The divine breath completely engulfed Hades, who had no time to evade, transforming into a massive light cannon that shot out at an oblique angle, enough to distort space.
The terrifying energy annihilated the rooftop of the dark castle, piercing through the clouds and soaring into the sky.
The earth trembled. The pressure of a god exploded like a volcanic eruption, shaking the entire battlefield!
"That aura..." Inside the dark castle, Natsu punched Zancrow away with his Destruction Flame Dragon's Iron Fist. He looked up toward the direction where the aura had erupted, the corner of his mouth turning up in a reassured smile. "It's Chase's god power!"
Zancrow carved two trenches into the floor with his body. His arms, crossed in front of him, were covered in bloody wounds and smoking.
After a fierce battle, his spirit was now flagging, his expression quite ugly. The arrogance and insolence he had shown upon first appearing were completely gone.
Facing Natsu in Destruction Flame Dragon Mode, his advantage as a Fire God Slayer had completely evaporated.
The violent flames, imbued with destructive power, could not only deal substantial damage to him but also posed a great risk if he tried to eat them.
The destructive energy, which was not part of the flame category, could easily shatter his internal organs!
Not all Slayer-type mages could be as unrestricted as Natsu, who would just open his mouth and devour anything.
After all, he was the "Dragon Child" and the "strongest demon END"!
"God power? Other than Master Hades, no one is worthy of those three words!" Zancrow gritted his teeth and roared.
Although he couldn't compare to Chase's God Slayer Magic, he was still a God Slayer.
In terms of familiarity with "god power," he was still somewhat superior to Natsu. So, he understood even better just how terrifying that breath attack had been. He couldn't help but feel some panic.
If not for his blind worship of the immortal and infinitely powered Hades, Zancrow would have turned tail and fled without hesitation.
That sacred aura was simply too strong. It was as if a true god had descended!
"Haha, is that so? But I just can't imagine that monster Chase losing," Natsu said with a smile, clenching his right fist as crimson destruction flames spurted out. "By the way, my body has already gotten used to your strange flames. I'd really like to taste them and see what they're like~"
"You're just a mere fire dragon! You're a hundred years too early to even think about tasting a god's flames!!"
Zancrow was completely enraged by Natsu's confident words. The black flames in his hands are highly condensed, transforming into a pair of massive jaws with crimson pupils.
God of Flame's Dinner—this was his strongest spell, capable of devouring not only a mage's magic power but also their very body!
"Then I'll also—" The rapidly rising heat made Natsu ignite on the spot. He manipulated his own flames into an attacking stance, facing Zancrow's black flame jaws directly.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—"
"—Crimson Lotus Flame Blade!!"
"God of Flame's Dinner!!"
CRASH!!
The destruction flames and devouring black flames, each poured with all their might, collided head-on.
The blazing heat from the clash instantly burned everything around them to ash!
The final outcome would be decided by this single strike.
Notably, Lucy and Happy, who had been accompanying Natsu earlier, were no longer present.
The moment the battle between "dragon" and "god" erupted, Natsu had sent them to support other fronts, being uncharacteristically modest: "I can handle this guy alone."
A short while earlier.
After parting ways with Natsu, Happy had been traveling across the battlefield, looking for people in need of help.
Lucy, on the other hand, had encountered what could be called her destined formidable opponent: an oddity among the Seven Kin—the Zodiac Celestial Spirit, Capricorn (Zoldeo)!
The Lost Magic Zoldeo used was called Human Subordination. It could weaken a human's strength and magic power, and also summon dominated humans to fight for him, like summoning Celestial Spirits. Thus, it was also known as the Ruler's Magic.
Zoldeo, who had fallen into the abyss of darkness, had broken the taboo that Human Subordination could not be used on non-humans. He had forcibly merged with Capricorn of the Capricorn, obtaining immensely powerful strength!
Before the comprehensive war began, Lucy had already learned this information from the intelligence Ultear had provided.
She had also learned from Loke about the relationship between Capricorn, Zoldeo, and her mother, Layla.
Therefore, unlike in the original story where she left the battle to Loke, Lucy chose to fight alongside Loke to rescue Capricorn, who was being forcibly bound to the human world!
After the battle, the dark castle's corridors were already a scene of broken.
Capricorn stood on a pile of rubble, his fists clenched with malice, grinding his teeth. "Using that method to nullify the effects of Human Subordination... Lucy Heartfilia. You, and only you, I must kill completely!"
Across from him, Lucy wore a black dress adorned with the Leo emblem, holding Star's Great River in her hand.
Loke, dressed in a suit, held golden light in his hand, guarding her side like a knight.
After a brief trial, Lucy, who had gained rich combat experience through Chase's training, quickly realized that the Celestial Spirit Dress, infused with celestial spirit energy, could isolate the effects of Human Subordination. Her magic power wouldn't be weakened. So, she maintained this form throughout the battle.
That was the fundamental reason she had chosen to stay, and what Capricorn referred to as "that method"!
"A despicable person who goes against a celestial spirit's own will and forcibly dominates them... don't you dare talk big over there!" Lucy shouted.
"Don't think that just because you can defend against Human Subordination with your boring Celestial Spirit Magic, you can defeat a member of the Seven Kin... Lucy-sama? "
Capricorn's eyes were filled with killing intent. A deep, cold magical power keeps gushing from within him.
"Open, Human Gate: Legendary Five Great Generals!"
From the rotating magical array, five humans wielding weapons stepped forward, radiating a thick and dangerous aura.
Hero of Rubenkaludo: Sanjaosin, Hunter of Belbarasso: Samakun...
All were human warriors who had once enjoyed fame on the Ishgar continent!
"Open, Gate of Taurus: Taurus!"
Having already witnessed his ability to dominate humans, Lucy decisively summoned Taurus to fight.
"Double gate opening? As expected of that lady's daughter. Your talent for Celestial Spirit Magic is truly extraordinary. But unfortunately..." Capricorn waved his hand. "...in terms of numbers, we have the absolute advantage!"
The more Lucy performed, the more the psychologically twisted Zoldeo wanted to possess her, making her his "Sixth Great General."
Even though he had just vowed to kill her.
"Loke, Taurus... buy me some time!" Lucy called out.
Far from being intimidated by the two-to-one numbers disadvantage, she had already formulated a perfect plan to defeat the enemy.
"Understood." Loke nodded slightly, seeming to guess Lucy's intention.
"Moo! For Lucy-sama!"
Taurus, whose mind was filled with nothing but muscles, chests, and legs, didn't worry about the details. He shouted, raised his heavy ax, and charged at the enemy.
CLANG!
The heavy ax and the guandao collided, sending sparks flying. The fierce battle between the celestial spirits and the human heroes had begun.
With Loke and Taurus's flawless coordination, the Five Great Generals' attacks against Lucy were all neutralized. The two sides were locked in a stalemate.
Seeing this, Lucy breathed a small sigh of relief. She glowed with the light of Celestial Spirit Magic, preparing to put her plan into action.
But how could Capricorn just stand by?
His gaze flashed with menace. A powerful sweeping kick came from the right. Lucy had to stop her incantation and leap away to dodge.
CRASH!
Capricorn stomped the ground to pieces. Possessing powerful close-quarters combat ability, he quickly changed tactics, clenching his right fist and swinging it at Lucy, who was still in midair.
"Aries Celestial Spirit Dress: Wool Barrier!"
Lucy instantly changed into her Aries Celestial Spirit Dress, raising her hand to create a large patch of pink wool in front of her, which greatly cushioned the force of Capricorn's punch.
Nevertheless, the residual force still sent her flying backward.
In that fleeting moment, Capricorn pressed his advantage, charging forward like a human tank.
"Taurus Celestial Spirit Dress: Earth Wave!"
The moment Lucy landed, starlight circulated around her. Having changed her Celestial Spirit Dress again, she swung her whip and struck the ground.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Under Taurus's monstrous strength, the ground repeatedly cracked and collapsed, spreading toward Capricorn's feet at high speed, throwing him off balance.
"Don't underestimate the power of a Celestial Spirit mage! Lucy: Taurus Kick! "
Just as Capricorn steadied himself, the blonde girl's fierce kick was already upon him!
Having watched so many of Chase's fights, Lucy had picked up some of the essence of close-quarters combat.
Wool block, dress change on landing, ground crack to restrain, seizing the opportunity for a strong counterattack. The entire process was coherent, almost flawless!
But the enemy she faced was no ordinary foe.
Capricorn stepped forward heavily, forcibly stabilizing his lower body. He raised his strong left arm, blocking Lucy's landing in advance point.
THUD!
A dull sound rang out. In a contest of monstrous strength, Capricorn successfully withstood the Taurus Kick, at the cost of having his left arm crushed!
"Heh. Not so impressive, are you?" A cruel smile curled at the corner of Capricorn's mouth. His right hand formed a blade and slashed fiercely toward Lucy's knee.
Lucy was startled. Although she managed to retract her leg using her astonishing core strength, Capricorn seized the opening and kicked her midair, sending her flying. She crashed through several walls in succession before tumbling heavily into a pile of rubble!
"That... that hurt..." Lucy struggled to her feet, a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.
"Just surrender and become my possession. With your amateurish fighting skills, there's no way you can defeat me," Capricorn said, walking toward her slowly.
"You're right. Compared to Chase-nii, I'm just at a child's playhouse level." Lucy didn't deny his mockery. Instead, she raised her hand and coolly wiped the blood from her lips, smiling. "So from the very beginning, I never planned on beating you in close-quarters combat."
MOO!!
The moment the words left her mouth, Taurus's towering figure appeared behind Capricorn. His heavy ax, swung with tremendous force, glinted coldly.
Capricorn's reaction was extremely fast. Almost by reflex, he leaped to the side.
But a brilliant golden light blocked his escape.
"Regulus Shine!"
As if returning the favor for the midair kick, a holy-light-infused heavy punch sent Capricorn spitting blood. He flew horizontally like a cannonball, crashing into a crater on the ground!
"Taurus? Leo? Weren't you—" Capricorn stood up unsteadily from the rolling smoke.
"—weren't you being held back by us? You bastard who stole our freedom... it's time to settle the score!"
The guandao-wielding Hero of Rubenkaludo: Sanjaosin stood opposite him, his face filled with killing intent.
The other four human heroes were the same. Their eyes flickered with barely suppressed rage.
"What... what are you doing?! Are you trying to disobey my orders as your master?!" Capricorn was completely dumbfounded. Beneath his shattered black glasses, his bloodshot pupils were filled with terror.
He keeps pushing his magic power, trying to forcibly dominate the actions and even wills of Sanjaosin and the others. But the five of them remained rooted to the spot!
"What... what on earth happened?!"
"It's simple. I nullified the magic that bound them, so they're free again now. Wiri wiri~"
Under Capricorn's incredulous gaze, another version of himself walked out from a corner. Then, with a POOF, he transformed into two blue puppets floating in midair, constantly waving their limbs.
"We're back! That twisted guy was full of dark thoughts, wasn't he~"
"Dark thoughts, dark thoughts~"
"Because he's a fusion of human and celestial spirit, copying him took a little time. Fortunately, the contract of Human Subordination isn't as strict as Celestial Spirit Magic~"
"Not strict at all, not strict at all~"
Capricorn, who was relatively knowledgeable about celestial spirits, immediately recognized the identity of these two irritating blue puppets: Gemini, one of the twelve Zodiacs!
"Are you saying... you copied my magic and nullified the Five Great Generals' contracts?!"
Capricorn raged impotently, experiencing the same humiliating treatment that Lucy had suffered at Sorano's hands in the original story.
"That's exactly right!" Lucy breathed a small sigh of relief, a sly, triumphant expression appearing on her cute face.
"And wouldn't you know it... I also happened to learn how to pull you out of Capricorn's body!"
Her copy magic plan was a great success~!
Seeing her panting heavily, Loke reminded her with some concern, "Wrap this up quickly. Don't give him a chance to recover."
Triple gate opening... was still far too straining for Lucy in her current state.
***
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