Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus.
May 25, x792.
*Boom!*
The ground trembled as Alfonzo, with the use of his [Metal Magic] drove a thirty-foot-tall pillar into the ground on the outskirts of Crocus. And if one were to look from a distance, this was not the only one of such pillars, as there were seven more surrounding the capital in each of the eight directions.
However, not only was Crocus surrounded by these pillars, as every town, city, and village was also surrounded by similar pillars. On top of that, the entire kingdom was lined with these pillars at precise intervals.
"Alright, this should be the last one." Alfonzo said while wiping sweat from his forehead. "Finally, we're finished."
"Well done, Master Alfonzo." Grayfia said as she approached Alfonzo with a towel. "Please, take a rest."
"Yes, you should get some rest, Alfonzo!" Irene shouted from the distance. "Setting up a barrier around the entire kingdom, we've definitely earned it." {Pic}
"We?" Alfonzo asked rhetorically while shooting a resentful glare at Irene as he accepted the towel from Grayfia, who only responded by waving the glass of wine she was drinking from in his direction. "We didn't earn shit. I did all the damn work. For almost two God damn months, I've been running all over the kingdom jamming these pillars into the ground. Hell, if someone said fuck the world, I could be like: 'Nah, don't worry about it. I did that already'."
Hearing Alfonzo's grumbling, Irene rolled her eyes while chuckling. Even Grayfia, who usually wore a stoic expression, even while pregnant, couldn't help but crack a smile, as well.
As Alfonzo said, the day after he spent the night with Maria, he and Irene had been working almost non-stop on the barrier to protect the kingdom from the inevitable Alvarez Empire invasion. And about two weeks into their work, they finally cracked the equation that would revert the crops to their former state after the barrier was activated.
Actually, saying they cracked the equation was a bit of an overstatement. Rather, they simply realized that they did not have to activate the barrier until right before the invasion started. And how did they come to that realization, you ask?
Well, it was because of Amar'e.
One day when the child saw Alfonzo upset over his failure to figure it out, Amar'e asked what was wrong. So, Alfonzo, just wanting to vent, explained the problem he was facing in simple terms.
And when Amar'e heard that, he tilted his head to one side and asked:
"Why do you have to turn it on as soon as it's finished?" Amar'e asked in an innocent tone. "Why don't you just turn it on when you need to?"
After hearing Amar'e's question, Alfonzo fell silent, only staring into his son's eyes for a few moments. Then, a wide smile spread across his face and he scooped his four-year-old son into his arms and laughed happily
Though Amar'e did not understand why his father was so excited, Amar'e laughed along happily. And the next day, with the barrier designs complete, Alfonzo took the whole family on a trip around the country to relax. And that included all of the maids, who were given a few days off to enjoy the trip, as well.
After the little vacation ended, Alfonzo and Irene got right to work setting up the barrier with the maids each taking turns accompanying them around the country. Alfonzo's wives and lovers would also drop in to spend time with them from time to time, as well.
And today, after nearly two months, the last barrier anker was set, and the job was finished.
While Alfonzo thought back on the last couple of months, he and Grayfia made their way over to the parasol Irene was sitting under while Alfonzo worked. And when they arrived, Alfonzo flopped into a chair and continued wiping his sweat. Meanwhile, Grayfia took the initiative to pour him a drink.
"Seriously, Grayfia, you're pregnant." Alfonzo said while looking at Grayfia helplessly. "You really should take it easy."
Instead of responding, Grayfia only stared into Alfonzo's eyes while offering him the cup she just filled. And although she did not say anything or change her expression in the slightest, Alfonzo felt as if he was being reprimanded for trying to obstruct her work as a maid.
"You and your damn maid fetish." Alfonzo said while ending the staring contest with Grayfia. "Why are you even looking at me like that? I'm just showing concern. Damn it..."
While Alfonzo missed it because he looked away, Irene could not help but smile when she saw the loving smile that spread across Grayfia's face in response to Alfonzo's words of concern. {Pic}
"Anyway, now that we're done with all the work, let's go home." Alfonzo said while looking up to the sky. "This war is probably gonna be intense. We should take as much time as we can to relax."
"At least we don't have to worry about the battle strategy." Irene said after finishing her glass of wine. "With the renowned Fairy Strategist on our side, that part of the war is none of our concern."
"Yeah..." Alfonzo muttered as he, too, stood up. "The only problem is that Zeref knows how Mavis thinks. But I doubt he's prepared for us to disregard collateral damage."
*Voom!*
As Alfonzo finished speaking, the Blackbird, which had been hovering high in the sky, descended close to the erected pillar. And just before it touched down, Alfonzo spoke once more, his voice drowned out by the sound of the Blackbird's engines.
"And there's no way Alvarez will be ready for a completely unleashed Fairy Tail." Alfonzo said while a manic smile spread across his face. "For the first time in my career, I'll be able to completely cut lose."
With those unheard words, Alfonzo led Irene and Grayfia onto the Blackbird. Then, after switching the controls from auto-pilot to manual control, he piloted the airship back to Magnolia, where he would spend the last days before the war with his family.
Earth Land, Alakitasia, Alvarez Empire, A Port on the East Coast of the Empire.
"Your Majesty." Invel said after approaching Zeref, who was standing at the end of the port and looking in the direction of Fiore, with a polite bow. "All preparations are complete. The army and navy are ready to set sail whenever you give the order."
Turning back at the sound of Invel's voice, Zeref immediately saw the Alvarez Empire's warships, both sea and air. Looking a little further back, he caught sight of the other eleven members of the Spriggan 12 standing in front of the one and a half million strong army. Meanwhile, the members of the navy participating in the invasion were all aboard the warships, ready to set sail with his order.
"You've done well, Invel." Zeref said as he turned to look at the sea once again.
"Your words honor me, your Majesty." Invel said while bowing even deeper.
"Chief of Staff, Invel Yura." Zeref said, his tone growing sharper. "Relay my orders. Have all soldiers board the ships and set sail immediately."
"By your will." Invel said with one last bow before turning to give the order.
With Zeref's orders relayed, the Alvarez Empire's military began moving like a well-oiled machine. And within an hour, all one million five hundred thousand soldiers were aboard the ships and ready to go. Then, after another half hour, the ships set sail towards Ishgar.
However, even after the ships and airships disappeared beyond the horizon, Zeref was still standing in the same place, still looking towards Fiore. More specifically, towards the Fairy Tail guild hall.
"Please forgive me, Natsu, Mavis." Zeref said softly. "Although I don't want to hurt you, this has to be done. With Lumen Histoire, I'll be able to make everything right. I'll prevent the tragedies from four hundred years ago."
And with those last words, Zeref faded from where he stood.
Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia.
May 31, x792.
{BGM: "MASAYUME CHASING" -- BoA}
"Daddy your phone is ringing." Bianca said while standing in front of Alfonzo and cutting ingredients.
"I know, Baby." Alfonzo replied with a smile.
After wiping his hands with a towel, Alfonzo reached into his pocket and pulled his lPhone out of his pocket. He then looked at the Caller ID. And when he saw that the call was from Gozaburo, his expression, which was all smiles while cooking with his daughter, turned solemn in an instant.
"Maria, look after Bianca for a little bit." Alfonzo said as he turned to leave the Mansion on the Lake's kitchen. "I have to take this call."
Hearing the severity in Alfonzo's voice, Bianca turned to look at him with concern. Meanwhile, Maria nodded in response as she approached the counter where Bianca was preparing ingredients.
"I understand, Master Alfonzo." Maria said politely. She then turned to Bianca and continued. "Let's start preparing the pans, Young Miss."
However, Bianca did not pay any attention to Maria, all her attention was on Alfonzo as he walked away.
"Daddy..." Bianca muttered with worry.
"Don't worry, Baby." Alfonzo said while turning back to smile at his daughter after hearing her muttering. "I'll be back soon. I just have to take this call. Then, we'll finish cooking, okay?"
"Okay." Bianca said quietly. "Come back soon."
Giving Bianca another smile, Alfonzo turned around and left the kitchen. Then, when he was a little ways away, he finally answered the call.
"Gozaburo." Alfonzo said solemnly. "I take it they're on the move."
{"That's right, Brat."} Gozaburo replied in his gruff voice. {"My people just reported that a huge fleet just crossed into Fiore's territorial waters. At the rate they're going, the ships will make landfall at around sunrise tomorrow."}
"I see." Alfonzo replied. "Did they see any airships?"
{"They did."} Gozaburo replied. {"But they were moving at the same pace as the ships on the sea. So---"}
"Yeah, they're definitely not gonna stay that way." Alfonzo said, cutting off Gozaburo's response. "Zeref definitely knows we have a way to monitor the seas. So, there's no way he'll be satisfied with giving us that much time to prepare." {Pic}
{"Then, you mean...?"} Gozaburo asked, his tone turning just as solemn as Alfonzo's.
"If it were me, I'd have the airships speed up after night falls." Alfonzo replied. "The airships would be harder to see in the dark, making a sneak attack much more viable. I'll head to the guild hall and talk to Mavis about this. If we act quickly, we can have people at Hargeon by sunset. Mermaid Heel should be able to make it to Cedar by then, too. We'll have the other guilds in Fiore start moving, too."
{"I'll order the Merfolk to start moving, too."} Gozaburo said. {"They may not be as strong on land, but we can damn sure make things harder for those Alvarez assholes while they're on the sea."}
"I don't know if that's a good idea." Alfonzo said with a slight frown on his face. "Members of the Spriggan 12 will definitely be on those ships. And if they---"
{"Don't look down on the Merfolk, Brat!"} Gozaburo shouted, interrupting Alfonzo's concerned reminder. {"There's no one better when it comes to fighting at sea. Those Alvarez Empire pricks won't know what hit them."}
Hearing that, Alfonzo could only smile wryly. Having known Gozaburo for so long, he already knew there was no way to change his mind when he was so determined. So, although Gozaburo could not see it, Alfonzo simply nodded his head.
"Fine... Just make sure your people are careful." Alfonzo said solemnly. "Sun will be sad if she finds out they got hurt... or worse."
The line fell silent for a few seconds after that. However, the silence did not last long.
{"Ahahahaha!"} Gozaburo broke the silence with a bout of uproarious laughter. {"There's no need to worry about that, Brat! My boys no better than to make my princess cry. If they do, what Alvarez can do to them will have nothing on what I'll do."}
"Ha!" Alfonzo barked a short laugh in return. "I almost forgot just how loved Sun was among the Merfolk. In that case, I have nothing to worry about."
{"Damn right, you don't."} Gozaburo replied.
"Then, let me finish cooking with my little girl." Alfonzo said with a smile. "After that, I'll head to the guild hall and make plans with Master Mavis."
{"Fine."} Gozaburo said dismissively. He then continued in a serious tone. {"But you better not let my Sun get hurt. If you do, I'll kill you even if it kills me. Got it, Brat?"}
"Of course." Alfonzo said, his tone equally serious. "No one will get hurt as long as I'm alive. You can count on that."
{"Hmph!"} Gozaburo only snorted in response before ending the call.
Smiling at his father-in-law's antics, Alfonzo scrolled through his contact list and made another call a moment later.
{*Ring!* *Ring!* *Ring!*}
{"Alfonzo, is it time?"} Mavis asked in a solemn tone.
"Yeah, Gozaburo just called and told me the Alvarez ships just crossed into Fiore's waters." Alfonzo replied.
{"Very well."} Mavis replied. {"All of our wizards have been restless since I stopped them from taking quests a week ago. Now, they'll finally have a chance to let out all that pent up energy."}
"On top of that, they don't have to worry about collateral damage." Alfonzo said with a grin. "Honestly, I kinda feel bad for those guys from Alvarez. I bet they have no idea what they're walking into."
{"Yes, things won't go as Zeref expected."} Mavis said, her ton slightly melancholic. {"Anyway, I'll begin organizing our forces. We'll be counting on you and Ur to get them to wear they need to be."}
"Don't worry, I'll be there in about an hour with the Blackbird." Alfonzo said. "I still have to finish cooking with Bianca. If I just disappear before we're finished, she won't talk to me for a long time."
{"Hehehe! You're just as bad as Gozaburo and Maes, Alfonzo."} Mavis said, her cheerful giggles flowing through the phone call. {"Maybe you should join Team Doting Daddies at next year's Battle of Fairy Tail Tournament."}
"Don't put that evil on me, Master." Alfonzo said with a chuckle. "Anyway, I'll get going. And don't worry, I'll be ready to take everyone where they need to be. Then, I'll wait for Serena to show up for the ass whoopin' he's looking for. Because I know he's gonna come looking for me for revenge."