Drake and Jellal sat opposite each other. The chess pieces on the board before them began to move on their own.
The pieces representing Simon's four-person group advanced, positioning themselves to block the path of Erza's team's pieces.
Once the pieces representing both sides met, Jellal activated his communication magic, his voice resonating throughout the Tower of Heaven.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Tower of Heaven. I am Jellal, the master of this tower. Now that all the pieces on both sides are in place, let the game begin... the Garden Game!
The rules are simple. I intend to use Erza as a sacrifice to resurrect Zeref.
In other words, if the Garden Gate opens, I win. If you manage to prevent this, you win.
But if it were that simple, it would be far too uninteresting! I shall deploy a total of seven warriors to confront you. If you cannot overcome these seven, you will be unable to reach me.
This means it's a 7 vs 6 battle to the death.
Finally, a special note: The Magic Council may use the satellite magic array to attack this location. That is the ultimate magic capable of reducing everything to ashes—the Etherion.
The remaining time before the attack is unknown. The moment the Etherion descend upon us, none of us will survive. This means there will be no winner, and the game will end.
Let us enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"
Having finished his announcement, Jellal deactivated the communication magic with a smile playing on his lips, intending to observe Drake's reaction.
To his surprise, Drake's expression remained completely unchanged, devoid of any of the emotions Jellal had anticipated.
Jellal considered his plan audacious enough. He had imagined Drake might show anxiety, panic, or even launch a sudden attack.
None of these reactions materialized. Drake remained as calm and composed as ever, as if he were merely observing a theatrical performance.
His expression even seemed to suggest, "Well-acted, shall we have an encore?"
Jellal managed to control his emotions, reseating himself opposite Drake. "You appear remarkably calm. Are you truly that confident that Fairy Tail's mages can defeat me before the Etherion arrive?
After all, it is my side that currently holds the numerical advantage!"
Drake glanced at the chessboard, where the pieces from both sides had already begun to engage.
"Numbers? What significance do they hold? The strength of a mage has never been determined by mere numbers.
Furthermore, it seems the situation has shifted. The numerical advantage now lies with us."
Jellal, too, noticed that the chess pieces that had initially been positioned to confront Erza's team had all turned around, now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Erza's forces, facing him.
There was only one explanation for this turn of events: Simon and his four companions had defected. The battle was no longer 7 vs 6, but rather 3 vs 10.
Drake let out a sigh, "Those who manipulate others with lies must be prepared to face the consequences when those lies are exposed."
Drake had anticipated this scenario. The moment Erza revealed the truth, and it differed from what those individuals had heard from Jellal, their resolve would inevitably waver.
The imminent threat of the Etherion further fueled their doubts about Jellal's intentions, and with Simon, the steadfast believer in Erza, stepping forward to reveal the truth, their defection was entirely predictable.
Jellal, however, remained completely unfazed, merely pushing the three chess pieces that had been positioned to defend his own piece forward.
"As you so eloquently put it, numbers do not define everything. The outcome of this game remains far from decided!"
Drake, of course, understood that the outcome of this game held little to no significance. Even if he were to suffer numerous defeats, as long as the Etherion were unleashed, Jellal's objective would be achieved.
However, it was evident that Jellal possessed considerable confidence in the remaining three mages under his command.
Drake recalled the identities of these three mages: they were members of a Dark Guild, and not just any ordinary Dark Guild, but rather members of an assassin guild.
The infamous mage team known as the "Trinity Raven" from the Death's Head Caucus assassin guild—these were the individuals in question.
Dark Guilds were comprised of criminals who disregarded the regulations and laws established by the Council; the requests they undertook were invariably illegal activities. Assassin guilds, even more specialized, accepted only assassination contracts.
In essence, these three individuals were professional killers; the taking of lives was their very vocation. Therefore, rather than being adept at combat in the traditional sense, their expertise lay in eliminating their opponents with precision and lethality. Compared to other mages, such individuals were demonstrably more dangerous.
Drake's memories of the original storyline were somewhat hazy, and he could only recall that one of the three mages was a strikingly beautiful woman.
Not only was she beautiful, but the female mage, Ikaruga, was also exceptionally powerful. After all, not just anyone could repeatedly shatter Erza's armor with such ease.
Jellal had every reason to be confident, for on the surface, these three mages possessed the potential to overwhelm their opponents.
However, the mages of Fairy Tail were renowned for their uncanny ability to defy expectations and overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, making a defeat at their hands a rather unexpected outcome.
Drake observed the chess pieces on the board beginning to separate and regroup. The owl-headed piece had joined forces with Natsu, Gajeel, and the cube-shaped Wally, while the long-haired piece was locked in a fierce struggle with Gray, Juvia, and the cat-eared Millianna.
Meanwhile, the piece representing the light pink-haired woman was locked in a tense standoff with Erza and Lucy, with Hugh and Simon positioned behind them.
Drake couldn't help but let out a sigh of appreciation. "It's a classic case of a divided battlefield scenario," he mused. "Now, it remains to be seen how the battles will unfold!"
Jellal, his gaze fixed on Drake's face, posed a question, "I remain curious, however. What is the reason for your presence here, participating in this game?"
Drake understood the underlying implication in Jellal's question. Jellal was clearly buying time, waiting for the arrival of the Etherion, but he was uncertain as to what Drake's intentions might be.
Jellal certainly didn't believe that Drake's presence was a result of fear or apprehension regarding his own strength. After all, Drake had readily agreed to a one-on-one duel with Jose, the guild master of Phantom Lord, a fellow Saint Ten mage. It was highly improbable that he would cower before Jellal.
Drake waved his hand dismissively, "It's a plan destined to fail, and Erza herself has stated her intention to settle matters with you personally. My only purpose here is to ensure that no unforeseen complications arise."
Jellal let out a wry chuckle. "I had assumed that you, too, believed that only the Garden of Eden created by Zeref could offer true freedom?
It appears that even you are unable to escape the constraints of this world, as your actions are ultimately driven by your concern for Erza."
Drake's brow furrowed in irritation. "I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in your so-called Garden of Eden or your concept of freedom.
Therefore, I would appreciate it if you would kindly refrain from speaking. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to restrain myself from sending your obnoxious face flying!"
Jellal offered a faint smile, yet he refrained from further comment.
However, a surge of anxiety began to well up within him, as he inwardly cursed the Council members for their indecisiveness.
Through Keyes perspective, Jellal could observe the situation unfolding at the Council headquarters.
The Council was currently engaged in a heated debate regarding the deployment of the Etherion.
The Etherion possessed the terrifying power to obliterate entire cities, and even if deployed upon the relatively isolated island where the Tower of Heaven was located, there was a significant risk of collateral damage affecting numerous innocent individuals.
Therefore, every decision to deploy this devastating weapon was met with extreme caution and deliberation; a specific threshold of affirmative votes was required before the launch could be initiated.
Keyes, Jellal's thought projection, had employed virtually every persuasive tactic at his disposal, going so far as to exaggerate the malevolence of his original form several times over, yet they still remained one vote short of the necessary majority.
With a grim resolve, Keyes was compelled to invoke the name of Zeref.
Although the Council members had only ever heard tales and legends of Zeref, the Dark Mage, and had never actually encountered him, the mere mention of his name sent shivers down their spines. Instantly, the decision to deploy the Etherion was passed with unanimous approval.
Their fear was entirely understandable, for the Council's most formidable weapon was none other than the "legacy" left behind by the infamous Dark Mage himself!
Under the meticulous control of countless mages clad in long robes, an immense surge of magical energy began to coalesce, with intricate and layered magic circles unfolding above them.
The launch of the Etherion was now unstoppable. Even if the Council members were to experience a sudden pang of regret, it would be far too late to reverse the process. All they could do now was...
Pray to the light!
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