"I have a request." Mira said.
"You want me to help your guild, right? I can do that, but only if the situation becomes dangerous to the point where outside help is necessary. We're from different guilds and I can't intervene in another guild's business. That would lead to bigger trouble for our guilds. I can help if civilian's safety is threatened or things get too out of hand." Ben replied.
"I know, that's what I thought too. This is our guild's problem and we will try to handle it ourselves. But no one knows the future and anything can happen, so we need to be careful. With you here, I feel we don't need to worry about anything." Mira said.
"Is this really your request?" Ben asked.
"Yes, but I think Master has anticipated this too. Although he won't rely on your help in this matter." Mira responded.
"Alright, I will stay here for a few days and look at the situation. Master Makarov is my guild master's friend, so I'm sure he will ask me for help if it's needed." Ben remarked.
"Sorry for troubling you." Mira apologized.
"Don't worry about it, this is for my girlfriend's safety too." Ben teased her.
Mira blushes after hearing that and walks away, leaving Ben behind. He smirked and followed her to her house. They arrived shortly after that and Mira entered the house. Ben on the other hand stood outside and didn't follow her.
"You aren't coming in?" Mira asked.
"No, I don't want to show that I'm here to help your guild. Besides, you'll have trouble sleeping if I spend the night." Ben responded with a smirk.
Mira blushed again as she knew exactly what he meant. He means she will just think of lewd things if he stays in her house, so she won't be able to sleep. She hits Ben's chest cutely before entering her house and angrily slamming the door.
Ben just laughed.
"I'll take my leave then, White Princess. Good night and sleep well. Tomorrow will be a hard day for you." He said.
Ben left Mira's house and found a hotel after saying that. He found a hotel with a tall building easily after only walking for a few minutes. Then he rented the room on the highest floor so he have a better view of the town.
"Phew, what a day." Ben sighed as he took a hot bath.
"Who thought I would have a girlfriend on my way back home from a job? Although, trouble reared it's ugly head. Phantom Lord, huh? That guild is nothing but trouble. Why would they launch a attack on another guild? It will only lead to them being disbanded by the Magic Council. What's their motivation?" Ben questioned.
Ben thought about it and didn't find a good answer. He stopped thinking about it and called Roubaul instead. The old man picks it up and he told him what happened. Of course, he didn't tell him he was dating Mira.
"Hmm, this is a problem. Alright, I approve your decision and will leave it to your discretion." Roubaul said.
Ben nodded and thanked the old man before ending the call. This is serious, so he needed to inform Roubaul and can't act without his approval. A war between guilds will affect a lot of things, so he needed to be careful.
"Phantom Lord has a long-standing feud with Fairy Tail, that much is obvious. But why'd they suddenly launch a frontal attack like this? There must be a reason for them to be so brazen." Ben commented.
Ben couldn't find an answer, so he just went to sleep. He woke up the next morning and ate breakfast before walking around the town in a disguise. He transformed into a normal civilian to hide his real identity.
Roubaul had instructed him to hide their involvement until the situation became too dangerous. For now he needed to hide his identity and only show up when necessary.
While walking around town, Ben ran into Natsu's team. They had just gotten back from Galuna Island after the villagers requested them to stay a night. Well, at least they returned before the war officially started.
Ben ignored them and just enjoyed walking around town. Too bad he didn't cross paths with any Phantom Lord member along the way. He wasn't able to interrogate one to find out the reason for their attack.
That evening, Ben called Mira and asked her for a report on the situation. She told him that Makarov hadn't ordered them to do anything. They still don't have enough proof to launch a assault on Phantom Lord.
Those iron pillars could've come from anyone, even a dark guild. So if they launch a unprovoked attack on Phantom Lord, the Council will punish Fairy Tail. This was something to avoid as Fairy Tail wasn't on good terms with the Council.
Ben sighed after hearing that because it's right and wrong at the same time. But he knew they needed to think of the long term consequences instead of the short term consequences. However, if they remain silent, Phantom Lord's attack will become more brazen.
That was confirmed the next day when the members of Team Shadow Gear were crucified on a tree after Gajeel Redfox attacked them last night.
Of course, this action enraged everyone in Fairy Tail. Phantom Lord had gone too far and they even left their guild mark on the defeated mages. Now Makarov didn't hesitate to attack back and he officially declared war with Phantom Lord.
The Fairy Tail mages leave Magnolia and head to Phantom Lord's headquarters. Many mages join the attack as Phantom Lord's HQ must have a lot of mages in there. They just left a few mages in the guild to take care of the injured members.
Mira called Ben before leaving and asked him to stay in Magnolia. Makarov knew that Ben was in town and requested him to stay through Mira. Phantom Lord might decide to attack Magnolia in their absence.
Ben agreed and headed to the Fairy Tail guild hall. He stood on the roof of the building in front of the Fairy Tail guild hall. He erased his presence and spread his magic sense to detect for a possible attack.
Sometime later, he senses 2 strong sources of magic. He smirked and locked the 2's position but didn't do anything yet. Those 2 are hiding, so Ben knew they are not Fairy Tail mages.
"Let's see what you want to do." Ben said as he continued watching.
After several minutes, their magic power changed a little. Ben also sensed another magic source approaching him from the Fairy Tail guild hall. It was Lucy who was taking a break after treating her guild mates.
"Are they targeting her? Hmm, I don't know why, but it's interesting. Still, I can't let it happen." Ben said as he noticed Lucy was walking without any caution.
Ben made a clone and it transformed into Lucy. Then his clone used a spell. "Teleport: Exchange!"
His clone switched places with Lucy and this surprised her. Before she could say a word, Ben used Sleep Magic on her to keep her quiet. Then he looked at 'Lucy' who walked down the street.
Suddenly, a blue-haired girl walked towards 'Lucy' and says that she is from Phantom Lord. 'Lucy' was surprised and the girl suddenly trapped her in a water ball. Then 'Lucy' passed out and a strange man appeared. They take 'Lucy' and immediately leave town.
"So they really are targeting her? Good thing I did something about it." Ben said as he looked at the sleeping Lucy beside him.
Ben then smirked.
"Now then, what will they do with my clone?" He asked.