The flames of Igneel burned along Natsu's arm.
In order to unleash this Magic Power, Natsu had spent nearly ten months training.
Natsu explained to Zeref, "Once this Magic Power is used, it'll never recover. This is Igneel's lingering will."
Zeref's mind shook, his gaze fixed on the flames burning across Natsu's arm.
"I see... the power of the deceased."
Zeref instantly thought of another use for it.
Perhaps this was a power capable of killing him.
Raizel's words interrupted his thoughts.
"I've said everything I need to say. If you still refuse to cooperate, then I'll take Natsu and go find Acnologia."
Having Zeref would make him an excellent fighting force, but even without him, it was not as if they could not fight.
"Our goal is the same. Part of the reason you want Fairy Heart is to kill Acnologia. We want the same thing, so why can't we cooperate?"
As he spoke, Raizel once again Took Over Examon.
"A red dragon... holding a giant lance?"
Zeref frowned and murmured softly.
"A dragon?!"
Behind Zeref, the Alvarez Empire army cried out in shock.
Invel also adjusted his glasses, wondering if he had seen wrong.
A body larger than Acnologia's upper half.
An extraordinary amount of Magic Power.
A massive lance held in his claws.
Raizel was displaying overwhelming strength directly before Zeref!
Zeref had already witnessed Raizel's Magic Power last time in the Alvarez Empire, but he had not expected Raizel to possess a form like a giant dragon.
The pressure Dragon Emperor Examon brought to Zeref... was no different from facing Acnologia directly.
Cold sweat appeared on Zeref's forehead.
It was not because he was afraid, but because his mind was constantly calculating.
Calculating the probability of him obtaining Fairy Heart.
Calculating the probability of this group defeating Acnologia.
After witnessing Raizel's dragon form, with Irene and August not on his side, with the Spriggan 12 being defeated one after another, and with all of Ishgar united together, even though the Alvarez Empire had far more soldiers...
Zeref quickly arrived at the probability of obtaining Fairy Heart.
Zero.
'Natsu is no longer E.N.D. His power of the deceased should have a chance of killing me... and even if I die, he will not...'
'Irene, Selene, August, Raizel, Natsu, the Dragon Slayer Mages, dragon-slaying enchantments, Brandish?'
Zeref's thoughts suddenly stopped there.
He looked at Raizel, who had already released his Take Over, and frowned.
"Why Brandish?"
"What would happen if Brandish enlarged Natsu?"
Raizel had only given a simple reminder, but the scene had already formed in Zeref's mind.
A gigantic Natsu, burning with the flames of Igneel's deceased power, punching dragon-form Acnologia in the face.
At this point, Zeref had a definite answer.
'It seems... possible.'
Raizel pressed while the iron was hot.
"Also, after the battle with Acnologia, I will tell you something. Something you will absolutely be interested in."
'Something I would be interested in...'
Zeref raised his head, his eyes fixed on Raizel.
"An interesting condition. I accept."
"Good. First, pass down the order to retreat. Also, I have one more thing to do."
Zeref did not care about Raizel's commanding tone, he turned his head slightly.
"Invel, pass down the order. Withdraw the army."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At a time like this, Invel would not say anything like, "Your Majesty, we cannot retreat."
The reason was simple.
Of the three people in front of him, he could not beat a single one.
Zeref aside, even the flames on Natsu's arm had made his skin ache from such a distance. He was an ice Mage, after all.
As for Raizel, who had Taken Over into that giant dragon form, he could probably stomp Invel to death with one foot.
"You take Natsu to the sacred peak first. I'll go bring the others."
Raizel was worried Natsu might disagree, so he gave him one more reminder.
"Natsu, go with Zeref."
Both Zeref and Natsu nodded.
Natsu did mess around, but he knew when not to.
The chance to kill Acnologia and avenge Igneel was right in front of him.
Regardless of whether Zeref had previously intended to attack Fairy Tail, Zeref was an extremely powerful fighting force.
Natsu had to seize what might be the only chance in his life.
Seeing that Natsu was very calm, Raizel finished speaking and teleported away from the west.
Just as Zeref was about to leave with Natsu, Invel bowed slightly.
"Your Majesty, I also wish to go. Even if I cannot do much against Acnologia, I still wish to contribute."
...
Raizel first arrived at Hargeon Port.
After explaining the reason, he brought away Laxus, Wendy, and the six Dragon Slayer Mages.
He also reminded Jura and the others to let the wounded rest, and only powerful members should head to the sacred peak.
Raizel had Laxus, Gajeel, and the others wait for a moment, then called Wendy into an empty tent.
"Wendy, can you separate Dragon Slayer Lacrima from a Dragon Slayer Mage's body right now?"
Hearing this, Wendy froze for a moment before nodding.
"I can, but it will take some time."
"About how long?"
If it took too long, they might as well wait until they reached the sacred peak and let Irene do it.
Wendy thought for a moment.
"It depends on whether that Dragon Slayer Mage resists or not. If they don't resist, it should be fairly quick. Also, if their Magic Power is too strong, I won't be able to separate it."
Raizel took out the card sealing God Serena and released the vacant-eyed Serena from within.
"Good. Help me separate the Dragon Slayer Lacrima inside him."
God Serena, who used to spend every day striking poses and spouting endless nonsense, was now sitting blankly on the ground with empty eyes, looking like a complete fool.
Wendy did not mind.
She immediately began casting Enchantment Magic on Serena, aiming both palms at him as scarlet Magic Power glowed in her hands.
"Enchant: Separation!"
Raizel had originally thought there would be eight Dragon Slayer Lacrima inside Serena's body.
Only after Wendy separated it did he learn that the eight Dragon Slayer Lacrima had long since fused together.
Raizel looked at the diamond-shaped, multicolored Dragon Slayer Lacrima in his hand.
It contained eight types of Dragon Slayer Magic Power: water, fire, earth, wind, lightning, rock, light, and darkness.
Serena would not die after having the Dragon Slayer Lacrima removed.
He would not even lose his Magic Power.
Wendy wiped the sweat from her forehead with her arm, then looked at Serena, who had fainted on the ground.
"He used Dragon Slayer Magic too much, and too many Dragon Slayer Lacrima were implanted into his body. His body has already been assimilated by the Dragon Slayer Lacrima. Even after the Lacrima has been removed, if he can recover, he should still be able to use Dragon Slayer Magic in the future."
Raizel no longer wanted to seal Serena.
After obtaining the Eight-Dragon Lacrima, Serena's usefulness to Raizel was basically zero.
Raizel also had no interest in caring about Serena's future.
The urgent priority now was to enchant this Eight-Dragon Lacrima into Ultear's magic crystal ball.
After that—the final battle against Acnologia!
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