Charles and Jellal sat across from one another, the chessboard between them beginning to move on its own.
The pieces representing Simon's group advanced to block the path of the ones representing Erza's team.
As the two sides' pieces clashed, Jellal activated a communication spell, his voice echoing throughout the Tower of Heaven.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Tower of Heaven. I am Jellal, master of this tower. Now that all the pieces have arrived, let the game begin... the Paradise Game!
The rules are simple: I intend to use Erza as a sacrifice to resurrect Zeref.
Which means that if the Gate of Paradise is opened, I win. If you manage to stop all of this, then you win.
But wouldn't that be far too boring? To make it more exciting, I will deploy seven warriors. You will not be able to reach me unless you defeat all seven.
In other words, this is a 7-versus-6 battle to the death.
And here's a special clause: the Magic Council may decide to use the satellite magic array to strike this location with Etherion, the ultimate spell that reduces everything to dust.
Time until the strike? Unknown. Once Etherion falls, none of us will survive. That means no winners. Game over.
Let's enjoy this to the fullest!"
With that, Jellal ended the spell and looked to Charles, expecting some kind of reaction.
But to his surprise, Charles's expression showed none of the panic or fury he had anticipated. He wasn't anxious, wasn't desperate—he sat there calmly, as though watching a play.
His face practically said, "Nice performance. Do you want applause?"
Jellal suppressed his irritation and sat back across from Charles. "You're pretty composed. What is it? Are you really that confident that Fairy Tail's mages can defeat me before Etherion lands?
After all, it's my side that has the numbers advantage, isn't it?"
Charles glanced at the chessboard, where the pieces had already begun to interact.
"Numbers? Since when have they ever determined a mage's strength?
And besides, the tide seems to have turned. Looks like it's our side that now has the advantage."
Jellal followed his gaze. The pieces that once faced Erza's side had turned around and now stood alongside her, facing him.
There was only one explanation: Simon's group had defected.
It was no longer 7 vs 6—it was now 3 vs 10.
Charles sighed. "If you manipulate people with lies, you'd better be ready for the backlash when those lies fall apart."
He had expected this outcome. Once Erza revealed the truth and it didn't match what they had heard from Jellal, doubt was inevitable.
The looming threat of Etherion only made it worse, and with Simon—who had always believed in Erza—taking the lead, their defection was hardly a surprise.
Jellal didn't seem bothered. He calmly pushed three chess pieces forward to block those representing himself.
"By your logic, numbers mean nothing. The game isn't over yet."
Charles knew this so-called game didn't hinge on any fair fight. Even if Jellal's side lost all the battles, as long as Etherion was launched, his goal would be achieved.
Still, Jellal clearly had confidence in his final three warriors.
Charles recalled their identities: assassins from the Dark Guild Skull Order. Not just any Dark Guild, but an assassination guild—professional killers who accepted only lethal assignments.
This trio—known as the Trinity Raven—were infamous even among criminals. These weren't just powerful mages; they were trained murderers.
He only vaguely remembered them from the original story, but he did recall that one of them was a strikingly beautiful female mage.
That woman, Ikaruga, wasn't just pretty—she was incredibly strong. Not just anyone could shatter Erza's armors one after another.
Jellal had every reason to be confident. On paper, his three remaining fighters had the upper hand.
But this was Fairy Tail. If they didn't pull off miracles, that would be more surprising.
Charles watched as the chess pieces separated into individual matchups.
The owl-headed piece engaged Natsu, Gajeel, and Wally.
The long-haired piece tangled with Gray, Juvia, and Milliana.
And the pink-haired female piece faced off against Erza and Lucy, with Hugh and Simon standing behind them.
Charles couldn't help but laugh internally. Classic battlefield-splitting setup. Now all that was left was to watch how the battles played out.
Jellal, studying Charles's face, asked, "There's something I still don't understand. Why are you sitting here, playing along with this game?"
Charles understood what he meant. Jellal was waiting for Etherion, but what was he waiting for?
Surely it wasn't fear—Charles had challenged Jose, another Ten Wizard Saint, head-on. There was no way he was afraid of Jellal.
Charles waved his hand. "I already know your plan won't succeed. Erza said she wanted to settle things with you herself. I'm just here to make sure nothing unexpected happens."
Jellal smiled. "And here I thought you believed that only the paradise created by Zeref would offer true freedom.
But in the end, you're here for Erza. Seems you, too, are still bound by this world's chains."
Charles frowned. "I have zero interest in your so-called paradise or freedom. So could you kindly shut up?
Because I'm not sure how much longer I can hold back from smashing that smug face of yours."
Jellal chuckled but didn't push further.
Still, internally he was growing impatient, cursing those indecisive old fools on the Council.
Through Siegrain's perspective, Jellal could observe what was happening at Council headquarters.
The Council was locked in debate, casting votes on whether to launch Etherion.
Its destructive power was city-level—if fired at the island where the Tower of Heaven stood, it could easily wipe out countless innocents.
Every launch required intense deliberation and majority approval.
Siegrain had exhausted every rhetorical trick to sway the councilors—greatly exaggerating Jellal's evil, painting the situation in the worst possible light. Yet he was still one vote short.
Finally, gritting his teeth, Siegrain uttered the name "Zeref."
None of the councilors had ever seen Zeref, only heard the legends. But just hearing that name sent a chill down their spines.
Instantly, the final vote was cast.
Launch approved.
Their fear was understandable. After all, Etherion—their strongest weapon—was the "legacy" left behind by that very same black wizard.
Now, under the robes of the assembled mages, a massive spell began to activate.
Overhead, magic circles unfolded one after another, a spiraling array of runes gathering tremendous magical energy.
Etherion's launch was now irreversible.
Even if the councilors regretted it, it was too late.
All they could do now was…
Pray to the Holy Light.
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