Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 479: Women with Crimson Hair Are the Enemy!

”Kill!”

”Avengers for Diabolos!”

”Avengers for Lord Natsu…”

The mages of Diabolos gathered together. They were united, standing as one!

They believed that as long as they joined forces, never abandoned one another, and never gave up, they would definitely be able to take down Fairy Tail!

”Kill!”

”Kill!!!”

For a time, from the initial shouts to the later unified roar of everyone, the momentum of these Diabolos mages who intended to take revenge against Fairy Tail grew increasingly enormous.

On the other side…

Compared to the extremely lively Diabolos Mage Guild, Fairy Tail, which was also a Mage Guild, was unusually quiet.

Inside the enormous Fairy Tail Guild, there was not even the slightest sound, as if everyone had fallen asleep…

However, the silence within Fairy Tail was obviously abnormal! If it were another Mage Guild that was this quiet, it might still be possible, but for the Mage Guild Fairy Tail, such a thing was absolutely impossible. After all, Fairy Tail was the most raucous guild in the entire world…

Where there was a cause, there must be an effect. Obviously, there had to be some special reason capable of making the liveliest guild in the world this quiet. And the only reason capable of making all these rowdy brats within Fairy Tail quiet down was one thing!

The Demon King within this demonic den known as Fairy Tail had finally returned to the guild. With the Demon King back, the little devils naturally did not dare make any noise, fearing that they might anger one of the Demon Kings…

At this moment, inside the main hall of the Fairy Tail Mage Guild.

Evan, Irene, Selene, Ignia, Acnologia, the former Fairy Tail Guild Master August, and the current Fairy Tail Guild Master Makarov were sitting together, holding a meeting.

As for the guild members standing beside the various Fairy Tail higher-ups, whether they were current S-Class Mages or S-Class Mage candidates, all of them were unusually quiet at this moment. They stood silently around Evan and the others, listening to the contents of the meeting while waiting for Evan and the others to finish.

”At present, the Five Dragon Gods occupying the Northern Continent of Guiltina have basically all been dealt with by us.”

”Those that needed to be eliminated have already been eliminated by me, and those that needed to be sealed have also been sealed. The remaining Dragon Gods are all dragons who are exceptionally friendly toward us humans…”

Evan sat at one corner of the conference table and smiled at the guild members before him.

”As expected of Evan. To think that in such a short period of time, you actually managed to deal with that problem that had plagued the world of Earth-land for more than a hundred years…”

”During that time, no matter how powerful a mage accepted this mission, they had no way of completing it. In fact, not a single person survived to bring back information about the mission. As a result, it came to be known as the most difficult mission in the entire world of Earth-land—the legendary Hundred Years Quest that absolutely no one could complete—and you have already completed the vast majority of it!”

After hearing Evanʼs words, Makarov revealed a look of shock.

However, after his brief astonishment, Makarov let out a long sigh and instead revealed an expression that seemed to say, ”As expected of Evan!”

Makarov carefully thought about it. If someone else had accomplished this, it would indeed be extremely shocking. But if Evan had done it, it seemed that it was not such a big deal after all.

After all, even Acnologia, the Black Dragon capable of destroying the world as recorded in the Apocalypse, had been tamed by Evan. What was there in this world that Evan could not accomplish?!

Makarov fell into a thoughtful pose. He carefully recalled that ever since Evan had joined Fairy Tail, he had brought far too many surprises and shocks to this little old man.

Even if one day Evan suddenly told Makarov, ”Sorry, Master! I might have to stay in heaven for a while because I accidentally killed all the gods, so I need to go up there and maintain order!”

Even then, Makarov would probably only shout, ”As expected of Evan!” rather than be overly shocked!

Uh, well, if Evan really defeated all the gods, Makarov would still be quite shocked.

”So this Hundred Years Quest concerning the Dragon Gods is almost finished because of you guys, right?”

”Then after you finish the Hundred Years Quest, where are you planning to go? Back to the continent of Ishgar?”

Thinking of this, Makarov wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked Evan.

Makarov seemed quite familiar with the Hundred Years Quest Evan was undertaking. In fact, Makarov was not the only person who knew the information regarding the Hundred Years Quest, nor was he the only one who knew why Evan and the others had come to the Northern Continent of Guiltina!

These matters were not secrets within Fairy Tail in the first place! All the other members of Fairy Tail, including the S-Class Mages and S-Class Mage candidates—the core members of Fairy Tail—all knew the purpose behind Evan and the others coming to the Northern Continent of Guiltina, as well as the truth behind the Hundred Years Quest…

In fact, according to Elefseriaʼs rules for the Hundred Years Quest, mages who accepted the Hundred Years Quest were not allowed to reveal information about it to others.

However, obviously, neither Evan nor Irene had any intention of helping Elefseria continue keeping the secrets of the Hundred Years Quest…

Evan had directly told every member of Fairy Tail about the Hundred Years Quest.

According to Evan, the Hundred Years Quest had already become connected to Selene and Ignia, the two Dragon Gods who had joined Fairy Tail. Therefore, he could not hide it from the guild without reporting it…

Moreover, in Evanʼs opinion, since he had already come to the Northern Continent of Guiltina with the intention of dealing with the Dragon Gods, it was about time for this Hundred Years Quest to be completed by someone.

”No! I have no intention of returning to Ishgar yet!”

”After all, although the matter concerning the Hundred Years Quest has basically been dealt with, another purpose that I, as well as Fairy Tail, have for coming to the Northern Continent of Guiltina has not yet been achieved.”

Evan gently shook his head after hearing Makarovʼs question.

”What matter?”

Makarov asked Evan softly.

”To bring the mages of Fairy Tail here and train them to become stronger…”

Evan answered Makarovʼs question word by word.

”Everything is for Fairy Tail!”

The words Evan spoke were filled with his boundless emotions, allowing Makarov to feel the sincerity in Evanʼs heart.

”I naturally know that everything you do is for Fairy Tail!”

Makarov gently nodded. No one understood Evanʼs feelings toward Fairy Tail better than Makarov.

Evanʼs feelings toward Fairy Tail were absolutely no less than Makarovʼs feelings toward Fairy Tail!!

For a moment, Evan and Makarov, one young and one old, stared sincerely into each otherʼs eyes.

After a long while, Makarov suddenly spoke.

”Evan! Seeing how your heart is completely devoted to Fairy Tail, I wonʼt say much more. The position of the next Fairy Tail Guild Master will definitely belong to you. No one can take it away from you! How about this? Iʼll resign right now and hand the throne of Fairy Tail Guild Master over to you. What do you think?!”

Makarovʼs gaze was sincere. It seemed that he had already decided that Evan…

Evan was destined to become the future Guild Master of Fairy Tail.

”Absolutely not!”

”Master, I admit that my character isnʼt good enough, and I am unworthy of the position. Iʼm not qualified to become the Guild Master of Fairy Tail! I think youʼre still strong and vigorous enough to continue sitting in the position of Fairy Tail Guild Master.”

Evan smiled lightly and waved his hand in front of Makarov.

At the same time, Evan thought to himself:

”This old bastard Makarov is actually planning to take advantage of the opportunity to dump the responsibility on me? Youʼve got to be kidding! As long as the position of Fairy Tail Guild Master belongs to Makarov for one day, it belongs to Makarov for his entire life. Whoever wants to become Guild Master can go ahead and do it. He, Evan, has no habit of becoming a babysitter for the children.”

”Hm?!”

”Evan, youʼre being too modest. You know that I like modest people. It seems that the future of Fairy Tail can only be inherited by you, Evan…”

Makarov narrowed his eyes. As the saying went, the older the ginger, the spicier it was. He countered Evanʼs move and, after going around in a circle, once again brought the topic back to where it had started.

In simple terms, he still wanted Evan to inherit the position of Fairy Tail Guild Master.

”Haha…”

”Our guild pays attention to seniority. Although Iʼm exceptionally outstanding, my seniority is still too shallow. I think it would be better to hand the position of Fairy Tailʼs fourth… I mean, sixth Guild Master, over to Gildarts!”

Evan chuckled. His eyes swept across the guild before finally landing on a certain scumbag with short orange hair.

”Huh?!”

The certain scumbag with short orange hair widened his eyes upon hearing this.

”What does this have to do with me?!”

”I donʼt want to become the Guild Master of Fairy Tail…”

Gildarts said this while countless beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Gildarts had been accustomed to wandering around his entire life. Having him become a babysitter for the children would be worse than killing him…

”You donʼt have the right to object!”

Almost at the exact moment Gildarts spoke, Evan and Makarov spoke simultaneously.

”Uh…”

Gildarts looked at the highest combat power and highest authority within the guild speaking in unison, with their goals perfectly aligned. His eyebrows twitched slightly.

Even though there were countless things he was unwilling to do in his heart, there was nothing he could do about it now.

For a moment, Gildarts suddenly felt like crying.

His life was just too difficult…

”Since the matter of Fairy Tailʼs next Guild Master has been decided, why donʼt we talk about the matters that follow?”

Just as Evan and Makarov teamed up to trick Gildarts, August, who had remained silent with a smile all this time, suddenly spoke.

”Oh? August, have you made any progress with the investigation you were responsible for in Guiltina?”

Seeing August speak, Evan raised an eyebrow and immediately asked.

”Hehe, Iʼve made just a tiny bit of progress~”

August smiled lightly while holding out two fingers toward Evan. At the tips of those two fingers was a gap so tiny that it was almost impossible to see with the naked eye.

”According to my investigation, besides the Dragon Eater guild Diabolos that we are familiar with, there is another powerful organization on this continent of Guiltina. Its name is the Alchemist Guild…”

August sat opposite Evan with a smile on his face and began explaining the information he had gathered concerning the alchemists.

”The Alchemist Guild?!”

As August spoke, Evan and the others all frowned.

”Thatʼs right. They possess alchemy that is completely different from the magic of us mages. Their power is extraordinarily strong, and they can almost alchemize anything.”

”Speaking of alchemy, Warrod, you should know how to use it as well, right?”

After hearing this, Evan lightly nodded toward August before asking Warrod, who was standing behind him.

”Mm! I can indeed use alchemy, but there are still some differences between my alchemy and the alchemy mastered by those alchemists…”

”The alchemy I possess mainly uses magic as its template and magical power as its source. Through this, I manipulate all things and ultimately refine steel and metal into the weapons I need!”

”Simply put, you can regard the alchemy I use as a type of magic. However, the alchemy mastered by those alchemists is different from mine. It seems they have walked down a completely different path from us mages…”

”From the looks of it, perhaps those alchemists have a greater chance than us mages of defeating dragons possessing powerful magical resistance.”

”Even Lord Acnologia, who possesses almost complete immunity to magic, wouldnʼt be able to do anything to us if we didnʼt use magic to attack Lord Acnologia, right?”

”Simply put, thatʼs how it is…”

Warrod distinguished the alchemy he possessed from the alchemy mastered by those who called themselves alchemists.

”I see…”

Evan nodded lightly after hearing this, but he did not take this alchemy too seriously.

The magical resistance of dragons was indeed exceptional, but that never meant that dragons had poor physical resistance!

On the contrary, the physical qualities of dragons were among the very best in this world. Yes, dragons were simply that unreasonable as a species. They possessed not only powerful magical resistance, but physical resistance that was also top-tier!

The reason the magic-immune Acnologia could be injured by Igneelʼs close-quarters combat was not because Acnologiaʼs hand-to-hand combat ability was poor, but because Igneelʼs hand-to-hand combat ability was simply too powerful!

Only one Dragon King could injure another Dragon King. This had never been a joke. It was something countless dragons had tested with dragon blood, countless lives, and their own lives…

”So, what does this alchemy have to do with our next plan?”

Selene sat in her seat, somewhat confused as to why Evan and the others had suddenly started talking about alchemy.

”It canʼt exactly be said to be related! Actually, this matter also has something to do with you, Selene.”

Evan smiled after hearing Seleneʼs complaint.

”Something to do with me?!”

Selene, dressed in a bathrobe and incomparably seductive, was stunned after hearing Evanʼs words. Clearly, she did not understand what he meant by saying that this matter had something to do with her.

”Selene, you really are forgetful! Didnʼt you mention the matter of the Dragon-Slaying Weapon to that old man Elefseria before?”

Evan looked at the confused Selene and smiled helplessly before reminding her.

”The Dragon-Slaying Weapon?! You mean that secret weapon hidden away by that old man Elefseria, the one specifically designed to deal with us Dragon Gods? Could that weapon meant to deal with us Dragon Gods have something to do with the Alchemist Guild youʼre talking about?”

After hearing Evanʼs words, Selene was initially stunned. Then countless beads of sweat suddenly appeared on her snow-white forehead.

”Looks like it…”

Evan lightly nodded toward Selene.

”Originally, I didnʼt want to interfere with this matter, but those guys from the Alchemist Guild seem to be working on something dangerous, so in the end, I had no choice but to investigate the Alchemist Guild…”

”Of course, letʼs hear what August has to say. He is the one responsible for this matter.”

Evan did not know much about the Alchemist Guild, including the weapon mentioned by Selene that was supposedly designed to deal with dragons. He had only vaguely guessed the general situation. The specific details still had to be explained by August, who was responsible for investigating this matter.

Yes, when Evan arrived on the Northern Continent, he had already assigned everyoneʼs tasks.

Evan, Irene, Selene, and the other Dragon Slayers and dragons would deal with the remaining Dragon Gods.

The other S-Class Mages and S-Class Mage candidates of Fairy Tail would deal with the Dragon Eater guild Diabolos.

Finally, August, the magical jack-of-all-trades who could retreat unscathed no matter whom he encountered, would investigate the alchemists and the so-called weapon specifically designed to deal with dragons mentioned by Selene.

”Then Iʼll continue with the explanation…”

August received Evanʼs hint and continued speaking, following Evanʼs words.

”First of all, according to my investigation, the Alchemist Guilds use their own alchemy to control countless towns. But none of that is important. What we really need to pay attention to are Duke Barbaroa, the Guild Master of the Alchemist Guild Gold Owl, as well as the two alchemists of the Gold Owl Guild known as the Signario Sisters, Luso Signario and Ennie Signario…”

When August reached this point, he suddenly grinned broadly, revealing a lecherous expression almost identical to Makarovʼs.

”Speaking of the Signario Sisters, Luso Signario and Ennie Signario, these two ladies are truly extraordinary beauties~ Their powers of observation are also quite impressive. They almost discovered this old man hiding in the shadows after infiltrating the Alchemist Guild…”

August at this moment had completely adopted the lecherous appearance of a Fairy Tail member.

”If theyʼre merely humans! Whether theyʼre alchemists or mages! They canʼt possibly pose a threat to us Dragon Gods, right?”

Ignia interrupted August, speaking unhappily.

”Indeed. Just as you said, as long as theyʼre human, whether theyʼre ordinary people or mages, they absolutely cannot threaten the Dragon Gods. However, what if those alchemists arenʼt human?!”

Augustʼs expression became serious after hearing Igniaʼs words.

”Not human?”

Ignia frowned upon hearing this. His calm heart began to ripple slightly.

”First, the aura those Signario Sisters gave me was absolutely not something as simple as that of humans.”

”Second, according to my investigation, Duke Barbaroa, the Guild Master of Gold Owl, was once a disciple of Elefseria! You arenʼt unfamiliar with Elefseria, are you? According to my investigation, Elefseria should be the one who initiated the Hundred Years Quest, and he is also the origin of Dragon-Slaying Magic on the Northern Continent of Guiltina…”

August looked at Igniaʼs frowning expression and continued with a smile.

”Duke Barbaroa is Elefseriaʼs disciple?”

”I remember that Elefseria once mentioned that the weapon specifically designed to deal with dragons, Athena of this world, was created by one of his disciples…”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Selene seemed to have guessed something. Several drops of cold sweat slid down her beautiful cheeks.

”Thatʼs right. That Duke Barbaroa was the one who created Athena. More precisely, he was the one who alchemized Athena of the world of Earth-land! And during my investigation, I also found information concerning Athena. In fact, when I heard the name Athena, I had already begun to suspect…”

”Actually, during the period when those Black Magic cults that worshipped His Majesty Zeref were running rampant throughout the world, there was another organization that was completely opposite to those cults that worshipped His Majesty Zeref. It was known as the White Magic cult. At some point, this organization suddenly appeared in the world, and some people claimed that the leader of their White Magic cult, a woman known as the ʼWhite Mage,ʼ possessed strength that was completely no weaker than His Majesty Zeref, the ʼBlack Wizardʼ…”

”And that leader of the White Magic cult, the woman known as the White Mage, who was claimed by countless believers to possess strength comparable to His Majesty Zeref, was precisely the weapon specifically designed to deal with the Dragon Gods that Elefseriaʼs prized disciple Duke Barbaroa had alchemized.”

Under Augustʼs words, everything suddenly connected, forming a gigantic net that enveloped everything.

”So the weapon Duke and Elefseria claimed could eliminate the Dragon Gods is the White Mage who possesses strength comparable to Zeref?!”

At this moment, Evan did not even know where to begin complaining.

There were simply too many things worth complaining about.

Furthermore, as the strongest combat power of Fairy Tail, if he started complaining, it would make his character collapse somewhat. So although he really wanted to complain, he held himself back.

”Does every high-end combatant on the Northern Continent of Guiltina rely on stepping on Fairy Tail to show off their strength?!”

”When I first heard the rumors about the Dragon Gods, I already wanted to complain! What do you mean every Dragon God possesses power no weaker than the Black Dragon King Acnologia, who was recorded in the Apocalypse as being capable of destroying the world…”

”If every Dragon God really had strength no weaker than Acnologia, then they wouldnʼt have been driven away by Acnologia four hundred years ago, would they?”

”Besides, even if the Dragon Gods back then didnʼt yet possess strength comparable to Acnologia and only increased their strength over these four hundred years, then after increasing their strength, they could have come back to seek revenge against Acnologia, right?”

”Wouldnʼt the fact that they have remained huddled on the Northern Continent of Guiltina this entire time already prove that the Dragon Gods are actually still afraid of Acnologia?!”

Just as Evan had barely managed to suppress his urge to complain, Lucy, who had been standing behind Evan and silently listening to the meeting, could not help but loudly voice her complaints.

”Lucy, calm down, calm down…”

Cana looked at Lucy, whose face was flushed slightly, and repeatedly tried to persuade her while handing Lucy a cup of oolong tea.

”Thank you, Cana…”

Lucy took the drink that looked like oolong tea and, without thinking, gulped it down.

”Gulp gulp gulp…”

After the drink went down her throat, Lucyʼs complexion not only failed to return to normal, but instead became increasingly red.

”Oops, I gave Lucy the one I was drinking…”

Cana stared at Lucyʼs flushed face and immediately panicked.

She had mixed up her own ʼdrinkʼ with the drink Lucy was supposed to have.

”Hic! Hic~”

After drinking Canaʼs specially prepared beverage, Lucy had already begun swaying her head from side to side. Her entire person was no longer quite normal.

”I havenʼt finished complaining yet! First we have Dragon Gods who arenʼt weaker than Acnologia, and then we have a Dragon-Slaying weapon thatʼs supposedly no weaker than the Black Wizard Zeref. I want to ask, do the people of the Northern Continent of Guiltina have no other way to demonstrate their powerful strength besides stepping on the mages of our Fairy Tail Guild?”

”Our Fairy Tail Guildʼs senior Zeref achieved his current illustrious reputation through his own relentless efforts over four hundred years! How many years has that Dragon-Slaying weapon even existed? What qualifications does it have to compare itself with Senior Zeref…”

Relying on the effects of the alcohol, Lucy loudly voiced the complaints Evan had always wanted to make in front of everyone in Fairy Tail.

”Ah, my head is so dizzy. Why are there five Evans? Whatʼs happening?!”

After finishing her complaints, Lucy staggered backward.

”Lucy, youʼre drunk.”

Seeing this, Cana immediately caught Lucy in her arms.

”Iʼm not drunk! I still have so many complaints I want to spit out!”

Lucy lay in Canaʼs arms, throwing a drunken tantrum.

”Oh…”

Before Lucy could finish complaining, the alcohol she had just swallowed had already come back up through her mouth.

”This girl…”

At the same time, Ignia and Selene, who were sitting beside the conference table, simultaneously looked toward Lucy with murderous gazes.

After all, Lucyʼs words had just insulted the two Dragon Gods as well…

”This girl really isnʼt bad! What, arenʼt people allowed to speak the truth?!”

Before Ignia and Selene could say anything more, Acnologia, Irene, and August spoke simultaneously.

However, although Lucyʼs words had insulted Selene and Ignia, they had also praised Acnologia and Zeref in the process.

That greatly pleased Acnologia and August!

As for Irene, she simply enjoyed picking on Selene…

”Uh…”

After Acnologia, Irene, and August spoke, the corners of Igniaʼs and Seleneʼs eyes twitched simultaneously.

”Senior August, continue telling us about the Alchemist Guild, and that weapon of theirs designed to deal with the Dragon Gods. Whatʼs its name again? Athena… Athena, right?! Continue telling us about them!”

Seeing that the atmosphere was becoming awkward, Evan had no choice but to step forward and smooth things over.

Although what Lucy had said was exactly what Evan himself wanted to say…

”According to my investigation, Athena should not have reached her complete form yet. Once Athena evolves into her complete form, she is supposedly capable of controlling the Dragon Gods!”

August received Evanʼs hint and immediately spoke, bringing the topic back to what everyone had originally been discussing.

”Control the Dragon Gods! What an amazing ability~”

Evan echoed Augustʼs words, but anyone with common sense could hear the perfunctory tone in his voice.

”Absolutely impossible…”

”How could a mere human creation possibly control us Dragon Gods? If you want to influence the minds and thoughts of our Dragon Gods, you would at the very least need to possess abilities comparable to us Dragon Gods. As long as it is a creation of humans, whether it is called Athena or whatever-na, it absolutely cannot control us Dragon Gods.”

Before Selene and the others could speak, Ignia unhappily spoke first. His words were filled with disdain toward that weapon.

”Hehe, didnʼt I already say that alchemy is an ability that uses the rules of the world to refine all things? How do you know those guys cannot alchemize concepts?!”

August looked at Ignia, who was disdainful of the alchemists, and sneered before speaking.

”Alchemize concepts?”

As Augustʼs voice fell, everyone was shocked.

”Just like Ireneʼs Enchantment Magic can enchant concepts. What if someone from the Alchemist Guild can alchemize concepts?! For example, as far as I know, Viernes, the Gold Dragon God among the Five Dragon Gods, is a Conceptual Dragon God, right?”

August used the information he had obtained to make a deduction and ultimately arrived at a certain conclusion.

”You mean… those damn alchemists are planning to alchemize a Dragon God? They intend to materialize the concept of Viernes, the Gold Dragon God? How could something like that possibly be accomplished?”

The corner of Igniaʼs eye twitched slightly. This was the first time he had felt genuinely alarmed by the alchemists.

”As far as I know, those alchemists have already achieved biological alchemy~”

”They can take a corpse that has only just died and alchemize it into a living person! Even we canʼt accomplish something like that, right?”

August glanced at Ignia before continuing.

”Alchemize a dead corpse into a living person?”

Everyone was shocked once again as Augustʼs voice fell.

”Wouldnʼt that already be touching upon the divine authority of the God Ankhseram? Doesnʼt God Ankhseram have anything to say about it?”

Evan was somewhat puzzled. In his impression, God Ankhseram had always been an extremely petty god. At the slightest displeasure, he would throw a curse at the people below.

”This isnʼt resurrection. It is alchemizing a corpse into a living person! There is still a huge difference between what we traditionally call resurrection and turning a corpse into a walking living person.”

”Simply put, they refine flesh that possesses memories into a person who is extremely similar to, yet different from, the owner of that flesh…”

”Although they possess the same memories and the same abilities, they possess similar yet different souls.”

August explained this to Evan.

”Hehe…”

Evan said nothing about this. He merely sighed inwardly at the hypocrisy of God Ankhseram.

After Evanʼs quiet chuckle, the guild once again fell silent.

Whether it was Irene or Selene and the other Dragon Gods, everyone fell into silence, contemplating the degree of threat posed to them by this so-called Athena and the Alchemist Guild known as Gold Owl…

As for Evan, he was contemplating whether this Alchemist Guild would affect the progress of his Hundred Years Quest!

”However, everyone, donʼt be too worried. That Alchemist Guild wonʼt be able to stir up much trouble~”

August looked at everyone lost in thought and suddenly laughed.

”Oh?” As August spoke, everyone was stunned. They then looked at August and asked, ”August, what basis do you have for making this judgment? How did you conclude that Gold Owl doesnʼt pose much of a threat to Fairy Tail?!”

”Hehe…”

”No matter how powerful this so-called Gold Owl is, their core weapon for dealing with the Dragon Gods is merely that existence known as Athena, right? In other words, as long as we deal with Athena, everything will be fine, right?!”

August suddenly revealed a mysterious smile toward Evan and the others.

”Then, August, you have already found the location of that weapon known as Athena?”

Selene, who had always been curious about Athena, looked at August and asked.

”Of course…”

August lightly nodded and continued.

”Didnʼt I already say it? Athena is the leader of that White Magic cult, the White Mage who is said to possess strength comparable to His Majesty Zeref!”

”So…”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Irene seemed to have guessed something. She raised her delicate eyebrows and softly asked August.

”So, since those people from the White Magic cult claim that their leader, that is, the woman known as the White Mage, Miss Athena, possesses strength comparable to His Majesty Zeref, then letʼs open our eyes wide and see whether that Athena truly possesses strength comparable to His Majesty Zeref…”

August smiled as he spoke after hearing Ireneʼs words.

”August, you didnʼt happen to hand this matter over to Zeref to deal with, did you?”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Selene finally revealed a look of realization. She then looked somewhat astonished at August, who appeared thick-browed and honest but was actually incomparably scheming.

”Please watch your wording. His Majesty Zeref is the greatest existence in my heart! No one can order His Majesty Zeref around. Not even I can…”

”Therefore, I did not hand the investigation of Athena over to His Majesty Zeref. Rather, I invited His Majesty Zeref to investigate the matter concerning the White Magic cult. Of course, if His Majesty Zeref can help us deal with Athena in the process, then naturally everyone will be happy…”

August corrected the wording in Seleneʼs statement.

”This…”

Seleneʼs eyes twitched slightly after hearing this.

In her opinion, what August had said was essentially no different from what she had said. But when those words came out of Augustʼs mouth, the difference was rather significant.

”Phew…”

Thinking of this, Selene helplessly sighed.

She was too lazy to keep going around in circles with August.

”So everyone can rest assured. As long as we leave the matter primarily to His Majesty Zeref, there will be no problems.”

August assured the members of Fairy Tail.

At the same time…

The White Magic cult, Ishgar Continent.

A hidden organization deep within the mountains of the eastern part of the continent that occasionally carried out secret activities.

However, on this day, this mysterious organization, unknown to outsiders, an organization about which even the Magic Council possessed very little information, was finally visited by someone…

The visitor had short black hair and wore black-and-white ethnic clothing. A faint smile always hung on his face, making him appear extremely amiable.

”Um, excuse me, is this the White Magic cult? I wonder if Miss Athena happens to be here?”

The young man effortlessly broke through the magical defensive barrier surrounding the White Magic cult.

He walked through the cult as if he were strolling through his own backyard while politely asking several mages wearing white robes inside the cult with a smile.

”Intruder?!”

”Damn it! How did you get in here?”

”Intruder, this isnʼt somewhere you can come…”

As the young man entered the cultʼs headquarters, the White Magic cultʼs mages, who had only belatedly realized what was happening, surrounded him while shouting angrily.

”Everyone, I donʼt want to hurt you, so could you please just stand where you are and not move, then obediently answer my questions? As soon as I find Miss Athena, Iʼll leave immediately.”

The black-haired youth looked at the members of the White Magic cult surrounding him and helplessly sighed. He gently tried to persuade these people who intended to attack him.

”Stop talking nonsense! Prepare yourself!”

Unfortunately, these members of the White Magic cult had absolutely no intention of letting the black-haired youth go.

As they surrounded him, boundless magical power erupted from their bodies.

”Sigh…”

The black-haired youth sighed again.

Clearly, he did not want to fight the people of the White Magic cult, but unfortunately, there was no other choice besides fighting.

”Stop! This person isnʼt someone you can deal with…”

However, just as the members of the White Magic cult were preparing to attack the black-haired youth, a cold voice suddenly rang out inside the great hall.

”Lady Athena!”

Upon hearing the voice, the expressions of all the members of the White Magic cult changed.

They turned around and looked at the snow-white figure before kneeling on one knee, their expressions reverent as if they were worshipping their god.

”So youʼre Athena~”

”Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation!”

”By the way, I havenʼt introduced myself yet!”

”Miss Athena, nice to meet you! My name is Zeref, Zeref the Black Wizard!”

The black-haired youth, the Black Wizard Zeref, looked at the white figure standing deep within the White Magic cult.

She resembled a white robot girl with several similarities to Warrod.

He smiled and spoke cheerfully.

”Zeref? Is that so? So youʼre the legendary Lord Black Wizard? A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure…”

Athena, who looked like some kind of mechanical lifeform, was initially stunned upon hearing Zerefʼs words.

Then she revealed a look of realization.

Naturally, she had heard of Zerefʼs great name.

More precisely, there was no lifeform in the world of Earth-land that had not heard of Zerefʼs name.

Athena was simply curious why the legendary Lord Zeref, the Black Wizard, had come looking for her, the White Mage?!

”So, Miss Athena, letʼs have a good discussion about you leaving Gold Owl and joining the Fairy Tail Guild!”

Before Athena could think any further, the gentle smile on Zerefʼs face suddenly disappeared.

Immediately afterward, his entire aura changed.

Even the nature of his magical power became completely different from before.

If Athena had not seen the gentle and refined Zeref just moments ago, she would absolutely have been unable to connect the person before her, who now radiated an evil aura, with that pure young man.

”L-Lady Athena…”

For a moment, every mage in the White Magic cult trembled inwardly.

They looked at Zeref before them with eyes filled with disbelief while trembling uncontrollably.

They felt fear coming from Zeref.

It was an instinctive fear.

”Looks like there is going to be a fierce battle!”

Athena helplessly sighed before walking toward Zeref.

In an instant, terrifying magical power erupted from Zeref and Athena!

In the blink of an eye, the headquarters of the White Magic cult stationed deep within the mountains was reduced to a flat wasteland by their boundless magical power.

On the other side, the Northern Continent of Guiltina, outside the Fairy Tail Guild.

”Iʼll say it one more time! Remember this carefully. Our enemy isnʼt actually the entire Fairy Tail Mage Guild. It is this woman with crimson hair! She is the source of all evil, the leader behind all the wickedness! As long as we defeat this woman, the Fairy Tail Guild will inevitably return to the right path…”

”Now remember the name of that witch with crimson hair! Her name is Erza, her full name is Erza Belserion. Make sure you remember it clearly. Donʼt mistake the person!”

Gajeel crossed his arms in front of his chest and seriously spoke to the group of Diabolos mages before him.

Yes, Gajeel had only one purpose in joining Diabolos.

That was to rely on the power of Diabolos to help him escape Erzaʼs control.

As for directly confronting Fairy Tail, Gajeel would never consider such a thing.

After all, he wasnʼt crazy yet~

As long as one wasnʼt a lunatic, one should know that directly fighting Fairy Tail had only one possible outcome: death!

”Oh!!”

After Gajeelʼs voice fell, the Diabolos mages responded in perfect unison.

”Donʼt worry, Boss Gajeel! We all remember. Our only opponent is Erza Belserion!”

The Diabolos mages repeated their mission in front of Gajeel.

”Very good! Then… move out.”

After hearing the Diabolos mages, Gajeel lightly nodded, indicating that everyone could make their move.

”Just watch us!”

Having received Gajeelʼs approval, the Diabolos mages all held their heads high and walked toward the ancient-looking gate of the Fairy Tail Guild.

They then raised their little short legs and kicked it.

”Bang!”

With a light sound, the gate of the Fairy Tail Guild was kicked open by the Diabolos mages.

What entered the eyes of these Diabolos mages was the dimly lit Fairy Tail Guild hall, as well as the group of mages sitting around the conference table beneath the chandelier, each with the Fairy Tail Guild emblem on their bodies.

At this moment, all the mages inside Fairy Tail turned their gazes toward the group of Diabolos mages standing outside the guildʼs entrance…

”Gulp~”

”This is… Evan and the others are back?!”

Gajeel, who had been hiding among the Diabolos Mage Guildʼs group, felt a chill run through his body when he saw the gate of Fairy Tail open and the several mages sitting around the round table.

He then swallowed several times in fear.

Gajeel suddenly realized that Evan and the others had already returned to the Fairy Tail Guild…

”Not good! Weʼre screwed! Brothers, retreat…”

Gajeel immediately revealed a panicked expression, alarm bells ringing wildly in his mind.

Although Gajeel wanted to stop the people around him, it was already too late.

At the instant Gajeelʼs mind trembled, quite a few Diabolos mages had already rushed into the Fairy Tail Guild.

They shouted loudly at the only beautiful woman with crimson hair sitting beside the round table:

”Boss Gajeel said it! Any woman with crimson hair isnʼt a good person! Theyʼre all our enemies! Looking at this, you must be the source of the downfall of the Fairy Tail Guildʼs mages! Youʼd better prepare yourself! We absolutely wonʼt let you off, you damn woman who doesnʼt treat Dragon Slayers like human beings!”

”Huh?!”

After hearing the arrogant words of the Diabolos Mage Guildʼs members, Ireneʼs eyebrows finally began twitching uncontrollably.

At the same time, Irene thought to herself:

”Looks like itʼs time to straighten out the atmosphere of Fairy Tail!”

”NO! Youʼve got the wrong person! And donʼt give them my name!”

At the same time, when Gajeel heard his underlings picking a fight with Irene and even announcing his name, his expression immediately changed.