"This is a war that concerns the entire world. We do not have the option of losing this war! We must win! For our world! We must win!"
"Must win!"
"Must win!!"
"Must win!!!"
Standing in the square, Jellal was wearing armor with a bright red cape flowing behind him.He put on his helmet, held a spear in his hand, raised it high, and shouted, "Let's go!"
With Jellal taking the lead, the army began to advance slowly toward the battlefield agreed upon by both sides.
"Is it finally starting?"Mavis stood on a high platform built by Caesar using alchemy, watching the distant scene where dust rolled from the advancing army.Although she had no body, Mavis felt a sense of nostalgia in her heart.She didn't like war, but the scene reminded her of Yuri and the others.
"Team A will outflank on the left wing, Team B will lurk on the right wing, and Teams C to F will engage head-on."The memories faded, and once again she became the fairy strategist.
"Little ones! Follow me!"Makarov, who led Team C, roared loudly.His body suddenly expanded to five meters tall as he charged toward the enemy army.
"Oh!"All the Fairy Tail members responded in unison, following Makarov as they rushed toward the battlefield.
"Army, attack!"Jellal saw the opposing forces charging and shouted, "Follow me!"He nudged the monster beneath him, and it rushed forward toward Makarov's direction.
"Everyone, pay attention to your safety.If anyone uses magic, concentrate your firepower and take them down first.Those who don't use magic, leave them alone."
"Understood!"
The two sides collided violently.In an instant, the army led by Jellal was forced to retreat again and again under Fairy Tail's powerful magic.Whenever someone tried to use a magic item, they were immediately targeted and taken down.
Before long, even those with magic tools didn't dare to use them.
"Take some ground!"As Fairy Tail's magic weakened, Jellal shouted to advance.The army's iron hooves pressed forward, forcing Fairy Tail to retreat repeatedly.
At that moment, the people of Edolas saw hope.
"Team A, attack!"On the left wing, Team A, led by Erza and consisting of Laxus, Mirajane, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Wendy, struck like a blade, piercing into the left side of the army.
In almost an instant, they broke through.Xius and Sugarboy hurried to stop them.However, their magic collapsed before Erza's team, leaving them powerless.
"Shukaret!"Edolas Erza rushed out, ready to fight her Earthland counterpart to the death.
But… this wasn't part of the plan.Why challenge her now?
Erza, Laxus, and Mirajane attacked together.The Edolas Erza lasted only three seconds before being defeated.
"It's over. There's no chance of winning…"Seeing the empire's three major forces defeated almost instantly, panic spread among the soldiers.
"Don't be discouraged! We are still here!"Jellal raised his spear high and charged forward, leading the counterattack.
The seemingly invincible Team A was forced to retreat under Jellal's skilled marksmanship and the soldiers' combined effort.They were pushed out of the main battle area.
Seeing this, the soldiers regained confidence and shouted, "Long live His Royal Highness the Prince!"
"Let Team B go and bring them despair."Under Mavis's command, Team B, led by Gildarts, entered the field.
"Is it finally my turn?"Gildarts laughed."This is my first time handling something like this. I hope I don't mess it up."
"If you screw up, stay away from me for three months!"Cana crossed her arms and glared.
"Ohhhh!!! I'm full of power!"Gildarts' fighting spirit ignited.He couldn't let his daughter look down on him.
"Crush!"He stretched out his hands and tore the air apart.The ground beneath the army split open, turning into sand and swallowing Jellal's soldiers into a deep pit.
"Juvia!""Juvia will do her best!"Juvia waved her arms, summoning a massive wave that flooded seven divisions of the army.
"Retreat!"Seeing that Caesar's side had dealt a heavy blow, Jellal immediately ordered a withdrawal.
Now, the performance had reached its target.Mavis ordered a fake pursuit, letting Jellal's army retreat smoothly.
The first confrontation ended.
After returning, Jellal held another meeting to boost morale.Then came the second round of battle at night, catching Fairy Tail off guard.This time, the Edolas army achieved a small victory, regaining confidence.
But the next day, Fairy Tail counterattacked, carrying the body of their former king, Faust, who appeared lifeless.Seeing this, the morale of the Edolas soldiers collapsed again.
"Your king is dead! Surrender now!"Fairy Tail's shouts echoed across the battlefield.
"Even if our father dies, we will not surrender!"Jellal stood tall, shining like a light in everyone's hearts.
"Yes! We still have His Royal Highness the Prince!"
"No! It's the new King!"
"Your Majesty the King!"
"For the new King!"
"Charge!"
The army took up their weapons and launched another assault.This time, they pushed Fairy Tail back completely.Victory seemed near.
"Boom!"But in the next instant, despair struck.Caesar descended onto the battlefield like a god from the heavens.
"I am the only one in heaven and on earth!"As he spoke, half of the army was wiped out in a single blow.
Despair crushed their fleeting hope.
Jellal, standing among the soldiers, looked at the nearly invincible Caesar and swallowed hard.According to the plan, he had to face him and be defeated.After all, he was the final hope of this world.
Only when that hope was shattered could the people of this world fall into true despair.Only then would they unite, abandon magic, and drive out those who wielded it.Only then could this world crawl from despair toward a new dawn.
But… Caesar was someone who never held back.The last time, Jellal needed days to recover.And for the sake of realism, Caesar definitely wouldn't pull his punches this time.
"It's really going to hurt…"Jellal sighed, but he knew this was the only way.
Then he charged forward.