Fairy Tail: Becoming stronger by spending money.

I stayed at Xi Sa's manor for one night.

Although I wasn't thrilled with Xi Sa being a playboy, I realized from another angle that Caesar truly was a righteous and dedicated person.

Yes, just like that.

Early the next morning, Caesar followed Xi Sa back to the place where he sold magic weapons.

He didn't have to wait long.

Soon, two Fairy Tail guild members arrived to buy weapons.

But…

"Jet, Droy. These two weaklings—oh, right, this is Edolas. These two are actually the strongest mages in the Fairy Tail Guild."

Caesar grumbled, then stopped them.

It was easy from there.

After explaining himself, they didn't believe him.

So Caesar punched them—one each.

Bruised and convinced, the two took Caesar back to Fairy Tail.

All in all, it went pretty smoothly.

Following the two meatheads, Caesar arrived at Edolas' Fairy Tail.

A guild building made from a giant tree.

But judging by the scars and damage all over the bark, things clearly weren't peaceful for them.

"We're back!"

Jet and Droy opened the door. Caesar followed.

Once inside, Caesar immediately saw familiar faces.

Gray. Cana. Natsu.

Wait...

He looked around. There was Edolas' Lucy and Juvia—and a tall Wendy that made Earthland's Wendy look tiny.

Caesar scratched his head.

It seemed in Edolas, many of them had joined Fairy Tail earlier.

But each of them looked beaten and worn.

Where was Lisanna?

Caesar's gaze quickly scanned the crowd.

Soon, he spotted a short-haired girl wrapping someone's wounds with gauze and applying medicine.

Caesar smiled.

Even though the plot had shifted a bit, Lisanna was still here.

"Who are you, kid? You're ridiculous!"

The rowdy version of Wakaba barked, laughing as he stepped toward Caesar.

"Uh… Wakaba."

Jet and Droy looked like they were about to intervene nervously.

Caesar raised his hand and instantly activated Take Over: Elizabeth.

A warm healing light spread from Caesar's body.

Everyone who had been injured suddenly felt relief—pain gone, a pleasant numbness settling in.

Removing the gauze revealed fully healed wounds.

"This is… Brother Caesar's healing light!"

Lisanna was mid-bandage when she saw the recovered wounds. She immediately looked toward the door.

After healing everyone, Caesar released the magic and smiled at Lisanna.

"I found you, Lisanna. Sorry to keep you waiting so long. Let's go home."

"Huh?"

Everyone who had just started to recover looked at Lisanna in shock after hearing Caesar's words.

Lisanna's eyes welled up. She was just about to speak when the entire guild felt the air tremble.

"What's happening?! The Fairy Hunter is here!"

"Already?! How did she find this place?"

"Levy, is the teleportation circle ready yet?!"

"Not even close!"

"The Royal Army soldiers didn't stand a chance…"

"This is bad. Really bad!"

As panic spread, Caesar took a deep breath and shouted, "Quiet!"

His voice echoed like a roar, and silence fell. Everyone turned to him.

Caesar looked at Levy, who was adjusting the magic device.

"You all go first. I'll hold her off. Give me your new base's location. I'll find you later."

"Do you even know who she is?!"

"This isn't about playing hero! You should run with us!"

"Yeah, don't throw your life away!"

Though many scoffed at his words, they still couldn't abandon him—not after what he had just done for them.

"Brother Caesar, the next teleport location is more than three thousand kilometers southwest."

Others didn't trust Caesar.

But Lisanna did.

She immediately told him the approximate destination.

"Alright. Got it."

Caesar nodded, then turned and walked out of the guild.

"Lisanna…"

Everyone looked at her.

They had already guessed the truth—but now it was undeniable.

"Levy, hurry! Brother Caesar will definitely hold Erza off. Let's finish the teleport!"

"Understood! I'm on it!"

Levy resumed adjusting the device, teeth gritted in urgency.

Outside, Caesar stared at the dragon-like beast flying toward them.

He sighed. "I could've just taken Lisanna and left. Why does it have to get complicated?"

Golden light flashed around him.

He activated Take Over and entered Nine Lama Sage Mode.

"Whistle!"

An art kunai tore through the air like a missile, roaring straight toward the incoming enemy.

"That is…"

Erza Netwalka, seated atop the dragon, narrowed her eyes.

She pulled out the Ten Rings Spear, changed its form into a sonic gun, and aimed it at the kunai.

But before it hit—

One hand caught the kunai.

The other slammed forward.

Rasengan clashed with the tip of the spear.

Boom!

Caesar retreated mid-air, smiling.

"Nice reflexes."

"Who are you?"

Erza held her weapon tight, eyeing Caesar with suspicion.

"Why would I tell you?"

Caesar floated mid-air, studying the face that mirrored Erza's from his world.

"I'm a member of the Fairy Tail Guild from the magic world—the one your kingdom is draining dry. So how about doing me a favor and leaving Fairy Tail alone?"

Erza's face darkened.

The Ten Rings Spear shifted again, and gravity magic slammed down on Caesar.

"Tsk. I figured that wouldn't work."

Caesar scratched his head, glanced back at the Fairy Tail building, and saw the teleportation circle activate.

They were gone.

He let out a breath, then turned to Erza with a smirk.

"Well, now I've got nothing holding me back."

"Let's have some fun."

In the blink of an eye, Caesar vanished.

Erza's eyes widened—just before a strange force smashed into her body and launched her toward the ground with zero resistance.