The king must have expected Laxus would retrieve Freed's heart. The royal army surrounded the kingdom's border, blocking Laxus' path to Freed.
"How could you side with a monster, Laxus?" One of the knights implored.
"How could you?" Laxus retorted. "Your king is a liar. The only monster out there was created by the people of this kingdom. Get out of my way so I can fix this mess."
"Stand down, Laxus," the head knight warned, brandishing his sword. It made Laxus laugh.
"You really think you can stop me? I can crush you all like mere ants under my boot."
On their leader's command, the army charged at Laxus. Laxus retaliated with lightning. A sword caught him in the arm, but it didn't slow him down. On the contrary, it angered him and drove him to fight harder. "This is for Freed," he said, knocking down the knights in his way with a bolt of lightning.
Laxus broke through the barricade and ran on autopilot to the castle, clutching the wooden box tightly to his chest.