Selene's Dragon Magic was Moon.
In order to temporarily hide the fact that she was a dragon, she could not use it and could only rely on spatial Magic.
Because of that, the main force holding back Acnologia for now was Irene.
The two of them had not come because Raizel had called them over to intercept Acnologia.
They had come on their own.
They planned to uphold one excellent principle of being human—stall first, and if they could not win, run.
Selene, who could use spatial Magic, was an expert when it came to escaping.
She had absolute confidence that even if they were no match for the Black Dragon, she could still bring Irene away safely.
After exchanging one move, Irene gained a preliminary understanding of Acnologia's strength.
He was even more terrifying than the rumors said.
No wonder Zeref feared him so much, even going so far as to start a war in order to seize Fairy Heart.
"Are you trying to stop me? Or are you trying to make me spare humanity?"
...
After Wahl died on the Hargeon battlefield and Neinhart fled in defeat, Natsu, with the help of Happy's Wing Magic, rushed toward the Alvarez Empire's western army at top speed.
August, who was currently heading toward Magnolia, glanced north and murmured,
"Acnologia has arrived..."
"That's right."
Raizel appeared beside August through teleportation with Kurnugi.
Naturally, Raizel and Kurnugi had also sensed the immense Magic Power coming from the northern region.
After handing command of the west to Warrod and Arcadios, Raizel brought Kurnugi here.
"Among the Spriggan 12, the only ones whose whereabouts are still unclear are Larcade, and Invel, who is staying beside Zeref. The others are either dead or injured. Oh, and Brandish is still fine."
The only ones dead were Bloodman and Wahl.
As for the one with the heaviest injuries, it should be God Serena. His condition could basically be described as a 'mental collapse'.
August nodded.
"I know all of that. I have ways to know what is happening within Fiore's territory. Larcade Dragneel is at Hargeon Port in the south, but he has not used his Curse yet."
August first closed his eyes, then opened them again. His gaze was sharp and bright, not at all like someone of his age, and he said in a deep voice,
"I believe I have found my reason."
"Although I will not be Acnologia's opponent, I can still help delay him for a while. There is no reason to leave Acnologia only to them."
He did not want to help Zeref seize Fairy Heart.
Since Zeref had publicly claimed that the Spriggan 12 existed as a force to deal with Black Dragon Acnologia, August would simply put that power back where it belonged.
"Please take me with you!"
Kurnugi looked at August with eager eyes.
"That is fine."
August studied Kurnugi for a moment, then nodded.
Kurnugi was already an adult and a dragon as well. His strength could also be considered decent.
Raizel reminded him,
"Kurnugi, remember. Stall for time first. Wait until I arrive."
"No problem!"
...
After parting from August, Raizel immediately told Laxus and Jellal the news.
'Larcade Dragneel is at Hargeon Port in the south. Be extremely careful.'
[Take Over: UlforceVeedramon.]
Raizel beat his wings and turned into a blue streak of light, using Super Archive Magic to track Natsu and Happy.
"Let's have a final showdown, Zeref..."
Happy grabbed Natsu and flew quickly, while Natsu looked down at the Alvarez Empire's army spread below like a carpet.
Although he knew that Zeref was his older brother, and that Zeref had even given him a second life, he would never allow anyone to trample on and destroy Fairy Tail.
"Wait a bit. Don't unseal the power Igneel gave you yet."
Raizel slowed down after arriving beside Natsu.
"Tch. You found me this quickly?"
Natsu sounded somewhat annoyed.
"Are you here to stop me, Raizel?!"
Raizel shook his head.
"No. I'm here to offer a better solution."
After Raizel and Natsu landed behind the Alvarez Empire's army, they did not even need to act.
A purple-black sphere of light suddenly appeared ahead of them, and immediately after, Zeref emerged from it, standing before Raizel and Natsu.
Raizel raised an eyebrow.
"You came out earlier than I expected."
"This state of yours...?"
Zeref suddenly looked at Natsu with some confusion, because Natsu had lost his connection to him.
Raizel gave a soft laugh.
"You mean the Book of E.N.D.? It's already gone."
Zeref shook his head decisively.
"Impossible. That book and Natsu are connected by extremely high-level Organic Link Magic."
Raizel's expression did not change.
"Someone rewrote that book. Natsu is no longer a dragon, nor a demon. He is human."
Zeref shook his head with a sorrowful expression.
"Rewriting the Book of E.N.D. should cause one to be devoured by demonic power..."
Raizel answered his doubt.
"Devil Slayer Magic, healing Magic, and Enchant: Separation. The demonic power even became nourishment for Mira."
Zeref's eyes lit up.
"There was such a method?"
"Let's not waste words. Acnologia has appeared at the sacred peak in Fiore's northern region. You already know that, don't you?"
"Of course."
"Then let's cooperate. Stop the war and deal with Acnologia together. The current Acnologia is no longer at his former strength, and he has also lost one arm. You know this yourself. Damage caused by dragons is irreversible."
"Right now, Irene, Selene, August, and Kurnugi are facing Acnologia."
Zeref shook his head firmly.
"Impossible. Acnologia cannot be dealt with that easily."
Although that side could be said to have three dragons and one human, Acnologia was not an opponent who could be solved just by having more dragons.
Previously, five dragons and Raizel had surrounded the Black Dragon together, but the only ones who had truly been useful were Raizel and Igneel.
"What if we add you, me, and Natsu? Igneel left the power of the deceased in Natsu's arm. There are also six other Dragon Slayer Mages. Three weapons in our guild have been enchanted with dragon-slaying attributes. Add Serena's eight Dragon Lacrima to that, and Brandish from the Spriggan 12 would also be an excellent fighting force."
At this point, Raizel sighed.
"We clearly have a solid foundation for cooperation."
Zeref shook his head calmly.
"I will not believe it until I confirm it."
Part of the reason Zeref had started the war between the two sides was to test Fairy Tail's combat strength.
Although that was cold-blooded, it was perfectly normal for him after being tormented by the curse of Ankhseram.
He could not cherish life too deeply to begin with.
"Natsu, untie the bandage."
Natsu did as he was told.
He also felt that Raizel's proposal was a good one.
This power would not begin being used just because the bandage was removed.
The bandage merely suppressed it.
Zeref stared blankly at the crimson flames burning on Natsu's arm.
"This Magic Power... this heat... Is this the power Igneel left to Natsu...?"