"Will it really be alright over there?"
Many in Fairy Tail couldn't hide their anxiety. No matter which front they looked at, the enemy's numbers dwarfed theirs. If any side collapsed, Fairy Tail itself would be left completely exposed.
Mavis' tone was calm but serious.
"The situation is difficult, but not hopeless. What matters is who among us can face the enemy's strongest. The Twelve Shields are not foes that ordinary soldiers or guild mages can handle."
They all remembered Ajeel. If not for Erza and Mira's overwhelming strength, Magnolia could have been buried under his world of sand. The Desert King's magic power had even surpassed Makarov's.
"In Ishgar, the Master's magic power is already near the top," Mavis continued. "If not for his body's limits, he would still stand equal to the Ten Wizard Saints."
Suddenly, Warren's voice shook the hall.
"The northern coalition is collapsing!! They're being overwhelmed!!!"
Faces darkened. On the northern front, Blue Pegasus, Sabertooth, and Council mages had formed the core of the defense. Elite though they were, they numbered far fewer than the 300,000 Alvarez troops marching with a Shield among them. Ishgar's side had only 100,000.
"The north… Blue Pegasus and Sabertooth are struggling…"
Fairy Tail clenched their fists. Sabertooth had once been the number one guild in Fiore, filled with elites. Blue Pegasus, though often underestimated, was an old guild with deep roots. Yet even together, they could not turn the tide against such overwhelming might.
Makarov's brow furrowed deeply. "The situation is grim."
"And the eastern front?" someone asked.
Mavis shook her head.
"The east isn't a true invasion route—it's meant to block our retreat. That's why Alvarez only sent three."
But those three were monsters:
Brandish, the carefree girl with terrifying magic.
Jacob, the assassin prodigy.
And August, the Sorcerer King—the mightiest of the Twelve Shields.
Though small in number, their presence was more dangerous than entire battalions.
"Don't worry," Mavis said softly. "I've already sent our most reliable allies to face them."
On the eastern battlefield, Brandish sighed loudly.
"So troublesome. I'd rather be at home eating. Why must I fight?"
"Because His Majesty commands it," August replied, voice calm, eyes sharp. "We exist to carry out his will."
Not all Shields respected Zeref. But August's loyalty was absolute, and his power ensured order among them.
Jacob grinned, cracking his knuckles. "If you're too annoyed to bother, leave it to me. I'll make it quick."
But August suddenly halted, his gaze fixed ahead.
Four figures stood waiting.
The air grew heavy as their identities became clear—the Holy Ten Wizards and Magic Judges of the Council.
Gasps erupted among the coalition. "The Four Heavenly Kings of Ishgar!!"
Their accumulated might had long been Ishgar's pride, the strongest seen by the public eye. To see them stand against Alvarez's eastern advance rekindled hope.
Back in Magnolia, Mavis' voice carried authority.
"Our real problem now is the north and south. They need reinforcements."
"I'll go south," Laxus said at once, lightning crackling faintly around him. His eyes burned. "That bastard who dared fire on our guild—I'll make him pay."
It was true; Wall's long-range strike had been aimed at Fairy Tail itself. And Laxus never forgot an enemy who dared touch his family.
"Then I'll head north," Erza declared, her tone steady and resolute. As an S-Class wizard, it was her duty to meet Alvarez's elite head-on.
"Then I'll go west!!" Natsu shouted suddenly.
Everyone froze. Su Yan was already there. What was he thinking?
But Natsu's eyes burned hotter than his flames. "Zeref's among them, right? I'll kill him myself!"
Indeed, the radar showed it—though Alvarez's western army had been devastated by Su Yan and Acnologia's clash, survivors were still advancing… led by Zeref himself and another Shield. Someone had to stop them.
Mavis met his gaze and nodded. "Very well. The west will need you too."
With her orders given, Fairy Tail divided its forces:
Laxus, Gray, and Juvia to the southern battlefield.
Erza, Mira, Gajeel, Levy, and Wendy to the northern battlefield.
Natsu to the western approach.
The pieces of war were moving. The fate of Ishgar would be decided on all four fronts.