The Celestial Wolf Tree was astonishingly gigantic, with its canopy alone being nearly as large as Celestial Wolf Island. The trunk extended beyond the island's radius, and its roots were so complex that they almost filled the entire underground of Celestial Wolf Island.
When its roots were uprooted by the power of the Great Tree Arc, it dragged along a massive amount of sand and soil;
The thick trunk crashed onto the island, crushing a vast expanse of forest and smashing many unlucky Demon Heart Soldiers and Void Worms;
The enormous canopy plunged into the sea, stirring up fierce winds and gigantic waves...
What seemed like just a tree falling was actually as catastrophic as a natural disaster.
The entire Celestial Wolf Island quaked along, countless animals fled in panic, the birds perched on trees lost their homes, and fish, shrimp, and crabs in the sea inexplicably flew into the air...
Members of Fairy Tail were all shocked, and after ruling out the possibility that it was Natsu's doing, they could only presume it was the enemy's actions.
But they hardly had time to process this before the magic power within their bodies began to uncontrollably dissipate like a flood.
After Natsu defeated Zankuro, he was originally fighting alongside Hapi while heading to the camp. However, after witnessing the Celestial Wolf Tree fall, he couldn't handle the tremors on the ground before suddenly losing his power.
He lay on the ground unable to get up, and his wings vanished, causing him to crash headlong into the ground.
"Damn it... What the hell is going on?"
"Natsu... I can't move."
Erza, who was fiercely battling Ultear, exchanged blow for blow, armor for injury, using her extensive weaponry and indomitable spirit to trade injuries of 800 to damage Ultear while taking 1000 herself.
Just as she was preparing for a final showdown with her fresh attire and the Demon Blade Hongying, the violent tremors of the ground and sudden fissures forced both her and Ultear to retreat and seek a new foothold.
However, before she could stabilize, Erza lost her magic power, and even though she propped herself up with her sword, she couldn't muster the strength to stand, collapsing onto the ground with Hongying embedded beside her.
"Magic power..." The battered Erza was unsure of what was happening, only knowing that the situation was dire.
To lose magic power at such a time was almost certainly a death sentence.
"Have you finally made your move, Azuma?" The equally injured Ultear sighed in relief but also felt a sense of urgency.
Azuma's use of this technique surely came on the orders of the President, indicating that the plan had reached its final stage.
If she didn't hurry and take Zeref away, she might not have another chance to have him all to herself.
Compared to that, Erza's life or death was trivial; she had to find Melty quickly.
However, Melty had already collapsed.
Even though her magic power and combat prowess were on par with an S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail, she couldn't last more than a few moves against Kildas.
Especially given that Kildas was enraged by his daughter's injury.
But after defeating Melty, both father and daughter also fell to the ground.
Kildas, possessing magic power of an almost unparalleled nature, had also been deprived of his magic power.
Now, he felt even more pained than Kana.
On the coast, Makarov, upon learning of the enemy attack, left the First Generation's resting place along with Carla.
They soon encountered Mest and Lahar, who had come seeking his assistance.
Though displeased with the Council's actions, Makarov still immediately set off for the coastal camp, intending to help the Council's army if possible.
Initially, he planned to use one Fairy Law to keep most of the enemies outside Celestial Wolf Island, check on Zeref's status, and then possibly continue the exam.
The children had worked and hoped for this for so long; Makarov simply couldn't bear to let them down.
He had even changed the rule of admitting only one apprentice for these children.
Anyone daring to cause trouble and trample on these children's dreams at such a moment deserved a taste of Fairy Law.
Makarov was just such a person. If the enemy was strong enough, numerous enough, and truly harmful to the children, his first instinct was to cast Fairy Law.
Just like Joseph of Ghost, if Rhode hadn't taken care of him, Makarov would have given him a taste for sure.
Just like in Edolas, battling the entire kingdom for days, carefully protecting his transformation into a Magic Crystal, and painstakingly devising defense plans to protect the town...
Makarov didn't say it at the time, but he was truly heartbroken. So when his fiery temper saw enemies, he'd choose to wipe them out immediately.
Side effects? What side effects?
When one's own children were being bullied this badly, who cared about side effects?
All those impulsive brats in the guild, who ignored consequences, had he not raised them all himself? Who wasn't a hothead here!
And today, those trampling on the children's dreams and obstructing their path should all go to hell!
Seeing the airborne battleship hovering by the sea, Makarov transformed into a giant on the spot, posed to unleash Fairy Law, and, as usual, announced in a thunderous voice:
"According to Fairy Tail's judgment, I'll give you until the count of three..."
Between the colossal giant's palms, golden light shimmered, making Makarov's form appear overwhelmingly majestic and sacred,
While Lahar and Mest stood behind him, watching Makarov in awe.
Such a sacred golden light, such powerful magic power, the legendary Super Magic passed down through generations in Fairy Tail, Fairy Law...
At least for that moment, both of them believed that victory was certain.
But before Makarov could finish speaking, a person emerged from the ship, none other than the President of Demon Heart, Hades.
Upon his appearance, he assumed almost an identical stance to Makarov.
However, the light emerging from his palm was a sinister purple-black glow, and purely from its aura, this technique seemed no weaker than Makarov's!
Yet, even more astonishing events awaited them.
"Stop it, boy. This magic is for intimidation, not a move to be used freely," Hades addressed him as if scolding a junior, "Continuing will only lead to a result neither of us wishes to see."
"How... how could it be..." Makarov was utterly taken aback, not because the other had mastered the same magic, but because that face was so familiar.
Despite decades apart, the advice given during his youth by that person had remained deeply engraved in Makarov's memory.
The light in both their palms dissipated completely, and Hades smiled faintly, "It's been a long time, boy."
"Second Generation... President Precht..." Makarov couldn't fathom how the mentor who once earnestly guided him had become the President of Demon Heart.
If Makarov was shocked, Mest and Lahar were even more so, feeling as if they'd been struck by lightning, with a buzzing in their heads.
The strongest guild of the Alam Alliance, Demon Heart's President Hades, was actually the Second Generation of Fairy Tail?!
What kind of hellish joke was this?