"Dels... El Continentias!!"
As Minerva's voice fell, the Eighteen Demon Gods Magic was fully unleashed. A pillar of light brimming with destructive energy shot skyward, reaching into the heavens!
All of Crocus trembled. The terrifying shockwave even reached the Grand Magic Games venue, making the audience's hearts pound.
When the affected screens flickered back to life—
The once prosperous activity plaza where Erza and the others had been fighting was completely blown away. All that remained was a barren, shattered expanse of yellow earth.
At the edges of this wasteland, ring-shaped barriers had activated, successfully protecting the densely populated streets and residential areas behind them.
The organizers did have some conscience after all. They hadn't truly allowed all of Crocus to become a battlefield, having set up protective barriers in key areas in advance.
On the field, a biting wind swept away the dust, revealing three figures still standing.
"After taking a hit of that magnitude, they're still standing?" Minerva frowned.
One had just finished fighting the Executioners. The other had been instantly swapped in. This outcome clearly defied her expectations.
Kagura's expression was no better. She looked at Erza with grave seriousness and sighed. "At full strength, I'd be no match for her."
Compared to Minerva's wide-range spatial Ultra-Magic, the ancient rune-enhanced Evil-Crushing Spear had left a deeper impression on her, making her acutely aware of the gap in their abilities.
Erza remained silent. Her gaze fell on the protective barriers around the battlefield, a deep conflict brewing within her.
Her two opponents were undeniably strong. Ordinary techniques wouldn't be able to defeat them quickly enough to support her other teammates.
And the longer this dragged on, the worse it would be for Fairy Tail. Laxus and the others were facing elite mages from four different guilds!
She was confident she could end the fight quickly with that move. But its destructive power was far beyond what the organizers' barriers could contain. It would almost certainly endanger the surrounding residents!
After the fierce exchange, all three had a measure of each other's strength. Each wary of the others, none dared to make the first move.
And so, the battle reached a stalemate.
But it didn't last long. A voice suddenly broke the silence: "Erza, don't overthink it. Just go all out!"
Looking back, Chase and Mirajane—neither of whom were competing—stood atop a distant tower, far from the battlefield.
"After all, we're not the ones paying for the damage!" Chase said with absolute justification.
"The surrounding residents have already been evacuated."
Mirajane waved the card in her hand, smiling as she added, "Not even the cats and dogs were left behind~"
Inside the card, residents and tourists who had been inexplicably stuffed into a strange space were making a ruckus. Some weren't even dressed, their bodies covered in holy light as if they'd been in the middle of a shower moments before.
Unfortunately, their voices had been muted by Chase.
"No need to thank me. We're all Fiore citizens. Protecting everyone's safety is every mage's duty," Chase said to the card with a pleasant smile.
The people inside grew even more agitated, waving their arms as if overwhelmed with gratitude.
Mirajane couldn't help but turn away, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh in the corner where they couldn't see.
Though she occasionally played tricks on people back at the guild, she was much more restrained outside, at least maintaining a proper lady's image.
Grand Magic Games Venue.
The sudden appearance of Chase and Mirajane on the big screen immediately drew everyone's attention.
Chapati was puzzled, wondering whether he should remind them not to interfere with the match.
Beside him, Yajima had already seen through everything and simply shook his head with a smile.
The Pumpkin Head's mouth was twitching uncontrollably. A bad feeling crept up on him.
"What?! So they weren't actually going to the bathroom (to do weird things)?!"
Natsu and Lucy's simultaneous shouts were perfectly synchronized.
Seeing this, Levy behind them couldn't help but smile. These two really are meant for each other!
"See? I told you that brat wouldn't be that kind-hearted," Makarov said helplessly to the two Mavises, spreading his hands.
There were many ways to let Erza cut loose, but this guy had chosen the most troublesome one!
"If it were you, Third Master, you'd probably do the same, wouldn't you?" the shrewd Mavis asked, hitting the nail on the head.
"Well, well..."
In front of the First Master, Makarov was respectful. He shrank his head guiltily but didn't try to deny it. "Who told them to try and kidnap Lucy? This level of payback is only fair... right?"
When it came to protecting his guild children, this fiercely protective and grudges-holding old man didn't care if you were the Magic Council or the Fiore royal family!
Gasps from the audience interrupted their conversation.
A golden magical storm had erupted, filling the entire screen!
After casting a grateful look at Chase and Mirajane, Erza turned back to face Minerva and Kagura. Her gaze had become sharp and unwavering.
With no more reservations, she fully unleashed the Exodia Armor's power.
HUM HUM HUM.
The ancient runes and the entire suit of armor dissolved into streams of dark golden light, converging between the Fairy Queen's palms. The radiance was blinding.
Minerva and Kagura, facing this terrifying aura, both felt a chill run down their spines.
Retreating would have been the wisest choice, but driven by their respective pride and honor, both fearlessly unleashed their full magic power, erecting large defensive barriers before them.
If they ran from a two-on-one fight, they might as well wave a white flag!
The moment they completed their strongest defensive spells, Erza stepped forward with heavy purpose. In the tearing wind, she thrust the orb of light forward.
"DEMON GOD FLAME CANNON!!"
The energy beam, capable of dimming the heavens, erupted like a tidal wave, engulfing Minerva and Kagura.
After a brief pause, it continued further, annihilating everything in its path. It struck deep within the barren mountain range outside Crocus, blooming into a massive mushroom cloud that rose slowly into the sky!
When the terrifying spectacle finally subsided, the big screen showed Minerva and Kagura lying unconscious in the rubble along the devastated path.
Erza, her magic power spent, steadied herself with trembling steps—then raised her right arm high!
"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!"
Chapati's hands trembled with excitement as he grabbed his microphone and shouted. "Minerva and Kagura are unable to continue! The victor standing to the end is once again the Fairy Queen!"
"Mermaid Heel is out! Fairy Tail gains another ten points! No one can stop this guild from claiming the championship now!!!"
***
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!