Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 460: The Dragon King Battle Spanning Four Hundred Years!

”One, two, three, four… Counting the Dragon Slayers, there are more than a dozen dragons? Did I just run into a whole group of dragons?! What the hell is going on? How could something this absurd possibly happen in this world?”

”Didnʼt I already wipe out all the dragons? One or two survivors would be understandable, but how do you explain this whole group of survivors?”

”And if my senses arenʼt wrong! Several of these dragons are even no weaker than me in my current weakened state! They possess genuine Dragon King-level combat power?”

”When did Dragon Kings become this common? There are even more of them than during the peak of the dragons four hundred years ago? Is this just my imagination?”

At this moment, the eyes of Acnologia, which glittered with light and were terrifying enough to make anyone fearful merely by meeting his gaze, were filled with bewilderment. He looked at the crimson giant dragon radiating waves of heat before him, then at the dragons releasing immense pressure, and fell into deep self-doubt.

”Could it be that four hundred years ago, I actually failed to eliminate every single dragon on the continent of Ishgar?”

”Itʼs just that I was unwilling to believe that, despite all the effort I had put in—even going so far as to abandon my name, my identity as a human, and even everything I had—I still failed to eliminate the dragons from this continent…”

”Therefore, did I trigger some sort of defensive mechanism in my brain, ultimately deceiving myself and creating a false memory that I had already exterminated every dragon in this world?!”

”Was everything actually an illusion?!”

The great ʼBlack Dragon King,ʼ Acnologia, fell into deep thought, his heart filled with doubt.

In reality, the passage of such a long period of time had already caused this former great hero of mankind, one of the first Dragon Slayers, and the sole victor of the Dragon King Festival four hundred years ago—the ʼBlack Dragon Kingʼ Acnologia—to forget far too much. He could no longer even remember what his true name was. Deep within his mind, only the name of the dragon he had once saved, yet deeply hated, remained…

Yes, the true name of this pitch-black dragon was not Acnologia. However, he had already forgotten his own name. He only remembered the name of the dragon he had once hunted down—the name Acnologia—and thus simply adopted it for himself…

The excessive chaos within his mind had caused this pitch-black Dragon Slayer to forget his own identity. He could no longer even determine whether his memories were real or false…

”Acnologia! I am Igneel, the ʼFire Dragon Kingʼ! Today, let us settle things between us once and for all!”

Igneel unleashed terrifying magical power, greedily breathing in the vast magic power of the world of Earth Land.

Igneel could feel that the magic power of the world had indeed grown stronger. It had become far more abundant than it had been four hundred years ago!

”ʼFire Dragon Kingʼ?!”

After his brief contemplation, Acnologia was interrupted by Igneelʼs roar. He looked Igneel up and down, and a trace of disdain flashed through his eyes.

”There is only one Dragon King in this world! And that is me, Acnologia, the ʼDragon King Who Brings About the End of All Thingsʼ!”

”This world has never needed two Dragon Kings!!”

Acnologia roared at Igneel. This was the first time since he had been drawn here by Natsuʼs flames and begun fighting the prospective S-Class Mages of the Fairy Tail Guild that he had chosen to communicate with a living creature.

Yes, before encountering Igneel, Acnologia had not even bothered to communicate with the lifeforms of this world! He was the Wings of the End, the proud and arrogant king of the dragons! Those weak lifeforms had no qualifications to speak with him!

”ROAR!!”

Igneel seemed too lazy to waste words with Acnologia. He roared and charged directly toward Acnologia, colliding with him.

”BOOM!!”

Accompanied by waves of explosive air, the crimson giant dragon, whose body was even hotter than molten lava, collided with the pitch-black Dragon King, the ʼBlack Dragon Kingʼ Acnologia. When two kings met, there was no need for excessive words. They simply threw themselves into battle!

”Igneel?!”

Natsu stood in the town, looking up at the crimson dragon in the sky. His eyes carried shock, along with a hint of emotion.

Natsu had no idea how many times he had looked forward to meeting his adoptive father, the ʼFire Dragon Kingʼ Igneel. He had waited far too long for this day. Yet upon their first meeting, his adoptive father was immediately going to battle that invincible black dragon!

This filled Natsu with complicated emotions…

Suddenly, Natsu had so many things he wanted to talk about with Igneel. He didnʼt know whether it was merely his imagination, but if he couldnʼt have a proper conversation with Igneel today, perhaps he would never have another chance to speak with him again!

”Igneel, is that you? Answer me!”

As Natsu spoke, he ran toward the giant dragon.

”Wait, Natsu!”

”Donʼt go over there…”

However, just as Natsu was charging forward, a hoarse voice sounded beside his ear. Immediately afterward, a strong and powerful hand pressed down on Natsuʼs shoulder, holding him firmly in place.

”Ignia?!”

Natsu looked at the person holding him back, his pupils trembling, disbelief evident in his voice.

”My foolish little brother~”

”Donʼt interfere with Dadʼs battle! This is a battle between the kings of the dragons. It isnʼt something you can interfere in!”

Ignia pressed down on Natsuʼs shoulder and spoke with a smile.

”Ignia, that black dragon is extremely powerful. I have to go help Igneel!”

After hearing Igniaʼs words, Natsu immediately shouted anxiously.

”Huh?!”

”You said youʼre going to help Igneel?”

”My foolish little brother! Have you finally gone crazy?”

”Open your eyes and look carefully at the sky! Where does Father need anyoneʼs help? Canʼt you see that Father is smiling? Heʼs laughing!”

Ignia raised an eyebrow. He pulled Natsu into his arms, then used one hand to support Natsuʼs chin while pressing down on Natsuʼs head with the other. With both hands, he forcibly turned Natsuʼs head toward the sky, allowing Natsu to clearly see the battle between Igneel and Acnologia.

”This is?!”

Natsu looked up. When he clearly saw his adoptive father, Igneel, he froze.

He actually saw the corners of his adoptive father Igneelʼs mouth raised in a smile!

Yes, Igneel was actually smiling. Facing the invincible ʼBlack Dragon Kingʼ Acnologia, Igneel showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he was laughing wildly!

”Who do you think that is?”

”That is our father, the invincible ʼFire Dragon Kingʼ Igneel!”

”So what if his opponent is Acnologia? Igneel will still find a way to defeat him!”

Ignia seemed completely confident in his father, Igneel.

”Uh…”

Natsu was stunned. He stared in shock at Igneel, who was exchanging blows with Acnologia in the sky.

”Acnologia is our fatherʼs prey!”

”So donʼt disturb our father now. Just let him hunt in peace!”

Ignia held Natsu and spoke with a cheerful smile.

”Aye!”

Natsu looked at the surging magical power in the sky and nodded vigorously, just like Happy.

Just as Evan had promised Igneel back then, he would give Igneel a quiet, one-on-one opportunity to fight Acnologia. Thus, when Igneel began his Dragon King battle with Acnologia, neither Evan nor any of the other giant dragons had any intention of going up to help. They simply watched quietly…

”Inhale!”

”Exhale…”

After exchanging blows with Acnologia in close combat for a while and realizing that he had gained no advantage, Igneel suddenly took a deep breath before unleashing a Roar at Acnologia!

Blazing flames instantly ignited the sky!

No—the temperature was so high that such flames could no longer exist in nature in the form of fire. This could no longer be called burning flames! Rather than flames, it was more like incandescent light! When the temperature reached Igneelʼs level, it was no different from the sun. Calling it burning was more like describing a nuclear reactor undergoing continuous fusion!

In an instant, the sky was illuminated by a sheet of white light, making everyone on the ground unable to open their eyes…

For a moment, it seemed as though a second sun had risen in the sky, its endless radiance pouring across the earth!

The entire island where Natsu and the others were located was immediately enveloped in scorching heat. The temperature rapidly climbed, countless clouds in the sky were ignited, and even the sea beneath Igneel gradually began evaporating into water vapor!

”ROAR!!”

Devoured by Igneelʼs Roar, Acnologia let out an agonized roar for the first time. He was screaming in pain! How many years had it been? Ever since becoming a Dragon, Acnologia had never been injured again. He had even forgotten what pain felt like.

But today, he remembered that sensation once more!

”Just as we calculated!”

”Acnologia isnʼt completely immune to magic. With sufficient magic power in the world of Earth Land, Igneelʼs magic did indeed burn him, but thatʼs all…”

”The magic power of Earth Land is still too weak. Igneel alone cannot do anything to him!”

Zeref stood on the ground and raised his head toward the sky. His eyes stared directly into the white light, seemingly completely unconcerned about whether the light would burn his eyes.

With merely one glance, Zeref had already seen the problem with Igneel! Although it currently appeared that Igneel was suppressing Acnologia, the reality was completely different. Igneel had already given everything he had, yet relying solely on Igneelʼs magic power, he still could not completely break through Acnologiaʼs defenses.

Since he could not break through Acnologiaʼs defenses, the outcome of this Dragon King battle spanning four hundred years was obvious!

”So strong!”

”That fire dragon is so powerful!”

On the ground, the S-Class candidates of the Fairy Tail Guild were shocked as they sensed the battle in the sky. This was a battle completely beyond their level.

”That red fire dragon… Could it be Natsuʼs adoptive father, Igneel?!”

Lucy murmured, directly identifying the crimson dragonʼs identity.

”Even all of us working together couldnʼt inflict any damage on Acnologia! Igneel alone managed to make Acnologia cry out in pain! The gap between us and the dragons is simply too great…”

Freed spoke helplessly. They had already done their best, but the difference in racial attributes was simply too enormous. Compared with Igneel, their attacks against Acnologia were no different from scratching an itch.

Now this was what a true battle looked like. If Acnologia used the same level of strength he was currently using against Igneel to fight them, the battle would probably end in an instant!

Yes, in the blink of an eye, Acnologia would wipe them all out!

”By the way, if itʼs Igneel, shouldnʼt he be able to defeat Acnologia?!”

Happy flapped his little wings, flying among the mages of the Fairy Tail Guild, and asked softly.

”Itʼs possible!”

The S-Class candidates looked at one another. In the end, they all nodded simultaneously.

After all, they did not possess Zerefʼs eyesight and could not distinguish who currently had the upper hand!

”Whoosh!!”

Soon, Igneelʼs Roar came to an end. The endless magic power had been completely emptied from his body.

”ROAR!!”

As for Acnologia, he bared his teeth and let out a mocking roar.

It was as if Acnologia were saying to Igneel, ”Look! So what if you traveled to an era four hundred years later with abundant magic power? Your magic is still completely useless against me! I am the true king of this world!”

”Whew~”

Igneel looked at Acnologia, who remained completely unharmed, without the slightest fear. Instead, he smiled.

In fact, Igneel had been afraid that Acnologia had become weaker. If that were the case, there would be no fun in challenging Acnologia at all!

A battle was only interesting when the opponents were evenly matched…

The stronger the enemy, the more excited Igneel became!

As for life? He had already abandoned such a thing when he used Soul Dragon Magic and entered Natsuʼs body…

”Impossible. Even such powerful magic was ineffective against Acnologia?”

”That fire… Even from this distance, it feels as though it could evaporate us!”

Gray stared at the unharmed black dragon in the sky, his eyes wide with disbelief.

”Although, technically speaking, weʼre solids, so we should undergo sublimation…”

Lucy knew that this was not the time for jokes, but she still couldnʼt resist correcting Gray.

”Metalicana? Is that you? Metalicana!”

”Grandeeney, I missed you so much!”

Elsewhere, Gajeel and Wendy also approached the dragons that had flown out of their bodies.

”Long time no see, brat!”

”Though, from my perspective, Iʼm the one who watched you grow up…”

The Iron Dragon Metalicana looked at Gajeel and spoke with a hearty laugh.

”Wendy, youʼve grown up!”

Compared with the unruly Metalicana, Grandeeneyʼs gaze was much gentler. She regarded Wendy as her own daughter.

”Metalicana, what exactly is going on? I need an explanation!”

Gajeel looked at the black giant dragon before him and asked with a cold snort, clearly displeased.

”Donʼt come at me with such an angry and forceful interrogation the moment we meet, brat!”

”Compared with answering all your questions, isnʼt the battle in the sky more important right now?”

After hearing Gajeelʼs words, Metalicana rolled his eyes. As expected, his brat wasnʼt cute at all. He was nothing like Grandeeneyʼs little girl.

”Speaking of which, what about the battle in the sky?”

”Metalicana, donʼt you need to go help that fire dragon?”

”If Iʼm not mistaken, that fire dragon should be the dragon inside Natsu, right?”

Gajeel asked Metalicana.

”What are you talking about, Gajeel?!”

”The battle in the sky isnʼt a battlefield you or I can easily step into!”

”That is a battle between the kings of the dragons! It is the battle between the invincible ʼFire Dragon Kingʼ Igneel from four hundred years ago and the King of the End, the ʼBlack Dragon Kingʼ Acnologia, who exterminated the entire dragon race!”

”Someone like me would probably be annihilated instantly the moment I approached them!”

”Rather than going up there and causing trouble, we might as well wait here quietly! Havenʼt you noticed that none of the other giant dragons have gone up to interfere in the battle between Igneel and Acnologia?”

After hearing Gajeelʼs words, Metalicanaʼs expression changed. Although his time had already been running short ever since leaving Gajeelʼs body, he did not want to die this quickly.

Whether his soul would turn into magic and return to the river of magic, or whether he would approach Igneel and Acnologia only to have his soul completely obliterated, Metalicana knew exactly what would happen…

”Hmph! In other words, youʼre just scared, right?”

”Or are you simply too weak, Metalicana?!”

Although Gajeel was delighted to see his adoptive father, the Iron Dragon Metalicana, he still couldnʼt resist mocking him a few times. After all, this was simply how Gajeel usually interacted with his adoptive father, Metalicana…

”Heh…”

”Iʼm too lazy to argue with you. Just open your eyes and watch carefully!”

”Watch how the Kingʼs Sword of the dragon race fights!”

Metalicana was too lazy to argue with his stupid son. He simply lay on the ground, looking toward the sky and feeling the endless magical power raging between the Dragon Kings.

”Grandeeney, I missed you so much…”

Compared with the bickering between Metalicana and Gajeel, the interaction between Grandeeney and Wendy was incomparably gentle.

Wendy hugged her motherʼs soft feathers, greedily taking deep breaths. She smiled, seemingly wanting to memorize the scent of her motherʼs body. It was the scent of the sky!

”Wendy…”

Grandeeney looked at Wendy, a trace of reluctance flashing through her eyes. Compared with the children of the others, her daughter Wendy was simply too young, and she was a little girl at that. This made Grandeeney extremely worried.

”ROAR!!”

Meanwhile, in the sky! The battle between the giant dragons continued!

When Igneelʼs magic power had been exhausted, the advantage seemed to return to Acnologiaʼs side!

Like a black hole capable of swallowing all things, the black dragon opened its enormous jaws and bit down on Igneelʼs shoulder! Countless streams of blood, hot as molten lava, immediately flowed from Igneelʼs body…

”Igneel!”

Seeing Igneel injured, Natsuʼs expression changed! He couldnʼt help but try to rush forward.

”Stay right there!”

Unfortunately, Natsu was once again held in place by Ignia. As a proud dragon, Ignia would not allow his foolish little brother to interfere with his fatherʼs battle!

This was a battle between the kings of the dragons. This was the Dragon King Festival! This coronation battle for the Dragon King throne would not allow any outsiders to interfere!

Even if Igneel died here, it would be an honorable death!

Igneel would die as a Dragon King, as the strongest warrior of the dragon race!

”Let me go! Igneel is injured! I have to save Igneel!”

Natsu struggled to break free from Igniaʼs restraint, but Igniaʼs hand was like a mountain, firmly pressing down on Natsuʼs shoulder and making it impossible for him to escape!

”Natsu, youʼre not going anywhere!”

”Iʼll say it again. This is Fatherʼs battle. No one is allowed to interfere, not even you, Natsu…”

Ignia held Natsu down and warned him.

”Why?!”

”If this continues, Igneel will die! I canʼt just watch Igneel die without doing anything!”

Natsuʼs eyes were bloodshot as he questioned Ignia. He couldnʼt understand why his brother wouldnʼt let him save their father.

”Natsu, do you want to disgrace Father?”

”Do you want Father to die with his eyes unable to close? Or do you want him to continue living on in humiliation?”

”The Dragon King is the greatest, strongest, and proudest creature in this world!”

”Right now, Father is defending the pride of a Dragon King! Are you going to break that pride?”

”Calm down and watch carefully! Look at just how powerful our father truly is!”

Ignia shouted angrily at Natsu, whose eyes were bloodshot.

”Ignia…”

Natsuʼs body trembled after hearing Igniaʼs words. He raised his head and looked toward the sky. He knew that Ignia was right. Everything before him was his fatherʼs own choice. He should not interfere with Igneelʼs battle!

”ROAR!!”

At the very moment Igneel stopped Natsu from interfering, Igneel exerted his strength. He forcefully pushed Acnologia away, then his body transformed into flames and charged toward Acnologia!

Igneel now understood that magic was completely useless against Acnologia. If he wanted to win, he could only rely on the most basic form of physical combat!

”BOOM!!”

When the crimson Fire Dragon King collided with the pitch-black Dragon King!

The outcome of this Dragon King battle was finally decided!

The crimson Fire Dragon King was torn to pieces by the pitch-black dragon! And the invincible Acnologia had one of his arms severed by the Fire Dragon King!

”ROAAAAAR!!!”

After defeating Igneel, Acnologia roared toward the sky.

Yes, he had won! Acnologia had once again emerged victorious! Whether four hundred years ago or four hundred years later in an era filled with abundant magic power, he was still the invincible king of the dragons…

”He lost! Natsuʼs father lost!”

Meanwhile, on the ground…

The mages of the Fairy Tail Guild stared at the scene before them in shock!

They had never expected that even Natsuʼs father, the ʼFire Dragon Kingʼ Igneel, would still be unable to defeat Acnologia.

”Could it be that there really is nothing in this world capable of defeating Acnologia?”

”Is he really invincible, just as the Apocalypse describes?”

Lucy felt utterly powerless. After witnessing Igneelʼs strength, she had already been awestruck. Now that even Igneel had been defeated, Lucy no longer knew what in this world could possibly stop Acnologia.

”…”

After Lucy finished speaking, the mages of the Fairy Tail Guild all fell silent.

Everyoneʼs expressions were grim. Some bit their lips, while others silently watched everything unfolding before them. Just as Lucy had said, they shared the same thoughts. Facing that pitch-black dragon, they now felt a profound sense of helplessness.

”Igneel…”

The moment Igneel was defeated, Natsu charged forward and rushed to the remains of Igneelʼs body, embracing his father as his eyes gradually became moist.

”Natsu, long time no see! How have you been lately?”

Igneel felt the life within his body fading away. He felt neither sadness nor pain. Instead, he greeted Natsu.

He was happy! At the very end, he had proven the dignity of a Dragon King. He had severed one of Acnologiaʼs arms, inflicting the most serious injury Acnologia had suffered in four hundred years…

Back when the dragon race was at its peak, the entire dragon race had failed to inflict such an injury upon Acnologia. It was Igneel who had accomplished it!

”ROAR!!”

Acnologia continued roaring. He looked at Natsu and Igneel below but paid them no attention. He acknowledged Igneel. He acknowledged this king of the dragon race, and he had decided that he would not hunt any more dragons today! He had already done enough for one day…

”Whew…”

After his furious roar, a trace of exhaustion flashed through Acnologiaʼs eyes. His gaze lingered on Natsu for a moment, seemingly preparing to leave.

”That little blackie, who said you could leave?”

Just as Acnologia spread his wings and prepared to depart, a slightly frivolous voice sounded beside him.

”Hm?”

Acnologia froze. He lowered his head and looked at the brownish-red-haired young man who had appeared beside him at some unknown point, his brows furrowing tightly.

This was the first time in Acnologiaʼs history that he had experienced an emotion known as nervousness!

Acnologia could sense the immense vitality within the young man before him! That overwhelming power was completely on par with his and Igneelʼs, and in certain aspects, it even surpassed them!

”Click~ Click~”

The brownish-red-haired young man completely ignored Acnologia. Instead, he stood before Igneelʼs remains and took a series of selfies.

”Igneel, you havenʼt been active for four hundred years. How did you become this weak?”

”Werenʼt you supposedly undefeated under the heavens four hundred years ago?”

”Didnʼt you say that if there had been enough magic power four hundred years ago, you could have roasted Acnologia from a black dragon into a fully cooked dragon with a single Roar? How come you were the first one to kneel?”

Evan looked at the dying Igneel and asked with a cheerful laugh.

”Shut up! Iʼm practically dying here, so stop making jokes like that!”

After hearing Evanʼs words, Igneelʼs face alternated between green and purple, his expression dark and uncertain. Didnʼt he have any dignity?!

At the same time, Igneel cursed inwardly:

ʼDamn that brat Evan! He doesnʼt give this old man any face! I admit, I really am old, and I let my guard down! I didnʼt dodge! That bastard Acnologia knocked me flat, but you didnʼt have to say it out loud! Donʼt I have any dignity?!ʼ

”Evan, according to our agreement, I can make my move now, right?”

At that moment, Ignia also approached Evanʼs side and asked with a smile.

”Of course! After all, this was the agreement between you and me. I have no other merits, but I always keep my promises!”

Evan nodded at Ignia and gestured for him to proceed.

”Evanʼs Personal Magic: Additional Magic…”

After hearing Evanʼs words, Ignia grinned and immediately used Additional Magic on Igneel. Red light instantly illuminated Igneelʼs body.

”You unfilial descendant, what are you planning to do to me?”

The moment Igneel was enveloped by his eldest sonʼs magic power, his expression suddenly changed, and his body trembled involuntarily.

At the same time, an ominous premonition arose in Igneelʼs heart! He had a feeling that the title of Fire Dragon King he had worked so hard to earn over the past four hundred years was about to become a laughingstock!

”Boom!”

Accompanied by an explosive sound, the soul of the Fire Dragon King that was about to dissipate instantly transformed into a red cat!

”Gya-ha-ha-ha…”

”My dear father! Take a look at yourself now! A cat form is simply perfect for someone like you who just got beaten to death…”

”I canʼt take it anymore, Iʼm dying of laughter! Ahahaha…”

Before Igneel could react, Ignia scooped his father up from the ground and burst into laughter.

For a moment, the entire scene was filled with filial piety! Ignia was all about being a dutiful son!

”You! Damn you, Ignia! Iʼll kill you! Let me die! Let me die as a Dragon King!”

Igneel instantly understood his situation. He stared furiously at his beloved eldest son and roared.

”You want to die? Youʼre planning to die already?”

”In your dreams! Watch carefully and see how your son becomes the strongest in the world!”

”You absolutely cannot die before I become the strongest in the world~”

”Who told you, Father, to have already lost the power you were so proud of?”

”Gya-ha-ha-ha-ha…”

After hearing his old fatherʼs words, Ignia burst into crazed laughter. A decrepit old man who was more than a thousand years old—wasnʼt he easy for Ignia to handle?!

What should you do if your father doesnʼt listen? Just beat him up when he gets old…

That was the dragon raceʼs philosophy of survival of the fittest…

”Ah…”

For a moment, Natsu even forgot his sadness. He stared wide-eyed at his father, who had transformed into a cat.

So what exactly had happened? Where had his enormous, mighty father gone? How had he turned into a cat?

”Lucky bastard…”

Elsewhere, Kurnugi, who had been oppressed by Selene for hundreds of years, cast an envious look toward Ignia. He had been bullied by his own mother for so long! How could there be a crown prince who had to wait hundreds of years?

One day, he too would backstab his own mother just like his big brother Ignia!

”Kurnugi, you wouldnʼt also want to do something so disrespectful to your beautiful, adorable, and sexy mother, would you?”

At that moment, Selene seemed to have sensed something. She walked to Kurnugiʼs side with a smile and asked.

”Yes, yes…” Kurnugi subconsciously nodded before his expression suddenly changed. ”No, wait! I mean, I wouldnʼt dare…”

”Too late!”

After hearing Kurnugiʼs words, Selene smiled and threw a punch.

”Pfft!”

Accompanied by the roaring magic power, Kurnugi collapsed directly onto the ground, and it seemed as though a soul floated out from his mouth.

”Looks like something extraordinary just came out…”

Lucy couldnʼt help commenting as she stared at Kurnugi.

”In any case, the matter I promised Ignia is now finished!”

”Since I have no interest in being a Dragon King, I have no intention of fighting little Blackie one-on-one for the position of strongest dragon, namely the throne of the Dragon King. So, how about we all attack together? I wonder if any of you have any objections?!”

After fulfilling his promise to Ignia, Evan stretched his body and looked toward Acnologia.

”…”

At this moment, Acnologia did not act rashly. First, his severed arm was still bleeding. Second, the battle with Ignia had consumed most of his stamina. He was not at full strength right now, so it was unwise to continue fighting.

”I have no objections~”

Irene was the first to respond to Evanʼs call. She appeared beside Evan and gently nodded, indicating her agreement.

”Iʼm a Divine Dragon. Why would I want to be a Dragon King?!”

”What era is this, anyway? Why are you still going on about Dragon Kings? The age of Dragon Kings is already over!”

After dealing with her rebellious son, Selene became the second to respond to Evan.

”Iʼm human, so naturally thereʼs no need for me to consider something like becoming a Dragon King…”

August became the third to respond to Evan.

”Same here!”

Uncle Zeref weakly raised his arm and waved it around. He completely agreed with August.

”Although I really want to fight Acnologia one-on-one, majority rules. Iʼll join you all today~”

Ignia stretched his neck. Usually, he was the one being ganged up on. Today, he could finally gang up on someone else!

Since he couldnʼt escape his status as the bullied one in the Fairy Tail Guild, he might as well join the bullies and gang up on someone else. Just imagining it was incredibly satisfying…

”Whew…”

At this moment, Acnologia looked at the group of mages surrounding him and exhaled heavily. The alarm bells in his heart were ringing nonstop, while an ominous feeling arose within him!

At their level, ominous premonitions usually came true. If nothing unexpected happened, it seemed he was probably going to have a very bad day today…

”ROAR!!”

”ROAAAAAR!!!”

Just as Acnologia cautiously watched Evan and the others, accompanied by a series of dragon roars—

One giant dragon after another suddenly appeared before Acnologia!

The surging magic power shot straight into the heavens. The terrifying magic power made the entire island ʼcreak and groan,ʼ the clouds in the sky churned endlessly, and the sea cried out continuously!

The entire world seemed to be singing a lament in the face of the magic power released by these few powerful beings!

”This is?!”

At the same time, Acnologiaʼs eyes widened. He could feel the magic power boiling to its absolute limit.

Yes, none of his previous senses had been wrong! Besides Igneel, this island really did conceal several terrifying combatants who were equal to Igneel, and some were even stronger than him!

”One, two, three, four…”

For the first time, panic appeared in Acnologiaʼs heart.

The invincible ʼBlack Dragon Kingʼ had never imagined that, besides Igneel, this godforsaken island was hiding four monsters on par with Igneel!

Just think about it. If one dragon exchanged its life for one of his four limbs, then with only three limbs remaining, the other dragons could completely trade away his remaining two legs and final arm, leaving him as a limbless punching bag standing there…

Wouldnʼt he just get beaten senseless?!

Thinking of this, Acnologiaʼs expression suddenly changed…

”BOOM!!”

However, before Acnologia could think any further, a crimson dragon that resembled Igneel in some ways, but was younger, stronger, and had fewer scars on its body, had already pounced toward him…

”ROAR!!”

The great ʼBlack Dragon Kingʼ Acnologia naturally refused to back down. He instinctively raised his left arm to block, only to block absolutely nothing.

Only then did Acnologia remember that his left arm had just been bitten off by some ʼred catʼ!

”BOOM!”

With an explosive sound, Acnologia was directly pinned to the ground.

”ROAR!”

Acnologia was unwilling to accept this. Just as he was about to get back up, he suddenly felt his leg sink!

Sitting atop Acnologiaʼs left leg was a giant dragon resembling a beautiful nine-tailed celestial fox, with nine tails growing behind it. Those nine tails were tightly wrapped around his left foot, making it impossible for him to lift it.

As for Acnologiaʼs other leg, it was completely suppressed by three individuals—a fully dragonized crimson mage radiating the same aura as him, an old man with a white beard, and a pitch-black mage.

The suppression was incredibly firm, even more so than the nine-tailed celestial-fox-like dragon pinning down his left leg. He could not move an inch!

As for Acnologiaʼs right arm, it was also firmly pinned to the ground beneath the bite of the Fire Dragon.

”ROAR!”

At this moment, Acnologia could only roar helplessly in rage. He wanted to get up, but a pile of dragons was holding him down, making it impossible for him to rise.

”RUMBLE!”

Suddenly, thunder rang out in the sky. Deep within the pitch-black clouds, an enormous azure dragon whose head alone was larger than half of Acnologiaʼs body was circling within the clouds.

”…”

At this, the great ʼBlack Dragon Kingʼ Acnologia fell completely silent.

”Little Blackie, why donʼt you explain to me what a surprise is?!”

Evan, transformed into an azure dragon, coiled within the clouds. Amidst flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder, he spoke to Acnologia.