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In Ishgar, the "Ten Wizard Saints" represent the strongest Mages on the continent, acknowledged by the Council and all nations.
The members of the "Ten Wizard Saints" come from all walks of life—there are members of Magic Guilds, hermits living in seclusion, sages who teach and nurture, and environmentalists who plant trees. No matter how low-key they are, their names and deeds will be spread.
However, there is only one person so mysterious that not only ordinary people, but even some Mages who are also "Ten Wizard Saints" have never seen his true face.
This person is the number one of the Ten Wizard Saints—"God Serena."
He does not care about power, money, or status. Even the Magic Council cannot track his whereabouts, and for the past two years, they haven't been able to contact him at all.
Makarov never expected to see God Serena on the Western Continent.
Looking at the orange-haired man with twin ponytails and a circular disk behind him, Makarov's eyes were filled with regret. "God Serena, have you abandoned your allegiance and joined the nation that once invaded Ishgar?"
"Since you know, why ask?"
God Serena stood with his back to Makarov, hands clasped behind his back, looking every bit the expert. "Ishgar can no longer help me improve my strength, but Alvarez has shown me the vastness of the world."
To join a force that once invaded your homeland for the sake of power?
Makarov sighed. God Serena, who was at the top of the Ten Wizard Saints, betrayed Ishgar. He wondered if the Council had found out, but with the style of those councilors, even if they did, they would keep it a secret.
Different stances, no common ground for discussion.
But God Serena was quite a chatterbox. "Makarov, I respect you as an elder. How about this: I'll stand still and let you hit me three times, so no one can say I disrespect my elders."
Since God Serena was so arrogant as to stand there, Makarov didn't mind letting him know that even though he was old, his punches were still sharp.
Pushing his magic to the limit, Makarov's small stature instantly swelled in a magical glow. In an instant, his "Giant" transformed him from a small old man into a five-meter-tall, muscle-bound small giant.
The "Giant" magic is not simply an enlargement, but a transformation of the life form. After becoming giant, Makarov's bones, muscles, skin, and other bodily tissues all possess the terrifying strength of a true giant.
"Brat, this is the first move!"
"Giant's Fist!"
Although he hadn't fought at full strength for a long time, Makarov's might had not diminished. The jet-black giant fist, covered in Armament Haki, tore through the air, carrying an unyielding resolve, and accurately, fiercely, smashed into God Serena.
A dull, heart-pounding sound of flesh colliding echoed.
It wasn't the roar of magic clashing, but the most primitive, purest explosion of concentrated power.
A fist half the size of his body slammed into him, the force penetrating God Serena's entire body. God Serena's confident expression was instantly replaced by distorted agony.
Bones groaned, and his body felt as if it had been struck by a battering ram. God Serena was sent flying by the heavy punch, his feet leaving the ground, and he crashed heavily onto the sand in the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Erza, who was using the Sea Empress's small whip to hang and lash the Desert King, was startled by the sudden human-shaped cannonball. After casually lashing Ajeel one more time, she drew her sword and vigilantly looked at the orange-haired man with twin ponytails in the crater.
God Serena, who had taken Makarov's full-power Giant attack, shakily stood up. Ajeel's eyes immediately lit up. "God Serena, save me!"
No sooner had his plea for help ended than God Serena spat out a mouthful of blood and half-knelt, unable to support himself. Makarov's punch just now had almost fractured all his bones, nearly breaking them.
He was too careless.
This old geezer's punches are unexpectedly hard...
God Serena panted heavily, pain spreading throughout his body with each breath. He regretted it immensely now. He shouldn't have arrogantly stood there and let Makarov hit him.
He wanted to show off, but instead, he made a fool of himself.
This failed attempt to show off was unacceptable to God Serena, who had tried to display his power in front of others.
If it were just magic, his strength would be enough to suppress Makarov, but who knew that this old man's physical attacks after going Giant were terrifyingly strong.
Even God Serena's abnormal physique couldn't withstand it.
Fortunately, although all his bones were fractured, God Serena's combat power was not completely lost. Having experienced Makarov's strength, he dared not be overconfident again.
As for his promise to let Makarov have three moves, one punch had already battered him like this. Taking two more would be too much. Naturally, he had to go back on his word.
"Old man, next I'll let you know why 'God Serena' is the number one of the Ten Wizard Saints!"
Standing up again, God Serena's roar echoed across the Central Plaza, accompanied by a terrifying surge of wildly leaking Magic Power.
Four powerful Dragon Slayer Magic spells, earth-shattering and visually spectacular, instantly materialized.
"Sea King Dragon's Encircling Deluge!"
"Purgatory Dragon's Blazing Inferno!"
"Cavern Dragon's Earth Collapse!"
"Gale Dragon's Tempest of Snow, Moon, and Flowers!"
At once, Dragon Slayer Magic of four elements—water, fire, earth, and wind—appeared simultaneously, their overwhelming might heading towards Makarov, Laxus, Erza, and Gray and Gajeel, who were fighting the Imperial Army.
God Serena actually attacked all enemies except Mira at the same time!
Seawater, flames, granite, hurricanes—the terrifying magic seemed to destroy everything around it with overwhelming force. The dreadful power even made the usually arrogant Laxus's face change drastically.
He could use four types of Dragon Slayer Magic simultaneously!
The number one of the Ten Wizard Saints, terrifying indeed!
Erza, who was closest to God Serena, could not hide her shock at this moment. The magic God Serena unleashed at close range gave her no chance to escape. The earth-shattering Dragon Slayer storm instantly destroyed her Sea Empress Sword and armor.
Although Erza timely used Requip to her strongest defense, Adamantine Armor, it was also torn to shreds by this terrifying Dragon Slayer Magic.
If this magic landed on her, she wouldn't die, but she'd be severely injured.
But how could she resist such power?
Just as Erza was about to collapse at the critical moment, a cold voice spread through the chaotic and noisy battlefield to everyone's ears.
"Deus Eques."
In an instant, God Serena's four overwhelming and powerful magic spells, which had been crushing everything, ceased. The shattered Central Plaza became silent, as if the magic that had just destroyed everything had never happened.
God Serena's face changed repeatedly, and he looked somewhat unwillingly at the perfectly intact judges' stand. "Lady Irene, what is the meaning of this? Why did you save the spies who infiltrated the empire?"
Ajeel, who had escaped Erza's control, heard God Serena's questioning and couldn't help but take a few steps away from him.
To dare speak to Irene like that, he must have a death wish.
Irene's eyes swept over Erza, who was seriously injured by God Serena, and her gaze towards God Serena suddenly turned incredibly cold. "God Serena, are you teaching me what to do?"
God Serena, realizing his actions, immediately broke out in a cold sweat and quickly said, "I wouldn't dare. I was just thinking of the empire."
"Hmph."
Irene was disdainful in her heart, but still offered a plausible explanation to appease him. "I just don't want you to destroy this place. The upcoming feast still needs this venue."
God Serena dared not ask further.
Ajeel, however, emboldened himself and spoke. "Lady Irene, if that's the case, please apprehend these people so as not to further interrupt your enjoyment."
Irene narrowed her eyes and nodded. "Indeed, the farce should end now."
"Deus Zero."
Her antler staff tapped the ground, and a pale white halo instantly passed through Makarov and the others' bodies. Even the lightning-fast Laxus was not spared.
Their bodies became weak and powerless, their spirits suddenly extremely fatigued, and their blocked Magic Power was difficult to summon.
At this moment, no matter how strong their will, the Fairy Tail group could not exert an ounce of strength. It was just a seemingly unremarkable Enchantment, yet it completely suppressed everyone, leaving them utterly defenseless.
The moment Irene made her move, she effortlessly ended the battle with an overwhelming display of power. Her formidable strength not only left Makarov and the others, but even God Serena and his two companions, feeling despair.
This was the Empire's Twin Pillars—Scarlet Despair!