Zikreyn saw this and let out a heavy sigh, "Everyone, actually Gerald and I share an inseparable familial bond; he is my younger brother..."
His purpose in building the Paradise Tower was to resurrect the legendary Black Mage Gerald.
I tried to stop it, but...
Zikreyn's words became the last straw that broke the camel's back, and the wavering council members instantly changed their stance.
Zikreyn is right. It is precisely because of the sacrifices of those before us that the magical world enjoys peace today; history has already shown everything...
But once the Mage Elf Power is unleashed, it will affect not only the Paradise Tower but also the surrounding nations and peoples...
Therefore we must also be the necessary sacrifices; only we can bear this sin and face the judgment of the people and history.
But Makalov and those fairy‑tail mages... they...
At this point, all we can do is wish them luck...
Stirred by Zikreyn and Ulutia, the vote to fire the Mage Elf Power was quickly concluded.
7 votes in favor.
2 votes against.
With a majority of councilors approving, the resolution to unleash Mage Elf Power on the Paradise Tower passed!
Zikreyn, with an apologetic expression, approached the dissenting councilors Yajima and Beluno, "My seniors, I'm sorry, this is all to prevent the Black Mage's resurrection..."
Beluno sighed, "Zik, will you take responsibility for launching the Mage Elf Power?"
Of course, I will bear all the responsibility...
Before Zikreyn could finish, Yajima interrupted, "The responsibility we speak of isn't that! It's the countless lives that will perish under the Mage Elf Power!"
From now on, you'll have to live bearing that many lives, Zikreyn!
Zikreyn remained expressionless, turned and walked toward the prepared Mage Elf Power sigil; all the council members and mages were gathered there.
At this moment, a total of 2.7 billion units of magical concept converged within the sigil—a terrifying force capable of obliterating an entire nation in an instant.
"Satellite sigil connection successful."
"Mage Elf Power final launch preparation complete!"
"Offer prayers to the Sacred Light!!"
"Mage Elf Power! Release!!"
... at the top of the Paradise Tower.
Both sides were locked in fierce combat, completely unaware that the council was about to unleash the Mage Elf Power, and they would become the sacrificial victims of the "greater cause".
Makalov's frail, aged body erupted with dazzling golden magic; he expanded rapidly in the light, and in the blink of an eye a small giant stood atop the Paradise Tower.
"Brunotte, whatever ambitions you have, end here!" Makalov's voice boomed like a great bell, making the air hum.
Brunotte's face showed not fear but a fanatical, excited grin, "Excellent! Only the Holy Ten are worthy of my full effort!"
He flung his arms wide, magic surging around him.
"Gravity Suppression·Tenfold!"
An invisible, terrifying force instantly enveloped Makalov's massive form. The tower's apex structure beneath his feet emitted a harsh cracking sound, yet Makalov's body only sank slightly.
What Brunotte didn't know was that before the battle Hop had attached a "repulsion" to Makalov; otherwise the old man would have smashed the tower under the gravity spell.
Meanwhile, Gerald was being chased by Elusha, who brandished a hellish greatsword, even losing a shoe in his frantic scramble.
Idle Hop, cradling a magically ripened sunflower and cracking sunflower seeds, occasionally sniped, "I say, Gerald, just let Elusha hack you a couple of times to vent, otherwise you'll tire yourself out and get cut anyway."
Seeing Hop's relaxed demeanor, Gerald fumed, "Bastard, I'll be the first to kill you!"
Hop shrugged, and looking at Gerald's tattered clothes revealing his true form, asked curiously, "What's your relationship with Zikreyn?"
Hmph! You'll find out soon enough!
Oh dear, still so cocky.
Hop clapped his hands, "Elusha, take a break. Gerald, do you want me to mince you into meat paste or slice you into shreds? I'll help."
Hearing Hop's sudden remark, Elusha's forehead darkened; the guy was becoming less and less respectable.
At that moment, the battling Makalov and Brunotte both halted, looking up to the sky as they sensed something.
The once‑clear distant sky was suddenly illuminated by a blinding flash that ripped through the heavens.
The light was holy yet carried a destructive authority, hurtling toward the Paradise Tower at an incomprehensible speed.
What—?!
Makalov's pupils contracted sharply; as a member of the Holy Ten, he instantly recognized it, a chill racing up his spine.
Mage Elf Power!!
Brunotte also recognized it; the arrogance on his face gave way to astonishment. The council had only summoned him to duel Makalov, never mentioning the Mage Elf Power launch.
Rage surged within him; he finally understood that he, Makalov, and even the tower were now the council's elimination targets!
You council idiots, you even discard your own! Brunotte acted on impulse, his gravity field warping as he tried to flee the Paradise Tower.
Makalov, frantic, thought, "My death doesn't matter, but what about the children…" Yet any struggle was futile.
The Mage Elf Power moved so fast that once it was seen, the outcome was already sealed.
In their final moments, Elusha instinctively glanced at Hop, but Hop remained seated, cracking seeds, as if the falling light were not a beam of destruction but warm sunshine... On the sea, Mira‑Jin and the others steering their ships away felt an indescribable, terrifying wave of energy behind them.
Everyone turned in horror and saw the holy white pillar of light spanning the heavens, like a judgment spear cast from the sky, piercing straight through the Paradise Tower!
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