our way?" asked Treasgold referring to the various monsters they encountered when they were exploring the surroundings.
"Bah. They're nothing but bugs to me. I'd rather fight that Fairy Tail iron guy again." said Roksteelan.
"Don't even mention them. It's their fault we're in this situation. When I catch them, I'll be sure to make them suffer." said Reflacta with an expression of fury.
"Get in line. I want to beat the crap out of them first." said Treasgold.
"It'll be after me, of course." said Roksteelan.
"Wait a minute. We don't know if they are also in this world just like us. Now we should focus on trying to get information. Don't you think so, master Dumbleldus?" asked Babus looking at the guild master.
"Yes. There is no point in continuing in this world if we know nothing about it. After all, knowledge is power and once we get enough information, we will decide our next move." said Dumbleldus.
"A wise decision, master." said the samurai.
Suddenly, the guild master's eyes widened as he noticed something.
"Who's there? You'd better come out or I'll make you come out myself." said Dumbleldus looking to the side.
There was silence for a few seconds before a girlish giggle could be heard causing the dark mages to brace themselves in case of a fight.
Shortly thereafter, two subjects appeared.
One was a little girl with pigtails wearing a mask of a crying clown and the other was a fat man wearing a mask of an angry clown.
"I don't know who you are, but if it's fighting you want, then…" began Roksteelan cracking his knuckles as he…
"Don't do anything, Roksteelan." began Dumbleldus stopping the resisting mage. "If they wanted to fight, they would have attacked us the moment they arrived, am I right?"
"Wow. How clever of you. I like it. Jijiji." said the girl.
"Who the hell are you?" asked Treasgold.
"Oh, right, where did I leave my manners? I'm Tear and this is my partner, Footman." said the girl introducing herself and the other.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." said Footman bowing gracefully by way of greeting.
"What have you come for? Do you want a fight?" asked the samurai grasping the hilt of his sword.
"Oh, no. We didn't come here for that. We came to give you a hand." said Tear.
"A hand?" asked Reflacta.
"Yes. We heard of your arrival and we know that you come from another world, so you are lacking in information. So we decided to help you by providing you with the information you desire." said Footman.
"Hmm. I admit you make a tempting offer, but how do we know you won't give us false information or lead us into a trap?" asked Babus.
"You can believe us or not. The choice is yours. So which do you choose?" asked Tear.
Dumbleldus stared at them as he debated the offer.
It was true that they had no information about the world they were on and they didn't know how long it would take to find a civilization.
Now these two strangers had appeared with the intention of providing them with what they needed, but he could sense that he wasn't exactly trustworthy, especially since he wasn't able to perceive their level of power.
He could always refuse and try to get the information on his own, but he was curious as to what they meant.
Besides, considering the power he had, it supposedly wouldn't be that complicated to take them down in case they attacked or tricked them.
"Okay. What can you tell us about this world?" asked Dumbleldus.
For the next few minutes, the two clowns told the dark mages enough information about that world.
They told them about the Demon Lord system, the classes related to power level, the adventurer's guilds, and the various monsters there were besides the wilds of the forest.
"And that's pretty much it. I hope you found it helpful." Tear said.
"Great. Now it turns out that there are beings in this world that possess a level of power equal to or greater than the holy mages of our world." said Treasgold.
"Not to mention that there are monsters smarter and stronger than those beasts we've encountered these days." said Reflacta.
"Hehehe. I can't wait to face some of them." said Roksteelan with a toothy grin.
"Well, master, it looks like we already have the information we need. So what's our next move going to be?" asked Babus.
"Mmm." expressed Dumbleldus crossing his arms as he closed his eyes in thought.
It was then that he made a decision.
"Tell me, is there a powerful artifact somewhere?" asked Dumbleldus to the surprise and confusion of the other mages.
"Wow. I wasn't expecting that question. Let me think for a moment. Mmm." began Tear with his hand to his head as he thought. "Oh, there's that staff."
"Staff?" asked the samurai.
"It must refer to the mystical staff of power. It causes the wielder's power to double to very high levels. In ancient times, it was the cause of several wars and so it was eventually sealed away. No one has used it since." said Footman.
"Interesting, would you be so kind as to tell us where this staff is located?" asked Dumbleldus.
"Better yet. We can take you to where it is." said Tear.
"Wait, if you knew where such a thing was located, why didn't you get it yourselves? I'm sure you are very strong." said Reflacta.
"You aren't wrong. However, we aren't interested in such a thing. It wouldn't be fun if I were even stronger." said Tear.
"Not for me." commented Roksteelan.
"All right. Take us." said Dumbleldus.
"Very well. Gather round, all of you. It's going to be a bumpy ride." said Footman.
They all gathered in one area before a magic circle appeared below them and in less than a second, they disappeared.
Later, they all appeared again, but they were no longer in a forest, but in a huge desert and in front of them was huge rock that could be taken as a mountain and there were also a couple of doors leading inside.
"What is this place?" asked Treasgold.
"The staff is behind these doors. If you want to go after it, I won't stop you, but I warn you that the place is full of deadly traps that defeated the mightiest warriors." said Tear.
"Mmm. I like the sound of that." said the samurai.
"Clearly those guys were wimps compared to mages like us." said Roksteelan with a toothy grin.
"Alright then, we'll go in." said Dumbleldus as he and his subordinates reached the doors which opened automatically, allowing them to pass through.
"We'll stay here and wait. If you don't get here before the sun sets, it means you are dead and we will leave." began Footman before the doors closed. "Tell me, do you think they'll come back?"
"Who knows. And if they do with the cane, that will make things more fun." said Tear.
"And then we'll tell them about it, right?" asked Footman.
"Of course. You know? I find it funny how the funniest things revolve around him." said Tear thinking of a certain powerful being.
Inside the giant rock, the group of dark mages found themselves walking down a perfectly designed corridor.
With its floor tiles, its walls thin and polished, as well as torches to light the way.
"Okay, now that we're away from those clowns, I have to ask. What was that about earlier?" asked Treasgold.
"For once, I agree with him. We already had the necessary information, what do we care about a power-enhancing staff?" asked Reflacta.
"Even if I am interested in that, I must agree." said Babus.
"What exactly are you planning, master?" asked the samurai.
"Tell me, guys, do you remember what we were trying to do on our world?" asked Dumbleldus.
"You mean before those Fairy Tail brats showed up? Of course I remember. We were about to activate the spell." said Roksteelan.
"Exactly. A spell that would increase our power, putting us on top of the world." said Dumbleldus.
"Alright, I can see what you want to do the same thing with that staff, but what's the point of us being more powerful if this isn't our world?" asked Reflacta.
"What does it matter?" asked Dumbleldus drawing the attention of the others. "Think it through. We are in a totally different world with its rules and societies. It's almost as if it's a gift of fate."
"All right. I admit the idea of being in another world sounds interesting, but have you forgotten what they said about the Demon Lord? We may be strong, but we'd sure be slaughtered if we faced them." said Treasgold.
"There's that about the staff, isn't it?" asked Babus.
"That's right. with that staff, we can gain greater power than we have and with it, we will crush all the Demon Lords and rule this world." said Dumbleldus clenching his fist at the level of his face.
"Hahaha. I like that plan. Hahaha." said Roksteelan laughing like a madman.
"It will certainly be a pleasure to bathe my sword in the blood of mighty beings." said the samurai.
"My empowered magic will purge this world of the weak." said Babus.
"Stop, stop, stop. Let's not be hasty." began Treasgold. "I'm not saying I like the idea of ruling this world and taking all the gold, but first we'd have to get that staff."
"Yeah, didn't they say this place was full of traps? Well so far nothing has happened." said Reflacta.
Just then, she stepped on a tile that caused several arrows to fall from the ceiling like rain.
"Gold-Make: Wall!" shouted Treasgold generating a ceiling of gold that blocked all the arrows. "Phew. Close call."
"Looks like it's going to be true about the traps. Maybe we should exercise caution." said Dumbleldus.
"Fuck caution." began Roksteelan before his whole body turned like steel. "I'll go first."
"Be my guest." said Dumbleldus agreeing to the idea as the resistance mage stepped in front of the others.
For a couple of hours, the Phoenix Tail group was passing through the corridors inside the rock.
In that time, they set off all sorts of traps.
From holes that ended in thorns, swinging blades, giant rolling boulders and even crushing walls.
Of course, all of them, except the master, used their powers to destroy and overcome all the traps.
After taking out all the traps in their path, they continued their journey.
"Ha. Didn't they say those traps took the lives of many warriors? They were nothing more than childish obstacles for us." said Treasgold.
"Yes. It didn't even warm me up." said Roksteelan cracking his neck.
"I feel ashamed of those who called themselves warriors who perished miserably before those traps." said the samurai.
"Looks like we've arrived." said Dumbleldus as they all stopped in front of a pair of giant doors.
"What do you bet the staff is on the other side of those doors?" asked Reflacta.
"If so, we must proceed with caution. It is customary in these places to have an end boss protecting the treasure." said Babus.
"Then let's not keep him waiting." said Dumbleldus with a smile before they all continued on their way, causing the doors to open automatically.
Once they reached the other side, the doors closed behind them.
The room they were in was a hell of a lot more massive than they thought and was being lit by a skylight set in the ceiling that let in light from outside.
In the center of the room was a pedestal with stairs and on top of it was a staff with a red colored gem inside a crystal sphere.
"That must be the staff." said the samurai.
"Right. Let's take it and get the hell out of this place at once." said Treasgold moving forward.
Suddenly, the golden mage stopped as they all heard a grunt and looked up to see something falling rapidly towards them.
Treasgold managed to jump back in time to avoid the something falling on him.
That something turned out to be a monster that, rising up, revealed itself to be some kind of muscular humanoid creature with horns and sharp claws.
The beast let out a ferocious roar at the dark mages.
"And that must be the final boss." said Babus.
"We just have to finish him off to get to the staff? Sounds good to me. Golden-Make: Spears!" shouted Treasgold shooting golden spears that slammed into the chest of the beast, making it roar in pain. "Ha. How about that?"
The beast responded to that by letting out a fierce roar of fury.
"I think you've pissed it off even more." said Reflacta.
"Better. The angrier they get, the more fun a fight becomes." said Roksteelan turning his body like steel and lunging towards the beast.
The beast tried to crush him under its fist, but Roksteelan managed to resist the blow while holding his fist with his bare hands.
Roksteelan couldn't help but laugh like a maniac.
"As much fun as that amuses you, you'd better get this over with. Toxic Bullets!" shouted Babus shooting bullets of blackish green smoke from his fingers that impacted the beast's chest and face, causing it to roar in pain as it recoiled. "Now you can only wait for my virus to kill you right away."
However, the beast pulled itself together and lunged towards them with a fist ready to strike.
"Wow. I didn't expect you to be so resistant to the virus." said Babus.
The beast swung its fist towards them, but Reflacta stepped in the way, causing the fist to hit an invisible wall before a strange force tore at its arm, making it scream more in pain.
"Ha. Filthy beast. No attack can reach me. I am untouchable." the blue-skinned woman said with a sadistic smile.
Before the beast could attack again, the samurai landed on the ground in front of him with his sword drawn and soon after, a huge gash appeared on the beast's chest, a sign that it had attacked him.
"Despite being a beast, it seems my sword craves more of your blood." said the samurai.
"Come on, guys. Let's get it over with… " began Treasgold before the guild master started walking and stood directly in front of the beast, further ahead of the samurai.
"Babus is right. This is taking too long. So I have no choice but to end it directly." said Dumbleldus with a grin.
The beast gritted its teeth before letting out a roar more powerful than the previous ones and lunging towards the guild master.
Suddenly, Dumbleldus began to puff out his cheeks and then, shot a blast of fire from his mouth that completely consumed the beast.
By the time the attack dissipated, the beast was seen completely scorched and in the same position it was in when the attack consumed it.
A few seconds later, the beast fell defeated.
"Worthy of our master. His magic is unrivaled." said the samurai.
"That's right. His power, along with the extra ability his magic gives him, makes him a very tough opponent for anyone who faces him." said Babus.
"No wonder he got the position of master." commented Treasgold.
"Good. Now that we are rid of one last nuisance, let us proceed." said Dumbleldus walking towards the pedestal.
He climbed the stairs until he reached the top, where the staff was located.
"Well, staff, I hope you don't disappoint me." said Dumbleldus before grabbing the staff and raising it high.
Everyone waited for something to happen, but nothing did.
"Huh? Don't tell me we've done all this for nothing." said Roksteelan feeling frustrated.
"Eh… It's just an idea, but… Maybe, if you give him a taste of your magic, something happens." said Reflacta.
"Mmm. Not a bad idea." said Dumbleldus before focusing on the staff.
Concentrating, he gave the staff a hint of his magic and that caused the gem within the sphere to begin to glow until it filled the entire sphere with its glow.
Suddenly, a glowing aura surrounded the staff before advancing to cover the guild master who let out a small groan before smiling broadly.
"Yes, I can feel it. I can feel my power increase! It's incredible!" exclaimed Dumbleldus.
"Really? Hey, master. Don't hog it all to yourself." said Treasgold.
"You're right, what kind of master would I be if I didn't give my faithful followers a little reward?" asked Dumbleldus before pointing the staff at them, causing them all to be surrounded by a glowing aura.
"HAHAHA. Splendid! Splendid! HAHAHA" said Roksteelan.
"Amazing. All this power surging within us. It's something I never imagined I'd experience." said Babus.
"This, without a doubt, is a great reward." said the samurai.
"Yes, yes, yes! Now no one will be able to oppose us!" said Reflacta with a maniacal grin.
"Those Demon Lords have nothing to do now with our increased power!" said Treasgold with a wide grin.
"That's what I think too." said Dumbleldus.
Meanwhile, outside the rock were Tear and Footman, who were still waiting for the Phoenix Tail.
"Hmm. They sure take their time." said Tear.
"Well, they shouldn't be able to overcome all the obstacles in seconds." said Footman.
That's when the doors automatically opened and the dark mages stepped outside with the staff being carried by Dumbleldus.
"Well, you've come out." said Tear.
"And it looks like you have obtained the staff. The people of your world are impressive." said Footman.
"Tsk. Don't compare us to those wimps on Earthland. Especially now that our power has increased tremendously." said Treasgold.
"I can certainly feel it." said Footman.
"Hey, now that you mention that, I remember I felt people from your world too." said Tear.
"What? It's got to be the Fairy Tail people! Just when I thought for a moment we were rid of them, now it turns out they're in the same world as us!" asked Reflacta angrily.
"It seems that it is our destiny to meet them!" said the samurai.
"So, do you know where they are?" asked Babus.
"Yes. They are in the Jura Tempest Federation, a nation led by the Demon Lord Rimuru Tempest." said Footman.
"A Demon Lord, huh? Perfect! I wanted to test my new powers on one of them." said Roksteelan pumping his fists.
"You're right. I think the time has come to show this world what Phoenix Tail can do." said Dumbleldus.
"Oh, in that case. Allow us to take you back." said Tear.
"But once we return, you are on your own. We prefer to stay out of these things." said Footman.
"Deal. Consider it payment for bringing us to this place." said Dumbleldus.
They all gathered again before a magic circle appeared and in a matter of seconds, they were gone.
Meanwhile, back in the city of Rimuru, the mages of Earthland, along with Rimuru, Benimaru, Shion, Souei, Hakuro, Geld, Kaijin, Kurobe, Gabiru and Gobta, were in a hall of the city hall, seated around a table, with Shuna standing in front of everyone.
"Alright, I have gathered you here because this is a matter of vital importance. It is something so important that for this, I have asked our guests from abroad to join us." said Shuna.
"Of course, Shuna. Whatever happens, you can count on us." said Lucy.
"What's the matter? Do we have to fight anyone? Because, if so, I'm in." said Natsu pounding his fist with his palm.
"I appreciate it, but that's not what this is about, it's about something different." said Shuna.
"Don't keep us in suspense. Just say it already." said Happy impatiently.
"Okay. Here's the thing." began Shuna forming suspense in everyone present until, at last she pulled out from her back two outfits.
One was that of a sailor suit while the other was a light dress.
"Which outfit would suit Lord Rimuru better?" asked Shuna very seriously.
The Earthland mages were stunned to see what the all-important item was all about.
They were so surprised that they didn't know what to say.
"I think she would look better in the dress." said Shion with a smile.
"What? I don't agree. He would look better in the uniform." said Benimaru.
"I agree. The design is what's important and the uniform covers that perfectly." said Kaijin.
"But the dress represents beauty and that can't be shown with the design." said Geld.
Soon after, all the monsters got into an argument about it.
"Wait, are they really arguing about that?" asked Charle with a bead of sweat.
"That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen, and I'm from Fairy Tail." said Lily.
"Yeah, even in Fairy Tail we wouldn't do something as ridiculous as that." said Lucy.
"I vote for the uniform." said Erza.
"Wait, you're joining them?!" asked Lucy in surprise.
"Well, I prefer the dress." said Wendy.
"You too, Wendy?!" asked Charle in surprise.
While the girls ended up joining in the conversation, the boys stayed quiet until they ended up bursting out laughing.
"HAHAHA. The great… and mighty Rimuru Tempest… wearing girls' clothes? HAHAHA." asked Gajeel.
"That's the funniest thing I've ever heard! HAHAHA." said Gray.
"HAHAHA. S-Should we start calling you lady Rimuru? HAHAHA." asked Natsu.
"Or do you prefer little princess? HAHAHA." asked Happy.
Rimuru let out an embarrassed sigh as he covered his face with his hands.
"Great. I just lost the image they had about me." thought Rimuru with embarrassment.