Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 417: Boss Zeref, Go Ahead! I Will Raise Your Wife Myself!

”Uh...”

Accompanied by waves of rumbling, the continent of Elentear shook again and again...

”Wise Dragonʼs...”

”Moon Dragon Godʼs...”

”Azure Dragonʼs...”

”Fire Dragon Kingʼs...”

”...Crushing Fist!!!”

Facing several pairs of house-sized fists before him, Ignia was ultimately powerless to resist and collapsed limply onto the ground, motionless like a puddle of mud.

Only then did Evan, Irene, Selene, Igneel, August, and Zeref stop as they looked at the fallen Ignia. As for Evan, Irene, and Selene, they even withdrew from their human-beast forms and dragon forms.

Yes, among everyone, Selene in particular hit the hardest. She directly entered dragon form and violently attacked Ignia, seemingly planning to use public office for private revenge. Fortunately, everyone still held back and did not attach the dragon curse to their attacks.

”Next is implementing the forced guild-entry measure...”

Evan looked at Ignia, who had collapsed limply on the ground, and spoke to everyone.

Although it was called forced guild entry, the procedures that needed to be followed still had to be followed...

”Guild Master August...”

As Evan spoke, he sat up from his seat and looked at August beside him.

”Hm?”

Augustʼs eyes showed doubt. He did not know why Evan was looking at him.

”I have discovered a member with great potential. I hope you can approve his joining our guild. I wonder whether you agree?!”

Evan looked at August with a smile and asked.

”Oh~”

After hearing Evanʼs words, August immediately understood what Evan meant. Thus, he revealed a faint meaningful expression toward Evan.

”Of course I agree...”

As August spoke, he nodded lightly, expressing agreement with Evanʼs proposal.

”After the organizationʼs approval, Ignia, you have finally become a member of our Fairy Tail guild! From now on, you are one of us~”

As Evan spoke, he directly took out the Fairy Tail guild stamp he had prepared long ago and pressed it hard onto Igniaʼs arm.

”...”

Ignia lay on the ground, staring fixedly at Evan. He wanted to say something, but he could not say a single word. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly. He had resisted with all his strength, but unfortunately, fate was unfair!

From this moment on, Ignia officially joined the Fairy Tail guild! And among the giants of the Fairy Tail guild, another member had successfully been added!

For a moment, Irene, Evan, Selene, Igneel, and Ignia. Fairy Tail alone was enough to gather a set of Five Dragon Gods~

However, Evan did not intend to end there. He raised his head and looked at Zeref.

”Boss Zeref, this is a good opportunity right now~”

”Why donʼt you also join our Fairy Tail guild?”

Evan looked at Zeref and asked with a smile.

”Me?”

”Forget it for me.”

”If I join your Fairy Tail guild, Iʼm afraid I wonʼt be able to regard you as existences unrelated to me anymore! Once I spend too much time with you, and at the same time develop too many feelings for you, Ankhsaramʼs curse will descend. At that time...”

Zeref frowned tightly, and his gaze carried some helplessness.

It was not that he did not want to join Fairy Tail and become a part of this big family, but that a certain lofty god did not allow him to do so...

”Thatʼs simple!”

After hearing Zerefʼs words, Evan smiled lightly.

”I only said for you to go through the guild-entry procedure. I didnʼt say for you to fulfill the duties of a Fairy Tail guild member. In other words, aside from having our Fairy Tail guild emblem added to your body, there will be no difference from others. I think this way, you should feel reassured too, right?”

Evan held the Fairy Tail guild stamp in his hand and asked Zeref.

In truth, for Dragon King-level existences like them, as long as they did not directly confront Ankhsaramʼs curse, there was basically no major issue for them! Even if Zeref could not suppress the curse inside his body and let this power capable of devouring all life erupt from within him, it could not cause too much damage to Dragon King-level existences...

In the original work, Natsu was directly attacked by the curse released by Zeref, and he blocked the curse only with scales that had fallen from Fire Dragon King Igneel. One had to know that the life force inside those scales was already extremely faint, yet they could still block the aftershock of the curse. If it were the living Fire Dragon King instead, his resistance to the curse would only be even stronger, and he could even directly ignore the aftershock of the curse released by Zeref...

According to Evanʼs guess about Zeref, if Zeref wanted to use the curse to kill a Dragon King-level existence, it was basically impossible. In fact, if it were possible, Zeref would have long since used the curse BUG to kill Black Dragon King Acnologia!

But there were exceptions to everything! Ankhsaramʼs curse inside Zerefʼs body would adjust its strength according to the changes in Zerefʼs emotions! What was the strongest emotion in this world? Love! Even the fastest shortcut to the original magic ”One” was ”love.”

If Zeref fell in love with a Dragon King-level monster, or rather fell in love with Black Dragon King Acnologia, whether Acnologia would die or not, Evan could not say for sure...

However, Evan could roughly guess two possibilities. The first possibility was that Acnologia would be erased by the curse!

As for the second, it was that Acnologia would exceed everyoneʼs expectations, just like when he devoured all the magic power in the Space Between Time, and devour Zerefʼs curse!

After all, according to the research done by Fairy Tailʼs Second Guild Master Precht, namely the project where Precht studied Mavisʼs body, discovered Ankhsaramʼs curse, and then used the BUG of Ankhsaramʼs curse to develop the infinite magic power Fairy Heart, it could already be confirmed that the energy generated by Ankhsaramʼs curse still had not escaped the basic force maintaining this universe, which was magic power...

Ankhsaramʼs curse could directly be converted into magic power, or rather, it itself was composed of magic power or a similar power! And all magic power and magic in this world had the possibility of being devoured by Black Dragon Acnologia! Little Black was only called Black Dragon King because he was black in appearance. He was not a dragon of the darkness attribute, but a Demon Dragon that could devour all things, all magic, whether darkness or light, even time and space...

Once Ankhsaramʼs curse was devoured by little Black, then little Black might grow into the Black Dragon King Acnologia from the original work, who had devoured all the magic power in the Space Between Time and whose existence alone could possibly destroy the world. At that time, even gods might be devoured by him!

This was not what Evan wanted to see. Therefore, Evan had found Irene, Selene, Igneel, and Ignia, four Dragon King-level existences. When they fought little Black, Irene, Selene, Igneel, and Ignia would each be responsible for one of little Blackʼs limbs. As for him... he, Evan, would be responsible for slapping little Black with huge slaps, guaranteeing he would slap little Black until he woke up!

Yes, fighting little Black could only be done with hand-to-hand combat. Using magic would be like throwing meat buns at a dog, never to return...

At this moment, Evan had already planned everything...

And at this time, Boss Zeref had also thought everything through. He nodded lightly toward Evan and smiled as he said, ”Alright then! Then stamp the guild emblem! Speaking of which, I also have some connection with your Fairy Tail guild. If one insists, I can also be considered one of your guildʼs founders~”

”OK~”

Evan nodded lightly. As he spoke, he stamped the mark in his hand onto the back of Zerefʼs hand.

From this point on, Boss Zeref officially joined the Fairy Tail guild...

”Uh...”

August held his staff and looked at the scene before him. He wanted to speak but stopped. Several times, he wanted to open his mouth, but in the end he stopped. Ultimately, he could only nod helplessly.

”August, do you have something you want to say to me?”

Zeref looked at August, who wanted to speak but stopped, and asked with a faint smile on his face.

”Your Majesty, may we speak elsewhere?”

August looked at everyone present. His expression was somewhat awkward, but even so, there was something he had to make clear to Zeref.

”Alright...”

Zeref did not dawdle either. After hearing what August said, he nodded directly and expressed there was no problem.

”Buzz!”

Thus, accompanied by Zeref gently raising his hand, a pitch-black cover enclosed August and Zeref.

”Rest assured! As long as this cover is here, others cannot hear what we say...”

”Then now, can you tell me what exactly you came to find me for?”

After Zeref used soundproofing magic, he placed his hands behind his back and asked August.

”Your Majesty, what I wish to discuss with you is still the matter of the Alvarez Empire.”

Augustʼs expression carried some distress as he looked at Zeref and asked.

”Hey...”

”I thought you wanted to discuss something with me. So it was about the Alvarez Empire. I mean, this Alvarez Empire can be dissolved...”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Zeref smiled and waved his hand.

”What?”

”But that empire was built only after exhausting your painstaking effort, Your Majesty!”

”You say dissolve it just like that. Isnʼt that a bit...”

Hearing this, Augustʼs expression froze. He looked at Zeref and asked in confusion.

”In the end, the Alvarez Empire was built to help me defeat Black Dragon King Acnologia! And if I wanted to defeat Acnologia, the only way was for me to obtain Fairy Heart hidden in Fairy Tailʼs basement... At least, that was what I thought at the time!”

”But in the current situation, do you think the Alvarez Empire we built, including you and me, can defeat the Fairy Tail guild and seize Fairy Heart placed in their basement?”

Zeref looked at August and asked.

”It definitely cannot!”

Hearing this, August answered with absolute certainty.

”Then isnʼt that it?! Since the Alvarez Empire can neither defeat Fairy Tail nor defeat Black Dragon King Acnologia, then what use do I have for it? I would still have to feed a group of people for nothing and waste my effort. Better to dissolve it...”

Zeref frowned, and his eyes showed doubt. The Alvarez Empire itself had been built by Boss Zeref on a whim. In his eyes, this enormous empire was merely a tool. Now that this tool was not useful, why should he not change it?!

”This, this...”

August opened his mouth and said ”this” for a long while, but could not say a complete sentence.

”It would be too wasteful to dissolve such a huge empire, wouldnʼt it?”

August took a deep breath and told Zeref what he was thinking.

To be honest, because the entire empire was managed by August, August still had some feelings toward the Alvarez Empire...

”It is indeed somewhat wasteful.”

Zeref seemed to see what August was thinking. He rubbed his chin and thought seriously.

”Exactly, exactly...”

August nodded lightly, indicating that Zeref should think about it again.

”If the Mages of Fairy Tail discover that the reason I founded the Alvarez Empire in the first place was to deal with Fairy Tail, they will probably hate me. That will not do...”

Just as August nodded vigorously, expressing that Zeref had better think for a while longer before making a decision, he heard Zerefʼs muttering voice.

”August, from now on, you will be the king of the Alvarez Empire! Remember to erase all records in the archives about me being the first emperor. Iʼm afraid the Mages of Fairy Tail, and Mavis, will misunderstand me...”

As Zeref spoke, he summoned his crown. Without giving August any chance to refute, he directly placed the crown on Augustʼs head.

”I have inherited the throne?”

August looked at the crown on his head, and his body trembled. He had been crown prince for more than eighty years, and had even decided to properly remain his crown prince until death. In the end, he suddenly inherited the throne. Was this not too hasty?!

Moreover, listening to what his father Zeref meant, after having Fairy Tail, there was no need for the Alvarez Empire anymore. So love would disappear, right?!

August froze slightly, then shook his head. No, Zerefʼs love had not disappeared. His fatherʼs love had been transferred...

”Buzz~”

After Zeref and August finished speaking, he removed the surrounding barrier.

”How was it?”

After the barrier disappeared, Evan looked at Zeref and asked softly.

”Nothing. Itʼs just that when I was young and ignorant, I established a small country on the Western Continent. I didnʼt expect this country to become so powerful! This no longer matched my original intention, so I passed this country down and handed it over to August to inherit!”

Zeref placed his hands behind his back and spoke to Evan with a cheerful smile.

”I believe you, ghost! You rotten old man are very bad...”

As for what Boss Zeref said, Evan merely smiled disdainfully. If he had not known what was going on in advance, perhaps he might really have believed Zerefʼs words. However, Evan did not expose it aloud. He merely complained about Zeref in his heart.

”Hehe...”

As for Zeref, he naturally knew that Evan understood what was going on, but he knew Evan would not expose him, because Evan was his confidant! At this moment, Zeref and Evan could be considered to have a tacit understanding!

And why did Zeref choose to give up attacking Fairy Tail to seize Fairy Heart? The reason was very simple...

Zerefʼs sensitivity to magic was unique. He had long since sensed that Evanʼs Dragon Slayer Magic had already entered an unprecedented realm on this continent!

Perhaps even if he devoured Mavisʼs heart and obtained the support of Fairy Heartʼs infinite magic power, in terms of realm, he would at most be equal to the current Evan. In terms of combat strength, he would be completely unable to compare to Evan, who cultivated Dragon Slayer Magic!

Under such circumstances, even if he obtained Fairy Heart, it would be useless! Because if Evan could not defeat Acnologia, then even if he obtained the heart, he probably could not defeat him either. And if Evan could defeat Acnologia, then the heart would be useless to him...

Therefore, after thinking for a while, Zeref made a choice. He decided to give up Fairy Heart. Similarly...

After Zeref discovered that Fairy Heart was already useless to him, the Alvarez Empire, this tool used to help Zeref seize the heart, was also useless to Zeref...

At this moment, Zeref was an old scumbag~

”If your magic power could be a little stronger, it would be even more stable!”

”Although magic power will not be useful against Acnologia...”

Zeref observed the magic power inside Evan, and his eyes showed doubt. Clearly, the Dragon Seed inside Evanʼs body had already grown to the level of the World Tree, but why had Evanʼs magic power not received any improvement?

”Sigh...”

After thinking for a moment, Zeref sighed helplessly, because even he could not understand this problem.

”...”

At the same time, while Zeref looked at Evan with a deep frown and felt strange, Augustʼs brain was operating frantically. The amount of information he had received today was truly too much.

”In any case, letʼs return to the guild~”

Evan placed his hands behind his back and spoke cheerfully to Zeref and August.

”I wonʼt be going back...”

”Dealing with Acnologia is not the goal. Our true enemies are those gods who stand in the sky, look down on all living beings, and manipulate all living beings! Soon. I will soon find a way to deal with them...”

After hearing Evanʼs words, Zerefʼs expression gradually became serious. Ever since he had spoken with Evan several years ago, he had constantly been searching, searching for a way to defeat the gods. Now, he already had some clues.

”Oh? Boss Zeref, have you already found a way to deal with the gods?”

Evan looked at Zeref, and his eyes lit up.

”Mm! It can be considered that I have some clues. Only a little more remains. As long as I overcome this final bit, then the gods will eventually pay the price for their arrogance!”

Zeref looked at Evan with a serious gaze. If humans did not have the right to blaspheme life, then the lofty gods did not either! He would bear the price for the mistakes he had committed, but the gods must also bear the corresponding price for their arrogance!

”They are indeed too arrogant! In this world, no one has stood in the heavens from the very beginning! Not even gods...”

Evan nodded lightly, expressing agreement with Zerefʼs words.

Since the bloodline of the Time God had been passed down in this world, then that meant the gods of this world had once lived on this land just like humans. Perhaps the gods were originally nothing more than humans. It was only because they accomplished things humans could not accomplish that they became lofty gods. But their loftiness was not their capital for arrogance! Perhaps when they lowered their heads and looked beside their feet, they would discover that the ants they once looked down on had already grown to the point where they could touch them...

”The guild side...”

”I entrust Mavis to you...”

After hearing Evanʼs words, Zerefʼs brows relaxed. He looked at Evan with firm eyes and spoke seriously.

”Rest assured, Boss Zeref!” Evan felt Boss Zerefʼs gaze, nodded lightly, and silently said in his heart, ”Boss Zeref, donʼt worry. I will arrange Mavis and August properly!”

”Hehe...”

For a moment, Zeref and Evan suddenly smiled at each other.

”...”

August, who was standing at the side, frowned tightly. He kept feeling that something was strange, but could not say exactly what was strange.

”Since that is the case, Boss Zeref, please continue. We will return to the guild first...”

Before August could carefully savor it, Evan took the initiative to bid farewell to Zeref.

”Good!”

Zeref nodded lightly. With such a powerful teammate as Evan, he could also move forward with peace of mind.

”Buzz!”

As everyone bid farewell, a huge spatial gate slowly rose before everyone.

”Letʼs go!”

As Evan spoke, he took the lead and walked forward. Following behind him were naturally the graceful Irene, the flirtatious and enchanting Selene, the burly and domineering Igneel, and Ignia, who had been beaten until his head was covered in bumps and did not want to speak right now. Walking at the very back was August, who had an old and decrepit appearance but an endless lingering aura, and Black Wizard Zeref, who waved goodbye to everyone and prepared to leave on his own!

At this moment, Evan knew clearly in his heart that the scales of victory had completely tilted in their direction!

”There are no enemies before us!”

Evan looked at the light that lit up ahead and silently spoke in his heart.

”Then I also have to start working...”

After Zeref waved goodbye to Evan, a black vortex instantly lit up behind him, absorbing him inside and making him disappear from the world of Elentear!

After the group of monsters left one after another, this world once again returned to pitch darkness. Endless darkness enveloped the land...

At the same time...

Animus and Kurnugi, who had been used as bait and treated as sacrifices from the beginning, tied to the top of Black Night Mountain, yet whom Ignia had not looked at properly even once throughout the entire process after arriving, had eyes full of question marks.

”So they left? What about us?”

Kurnugi frowned tightly and asked Animus beside him.

”We leave too, of course~”

Animus spoke without concern.

”Good!”

Kurnugi nodded lightly after hearing this.

However, several minutes passed, and Animus and Kurnugi, or more accurately, one cat and one dragon, were still tied in place.

”Kurnugi, what are you doing? Iʼm currently a cat, so itʼs one thing if I canʼt break free from the chains!”

”But you are still a genuine giant dragon right now. What are you hesitating for? Hurry up and break free of the chains!”

Animus looked at Kurnugi beside him and shouted angrily.

”Well...”

”Senior Irene seems to have enchanted our chains with the dragon-binding attribute. I canʼt break free~”

”Why donʼt you try harder, Animus? After all, youʼre a cat now. Youʼre stronger than me right now!”

After Kurnugi tried several times, he spoke to Animus.

”Are you kidding me?!”

Hearing this, Animusʼs expression was frightened. With his strength, he definitely could not break free from these chains. His strength was only slightly stronger than Happyʼs...

For a moment, Animus and Kurnugi, one cat and one dragon, froze awkwardly in place! In truth, aside from freezing, there was nothing else they could do right now!

”Your Majesty Evan!!”

”Master!”

”Donʼt go! Come back quickly!”

Animus and Kurnugi looked at each other. After a brief silence, they began shouting madly toward the sky. Unfortunately, Evan, whom Animus and Kurnugi yearned for, was already in another world~

Separated from these two idiotic dragons by two worlds...