When Lucy and the others arrived at the dock outside the Tower of Paradise, there was a ship docked with a mummy lying in the cabin, covered by a mage's cloak.
The smell of medicine was strong.
It was Ikuto, her face flushed red. Seeing Lucy and the others, she managed a weak smile.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
The sounds of battle echoed continuously from within the Tower of Paradise.
Erza, who was more familiar with the place, reached the top floor room where Jellal was first.
"Jellal!" Erza's expression was complex, but upon seeing his face, all her complicated emotions vanished, and her eyes became resolute.
Jellal had once been her comrade.
But she had to be responsible for the lives of Natsu, Jehfrit, Gray, and the others!
After a few exchanges of words,
Erza was deeply disappointed.
Jellal was completely different from the person he used to be!
Persuading him with words was now impossible!
"The Tower of Paradise is complete, and it's seven minutes until Etherion strikes," Jellal said smugly.
"Erza, feel honored; you will accompany me to paradise."
"Then I'll defeat you within seven minutes." Erza swung her demon blade, Red Sakura.
The battle began.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
Jellal was extremely powerful, but Erza was no slouch either.
The two were evenly matched.
"Jellal, tell me, what exactly happened in that room back then?" Erza asked while attacking.
Back then, when Jellal was taken away by the Zeref Cult for interrogation, Erza finally realized—escaping alone was impossible; only overthrowing the Zeref Cult could save everyone!
Thus, Erza took the lead, leading everyone to overthrow the Zeref Cult.
During the battle, when attacked by dark mages, an old man appeared to save her.
A former member of Fairy Tail—Rob.
Rob blocked the magic attack for Erza and used a massive flame spell to kill the enemies.
However, Rob was old, and under various adverse conditions like prolonged torture and depleted magic power, using magic caused his magic power to completely run dry.
Rob's life had come to an end.
Under this stimulation, Erza successfully awakened her magic.
With her newfound powers, Erza wreaked havoc and arranged for Simon and others to board a ship while she charged into the room where Jellal was imprisoned.
But by then, Jellal had completely changed—
Jellal spoke of "true freedom being the world where Zeref resides, I will stay here to resurrect Zeref," and then he used magic to injure Erza.
Finally, Jellal threatened Erza—only she could leave the island, and everyone else had to stay. If Erza told anyone or approached again, he would kill everyone!
"Starting with Sho."
Upon hearing these words, Erza received a huge psychological shock and was attacked by Jellal, causing her to faint.
When she woke up, she was already on the beach.
Later, she remembered Grandpa Rob, who saved her, bearing the emblem of Fairy Tail on his back, which led to her joining Fairy Tail.
This was what Erza knew.
But Jellal deceived Sho and the others.
He said—Erza burned the ship and abandoned them to escape.
Those who couldn't leave thus came to hate Erza.
But Simon unwaveringly believed in Erza!
Now, Sho, Wally, Millianna, and others also believe in Erza!
And with Jehfrit here,
Erza had no more concerns!
That guy might not seem reliable most of the time, but in critical moments, he was trustworthy!
Today!
She would get to the bottom of this!
"Only by knowing the truth of the world and understanding truly great things," Jellal said with a smile.
"It seems unless I defeat you, you won't speak the truth," Erza said disappointedly, then unleashed a powerful burst of magic.
The two exchanged blows for several rounds.
Jellal felt immense pressure.
Dealing with Erza with only half his magic power was extremely difficult!
*BOOM*
Finally, slipping up slightly, Jellal was caught off guard by the more experienced Erza, who struck him down in one blow!
*HUM*
Erza brought her sword down, stopping just above Jellal's nose, the demon blade humming.
"Jellal, tell me everything I want to know!" Erza coldly said, "What exactly happened back then?!"
"Erza..." Jellal's face showed a sorrowful expression.
"You've become so powerful."
"Pity you came too late. If you had come eight years ago... I wouldn't have..."
Jellal spoke sadly.
"What exactly happened?" Erza's eyes flickered slightly.
Jellal sighed, "Since that day eight years ago, my body hasn't been under my control. I'm merely a puppet created to resurrect Zeref. I'm fully aware that paradise and ideal freedom never existed, not even from the beginning."
"But... I've been controlled by Zeref."
"All of this... is not what I wanted to do."
"And now?" Erza asked.
"It's too late..." Jellal said gloomily. "There's less than a minute left before Etherion strikes. At that time... that massive magical power will turn the Tower of Paradise into a giant magic crystal. This place will become the altar for Zeref's resurrection."
"Sigh—"
Erza let out a long sigh.
"Jellal, even now, you're still lying."
"Making up such excuses, do you think I'll believe them?"
Jellal frowned, "Erza, at a time like this, what meaning does telling lies have?"
Erza smiled gently, "Do you know about the Elegant magician in Fairy Tail?"
"I've heard of him." Jellal nodded.
"He's usually unreliable, always teasing people and making everyone angry. But he never jokes around with lives, much less gambles with the lives of comrades!"
Erza stood up and said, "Jellal, retract your thought projection and unleash your full magical power. I came here for two purposes!"
"One is to beat you up!"
"And the second is—to wake you up!"
Jellal's expression changed, his eyes terrifying.
"You knew from the start?"
"Not exactly from the start, but before your lies." Erza stepped back two steps and said, "Etherion won't activate. Your plan has failed."
"How could this..." Jellal had barely spoken a few words when he suddenly froze in place.
Elsewhere.
Magic Council.
The entire office area echoed with announcements.
"Etherion release—"
"Five."
"Four."
"Three."
"Stop, you idiots!"
A towering giant suddenly appeared!
"Little Mak?" Councilor Yajima exclaimed.
"Makarov?!" Everyone was shocked.
The visitor was none other than the guild master of Fairy Tail – Makarov, one of the Ten Wizard Saints!
*BOOM*
After appearing as a giant, Makarov didn't waste any time and punched the Etherion device.
"Stop!" Siegrain, who had been smug, suddenly erupted in emotion and magic power, shouting madly as he transformed into a beam of light and rushed over.