Chapter 701 - 701: Ignia & Helios

Just as Selene attempted to retreat into another spatial rift, a blue vortex spread across the battlefield.

Twelve Thunder Swords Bureiragaha, formed from the lightning descending from Dragon Plasma, appeared around Selene and Examon X.

The twelve swords formed an enormous formation around them.

Azure lightning thundered throughout the enclosed space, bolt after bolt crashing down with terrifying force.

Selene's enormous body made it practically impossible to avoid everything.

Lightning repeatedly struck her fur, leaving it standing on end in every direction.

More importantly, she immediately realized that her Spatial Magic had effectively been sealed.

Lightning saturated the surrounding space itself.

She could no longer slip freely into spatial rifts because she would be struck the instant she tried to enter one.

Raizel's next attack followed immediately.

The Ultimate War Dragon Spear Ambrosius emerged from the void and shot toward Selene.

Ambrosius possessed a will of its own, adjusting the amount of power it released according to the strength of its target.

With the azure lightning restricting Selene's movements, the massive spear crossed the battlefield without losing any speed and slammed directly into her.

No obvious wound appeared on Selene's body.

But her expression twisted sharply in pain.

She dropped from the sky like a kite whose string had been cut and crashed into the ground.

Raizel landed in front of her.

"That's enough."

Selene certainly still had strength left to fight.

Under moonlight, her regenerative abilities were formidable as well.

But the problem was obvious.

Her attacks could barely damage Raizel.

Even her full-powered roar had been cut apart effortlessly by the Thunder Sword.

There was little point in dragging the fight out any longer.

...

Mercphobia and August's battle, meanwhile, had become extraordinarily intense.

August possessed such an absurd variety of Magic that there seemed to be no situation he could not answer.

When Mercphobia revealed his true form and flooded the arena, August used Time Magic and Water Magic to disperse the sea.

Then he enhanced his body for close combat, Enchanted his staff with Dragon Slayer properties, and moved directly into melee range, landing several damaging blows on the Water Dragon God.

Mercphobia was just about to launch his counterattack when both Selene and Raizel suddenly rose to their feet.

"Stop the match!"

Mercphobia and August immediately pulled back.

"What happened?"

After her match with Raizel ended, Selene had briefly checked on Guiltina.

At first, nothing had seemed unusual.

Then Ignia appeared.

And he was not alone.

Aldoron.

Viernes.

Dogramag.

Three Dragon Gods who were unquestionably supposed to be dead had appeared again.

Even more alarming was another presence beside Ignia—one Selene had never encountered before.

Its Magic Power and sheer presence seemed to exceed even Ignia's.

Although Selene was observing from a tremendous distance, looking toward that existence felt almost like staring directly into the sun.

Blinding.

Scorching.

Raizel had received a message from Elefseria at almost the same time.

The Five Dragon God carvings at Magia Dragon had changed.

The carvings representing the Wood Dragon God and Gold Dragon God, both of which had long since gone dark, were glowing again.

Raizel and Selene quickly compared what they had learned.

There was only one obvious conclusion.

They might have been resurrected.

Raizel's brows furrowed deeply.

"That shouldn't be possible. They were definitely dead."

He had personally killed Viernes and Dogramag.

Of that, he had no doubt whatsoever.

Selene pursed her lips slightly.

"Then perhaps it has something to do with that presence I've never seen before."

Before anyone could discuss it further, Ignia's voice suddenly echoed throughout the arena.

"Long time no see, Natsu... and everyone else."

The entire stadium fell silent.

"Three days from now, Helios the Sun Dragon God, Aldoron, Viernes, Dogramag, the other dragons, and I will be waiting for you in northern Guiltina."

"Especially you, Natsu."

"You'd better come."

"I've been looking forward to fighting you."

"And if you don't... Helios and I will burn Guiltina to the ground, then let the flames spread across Ishgar and Alakitasia."

Then the voice disappeared.

"Other... dragons?"

Natsu's anger ignited instantly.

"You bastard!!!"

He shouted toward the sky, but Ignia was already gone.

"We'll protect Guiltina too!"

The members of Diabolos and the Signario Sisters reached an agreement immediately.

Ignia.

Dogramag.

Aldoron.

Viernes.

And now Helios, the Sun Dragon God.

Raizel's expression became rather strange.

"So our enemies are Five Dragon Gods again?"

He stared ahead for a moment.

"We went through all of this, and somehow we've come full circle. Apparently the Hundred Years Quest really does insist that we deal with five Dragon Gods no matter what."

"If that's how it is, then we'll just beat them again!"

Ultear, Wendy, and the others who had traveled with him on the Hundred Years Quest nodded without hesitation.

Natsu clenched his fists so tightly that veins stood out across his hands and face.

"Ignia's mine."

"I'm going to beat some sense into him for Igneel!"

Makarov shook his head gravely.

"No."

Everyone turned toward him.

"This is no longer about sealing the Five Dragon Gods."

"This is a war for entire continents."

"A battle between humans and dragons."

His expression hardened.

"If that's the case... Fairy Tail has no intention of standing aside!"

Makarov thrust one arm into the air.

"Everyone—prepare for battle!!!"

"YEAH!!!"

Gildarts, Ur, Precht, and the rest of Fairy Tail raised their fists in response.

Gildarts grinned excitedly.

"Heh. Never thought I'd still get a chance to fight the Five Dragon Gods after the Hundred Years Quest."

"Five Dragon Gods, huh? I've been wanting to see what they can really do."

Laxus cracked his knuckles.

Gray, Kurnugi, and Gajeel looked equally eager.

"We'll help too!"

Jellal and the former members of the Oración Seis immediately joined them.

Sting, Rogue, and Minerva did the same.

Zeref's usually impassive expression darkened.

His voice became unusually cold.

"As Emperor of the Alvarez Empire, I will not allow anyone to trample upon my nation."

Behind him, Invel, Dimaria, Ajeel, and the others lowered their heads respectfully.

"Your Majesty, we will fight beside you."

A cold light appeared in August's eyes.

"They intend to spread the flames of war into Ishgar and Alakitasia?"

"I won't allow that."

August treasured the peaceful life they had finally managed to obtain.

Anyone who threatened to destroy it was his enemy.

Mavis stood on her toes and raised one hand high.

"I want to help too!"

She looked completely harmless.

Of course, this was the same woman who could casually throw out Fairy Glitter.

Among everyone present, her reserves of Magic Power ranked near the top.

She simply did not fight very often.

August smiled and nodded.

"Then we'll fight together, Mother."

'Though I'll make sure Mother stays in the rear and directs the battle.'

Whatever he said aloud, August had absolutely no intention of allowing Mavis to get hurt.

Mercphobia looked toward the sky for a moment before turning to Raizel.

"It appears that three days from now will be the decisive battle."

"This time, take me with you."

Karameel was clearly worried about Mercphobia's safety.

But she neither objected nor tried to stop him.

This battle concerned not only Guiltina, but potentially Ishgar and Alakitasia as well.

Mercphobia could not stand aside.

Selene nodded.

"In that case, Ultear and I will organize everything we know about the three Dragon Gods we've already fought and distribute the information to everyone."

She looked around at the assembled fighters.

Everyone was brimming with determination.

Their morale was higher than ever.

Selene raised an eyebrow.

Then a smile slowly spread across her face.

"This may actually be the perfect opportunity..."

Her eyes sharpened.

"An opportunity to wipe them all out at once."