Above the clouds, a massive Magic Airship advanced, supported by a red Magic Circle.
This was the Dark Guild, Grimoire Heart!
In the central cabin, an old man holding a magic staff sat at the highest point, with the Seven Kin of Purgatory standing beside him.
These people were:
Guild Master: Hades Prehecht!
Members: Ultear, Rastinros, Zancrow, Capricorn, Hua Yuan Sical, Meredy, and Aznain.
Below them were a dense crowd of subordinate Dark Guild members, each behaving very obediently, waiting for the big boss to speak.
Zancrow looked at the unexpectedly arrived Jellal, his gaze flashing with a cold light: "Isn't this Siegrain from the Magic Council? What brings you to join our operation?"
Capricorn, wearing sunglasses and with arms crossed, said with hostility: "Your purpose is truly suspicious."
During this time, Jellal had been joining Dark Guilds everywhere, switching to a new one after a while, and without exception, every Dark Guild that accepted him had been wiped out by Legal Guilds.
Now, Dark Guilds avoided him like the plague, fearing their own guild would be brought down by this traitor.
If they hadn't been unable to catch Jellal's tail, they would have gathered long ago to take this guy out.
Unmoved, Jellal said calmly, "I was deceived by you for so long; it took seven years just to build the Tower of Paradise. Shouldn't I come to see the mastermind behind it with my own eyes?"
Hades wore a helmet with two demon horns, a black eyepatch over his right eye, and a gray cloak, his aura cold and intimidating.
His voice was deep: "Jellal, since you have come here in person, you surely do not intend to be our enemy. Tell me your purpose."
This Jellal not only possessed the magic power of the Ten Wizard Saints but also mastered Celestial Magic. As an enemy, he would be troublesome; if he could be brought under his command, Hades would be quite pleased.
Jellal said coldly, "Although I was deceived by you, I did indeed persist for so many years. Without seeing the New World, I simply cannot be at peace."
"If you truly can create a New World, I don't mind lending you a hand."
Hearing his words, Hades laughed loudly, his voice filled with madness and dominance: "Very well! Jellal, I indeed did not misjudge you. You are a natural-born achiever!"
"Since you are willing to join us, I will tell you one thing: Zeref is still alive!"
Jellal's face turned pale with shock: "What did you say?"
"Damn it! Then why did you trick me into building the Tower of Paradise? Where is Zeref now?"
In truth, he had known for a long time that Zeref was still alive; Acnologia had already told him. But now was the time to test his acting skills.
This old geezer's eyes were too sharp, as if they could pierce through a person's heart; even he had to be extremely careful.
Hades was very satisfied with Jellal's expression. This guy had ambition and ability, and he had even toyed with the Magic Council until it collapsed. If he could truly submit, he wouldn't be inferior to Ultear.
He didn't hide anything and explained, "Zeref is not only alive, but he is currently on Tenrou Island."
"However, Zeref is currently in a deep sleep. Everything we have done is to awaken him. Deceiving you into building the Tower of Paradise was to obtain one of the keys."
Jellal asked in confusion, "How many keys are needed to awaken Zeref?"
Hades glanced at him and said, "Three keys are needed, and now all of them have been gathered. Jellal, I will now give you a chance to create a New World!"
Saying this, his majestic gaze swept over the Seven Kin of Purgatory and then the subordinate Dark Guild members below: "Your mission is to annihilate Fairy Tail and bring Zeref back to me!"
"Create a New World!"
"Bring back Zeref!"
"Long live Lord Hades!!"
Everyone below was very supportive, all clapping and cheering, each as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood.
In reality, they couldn't help but curse in their hearts. This old geezer Hades didn't even know how to make empty promises; just saying 'create a New World' was the end of it, without mentioning what benefits they would get.
If it weren't for their lack of strength, they would have kicked him down from his high seat and taken it themselves; at least they would know how to say a few inspiring words.
Ultear looked at Jellal's excited appearance and frowned slightly. Had Jellal been defeated by Fairy Tail and still remained unrepentant?
Actually, she had originally planned to leave with Meredy, but after receiving the order to destroy Fairy Tail, she thought it over and decided to wait a bit longer. Perhaps her mother, Ur, was among them.
Of course, if necessary, she would help the Fairy Tail guild defeat Grimoire Heart.
Hades raised his hand to quiet them, and all the cheering below stopped abruptly. He said calmly, "We are about to arrive at Tenrou Island. Now, except for the Seven Kin of Purgatory and Jellal, everyone else will serve as the vanguard to defeat the ordinary members of Fairy Tail!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked. A Dark Guild master stepped forward and said in disbelief, "Lord Hades, the airship is still in the sky. How are we supposed to go down?"
Hades said as if it were a matter of course, "Just jump down. Below is the sea; with your magic power, you won't die from the fall."
"Huh??"
"What? Jump down??"
"Lord Hades, you're not joking, are you?"
Everyone below held their breath and picked at their ears, almost suspecting they had misheard.
When they saw Hades's firm gaze, everyone cursed in their hearts. Was there ever an old geezer as treacherous as you?
Not only do you not pay us for the work, but you also make us jump into the sea!
We are all Dark Guilds, but aren't you being a bit too 'dark,' damn it?
Aren't you afraid we'll team up and rebel against you!
However, Hades only frowned, and before he could say anything, everyone immediately lost their nerve. In a panic, they jumped off the airship one after another, like dumplings being dropped into a pot.
Zancrow threw his head back and laughed loudly: "These people are so amusing. They really thought they could be of some great use and that we would treat them well."
Rastinros adjusted his glasses and struck a stylish pose: "Trash will always be trash, unable to reach the grand stage. Being able to board the Grimoire Heart is already a massive honor. Let them wear down Fairy Tail's strength."
Capricorn agreed, saying, "Sacrificing their lives for the great plan to open a New World is their only value!"
Hearing the mocking voices of the others, a cold arc also curled at the corner of Hades's mouth. There were as many of these lowly Dark Guilds as one could want; he wouldn't care even if they all died.
"We can slow down our pace now; there's no rush. If these people can eliminate Fairy Tail, I won't have to act personally."
"After all, that was once my guild..."
Thinking of that blonde little fellow he had once taught with care, he felt a bit soft-hearted.
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