The blazing pillar of fire that should have incinerated the Wizard Saints fractured like glass and scattered into nothing.
"What?!" Even August's eyes flickered with surprise.
"Grandpa's magic—broken?!" Brandish's face froze in disbelief. The strongest among the Twelve Shields, the Magic King August himself, had his spell undone.
"Who?!" Jacob hissed, scanning the settling smoke.
From within came a lazy, almost cheerful voice.
"Whew~! That was close. Lucky I showed up when I did… tch, almost got lost again. If the Guild Master—no, the former Guild Master—found out, he'd chew me out for sure."
The smoke cleared. A tall man in a long coat, orange hair wild, a thick beard shadowing his face—his aura overwhelming without even trying.
"Y-you're… Gildarts!!" Jura gasped, recognition flashing.
Warrod's eyes softened, a rare grin on his weathered face. "Gildarts… thank heavens."
"Oi, Brother Jura, you're looking worse for wear," Gildarts said with a grin, though his eyes held steel. "Best leave the front line to us youngsters, old friend."
Warrod sighed. "Still making jokes even now…"
Wolfheim and Hyberion frowned in confusion. "Who the hell is this guy?"
Jura answered solemnly. "He is Gildarts Clive. Once the strongest wizard of Fairy Tail."
Fairy Tail Guild
Warren blinked at the radar. "The Saints' signals are still intact—and there's a new one! Gildarts! Gildarts is on the eastern battlefield!!"
"What?!" the guild roared.
"Gildarts!!"
Veterans of Fairy Tail cheered, relief and fire returning to their eyes. For them, Gildarts wasn't just a guildmate—he was a legend.
"First Master… you arranged this?" Makarov asked, stunned.
Mavis nodded. "The east is critical. If August breaks through, Fairy Tail itself will be lost. Only Gildarts can stand in that path."
The newer members exchanged uncertain glances, some not fully grasping. But the older wizards knew—no, felt—that Gildarts was different. His strength dwarfed even many of the Ten Wizard Saints.
Eastern Battlefield
Gildarts's easy grin vanished as he faced August, Jacob, and Brandish. His eyes sharpened, voice low.
"…So it's you three. The ones who want to destroy Fairy Tail."
He drove his fist into the ground.
"BOOM!!!"
The very earth splintered into countless fragments, the shockwave tearing the battlefield apart.
Even August's brows rose. "Destruction magic…? No. A spell that disassembles all it touches at its very foundation. Superlative… fascinating."
His staff hummed. "To think… that besides the monster Su Yan, Fairy Tail also shelters you. A guild with the might of an entire continent housed in its walls—too abnormal. Too dangerous."
Brandish and Jacob readied themselves, tense. They had seen enough. The man before them wasn't just strong—he was a calamity.
August's golden eyes never wavered.
"For the sake of His Majesty… a guild like Fairy Tail must be erased."
Gildarts straightened, smirk tugging at his lips. His aura flared, raw and unrestrained.
"Try it then. But I'll tell you now—"
His voice rumbled like thunder.
"Anyone who threatens Fairy Tail… won't leave this battlefield alive."