BOOM!!
Sacred golden light illuminated the entire island of Tenrou Island, blooming across the vast, boundless sea.
Its brilliance was so intense that even the sunset's afterglow in the distant sky was overshadowed!
The golden light, containing the power of elimination and annihilation, converged at a single point, all focused on Acnologia, completely engulfing its massive, pitch-black dragon body!
Deep within the golden light, Acnologia stood undaunted, letting out a strange cry that could have been either pain or laughter.
It flapped its dragon wings and took a step forward, slightly opening its massive, fang-filled jaw.
The next second, a horrifying scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.
The old man's full-powered Fairy Law, one of the three great Fairy Tail magics that could always dispel despair, was simply... eaten by Acnologia!
The dazzling light dissipated. The scene was once again shrouded by the wings of despair.
"What... what kind of monster is this thing?!" Giant Makarov's expression was quite ugly.
Having witnessed Hades's desperate struggle before his death, he naturally hadn't expected Fairy Law to completely destroy Acnologia. Even with the Heart magic's amplification, that was absolutely impossible. He had only hoped to buy a little time to escape.
But the result was far more desperate than he had anticipated. The attack, which had exhausted all the magic power accumulated in his Heart, couldn't even achieve the most basic defense penetration!
A howling gale interrupted Makarov's shock.
Without using any magic, Acnologia simply charged straight forward. The impact force alone, terrifying as a mountain, sent Giant Makarov spitting blood, several of his ribs snapping on the spot!
However, even realizing the gap in their power, Makarov had no intention of avoiding the brunt of the attack. Instead, he used the momentum to wrap his arms around Acnologia's thick neck, locking it in place.
The two giants entered a contest of pure strength. Or rather, to call it a "contest" would be generous.
With just a slight effort from Acnologia, Giant Makarov was on the verge of collapse!
Enduring the tearing pain throughout his body, Giant Makarov gritted his teeth. His eyes held the resolve to die, and also the relief of being able to protect his children like a real father at the very end.
"My children... now... hurry... hurry up and run! As far away... as you can!!"
His tragic voice echoed across Tenrou Island. But everyone stood frozen, unable to move.
They weren't paralyzed by the aura of despair emanating from Acnologia. They had heard the farewell in their master's voice.
A sorrowful atmosphere spreads silently.
"Run... please run! Don't you understand that this is your last—"
Before he could finish, Giant Makarov paused. The corner of his eye caught a figure walking out from the crowd.
"Even if you use a commanding tone, there's no way we'd abandon you to save ourselves. You know that better than anyone, don't you?"
Having finished speaking with Mavis, Chase stepped forward slowly, using a respectful tone he rarely employed.
Dark gold light swirled around him. As he walked, it gradually condensed into the five pieces of the Exodia armor, radiating an ancient, heavy magical aura.
"Chase, you—"
"Enough, old man! Change back!"
Chase raised both palms, beginning to accumulate a chaotic energy sphere. A Trap Card array lit up beneath his feet.
Sensing his incredibly strong will, Makarov knew this was no time to hesitate. He immediately chose to trust him unconditionally, abandoning his self-sacrificial plan and lifting his giant magic.
Suddenly losing its target, Acnologia's body lurched forward involuntarily.
In that instant, Chase activated his Trap Card "Swap." He appeared in the spot Makarov had just vacated, directly in front of Acnologia.
Without pause, he extended his arms, aimed at Acnologia's heart area, and thrust the energy sphere forward.
"Demon God: Flame Cannon!!"
The cannon blast exploded against Acnologia's chest, the energy capable of destroying an entire city erupting in an instant!
The spreading shockwaves annihilated everything around them. The entire island of Tenrou Island trembled violently under this single blow, mountains shaking and earth rumbling!
Even Acnologia was caught somewhat off guard by this point-blank chain attack. Its usually immovable body staggered back several steps.
And that was it.
The next second, a sharp, swift counterattack followed.
The black dragon claw swung through the air, creating sonic booms, completely covering the "insect" before it, and then slammed down heavily.
CRASH!
The terrifying force created countless dense cracks in the ground, like a spider's web.
"Chase!!" Erza and Mira shouted almost simultaneously.
The other comrades were so scared their faces turned pale.
"What an unreasonable monster. Taking a full-power Demon God Flame Cannon completely off guard and only staggering back a few steps..." Chase's incredulous voice came from beneath the black dragon claw, reassuring everyone of his safety.
Then, crimson light spilled from the gaps between the black dragon claws.
What's this?
Acnologia's pale white pupils twitched slightly. For the first time, a clear change in expression appeared on its face, which had been filled with amusement the entire time.
In that brief moment of daze, the crimson light had already condensed to its limit. A sacred aura surged like a tide.
The wings of a god slowly unfurled. The chains of the Forbidden One clinked. Having activated his God Slayer Magic, Chase forcibly resisted the heavy pressure of the dragon claw, little by little pushing it up.
As the phantom of Slifer the Sky Dragon condensed into shape, his power exploded. Acnologia, who had been merely playing around, was actually pushed back!
BOOM!
A super magic circle, woven of intertwined crimson and dark gold light, abruptly rose. Chase let out a bellow, unleashing what was currently his most powerful attack.
**"God Slayer Secret Art: Demon God Superconducting Wave!!!"
Amidst the tremendous roar that seemed capable of shattering space itself, the energy beam, merged with divine power, shot forth.
This time, Acnologia finally lost its footing. The violent impact explosion sent it flying, crashing straight into the distant mountains of Tenrou Island!
The hard rock shattered like foam, kicking up a sky-covering cloud of dust.
"That should do it..." Chase stood in place, gasping for breath, slightly clenching his fist to feel the magical amplification from the Exodia armor.
He knew very well that he could never defeat Acnologia on his own, even if it killed him. And he was grateful that Acnologia had appeared with a playful attitude. So, his entire series of actions had merely been preparation for what came next.
Preparation for summoning a god!
To maximize the power of the descending Slifer, he also needed the strength of his comrades. So—
"Hey! You bastards, what are you standing around for?"
"Even if we can't win, at least give this thing a proper Fairy Tail greeting!!"
Startled by Chase's shout, everyone finally snapped out of their daze.
That's right! They were Fairy Tail! They would never yield to a powerful enemy, no matter what!!
WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH.
One after another, magical arrays bloomed. The burning, hot fighting spirit, like a spark, instantly ignited the dead, despair atmosphere.
God of Ice's Siege Cannon, Surging Waters, Solid Script, Puppet Laser Cannon, Dark Letter: Extinction, Fairy Machine Gun...
Everyone roared, shouted, and poured their all into their strongest attacks, aimed at the dark shadow deep within the distant smoke.
Over a A dozen magical attacks converged into a torrent of magical power in the sky, unleashing without reserve on Acnologia!
Acnologia scoffed at it. Just as it used its claws to tear through the magical torrent, it suddenly realized it had stepped into a strange domain. The stars of the heavens floated around it.
"Please, Erza, Mira-nee, Gildarts! Lend me your strength!"
Lucy, in her Aquarius Celestial Spirit Dress, and Lucy (Gemini), in her Leo Celestial Spirit Dress, simultaneously opened their eyes, magical arrays turning within them.
"No problem!" x3
Erza, in her Exodia Armor, Mira, in her Demon God King Combination Soul form, and Gildarts, with his magic power fully liberated, poured their strongest magic into the stars of the heavens.
"S-Class: Super Urano Metria!!!"
The Ultra-Magic, gathering the full power of four S-Class mages, exploded on Acnologia. A pillar of light shot up from Tenrou Island, piercing the sky!
"I leave the rest to you, Natsu..." Lucy's legs gave out from bearing far more than her body could handle.
Erza quickly caught her.
"Go! Dragon Slayers!"
"OOOOOHHHHH!!"
As the finale, Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy, carried by the three Exceeds, flew into the air and unleashed a combined roar at Acnologia, which was stepping heavily out of the pillar of light!
Dragon Slayers? How pathetically weak.
As if to show off its own power, Acnologia clearly sensed the attack but stopped walking, too lazy to even move. Its pale gaze casually fell on Chase in the crowd.
More than the Dragon Slayer magic, it was obviously more interested in the sacred magic that had made it feel pain for the first time in ages.
CRASH!!
Under the violent bombardment of the three roars, the already shattered corner of Tenrou Island finally reached its limit. It kept collapsing and sank.
Acnologia tumbled into the sea with the falling debris. In the blink of an eye, all that remained was the sound of the ocean filling the void.
"D-did we do it?!"
A flicker of joy appeared on everyone's faces.
"No. Even doing all that... was probably just scratching an itch for that thing," Gildarts said gravely, revealing the cruel truth.
Even now, Acnologia hadn't used any magic at all. This wasn't even the same level as the situation he had faced!
WHOOSH!
A pillar of water gushed. The massive dragon shadow that burst from the sea and flew into the sky confirmed Gildarts's words.
Set against the backdrop of the fiery sunset,a cold wind blew, pushing the despair brought by Acnologia's pitch-black wings to its peak.
"We did nothing..."
"Dammit! What was the point of me learning Dragon Slayer magic?!"
Natsu felt a deep sense of powerlessness. He collapsed to his knees, clenching his fists in frustration, and began to doubt himself.
Everyone else was also pale, not knowing how to possibly defeat such a monster.
Just as their ignited fighting spirit began to fade, Mavis's voice suddenly resounded in everyone's hearts.
"Everyone in the guild, hold hands. I will concentrate all of your magic power into a single person."
"Chase said: Don't give up. He will definitely bring everyone home safely!"
Hearing Mavis's words, everyone realized that Chase had somehow "disappeared."
"Wait... Chase-nii... is he planning to..." Lucy's eyes widened as if she had thought of something.
"Aye~ I know too!" Happy's eyes also lit up.
Even Natsu, who had been lost in self-doubt, had flames rekindling within him.
The three of them had witnessed that card with their own eyes.
The card named after a god!
Soon, the others learned from them what Chase was about to do.
Like a beam of light shining into the abyss of darkness, hope quickly spread. The others no longer hesitated. They joined hands, forming a circle.
Their combined magic power, their trusting emotions, under Mavis's guidance, converged into a torrent, flowing to the top of the Tenrou Tree, where the island's buff was strongest.
"This is... the power of Fairy Tail's belief..."
Chase stood atop the tree. Around him floated buff Magic Cards like the Book of Secret Arts. The guild emblem on his right arm glowed.
The magic power kept rising within him was both powerful and warm, both incredible and reassuring.
When that magic power reached an unprecedented height, he snapped his eyes open. Facing the howling wind, he raised the card between his fingers high above his head.
"When the sky thunders and chaos reigns, gather the ancient grimoires from the chain, their power reaching infinity! "
"When good and evil converge, begin the ritual to summon the underworld judge! "
"Descend—"
"—Slifer the Sky Dragon! "
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!
patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!