Although the Star Devourer (referring to Paipai) has been defeated, the disaster he left behind still exists—and will remain for a long time. The chaotic flow of magic will paralyze most of this world's magitech devices.
"The collisions of magic have shifted magical particles into unstable excited states, triggering floods, wildfires, storms, hail, and other disasters. These will pose unprecedented challenges to this world."
Normally, magic constructs maintained by a mage will dissipate once the caster falls unconscious or can no longer sustain them—just like Gray's ice.
If Gray cannot continue providing magic, his ice would normally vanish soon after.
This explains why, after battles, mages who control nature—ice, stone, sand, plants, etc.—leave behind no trace of the massive constructs they wielded.
But some things do not vanish. For example, Natsu's flames—if they ignite something and cause a fire, the aftermath is beyond Natsu's control.
The mechanics are complicated, spanning many fields, and won't be explained in detail here.
In short, events did not unfold as Makarov and others had expected. Paipai was indeed removed from the stage, but matters did not end with his fall.
The portion of magical particles transformed into Paipai's body had vanished, but far more had been altered by his hand. These were real matter—magical particles he processed into lacrima.
Those magic particles did not vanish with him. They were now the root of the world's disorder.
"Migration. That is the only viable solution now." Edolas Zeref shook his head, sighing helplessly. Even he was powerless against such a situation.
Remaining in Edolas would doom the degenerated human bodies to erosion by magic, bringing strange new diseases.
The heavy magic could also warp agriculture and livestock.
Nor did they have the conditions of four hundred years ago—he could not simply purge all magic and launch it into space again.
Even if he could, they must proceed with caution. Who knew what hidden tricks Paipai had left in this world?
What if even the continental shelf had been converted into lacrima?
Considering all this, Edolas Zeref's conclusion was clear:
Relocation.
Move the people of Edolas to Earthland to build a new home.
The Fairy Tail mages of Earthland looked at each other, stunned. This plan…
"Ahem. How do you intend to find space? I mean, for so many people, the living area has to be vast. But Earthland right now may not…"
Makarov coughed twice, wording it as delicately as possible.
Edolas Zeref glanced at him, answering calmly:
"I have no intention of seizing land from Earthland's natives. Forcing cultures with different customs together would only lead to war."
"Then your idea is…" Makarov unconsciously slipped into honorifics. In the recent war, Zeref had contributed immensely. Even if he might be the hand behind the collapse of civilization four hundred years ago, everyone still treated him with reverence—so long as he didn't repeat history's tragedy.
"The moon. The people of Edolas can migrate to the moon. Its relative lack of magic makes it very suitable for them now."
"But the moon is barren. It can't possibly be cultivated into a home." Erza voiced her concern. The Magic Council had once traveled to the moon via the Etherion Satellite Array. They had even brought back soil samples for study, which showed extremely poor magical density and a harsh environment unsuitable for life.
"In these four centuries, to maintain Edolas' ecological balance, I repeatedly iterated its flora and fauna. They can adapt to the moon. I will accelerate the process—using Edolas' magic."
"That would take an incredibly long time," Natsu finally spoke. Fusion and division were no simple matters, especially after that final unknown force had deepened the connection between him and Drachion.
Now he was both Natsu and Drachion, carrying both sets of memories. Facing Zeref filled him with tangled emotions.
"Reshaping the entire planet, yes, that would take ages. But merely creating survival bases? That is simple. At worst, move a few islands there first and establish an ecosystem." Edolas Zeref was unconcerned.
Natsu had no further reply.
"Then… should I be the one to gather the people from across the world?" Mystogan asked cautiously.
Edolas Zeref: "As you wish."
Mystogan sighed. "Understood. I'll begin preparing for the migration immediately. But… how will we build the dimensional gate?"
"That, I can solve." A new voice cut in—Faust had appeared.
"The superdimensional magic [Soul] contains the coordinates of Earthland. With the aid of both Fairy Tails from two worlds, we can quickly anchor the two dimensions and establish a complete Gate."
All eyes turned to Edolas Zeref—the only true expert on the subject.
Meeting their gaze, he nodded. "The method is viable. However, it may not accurately pinpoint the moon. Someone from Earthland will have to physically travel there, leave a marker, and return to Edolas."
"…That may not be so easy." The Earthland mages' faces soured. Ordinary mages pursued strength for themselves—not exploration of the unknown.
Only the Magic Council chased greater, farther, faster, larger, smaller. They expanded the boundaries of human knowledge.
If Paipai had still been with them, they could have relied on him or at least used his name to mobilize the Council's resources.
But the situation was awkward: Paipai had quarreled with them, and they had beaten him soundly.
"…I could try. Perhaps it'll work, but don't get your hopes too high." Makarov decided to stake his old dignity, to bluff his way through if needed. Maybe it would work.
"No need for such trouble. The marks on your hands will let you reach the moon. The battle-suits in your bodies will let you live there as if it were Earthland." Edolas Zeref pointed to the dumbbell-like sigils on Natsu and the others' hands.
During the battle, Paipai had once used those sigils against Fairy Tail—but their power was undeniable.
Natsu and the others stared at their marks for a moment, then sighed in unison.
"One last question, old man—uh, I mean, the Star Devourer… what's become of him?"
"I do not know. His strangeness exceeded even my imagination. When you destroyed his avatar and the core of his Magic Pulse Array, he should have re-formed a body… but we did not see him."
Perhaps he died and became a ghost. Or perhaps he simply sleeps. Edolas Zeref's gaze drifted into the distance, as though searching the endless future for Paipai's trace. At last, he shook his head.