Boom boom boom
The base trembled as Gildarts plowed through everything in his path, using magic to blast through obstacles without detours.
At that moment, a surge of magical energy, comparable to Miss.1's, erupted from below.
"Hmm?"
Gildarts' expression turned serious.
Boom
He quickly retreated just as the ground shattered and a figure burst forth.
A muscular man flew out of the earth. Standing two meters tall with a solid build, he wore only shorts and had striking red skin.
When he raised his head, four eyes stared back—none ordinary. Their green irises and needle-thin red pupils resembled those of a snake.
"One," Jehfrit said, taking a sip of coffee, sensing the presence.
This was indeed a formidable opponent.
Even at Gildarts' peak, it would be a tough fight.
"You're quite strong," Gildarts raised his hand.
"Kill him," Roya ordered coldly.
"Yes, Father," One nodded.
Boom
An explosive battle erupted, instantly destroying half the base with magic.
"What kind of enemy did Gildarts run into? Such overwhelming magic!" Gray exclaimed.
"We need to help him," Erza said.
"You go ahead. Leave these guys to us," Makarov replied.
With that, Erza, Natsu, and the others rushed toward the base.
"Tomon," Roya called.
"Got it," Tomon nodded.
Boom
A pillar of magical light tore through the wall, heading straight for Erza.
"Look out!"
Natsu and Gray quickly shielded her.
Crash
A bolt of lightning sent the three flying, the light striking them directly and sending them sprawling backward.
"Laxus!"
Everyone cried out.
Cough cough. Laxus climbed from the rubble. "I'm fine."
But no sooner had he spoken than he coughed up blood.
Boom
Tomon appeared before Laxus, throwing a punch.
Swish
Just as everyone worried Laxus couldn't resist, his figure vanished, reappearing a hundred meters away.
"Huh?" Tomon looked surprised.
"Don't worry, everyone. Laxus isn't in mortal danger, but he can't keep fighting," Aza informed them.
It was Aza who had pulled him away.
"This demon is as strong as Ansa. Be careful," Aza warned.
"Understood," everyone nodded.
Roya glanced at Jehfrit, who remained calm.
"Aren't you worried about your companions?" Roya asked.
"We'll win without a single casualty. Nothing to worry about," Jehfrit replied, meeting his gaze.
If he wanted, he could suppress everyone at any moment—except One.
But if Gildarts could hold out a while, One would become his slave.
Jehfrit's focus now shifted to Miss.1.
He sensed her emotions spiraling downward, dominated by fear.
The Demon's Graveyard and Gates of Hell clearly terrified her.
Boom boom boom
The battles intensified on all fronts.
Inside the base, Gildarts fought One alone.
At the edge, Miss.1 furiously attacked Ansa.
Outside, Erza and the others, aided by Aza, barely held their own against Tomon.
In the factory area, Makarov led Fairy Tail's second-tier fighters in chaotic melee against Roya's captains and lower-ranked mages.
The scene was spectacular.
"Haa—"
Jehfrit stood. "It's here."
Roya's face darkened.
Suddenly,
The entire world dimmed, losing color, turning black and white.
"Oh no!"
Miss.1 panicked, abandoning her duel with Ansa and rushing back.
She reached her room, slicing through the lock and door with a single strike—time was precious.
Crackle crackle
The air split open, an ominous presence descending.
Miss.1 grabbed a small box hidden under her bed and ran to Jehfrit.
Thud
She placed the box at Jehfrit's feet. Meeting his puzzled gaze, she said, "It's for you!"
Then she turned to run outside.
Snap
Jehfrit caught her wrist.
Miss.1 looked at him questioningly.
He yanked her behind him. "Leave the Gates of Hell to me."
"Jehfrit, do you accept me?!" Miss.1 exclaimed joyfully.
"That's unrelated," Jehfrit said coolly.
He wasn't moved by Miss.1 but curious to see what lay beyond the Gates and the Demon's Graveyard.
"Jehfrit," Miko said, "I feel the world beyond the gate is connected to me."
"I feel the same," Jehfrit replied.
Crackle crackle
The fissure widened.
"Jehfrit, what is that?!" Lucy asked.
"Stay away," Jehfrit said as he walked outside.
"You won't stop it," Roya stated.
"And you?" Jehfrit asked without looking back.
"I wouldn't dare provoke it," Roya admitted, then turned to Miss.1. "If you have any conscience, leave me a sample of your blood before you go."
"Hmph," Miss.1 sneered. "Sorry, I found someone who can help me."
"…," Roya sighed.
"Jehfrit," Miko said, "I can close the gate."
"Not yet. I want to see what comes out," Jehfrit replied.
"It feels familiar… this magic…" Miko muttered, memories stirring.
"The Demon's Graveyard… Life Alchemy… Mission… God…"
"Ahh!"
Miko screamed, clutching her head and collapsing.
"If you can't remember, don't force it," Jehfrit said gently. "Don't strain yourself."
"Yes…" Miko steadied herself on Jehfrit's shoulder.
Jehfrit approached the fissure.
"Jehfrit, stay back!" Makarov warned.
"Master, don't worry," Jehfrit said, looking up.
Miss.1 moved behind him. "I feel the pull growing stronger. Voices whisper in my ear. Jehfrit, you'll protect me, right?"
"I won't protect you, but I will close the gate eventually. Whether you survive depends on you," Jehfrit said coldly.
"…," Miss.1 sighed. "If you said something nice, I'd be yours."
"I don't need that. Thank you," Jehfrit answered.
Crack
Suddenly, shards of space fell.
"Aza, collect them," Jehfrit instructed. "These are valuable."
"Yes," Aza absorbed the shards.
"Master, shall I scout ahead?" Aza asked.
Jehfrit flicked a card.
Bang
The card was deflected.
Boom
A massive blood-red hand emerged, widening the fissure.
"Why does this feel so familiar?" Jehfrit quipped. "Is some handsome older guy with abilities like mine going to show up next, along with masked pretty boys?"
Crack
Space shattered like glass, raining shards absorbed by Aza.
A colossal red demon poked its head through.
"Homecoming…"
The demon reached for Miss.1.
"Help!"
Miss.1 tried to flee but was rooted, unable to resist the pull.
Then, the demon grabbed her.
"Aftearali!" Miko suddenly shouted.
The demon froze, face contorting in terror, hastily retreating.
"Aza, hold him," Jehfrit commanded.
Boom
Aza leapt to the gate, grabbing the demon's arm and pulling outward.
"Release me!" the demon growled.
"Aftearali," Jehfrit recalled Miko's words. "Who are you? How do you know my true name? No… it wasn't you who called earlier—it was her!"
"She's nearby?!"
"No, otherwise she'd kill me!"
"She should still be asleep!"
At the mention of "her," Aftearali's voice trembled with fear.
"Answer my questions," Jehfrit demanded.
"…," Aftearali glanced around. "Since you know my true name, I'll answer three questions."
"What lies beyond this space?" Jehfrit asked.
"The Forsaken Land," Aftearali answered.
"Why that name?" Jehfrit pressed.
"That one… I dare not say her name or she'll awaken. Humans, believe me—you don't want her awakened. She corrupted truth and desecrated the gods' dignity, so they punished her and all she created," Aftearali explained.
Jehfrit looked at Miko.
Clearly, "her" was almost certainly Miko.
"I don't remember…" Miko said, her voice tinged with hurt. "Jehfrit, will you be afraid of me? Will you abandon me?"
"What nonsense!" Jehfrit chuckled. "You'll always be my Miko."
"Mm," Miko nodded, reassured.
"My third question," Jehfrit continued, "Can I enter that world?"
"No," Aftearali replied. "Unless you wish to become a demon."
"Fine. Leave that woman here, then take this mirror shard," Jehfrit said, producing a card.
"Human, you overstep!" Aftearali snapped. "We aren't humanity's enemies. This woman bears a mark. If she stays, she might awaken—and bring disaster!"
"I won't…" Miko pouted. "I'm done with that."
"…," Jehfrit affectionately patted her head. "I believe you."
Turning to Aftearali, he added, "I'm not negotiating."
"…," Aftearali paused, then smiled resignedly. "Humans repeat history."
He released Miss.1, then met Jehfrit's gaze.
"We can't stop you, but…"
"You remind me of her."
"Studying demons?"
"Two such humans in history met no good end."
With that, Aftearali set Miss.1 down, accepted the card, and withdrew.
Boom
The Gates of Hell slammed shut.
Two figures remained—
One was naturally Zeref.
The other…
Jehfrit looked at Miko, forming a theory.
Perhaps the Forsaken Land was Miko's old lab?
"Jehfrit," Miko clung to his arm, seeking reassurance. "I won't become someone you hate."
"I'm not her…"
"I know," Jehfrit said softly.
"Phew—" Miss.1 exhaled deeply, embracing Jehfrit's arm.
"For the first time in years, I feel relief."
"That fear is gone. They won't take me back!"
"Indeed!"
Miss.1 proudly declared, "All my efforts weren't worth it. Finding a good man was enough!"
"Master…" Miss.1 glanced at Aza, then Jehfrit. "That's what he calls you, right? You like it?"
"Master…"
Miss.1 gave him a pitiful, stray-cat look.
Jehfrit pushed her away and turned to Roya.
"I've lost patience. Let's end this."
Boom Roya's magic surged.
But in the next instant,
He collapsed.
Thud
Tomon, who had pressed Natsu, also fell.
Like dominoes, Roya's mages collapsed one by one.
"What did you do?!" Miss.1 gasped.
Jehfrit smiled silently.
He looked toward the base. "Only One remains."
Because One emerged recently, he hadn't yet been infected.
"Take him down!"
Natsu climbed out of the crater.
"Blow this place up!"
"Destroy the Roya Organization!"
The crowd roared.
Boom
Seeing so many approach, One transformed.
"Worm King!"
A massive, blood-red worm-like creature appeared, covered in giant arms.
"Gross!" The girls covered their mouths.
"What a big bug. Wonder how it tastes roasted," Natsu said.
"I'll skewer it," Gajeel added.
"Can you stop talking like that?" Gray complained.
Crash Laxus fired lightning from afar.
"Star Map Lore!"
"Sky Dragon's Roar!"
Everyone unleashed remaining magic, combining attacks.
"Fire Dragon's—Brilliant Flame!"
"Ice Make: Blizzard!"
Boom boom boom
Spells bombarded One.
Half-finished as he was, One lost all rationality in his transformed state, going berserk.
Yet, facing combined assault, his massive form was an easy target.
Soon, he was beaten into submission.
"We won!"
Natsu raised his fist triumphantly, declaring victory.