Tartaros is located on Underworld Island, a massive cube floating in the sky that is large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.
President: END (Currently represented by Plue Mard Geer)
Nine Demon Gates: Seilah Marge
Sera of the Cool Moon Heaven
Keyes the Black Archbishop
Absolute Zero Silver
Tempester the Immortal
Torafuzar of the Darkness
Ezel the Dojigiri
Franmarth of the Hard Shell
Jackal
At this moment, in the dim hall inside Tartaros, Zeref, who looked like a black-haired youth, sat on a stone chair at the high seat, while the Underworld King and the Nine Demon Gates knelt below him.
Plue Mard Geer said respectfully, "My Lord, the declaration of war has been delivered. What should we do next?"
Zeref looked at the book of end in his hand, his eyes quiet and gentle as he replied with a smile, "The other side won't give up on Mavis and Natsu. They will definitely choose to go to war. Send a demon to test them first; I want to see how Mavis, the Fairy Tactician, will respond."
"Yes, My Lord!"
The members of the Nine Demon Gates also looked up slightly at their creator, their eyes filled with longing and fanaticism.
As abandoned demons, they dreamed of returning to Zeref's side. Otherwise, Plue Mard Geer wouldn't have been able to gather them just by holding the book of end. Ultimately, the only one they ever admired was the person before them.
When Zeref arrived at Tartaros, their jaws nearly dropped in shock. It felt like a dream, something they hadn't anticipated at all.
This man, who single-mindedly sought death and traveled the world, viewed any demon unable to kill him as a failure. Why would he take the initiative to find them this time?
Zeref didn't hide anything from them, simply stating that he wanted to give Fairy Tail a trial, and they would be the ones to appear as opponents.
To this, the demons had no hesitation. As long as it was Zeref's command, they were willing to die.
Zeref nodded slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a large round table and a series of chairs condensed into existence in the center of the hall. He said, "Don't be formal, everyone sit!"
The Nine Demon Gates kneeling on the floor were all stunned for a moment, hesitating slightly. Was it really appropriate to sit at the same table as him?
The demons all looked toward Plue Mard Geer; he was the leader, so they wanted to see what he would do first.
Plue Mard Geer's movements were slow, as if he had developed Alzheimer's. He also intended to see if some fool would lead the way, only to find all the demons behind him were watching him. In his heart, he couldn't help but curse them as useless trash.
Zeref watched as it took five minutes for these demons to stand up one by one and couldn't help but wonder, "What are you doing?"
Demons have long lifespans, but they couldn't have all entered their senile stage after not seeing each other for a few decades, right?
If that were the case, he would have to consider finding a different opponent for Fairy Tail.
Plue Mard Geer wanted to confirm if he had heard correctly and asked again, "My Lord, can we really sit?"
Zeref looked at their ill-at-ease expressions, smiled, and patted the table, saying, "Sit!"
Hearing that word, Plue Mard Geer and the other demons no longer hesitated and sat down quickly.
Zeref looked at them and said, "My curse has been lifted, and your mission is over. Once this operation is finished, you can choose to continue following me or choose freedom."
Plue Mard Geer said without hesitation, "I will follow you to the death!"
"We will too!"
The Nine Demon Gates were half a beat late in their reaction, but they immediately responded as well.
Zeref said, "There's no need to rush into a decision. You have time to consider it. You are already independent individuals with your own thoughts; use your hearts to think about what you truly want."
"What we want..."
The demons were somewhat lost. Their lifelong dream was to return to Zeref's side; they had no other goals.
Zeref watched them in contemplation, closed the book of end, and said, "Begin executing the plan. I have only two requirements: first, do not kill any member of Fairy Tail, and second, do not let them discover that you are holding back."
The demons immediately responded, "Understood!"
Plue Mard Geer thought more than the other demons and said hesitantly, "If we truly take action, I'm afraid Fairy Tail will be heavily injured even if they don't die."
They were demons who had lived for hundreds of years. Even if they held back their power, they were definitely not opponents an ordinary Mage could face.
Although Fairy Tail had defeated Oración Seis and Grimoire Heart, who were also part of the Balam Alliance, he still didn't believe the other side had the ability to contend with demons.
Zeref smiled and said, "As long as you leave them with a breath of life, everything else is up to you. Besides, the Fairy Tail Guild isn't as weak as you think."
With Acnologia, Irene Belserion, and his own brother there, how could such a guild be weak?
Plue Mard Geer was slightly stunned. "But..."
"Mard, let's make a bet."
"A bet?"
Zeref said unhurriedly, "From now on, you will lead Tartaros to hand Fairy Tail a crushing defeat. If you can do that, you win, and I can fulfill one reasonable request for you."
"If you lose, seeing as you don't have much to give me, you'll go to Fairy Tail and help out with chores for a week."
Plue Mard Geer thought for a moment, a confident expression appearing on his face. "Then I truly must try. Please wait and see."
"We will surely present the most magnificent battle for our Lord!"
The Nine Demon Gates also looked confident.
Since the Great One wanted to see their true abilities, they would naturally go all out to prove they were by no means useless failures.
Zeref looked at their excited faces, smiled, and stood up to head out. Suddenly, he noticed a strange face wearing armor and inquired, "Who are you? I sense the aura of a wraith."
Every demon was created by his own hand, yet he had never seen this armored man before. His aura, however, felt like that of a Devil Slayer Mage.
Keyes the Black Archbishop introduced him, "This is Silver, the only uncorrupted corpse I control. He is possessed by the dead demon Deliora and is now an Ice Devil Slayer Mage."
"Deliora?"
Zeref frowned and examined Silver carefully, saying, "Who are you? I don't perceive the aura of Deliora from you at all."
The Underworld King and the Nine Demon Gates were all shocked and snapped their gaze toward Silver. Deliora was the story Silver had always maintained; could it be fake?
He was already secretly harboring murderous intent. Zeref was their creator; he could never be wrong!
"Zeref, this is truly unexpected..."
Silver looked at the legendary Black Wizard; the immense pressure coming from the other party was even more terrifying than that of a demon.
He didn't dare relax in the slightest. Magic power surged within him, and his arm gradually turned black as he prepared to take action.
Jellal raised his hand, signaling the demons not to be nervous. He looked at Silver's tensed body and said softly, "Don't think about fighting. Demon Slayer Magic has an advantage over demons, but it is useless against me."
Silver looked at the youth with black hair and black eyes. From their brief exchange, he discovered that this Black Wizard wasn't as malevolent as the rumors suggested, and he had a history with Fairy Tail... Perhaps..."
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