Su Yan gave Zeref one last sharp look before twisting his massive dragon body in the sky and flying back toward Ishgar.
Though he bore Kaido's template, Su Yan was not Kaido. He didn't share that beast's reckless lust for hurling himself alone into the heart of enemy territory, nor Kaido's cold indifference to comrades and even his own blood.
Su Yan was different. He cared—for his guild, for Fairy Tail, for the bonds he had forged. He could fight the Alvarez Empire alone if he wished, but unlike Kaido, he couldn't afford to gamble the safety of his family. For all Zeref's empire represented, the shadow of Acnologia loomed even darker. That was the greater threat. Until that monster was accounted for, he would not waste himself in an all-out war.
"Gone…"
The soldiers of Alvarez nearly collapsed with relief as they watched Su Yan vanish into the horizon. His overwhelming presence, his sheer size as a dragon, had pressed down on them like a mountain. Now, with him gone, they could breathe again—only to realize their imperial palace had been utterly annihilated.
The once-proud palace of Albarez, the symbol of their empire, was nothing but smoldering ruins. Morale plummeted.
"That bastard—he just ran off?!" Ajeel spat, furious.
The Spriggan Twelve could each level a country on their own. Though Su Yan's strength had shaken them, they were not cowards who shrank from battle.
"Your Majesty," Invel asked cautiously, "do we need to alter our battle plan? Ishgar holds such a monster—"
Zeref shook his head, smiling faintly. "No. Continue as planned."
August's gaze sharpened. "You expected him to leave, didn't you?"
Zeref's smile widened. "I don't like admitting it, but his focus is not us. His concerns mirror my own. This world is a delicate balance now… Alvarez, Ishgar, and Acnologia."
The Twelve fell silent, then nodded grimly. Su Yan was strong—strong enough to rival even Acnologia. Against Alvarez alone, the outcome might be uncertain. But should Acnologia descend in the midst of war, neither side would survive intact.
It was a risk even Su Yan couldn't ignore. His retreat wasn't cowardice—it was wisdom.
"Let Acnologia handle him," Zeref said coldly. "Our task is Ishgar. We will crush Fairy Tail, claim Fairy Heart, and when both monsters are weakened, erase them. Then… finally, I will erase the sins of four hundred years."
The Spriggan Twelve grew solemn. Acnologia was not just Ishgar's enemy—it threatened the entire world. If Zeref could claim Fairy Heart, perhaps the Black Dragon could finally be destroyed.
Half-truths. In truth, Zeref sought Fairy Heart to return to the past. Yet if Su Yan and Acnologia tore each other apart, he would seize the chance without hesitation.
The Alvarez Empire quickly reformed its ranks, though their losses were heavy. Thousands had fallen to Su Yan's aura alone, and still more had been consumed in the palace's destruction. It was a bitter reminder—war showed no mercy.
Meanwhile, at Fairy Tail.
Makarov had returned only to find Su Yan missing, with no word of where he had gone.
"No way! I can't just sit here—Su Yan must've gone to the Western Continent! I'm going after him!!" Natsu shouted, springing to his feet.
"That's right! We can't let him fight alone!"
"Let's all go together!"
"Those bastards won't know what hit them!!"
The guild roared in agreement, everyone readying to march to Su Yan's side. Just as the doors were about to burst open—
BAM!
The guild doors swung wide.
"Oops—gas," came a familiar voice.
"President!!!"
Every head turned. Su Yan stepped inside, calm as ever.
He blinked at the crowd, taken aback. "Huh? Everyone's here."