Simultaneously with Drake's defeat of Faust, Jellal infiltrated the palace core, the location of the Anima, a super-magical device of immens
Simultaneously with Drake's defeat of Faust, Jellal infiltrated the palace core, the location of the Anima, a super-magical device of immense power.
Jellal, gazing upon the massive, continuously operating magical tool, found himself wrestling with a profound internal conflict.
The task before him—the extraction of all magical energy from Edolas—was one he had long resolved to undertake, yet as the moment of action arrived, an involuntary wave of hesitation washed over him.
However, this fleeting moment of uncertainty was quickly dispelled, and Jellal, his resolve steeled, firmly pressed his hand against the Anima's control panel.
Mystogan, a true prodigy of magical engineering, had single-handedly accomplished the intricate task of reversing the functionality of this super-large magical tool, a feat that would normally necessitate the combined expertise of the kingdom's most highly skilled magical engineers.
Nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of this world-altering magic was undeniable, and its complete activation would inevitably require a considerable amount of time.
Mystogan exhaled a sigh of relief, recognizing that the most challenging aspect of his plan was now complete. From this point forward, all that remained was for him to make his appearance before the populace in the guise of a tyrannical despot, thereby setting the stage for the emergence of a new hero.
Just as Mystogan was lost in these contemplations, the imposing palace doors were abruptly thrust open.
Mystogan cast a swift glance at the individual who had entered, his apprehension immediately subsiding upon recognizing the newcomer.
Panther Lily approached Mystogan, his gaze fixed upon the prince. "Your Highness," Panther Lily began, his voice tinged with a mixture of respect and inquiry, "is this, in fact, the entirety of your meticulously crafted plan?"
Mystogan, momentarily taken aback by the directness of Panther Lily's question, responded, "You have, I presume, already encountered Drake from Earthland?"
Indeed, Mystogan had deliberately withheld certain crucial details of his comprehensive plan from Panther Lily, most notably the self-sacrificial nature of his own role in the unfolding events.
His rationale for this omission was twofold: firstly, he harbored a genuine fear that Panther Lily might attempt to dissuade him from proceeding with his plan; and secondly, Panther Lily was, in Mystogan's estimation, one of the most suitable candidates to assume the mantle of the prophesied hero.
However, the current circumstances had rendered Mystogan's carefully laid plans somewhat precarious, as Panther Lily had already learned the complete truth from Drake, leaving Mystogan grappling with the daunting task of persuading Panther Lily to remain steadfast in his support.
At that very moment, Mystogan's attention was drawn to a detail that had previously escaped his notice—Panther Lily's armor bore numerous signs of damage, and was further stained with a significant amount of blood.
"You are injured?" Mystogan inquired, his voice laced with concern.
Panther Lily shook his head, his response tinged with a hint of resignation. "His Majesty, the King, has never truly placed his trust in me, and during the course of our advance, a significant portion of my troops broke away from my command. These injuries are a direct consequence of the ensuing conflict."
Mystogan's brow furrowed in contemplation; he had anticipated the King's lack of trust in Panther Lily, yet the absence of Panther Lily's forces during the ensuing chaos in the royal capital had proven somewhat perplexing.
It was imperative to remember that Panther Lily commanded a substantial portion—approximately half—of the kingdom's formidable royal knight force.
While Panther Lily was undeniably a powerful warrior, it was highly improbable that he would be capable of single-handedly repelling the entirety of the opposing forces.
Panther Lily, perceiving Mystogan's unspoken concerns, offered a concise explanation. "It was Fairy Tail," he stated plainly, "who unexpectedly appeared upon the scene and provided invaluable assistance in containing the advance of the royal knights."
Mystogan, momentarily taken aback by this revelation, paused to consider the implications. Given that the entire contingent from Earthland was currently situated within the royal capital, it was abundantly clear that the Fairy Tail to which Panther Lily made reference was, in fact, the Edolas Fairy Tail.
"It is, after all, Fairy Tail," Mystogan remarked thoughtfully, "and their unwavering courage and fighting spirit transcend the boundaries of worlds."
Even in a different world, Fairy Tail would never lack the courage to fight!
The colossal magical tool emitted a thunderous roar, signaling the commencement of the Anima's reversal process.
Mystogan declared, "With this, all will be concluded."
As he spoke, Mystogan cast a quizzical glance at Panther Lily, unable to comprehend the seemingly passive demeanor that had settled over his face.
Panther Lily responded with a reassuring smile. "Your Highness," he said, "I urge you to venture forth and witness the unfolding events for yourself."
Mystogan, as if struck by a sudden revelation, promptly set off at a rapid pace.
The majority of the battles raging throughout the royal capital had drawn to a close, yet the city remained in an uproar.
The activation of the Anima had resulted in the emergence of numerous fissures throughout the city, from which magical energy was rapidly being drawn upward, converging towards a single point in the sky.
Streetlights, deprived of their energy sources, began to flicker and extinguish one by one. Even the floating island above the city commenced its descent, creating a truly apocalyptic scene.
While the sight of magical energy draining from the world and the ensuing panic among the populace were entirely predictable, Mystogan's attention was unexpectedly drawn to the sound of Natsu's voice.
Moving swiftly across the rooftops, Mystogan rapidly approached the city center, where he encountered Natsu, adorned with a curiously shaped horned headdress obtained from an unknown source, and draped in a makeshift cloak fashioned from scraps of fabric.
"I am the Great Demon King, Igneel, and I hereby claim dominion over the magical energy of this world!" Natsu proclaimed, his voice echoing through the streets.
As he shouted these words, Natsu simultaneously unleashed a torrent of flames, his somewhat foolish appearance notwithstanding, creating a genuinely intimidating spectacle for the inhabitants of the royal capital.
"That's…!" someone exclaimed, their voice laced with a mixture of astonishment and apprehension.
"It's His Majesty, the King!" another voice chimed in, identifying the individual bound to a pillar beside Natsu.
Natsu, his voice brimming with self-satisfaction, declared, "Indeed, your king has been vanquished by my own hand! However, in a display of unparalleled benevolence, I have chosen to spare his life! Ahahahaha!"
The sight of the disheveled and humiliated Faust served only to intensify the panic among the populace.
Natsu, seizing the opportunity to further exacerbate the situation, bellowed, "Minions of the Demon King's army, I command you to unleash your destructive fury upon this city!"
"Who are your minions?! Refrain from issuing such preposterous commands!" Gray and Gajeel simultaneously shouted from below, their voices echoing through the streets, while the remaining members of Fairy Tail displayed a similar expression of mortification.
Nevertheless, driven by their unwavering commitment to assisting Mystogan in his endeavor, they steeled themselves against their feelings of humiliation and proceeded to carry out their assigned roles, wreaking havoc throughout the city in their capacity as the Demon King's underlings.
Of course, their acts of destruction were limited to the demolition of buildings; they refrained from inflicting any harm upon the populace. However, these acts of destruction were sufficient to induce an even more profound sense of terror and panic among the city's inhabitants.
Drake, leaning against a nearby wall, observed the unfolding scene with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction.
"It would appear that this is precisely the sort of chaotic spectacle that Fairy Tail excels at," he murmured to himself.
"Wendy, what in the world are you doing? That particular approach is hardly likely to inspire fear; on the contrary, you appear rather adorable!"
Edolas Drake, seated opposite Drake, remarked, "I confess to a complete lack of understanding regarding the motivations behind your current actions. Such behavior strikes me as utterly frivolous and devoid of purpose!"
"Frivolous?" Drake responded, shaking his head in gentle disagreement. "Nay, this is simply the quintessential Fairy Tail approach!"
As the two were engaged in this exchange, Mystogan made his appearance, immediately engaging Natsu in a physical altercation, their blows landing with resounding impact.
"So, that explains it," Edolas Drake declared, his voice betraying a newfound understanding of the situation. "That is the essence of your carefully constructed plan."
Edolas Drake, ever the astute observer, had swiftly grasped the entirety of the situation.
"However," Edolas Drake continued, a hint of intrigue creeping into his tone, "it is entirely plausible that this course of action might indeed lead to a transformation of this nation."
Edolas Drake's gaze swept across the assembled populace, observing their enthusiastic support for Mystogan, and noting that the despair and panic that had previously gripped them were beginning to subside. He could already foresee the events that were to unfold in the near future.
Drake, casting a brief glance at Edolas Drake, posed a direct question. "And what of your own intentions? What course of action do you intend to pursue in the aftermath of these events? Let it be clearly understood from the outset that I shall not permit you to engage in any further acts of wanton destruction, for the sake of securing Mystogan's future."
Edolas Drake, his gaze fixed upon Mystogan, who was currently locked in a fierce physical confrontation with Natsu, responded, "Even in the absence of magical energy, there is no one in this world who possesses the power to restrain me! Do you truly believe that you can keep me here with a clear conscience?"
Drake replied, "Upon learning of the existence of my counterpart from another world, I was immediately consumed by an intense curiosity regarding the nature of this individual, their life experiences, and their motivations. Therefore, I made it my business to acquire a thorough understanding of your background.
I must confess, the depth of your hatred for betrayal stems from a profound personal tragedy—the loss of someone profoundly important to you as a consequence of such a betrayal. While you vociferously proclaim your disbelief in the existence of genuine trust, you are, in reality, acutely aware that those comrades who abandoned you have never ceased to harbor unwavering faith in you."
"Silence!"
Edolas Drake, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and anguish, sprang to his feet, seizing Drake's scarf with a forceful grip. His eyes blazed with intense fury, as if they were on the verge of erupting into flames.
Drake sighed, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness, "You are, indeed, a remarkably stubborn individual. However, given your character, I am confident that you would not attempt to obstruct the realization of the world that your former comrades once envisioned."
Edolas Drake, releasing his grip on Drake's scarf, turned and silently retreated into the shadows.
"I shall remain a watchful observer," Edolas Drake declared, his voice echoing faintly from the darkness. "And should this world once again stray down the path of error, I shall not hesitate to obliterate it without a moment's hesitation."
Drake offered no reply, his body enveloped by a radiant glow of magical energy, drawing him inexorably towards the heavens.
Although there was no time for a proper farewell, Mystogan and this world's Fairy Tail would undoubtedly flourish in the years to come.
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