When Ultear spoke that name, the camp instantly fell into a deathly silence.
Whether it was the ice father and son reminiscing, the white-haired siblings carrying the soup pot, or the Thunder God Tribe listening to Lilly show off how powerful the freedom gundam was... everyone froze in place, their gazes simultaneously shifting toward the black-haired young man in black robes standing outside the camp.
He looked very young with handsome features, but his eyes held a weariness and melancholy that were completely at odds with his appearance. There was no killing intent or magical pressure around him; he even appeared somewhat frail and harmless.
It was hard to believe that such a harmless-looking youth was the Black Wizard who created Dark Magic.
But Ultear had no reason to lie, and even the proud Gajeel reacted with tension, indicating he had witnessed the newcomer's terrifying nature.
Gajeel recounted what had happened between him and Levy. Upon learning that the other party had the ability to snatch away all surrounding life in an instant, the name "Zeref" was like a giant boulder crashing into the water.
He just stood quietly at the edge of the camp. Even though he didn't emit any magical fluctuations, he rendered the entire camp instantly silent.
Having lived for over 400 years, Zeref's magic power could be considered the undisputed ceiling of humanity today.
If he wished, he could crush everyone present with his magic power alone.
Makarov stepped forward almost instinctively, shielding everyone behind him, even though he knew his strength might be meaningless before the legendary Black Wizard.
But as an elder, how could he let the young people face danger first?
Just then, Natsu and Happy, who had been sent out by Lisanna to pick fruit earlier, returned.
Natsu spotted Zeref's back at a glance. His nose twitched, his brows furrowed tightly, and then flames uncontrollably erupted from his fists and shoulders.
"It's you! The bastard who attacked Gajeel and Levy before, and turned the scarf Igneel gave me black!"
Natsu tugged at the scarf around his neck. After a few hours, the scarf that had blocked a "Death Hunt" for Natsu had actually gradually turned back to white.
Seeing Natsu's undisguised hostility toward Zeref, Makarov quickly extended his giant arm and pulled both the boy and the cat back into the camp.
The dazed Natsu didn't even have time to speak before he was dragged away by Lucy and Gray, who covered his mouth from both sides.
It was said that the great deity known as the Black Wizard killed without blinking; it was better not to be impulsive before understanding his intentions.
Makarov spoke with a dry Voice, "Zeref, what... brings you here?"
Everyone's heart leaped into their throats.
Two major Dark Guilds were nearly wiped out for the sake of the Black Wizard, and now the man himself had appeared silently before them.
What did he want to do?
Continue the war? Or something else?
Zeref's gaze slowly swept across the group on high alert. There was no hostility or anger in his eyes, only a nearly hollow calmness.
His gaze finally rested on Loki. "I have no business here; he brought me."
Everyone's eyes instantly locked onto Loki.
Who would have thought that you, a thick-browed, big-eyed Leo Celestial Spirit, would act as a collaborator... Bah!
Feeling those resentful or questioning looks, Loki broke into a cold sweat, and his mind was also a bit dazed.
When they encountered Ultear earlier, Gray had told him to take the man who had been beaten up by Ultear and leave.
Because the man looked like he had no combat power, and Loki's own power was limited because his contract with Lucy was temporarily severed, they had found a hidden place to hole up.
Only after the sounds of battle on Tenrou Island had completely ceased did Loki bring the man back to the camp to regroup.
As a result, the moment he returned, he was told that the "dead weight" behind him was the legendary Black Wizard... and the person saying this was Ultear, who was an enemy just a few hours ago.
This development was a bit too surreal... While everyone was unsure how to face Zeref, Jellal stepped out, looking at him with a complex expression. "Mard Geer didn't lie to me. You really aren't dead, having lived from over 400 years ago until now."
Hearing Jellal mention Mard Geer's name, Zeref had some impression of this "tool"—a useless fellow. Although said to be the demon closest to E.N.D., it was nothing more than picking the best of a bad bunch.
However, he was more curious about Jellal's attitude toward him.
"You seem to... care a lot about the fact that I'm alive?"
"Of course he cares. After all, he's the idiot who wanted to use the 'R System' to resurrect the Black Wizard."
A Voice drifted over. It was Hope, Erza, Mirajane, and Cana returning after their group reading session.
"Resurrect me?"
Zeref raised an eyebrow. "How come I didn't know I was dead? Besides, the 'R System' is a failed magic; it cannot bring the dead back to life."
Hope looked at him with interest. "This idiot was just deceived, thinking you were dead, just like those demons from Tartaros thought 'E.N.D.' was dead."
At the mention of E.N.D., Zeref's gaze instinctively lingered on Natsu for a moment.
Unexpectedly, Natsu immediately reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His magic power began to circulate instinctively, and he let out a low growl: "You bastard... do you want to fight?!"
"Natsu! Calm down!" Happy desperately pulled at his clothes.
Natsu also wanted to stay calm, but for some reason, when he met Zeref's eyes, he felt an inexplicable urge to kill him.
Zeref looked away and turned toward Hope—or more accurately, toward the Book of E.N.D. in Hope's hand.
His calm eyes finally showed a noticeable change, revealing an expression of deep nostalgia. "After it was lost 400 years ago, I thought I would never see this book again."
Hope took a step forward, subtly shielding Erza, Mirajane, and Cana behind him, and met Zeref's gaze calmly. "Mard Geer obtained this book and used it as a front to recruit subordinates."
"So that's how it was. Then he truly deserves to die."
There was a hint of killing intent in Zeref's tone, but he had already sensed that the demon who used the Book of E.N.D. was dead; even if he wanted to kill him, there was no longer a chance.
He took a step forward.
Swish—!
Erza's sword, Laxus's lightning halberd, Natsu's fire fist, Gray's ice spear... the members of Fairy Tail aimed at him almost simultaneously.
The magic power in the camp instantly reached a boiling point; a great battle was on the verge of breaking out.
Zeref, however, seemed not to notice these threats. He only looked at Hope—or rather, at the book in Hope's hand.
"Can you return it to me?"
He asked softly, his tone even carrying a hint of pleading. "That book... has a special meaning to me."
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