"In your head, you stinky brat!! How could you vanish at such an important time?!"
Makarov leapt up and smacked Su Yan on the head. As Fairy Tail's current master, disappearing in such a critical moment was utterly irresponsible.
"You idiot! We thought you ran off to the Western Continent to topple the Alvarez Empire alone—we were ready to chase after you and drag you back!!"
Su Yan rubbed the back of his head, smiling awkwardly. "Sorry, sorry… I made everyone worry."
"Good thing you didn't—"
"No," Su Yan interrupted, his tone suddenly serious. "I am going."
"WHAT?!"
The guild exploded in disbelief.
A newcomer asked timidly, "President… you mean, you've already destroyed the Alvarez Empire?"
These new recruits had grown up admiring Fairy Tail after Su Yan took over. To them, he was invincible, a master whose strength defied imagination. Some truly believed he could wipe out an empire by himself.
"How could it be that simple?" Su Yan chuckled. "I just went over to say hello—and scout the enemy. In war, you must know yourself and the enemy if you want to win."
Everyone gave him a flat look. Just to scout? Yeah, right.
"And how exactly did you 'say hello'?" someone pressed.
"…Well, I only evaporated their palace. Nothing major."
The guild froze. Evaporated their palace?!
Even Makarov felt a vein pop. He could already picture it—Su Yan breathing out a wave of dragon's heat, erasing the imperial palace of Alvarez in an instant.
"…Let's save that discussion for later," Makarov coughed, cutting in before chaos could break out. "Right now, we need to talk about what matters most."
The guild fell silent, every face solemn. They all knew. This was no simple fight. If Ishgar fell, Fairy Tail would be destroyed with it. There was no retreat. Only war.
A world map was spread across the table. Between Ishgar and Alvarez stretched the vast sea. The closest port to Magnolia was Hargeon—likely the frontline.
"The Alvarez Empire is coming. Their entire nation marches for us," Makarov said gravely.
"But so what!" he continued, voice rising. "We've fought to protect this guild countless times before. No matter how strong the enemy, we stood firm—because we fight to protect what's precious. That will makes us stronger."
He slammed his fist on the table. "We're not fearless. But what we truly fear is losing this family, losing our laughter, our bonds. So we'll fight! Not for glory—this is survival!"
"Whoever dares touch my family will regret it!!"
"We'll show them Fairy Tail's power!!!"
"OHHHHHHH!!!"
The guild roared as one.
"I'm fired up!!!" Natsu bellowed, flames erupting around him.
"Love~!" Happy chimed in.
Wendy clenched her fists. "We will win!"
"Damn right." Gajeel crossed his arms, grinning fiercely.
"This is a war we cannot lose," Erza said, her tone like steel. "For Fairy Tail—we will win."
The guild's spirit soared. In war, morale was as vital as strength. And now, Fairy Tail's spirit burned like a blazing fire.
But then Makarov's voice grew heavy. "Before the war begins, there's something you all must know—the true cause of this war."
Every gaze turned to him.
Makarov looked to Su Yan. Though he was master now, Makarov still sought his silent approval. Su Yan nodded. To him, the old man would always be the heart of Fairy Tail.
"There is a secret within Fairy Tail," Makarov said, "known only to its masters."
A soft voice suddenly rang out: "Then let me tell it. The Third doesn't need to carry this burden."
"First Master?!"
Gasps echoed as Mavis Vermillion's spirit appeared. Some of the guild had met her before, others only knew her name. But all understood—this was their founder, the first master of Fairy Tail.
"The Fairy Heart has always been our greatest secret," Mavis said gently. "Because its truth must never reach the world. And Zeref… Zeref comes for it."
The guild froze.
"Which means," Mavis continued, lowering her gaze, "you all have the right to know the reason Zeref seeks it. And my crime."
"Crime?!"
Whispers rippled through the guild. What crime could their First Master possibly mean?
Mavis's voice trembled slightly. "It is the story of a cursed boy and a cursed girl… who sought together the one magic that could save them both."
Her eyes grew distant. "Over a hundred years ago, before Fairy Tail was founded, in the western woods of Magnolia… I met him. A boy suffering from the curse of Ankhastram. A curse that took lives without mercy. And yet… I was drawn to him. I learned much magic from him."
The hall grew still.