Ra's heart sank as silence filled the room. Could something have happened to Lord God Serena?
Makarov himself was uncertain. He had been sealed for seven years—many things were still unknown to him. But of the God Serena he had met, the young man had been unrivaled in talent and strength. In Fairy Tail, perhaps only Su Yan could defeat him outright. At most, Gildarts might fight him to a draw.
Hyberion finally broke the silence. "That man abandoned this land. He went to the Western Continent—and became part of the empire there."
"...What?!!"
"How could that be?!!" Ra and Makarov's faces paled. None of them had ever imagined such a betrayal.
"The twelve who protect Emperor Spriggan… the Spriggan Twelve," Hyberion said gravely. "God Serena has become one of them."
The words struck like a hammer.
"…So that means," Jura muttered, "there are eleven others in Alvarez who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the strongest mage of Ishgar."
Makarov wiped cold sweat from his brow. Once, when the Council collapsed and the weapon Face was destroyed, Ishgar had been at its weakest. At the time, he had considered using Fairy Heart as a deterrent to bargain with Alvarez.
But Su Yan's existence had changed that. The boy's strength rivaled even the Black Dragon Acnologia. With him, even against Alvarez, Ishgar still had a fighting chance. Alongside the Ten Wizard Saints, Fairy Tail's might, and Ishgar's many guilds, there was still hope.
But now… learning that Zeref himself ruled Alvarez, and that God Serena had defected to stand among his Spriggan Twelve… it was a devastating blow.
For a moment, Makarov thought again of Fairy Heart. But he quickly shook his head. No—not yet. That power was uncontrollable, and if misused, the loss would be greater than any gain.
Hyberion rose. "We must strengthen our defenses at once. Regardless of Emperor Zeref's intentions, the man who once cast terror upon this continent remains a dire threat. Until we know more, we must prepare for the worst. When the time comes, all guilds across Ishgar must be united. The wizards themselves are our greatest weapon."
Alvarez Empire — Imperial Palace
The great council chamber was set. A massive round table stood at the center, Zeref upon the high seat. Twelve chairs surrounded it—for the Spriggan Twelve.
"Seven of you?" Zeref said lightly. "Even so, I'm glad you came, despite my sudden summons."
Minister Yajeel leaned in and added, "Lord Neinhart is on his way as well."
"It's fine," Zeref replied without concern.
But Invel, the frigid general, frowned sharply. "No—it is not fine. To ignore His Majesty's orders is an insult to the reputation of the Spriggan Twelve!"
Ajeel lounged back, boots on the table, grinning. "Tch, lighten up, Invel. Seven's enough for a meeting. Fewer voices—fewer headaches."
Zeref continued calmly, "You all know by now. The time has come—we march against Ishgar."
"…Troublesome," sighed a busty green-haired girl, slouched in her seat.
"Don't say that, Brandish," Zeref chided gently. "We agreed—you would follow my orders, did we not?"
"Of course," she muttered, shrugging. "My heart says one thing, my actions another. If ordered, I'll obey—no matter how much of a pain it is."
Dimaria smirked. "Brandish only annoys people because she's too blunt."
"What? You hate me?" Brandish shot back.
Dimaria's smile widened. "Not hate. Just saying… I agree with you."
Zeref turned his gaze. "And you, God Serena… does it pain you to stand as an enemy against your homeland?"
The man in question—once Ishgar's top-ranked Wizard Saint—leapt up theatrically. "Not at all!" He twirled, laughing.
Brandish and Dimaria stared at him with flat, unimpressed expressions.
"…Disgusting," Dimaria muttered.
"Thank you!" God Serena replied cheerfully, spinning again.
August, the Sorcerer King, cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, we are prepared for the final war."
"The goal," said Wall, his mouth twisting into a grin, "is the corpse of a lover past. Sinful, isn't it?"
"No," Zeref corrected coldly. "Fairy Heart is not human. It is magic itself. And our aim is not merely Fairy Heart. Ishgar must fall. Humanity must perish."
"…Humans," Dimaria echoed softly. For a moment, the weight of his words hung heavy. They were all human once—but to Zeref, they were no more than tools.
He had told them as much before. They were pawns, nothing more. That detachment was the very reason the curse upon him did not take their lives.
"Interesting perspective," Wall chuckled.
"Perfect," said God Serena, utterly unfazed.
"Then let us make our battle plan," Invel pressed.
Ajeel slammed a fist onto the table, grinning savagely. "Leave it to me! I'll spearhead the assault!!"
"No," Zeref interrupted, voice calm but firm. "This is no raid to be left to one man. Ishgar is not weak. This time, we march in full force."