Chapter 327: Operation Rescue Markov!
Dante took a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow as he took a look around the guild area. The reconstruction of the guildhall was going well. It was only five days after Fairy Tail was formed and the guildhall was making good progress. Just as Dante was about to get back to work, he was approached by Mest who had a serious look on his face.
"Dante there is something that you should see since you are the seventh guild master" stated Mest in a serious tone. Seeing that whatever Mest was referring about seemed to be important, Dante started to speak.
"What is it Mest" asked Dante in a curious tone, not able to think of anything that he should have to see as the guild master. Taking a look around and seeing that they were well within earshot of multiple people, Mest started to speak.
"I can't say here. What I am about to show you is for the eyes of the guild master of Fairy Tail only. Follow me" responded Mest as he turned around and started to walk away. Dante curious what Mest could be talking about began to follow him. His curiosity became greater as Dante followed Mest towards the wrecked ruins of the old guildhall. Lifting a large piece of broken lumber, Mest then opened a trapdoor that led underground. Waking down the staircase Dante was curious since he wasn't aware of this part of the old guildhall.
"Where are you taking me Mest. I didn't know the old guildhall had this underground area" asked Dante in a curious tone as he continued to follow Mest further underground.
"It will be easier to just show you. What I am about to show you is something that is an absolute secret, only the guild masters are allowed to know of it's existence. I've only been told by Markov because he had to make sure someone knew about it before he left for the Alverz Empire" responded Mest in a serious tone.
Nodding his head in understanding Dante thought about what it could be. Racking his brain for an answer, Dante could only come to one logical conclusion. Remembering back during the Grand Magical Games and the conversation he had with Laxus and Markov, Dante thought this likely had something to do with whatever the Lumen Histoire was. When Dante asked Markov about the Lumen Histoire, the kind old man was unusually tight lipped about it and at the time Dante trusted Markov enough to drop the subject.
"Is this about the Lumen Histoire" asked Dante in a curious tone as he and Mest stopped in front of a massive set of doors covered with a magical seal. Nodding his head, Mest started to speak.
"Yes, and it is the reason why Markov disbanded the guild" responded Mest as he used his magic to break the seal locking the massive doors. As the doors began to swing open, Mest continued to speak.
"Remember Dante that this must be kept a secret at all costs. One of the most important responsibilities of the guild master of Fairy Tail is to guard this secret" stated Mest as he started to lead Dante into the room beyond the massive set of doors.
"Well, you definitely have my curiosity though I don't know what to" Dante started to say before he lost his train of thought when he walked into the large room. Dante stared dumfounded at the sight in front of him as he continued to speak.
"I don't understand, what is this" asked Dante in a dumbfounded tone as he looked at the sight in front of him.
In the middle of the room that Dante was in was a large lacrima with the body of Marvis inside. Standing so close to the lacrima, Dante could feel immense magical power. Focusing more on the feeling of magical power radiating from the lacrima, Dante found that he could find a bottom to it. Unnerved that he couldn't find an end to this seemingly bottom pit of magical power, Dante started to speak. While Dante continued to stare dumfounded at the sight in front of him, he continued to speak.
"Is that the first master's body" asked Dante in a shocked tone. Nodding his head, Mest started to speak.
"Yes that is the body of the first master, Marvis. This is the great secret of Fairy Tail" responded Mest in a serious tone. Still not fully believing what he was seeing, Dante started to speak.
"The magic I'm feeling coming from this Lacrima is unreal, it don't feel an end to it" responded Dante in a disbelieving tone.
"That's because there isn't an end to it. The Lumen Histoire is a source of limitless magical power" responded Mest in a serious tone. Hearing these words, confirmation that what he was feeling was limitless magical power made some things click inside Dante's head as he started to speak.
"This is why the Alverz Empire is interested in Fiore isn't it? The empire knows about this and wants it" asked Dante in a tone that told Mest he already knew the answer. Nodding his head, Mest started to speak.
"Yes, it is very likely this is the reason the Alverez Empire wants to invade Fiore. The Etherion and Face system was the line of defense that prevented the Alverez Empire from trying to invade in the past. Now that those defenses are gone, nothing is stopping the Alvarez Empire from invading" responded Mest. Dante swore to himself as he started to speak.
"Damn, this means diplomacy is impossible. If the Alvarez Empire does know about this then they won't stop until they get their hands on it" responded Dante thinking that Markov must have known about this and that was the real reason he went to the Alvarez Empire. Markov didn't go on a diplomatic mission; he went as a stall tactic and to protect the rest of Fairy Tail. As Dante was thinking this he sensed something else from the Lumen Histoire and turned his attention towards Mest as he started to speak.
"Hold on, is Marvis still alive" asked Dante in a shocked tone since he could feel life energy coming from the Lacrima containing the body of Marvis. Nodding his head, Mest started to speak.
"Yes, she is" responded Mest before he was interrupted when Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy, and Wendy burst into the room.
"Marvis is alive" asked Natsu in his typical loud tone as he looked at the Lumen Histoire. What followed was serval shouting as Dante and Mest asked why Natsu, and the others were present.
"Sorry master, we tried to stop Natsu, but he wanted to see what you and Mest were up to" responded Wendy in an apologetic tone. Sighing with annoyance, Dante started to speak.
"It's fine, I guess it can't be helped. This actually works out since it saves me the trouble to explaining things to you guys. Team Natsu has a new job to go on" responded Dante with a smile. Giving Dante a curious look, Lucy started to speak.
"A new job? What is it master" asked Lucy in a curious tone.
"Since I just learned about the Lumen Historia myself I know now that we need to make a trip to the Alvarez Empire" responded Dante. Still not understanding what Dante was talking about, Erza started to speak.
"I don't understand master, why would we go to the Alverez Empire" asked Erza, she had heard the stories of the Alverez Empire and didn't think it wise to anger them.
"We are going because that is where Master Markov is and Team Natsu is going to rescue and bring him home" responded Dante with a smile. Shocked gasps were heard from the majority of Team Natsu while Mest started to speak.
"Dante I don't think that is wise. The Alvarez Empire is certain death" responded Mest in a serious tone. Just as Dante was about to respond, Natsu stepped forward and started to speak.
"Hold on, did you know where gramps was this entire time Dante" asked Natsu in an angry tone. Nodding his head, Dante started to speak.
"Yes I did, as a former member of the magic council I was aware of" Dante started to say before he was cut short when Natsu punched him across the jaw and caused him to stumble backwards.
"Natsu" shouted Lucy in a worried tone as she moved to see if Dante was okay. Dante held up a hand in order to tell Lucy he was alight as he started to speak.
"Alright yah I deserved that" responded Dante in a steady tone while Natsu continued to angrily glare at him.
"HOW COULD YOU LET GRAMPS GO ON HIS OWN LIKE THAT" yelled Natsu in an angry tone. Stepping forward, Erza started to speak.
"Natsu that's enough! Calm down" responded Erza trying to get Natsu's anger under control.
"It's alright Erza. Natsu's anger is understandable. I had the same reaction when I was told about this and almost quit the magic council" responded Dante in a steady tone. Seeing that he still had everyone's attention, Dante continued to speak.
"I decided at the time to leave things to Master Markov because it was his decision. Master Markov went to the Alverez Empire for what I thought was a diplomatic mission, now I know better. Now that I know that the Alverez Empire is after the limitless power of the Lumen Historia, we need to go and rescue Markov since diplomacy is impossible" stated Dante in a serious tone. Smiling at Team Natsu, Dante continued to speak.
"So how about it Team Natsu? Are you ready to rescue the sixth master" asked Dante with a smile. Slamming his fist into his open palm, Natsu started to speak.
"Oh yah, I'm all fired up" shouted Natsu with an eager smile. Soon after Natsu said these words Dante told everyone to prepare and meet at the docks of Magnolia in two hours. The plan would be to set sail for the Alvarez Empire. Breaking away from the rest of Team Natsu for now, Dante went to go find Mira so he could explain things to her.
"Hey Dante, how are you doing" asked Mira in her signature sweet tone as Dante walked into the kitchen of their home. Smiling at Mira, Dante leaned forward and kissed her sweetly on the lips before he stepped back and started to speak.
"I'm alright Mira but there's something I need to talk to you about" responded Dante in a serious tone. Hearing Dante's tone, Mira nodded her head in understanding as she started to speak.
"What is it Dante" asked Mira in a curious and somewhat concerned tone given Dante's serious tone. While Mira continued to feed Ellie her lunch, Dante explained the situation to Mira and didn't leave anything out.
"So that is why I have to leave with the rest of the team" responded Dante after finishing his explanation. Ellie was currently asleep in Mira's arms, Mira was cradling the infant as she started to speak.
"A lot of things make sense now. This is what you and Juvia were so concerned about this past year wasn't it" asked Mira, referring to how Dante and Juvia acted whenever the topic of Markov was brought up. Nodding his head, Dante started to speak.
"Yah, Juvia and I knew about Master Markov for a while now. I thought it was just for diplomacy to avoid a war with the Alverez Empire not a desperate stall tactic. If I knew the real reason then I would heave gone after Master Markov the instant I found about his crazy and reckless plan" responded Dante in a guilty tone. Hearing the guilt in Dante's voice, Mira smiled sweetly at him as she started to speak.
"Don't feel bad Dante. You and Juvia acted the best you could with the information you had at the time" responded Mira in an understanding tone. Touched by Mira's words, Dante smiled at her as he started to speak.
"Thanks Mira. I know that doing this will make you worry but I have to rescue Master Markov. Now that I am the guild master the safety of everyone in the guild is my primary responsibility and that includes other guild masters" responded Dante in a determined tone. As a former member of the magic council Dante was aware of the danger the Alverez Empire posed but he still needed to try and rescue Markov. Smiling sweetly at her husband and big brother, Mira closed the short distance between them as she started to speak.
"I know you have to do this Dante and while I will worry about you I know you can bring Master Markov back home" responded Mira in a sweet and loving tone before she leaned forward and placed a loving kiss on Dante's lips. Taking a moment to enjoy the sweet taste of Mira's lips, Dante leaned back as he started to speak.
"I promise everyone including myself will come back safe and sound" responded Dante, conviction filling his voice as he spoke.
"Please be safe and come home soon" responded Mira in a loving tone. Smiling lovingly at his little sister and wife, Dante kissed Mira sweetly on the lips before he started to speak.
"I will Mira, I promise. For now, keep the reason why I am leaving secret from everyone else, I've instructed Team Natsu to do the same. While I'm gone you are in charge of the guild" responded Dante thinking that Mira would be able to look after the guild in his place while he is gone. Nodding her head in understanding, Mira started to speak.
"Okay Dante, I will make sure the guild is held together while you are gone" responded Mira with a smile. After saying these words Mira set Ellie down for her afternoon nap and helped Dante pack his bag for his journey. After Dante was packed and ready to go, he was standing at the front door while Mira hugged him tightly.
"I know I've said this already, but please be safe. I don't know what I would do if I lost you Dante" stated Mira in a worried tone as she hugged Dante tightly. Smiling as he returned his little sister's loving embrace, Dante started to speak.
"You won't lose me Mira. My life is perfect because of you, Ellie and everyone else. I refuse to lose this perfect life; I will come back to you" responded Dante as he leaned back and looked Mira in the eyes as he continued to speak.
"I love you Mira, see you soon" stated Dante in a loving tone before he leaned forward and placed a hungry and passionate kiss on his little sister's sweet lips. Mira moaned into her husband's mouth, imparting all of her love for him through the heated kiss. After a short while Mira leaned back from Dante's lips and started to speak.
"I love you too Dante, see you soon" responded Mira with a loving and sweet smile. Taking one last moment to kiss Mira goodbye, Dante stepped back from her and headed out of his home.
Walking through the crowded streets, Dante's thoughts were filled with the looming danger. Now that war with the Alverez Empire seemed more than likely Dante was thinking about all the potential danger that awaited them. The army of the Alverez Empire dwarfed the army of Fiore and on top of that there was the Spriggan Twelve. What troubled Dante even more was the stories of two particular wizards that served the Alverez Empire, their power the stuff of legends. Still, it didn't matter to Dante. He would face any sort of danger if it meant bringing Markov back home, Dante was determined to save the person who took him in and gave him a home in Fairy Tail.
End of Chapter 327