"Regarding the children's safety, I won't hold back!"
Makarov threw a punch at the beam of light. His massive fist wasn't hindered and slammed into the device with full force!
*BOOM*
The device was instantly destroyed!
The power didn't diminish as this punch also smashed into the council's meeting place.
*CRASH*
Several buildings were reduced to rubble in one punch!
Fortunately, there was no one nearby, so no casualties occurred.
Everyone was stunned.
"Ah, my bad." Makarov shrank back to his normal size, pretending to awkwardly scratch the back of his head while barely suppressing a laugh. "Sorry about that, I lost control."
You old geezer definitely did that on purpose!
Everyone silently agreed.
"Makarov, we need an explanation!" The councilors' faces were grim.
"I will explain everything to you, but before that, investigate Siegrain first," Makarov said seriously.
Magic returned to Jellal's body.
He staggered back two steps in disbelief.
The Etherion device was destroyed!
His eight years of hope had turned to nothing!
Jellal's mental state collapsed!
Erza stepped forward and said, "Jellal, you've failed."
"Ah—" Jellal let out a frenzied roar.
"I haven't!"
"No!"
"I still have one last move, one last move!"
Jellal went completely insane!
"People of the Tower of Paradise—"
"Today, I will grant you the chance to step into paradise!"
"Jellal, what are you doing?!" Seeing Jellal preparing some strange magic, Erza quickly attacked him.
But she staggered; she had been fighting for a long time, her magic nearly depleted.
But now was not the time to falter!
Gritting her teeth, she charged toward Jellal.
"Erza, don't stop me!" Jellal mercilessly unleashed a highly destructive spell.
"Grand Chariot!"
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
Seven meteors violently knocked Erza away.
*CRASH*
Layer after layer, enormous magical arrays appeared within the Tower of Paradise.
Everyone felt their magic being drained!
Jellal spread his arms wide, shouting, "Great Zeref, I offer this immense magic and life to you!"
"And this woman too!"
"I will use her body to recreate your flesh!"
"Jellal..." Erza clutched her chest, trembling as she tried to prop herself up with her sword.
"You won't!" Suddenly, a voice rang out, and a massive pillar of ice shot up, sending Jellal flying!
*BOOM*
The pillar of ice slammed Jellal hard against the ceiling.
The eerie magic was interrupted.
"Erza!" Natsu and Gray arrived.
Seeing Erza's condition, both were filled with rage.
"I don't care who you are!" Natsu bared his sharp dragon fangs, "This isn't Erza—showing weakness, her voice and body trembling!"
"This isn't how Erza should be!"
"She should be strong, brave Erza!"
"You bullied Erza!"
"I'll beat you to a pulp, make sure when Erza wakes up tomorrow morning, all nightmares will be over!"
"Eight years of grudges!" Gray stepped forward, "As Erza's family, we will settle this with you!"
"Bring it on!" Natsu and Gray roared simultaneously.
"Natsu... Gray..." Erza looked at them with gratitude, then suddenly sensed someone beside her. She turned to look at Jehfrit.
Jehfrit smiled gently at her and said, "Erza, leave it to us now. Don't disturb these hot-blooded boys from driving away the nightmares of the past and guarding the happy future of their sister."
"You..." A tear rolled down Erza's cheek as she smiled with relief and contentment.
"Stupid little brothers, I leave it to you."
"Ooh!" Natsu, Gray, and Jehfrit responded in unison.
*BOOM*
Gray's pillar of ice shattered, Jellal floated down slowly from the sky, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
"Even if I kill you first, it won't take much time!"
What greeted him were Natsu and Gray's spells!
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
"Ice Make Lance!"
"Meteor!"
Jellal accelerated, dodging both spells and appearing instantly before Natsu and Gray.
"Grand Chariot"
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
After all the attacks landed, they only ended up piercing through walls.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
"Ice Make Battle Axe!"
"Damn!" Jellal narrowly dodged, avoiding by a hair's breadth.
"Deception Magic!"
"It's as terrifying as the rumors say!"
"Then I'll deal with you first!"
Hearing Jellal's words, Jehfrit tilted his head and smiled.
*BOOM*
Jellal's spell pierced through the illusion.
"My magic is actually quite shameless," Jehfrit chuckled. "Unless I attack directly, it's probably very difficult for anyone in this world to find me, Jellal."
That's right.
As long as he didn't attack directly, it was hard for others to find him—Reed was one of the few exceptions.
Just like during the Phantom Lord battle.
He used his gun, Teal, to fire magical bullets. Because the magic wasn't used in the essence of Deception Magic, it caused a magical fluctuation, allowing Jose to detect him.
But now, he had Natsu and Gray as his heavy hitters.
There was no way he could wield a sword and fight Jellal up close.
This was what was known as—
As long as he didn't attack, he stood in an unbeatable position!
Victory wasn't guaranteed, but at least you could box with shadows first!
Unless Jellal had group attack and detection methods like Jose.
But unfortunately,
He didn't.
"Damn!"
Jellal finally realized his predicament.
He couldn't attack Jehfrit, which meant he couldn't escape the Deception Magic.
Without escaping the Deception Magic, it was hard for him to handle Natsu and Gray. Even if he could sense their magic, the spells were already upon him.
Forget counterattacks.
Even dodging was difficult!
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
Jellal had completely lost confidence by now.
All his attacks hit illusions.
And the attacks he received were ice and fire combos.
Even the toughest meat couldn't withstand such a beating!
"Ah—"
Jellal unleashed his magic.
Trickery, huh!
Since this Tower of Paradise had already failed!
At worst, he'd spend another eight years!
"Dark Paradise!"
A massive amount of magic gathered, forming an extremely terrifying spell.
Even light was absorbed as Jellal held up a black hole, ready to slam it down.
Suddenly, a flood of emotional information overwhelmed Jellal's mind.
'Am I really going to kill them?'
'How can I continue making mistakes?!'
*THUD*
Jehfrit gripped his cane with both hands and struck the ground heavily.
It's over—Jellal's mind was completely under his control!
It would have taken some effort otherwise, but since the Etherion wasn't successfully launched, Jellal's mind was already cracked wide open.
So I won't be polite, sizzle—
Thus, just like finding a crack on an egg...
In short, it's over!
Seeing Jellal holding his magic spell, frozen in place and paralyzed,
Natsu and Gray seized the opportunity to unleash their full magical power!
Such an opportunity was rare, so they had to go all out!
"This is what happens when you bully Erza!" Gray roared, "Ice Make: Ice Cannon!"
"Apologize to Erza!" Natsu merged his body with flames and leapt high into the air!
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade!"
*BOOM*
Two immensely powerful spells sent Jellal flying. He broke through the ceiling and soared deep into the night sky.
Before losing consciousness, he looked down.
Erza...
Are these your comrades?
They're truly reliable...