Lucy looked at Acnologia and asked curiously, "If you were to step in, could you defeat Laxus?"
She had always felt that Acnologia was strong, but she had no idea just how strong he was. Every time she saw him defeat an opponent, it seemed incredibly easy, as if he had never even used his full strength.
Acnologia gave her head a light flick. "What are you thinking? Instead of having me fight Laxus, you might as well go yourself. As a Celestial Spirit Mage, which is just as rare as a Dragon Slayer Mage, how can you be so weak?"
Lucy clutched her head and said defensively, "I'm already very strong, okay!"
He couldn't see the strength, but she was certainly tough. In the entire anime world, she definitely held a spot as one of the most resilient female protagonists.
"Let's go deal with Fried and the others. Leave Laxus to Natsu and Gajeel."
...On the other side, Evergreen had already faced off against Elfman. Although Warren had just notified them that the petrification had been lifted, it didn't stop them from continuing their battle.
"Don't run! If you're a real man, come and fight me head-on!"
Elfman, looking furious, charged forward and threw a punch.
Evergreen smiled slightly and gently removed her glasses. "But I'm a girl..."
A green light flared; it was Petrification Magic. Elfman quickly raised his hand to block his eyes. As long as he didn't see it, the magic was useless.
"However..."
"It's even more impossible for you to beat me with your eyes closed!"
Evergreen's long leg swept out in a kick, sending Elfman flying. He crashed into a small shop, sending dust flying everywhere.
"Take Over Magic: Beast Soul!"
Elfman transformed into a massive horned beast and charged out with a Roar, his powerful aura whipping up a gale.
Evergreen didn't care. She moved gracefully, dodging Elfman's heavy punches again and again.
"Good power, but a pity you don't use your brain. You're already surrounded by Fairy Dust!"
Elfman was startled to find himself enveloped by countless golden lights. Before he could do anything, the dust exploded dozens of times, leaving him severely injured.
Evergreen's figure flickered as she stood calmly before him, smiling. "I win!"
As soon as she spoke, her eyes met his, and Elfman turned into a stone statue.
Evergreen vs. Elfman. Winner: Evergreen!
Just as Evergreen was reveling in her victory, a terrifying pressure suddenly descended, making her body stiffen. She didn't dare move, feeling as if an abyss lay right behind her.
"Who's there...?"
Cold sweat poured down Evergreen's face. She stiffly turned her head to see a woman in a wide-brimmed hat and magic robes. She was incredibly beautiful and bore a seventy percent resemblance to Erza.
"Irene! Erza's mother!"
Her heart went cold. It was over; she was being confronted by the girl's mother.
What was with this terrifying, despair-inducing pressure?
Was Erza's mom actually this strong?
No!
"Strong" wasn't enough to describe it. This was completely off the charts.
Irene leaned close to her ear, her warm breath brushing against it. "Little girl, were you the one who petrified my precious daughter?"
She reached out and gently pinched Evergreen's chin, turning her stiff body around to face her. Their eyes met—one filled with terror, the other with indifference.
Irene smiled. "Since you like petrification so much, come, try petrifying me!"
"You..."
Evergreen felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. Her body wouldn't stop trembling. She looked into Irene's eyes, not daring to move, her very thoughts seemingly coming to a halt.
This woman felt even stronger than Laxus.
She felt like she was falling into an abyss, a never-ending descent, as if she would plummet to her death at any moment.
Evergreen knew clearly that if this terrifying being before her became even slightly displeased, she would surely die.
She opened her mouth and managed to squeeze out three words: "I am sorry!"
Suddenly, the pressure vanished like a storm clearing. Her heart felt light, as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted.
Irene chuckled and said, "Little girl, my precious daughter wants to defeat you herself, so I'll leave you to her."
"There's no need to hold back out of fear of me, because you are destined to be no match for Erza!"
With that, her figure flashed and dissipated into red light.
Evergreen was stunned. Was she gone?
Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, several swords slashed down from the sky. She quickly dodged.
Erza had arrived, now clad in her Heavens Wheel Armor as she flew in.
She pointed her sword at Evergreen and said coldly, "You dared to raise a hand against our comrades. I will never forgive you!"
Evergreen was taken aback. Looking at Erza's face and remembering the woman from just now, her legs suddenly felt a bit weak.
Damn it! Are this mother and daughter teaming up to bully people?
"Come on! I'm no pushover either!"
Evergreen shouted in anger.
She rushed forward, her fan waving out countless clouds of Fairy Dust. Terrifying explosions engulfed the area ahead, destroying everything.
"Celestial Wheel: Chaotic Sword Dance!"
Erza flew through the sky, dodging the explosions. Countless blades swirled around her, blocking every attack.
"Stone Eyes!"
In a fit of rage, Evergreen's eyes emitted a green light. However, Erza simply closed her eyes and, relying on her magic perception, used several swords to pierce Evergreen's clothes and pin her to the wall.
Evergreen still wanted to resist, but Erza had already landed in front of her, pointing a sword at her throat. She said calmly, "You've lost."
Evergreen didn't dare test the sharpness of the sword with her neck and could only grudgingly admit defeat.
"Fine, you're good!"
Dark Ecriture rose into the sky.
Erza vs. Evergreen. Winner: Erza!
...In the cathedral, Laxus was furious. He slammed his fist into the wall. "Evergreen actually lost!"
Fried walked over and said, "Erza is not an easy opponent. I'm afraid even I might not be a match for her."
"One more thing. Someone has modified my Jutsu Shiki. Natsu and Gajeel are on their way, and the Master has also broken free!"
Laxus laughed loudly, lightning erupting from his body. He said sharply, "Fine! Even if they all come at once, I'm not afraid!!"
Suddenly, Natsu jumped out, his body wreathed in flames as he charged. "Laxus, I'll be your opponent!"
Laxus snapped his head around, his eyes wide with rage. "You're asking for death!"
He threw off his coat and turned into a bolt of lightning, dodging Natsu's fire punch. He delivered a heavy kick to Natsu's stomach, sending him flying into the air.
Then he soared into the sky, launching dozens of attacks in an instant as a terrifying lightning storm raged.
Fried watched Laxus beat Natsu senseless, then turned to leave. "I'll go block the others first."
Just then, the Iron Dragon Gajeel arrived. Seeing Natsu being beaten black and blue, he immediately laughed. "How pathetic, you trashy Fire Dragon! Just watch me!"
With that, he charged forward. In the next moment, he joined the ranks of those being pummeled, just like Natsu.
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