Two days had passed, and Acnologia returned. However, the current situation was somewhat strange; various chaotic noises made everything seem extremely disorderly.
He randomly grabbed a soldier and asked what was happening.
The soldier was startled, then his expression turned joyful: "Lord Acnologia, you've returned!"
"Why is it so chaotic?" Acnologia asked, puzzled.
The soldier hurriedly explained: "News came from the rear Kingdoms. They said they were attacked by over a thousand Evil Dragons. Most of the human Dragon Slayer Mages are here at the front, so the rear is struggling to hold on."
Acnologia frowned. He could clearly sense the magical power of over a thousand Evil Dragons at the other end of the battlefield; they hadn't left yet. This meant the thousand-plus Evil Dragons attacking the rear were a separate group.
This was indeed a bit troublesome.
Seeing him return, over a dozen kingdom generals gathered around: "Lord Acnologia, the Kingdoms are demanding we send some Dragon Slayer Mages back to support. The casualties among the rear forces are severe."
It was too much of a coincidence that just two days ago, Dragon Slayer Mage reinforcements arrived, and then the rear was immediately attacked by Evil Dragons. They suspected there were traitors within the Kingdoms passing information to the Evil Dragons.
"Do as you wish!"
Acnologia never placed his hopes on others. He alone was enough!
With that, he went to find Igneels Five Dragons, telling them to go back and learn the Dragon Soul Technique from Zeref instead of staying here.
Igneel hesitated. After all, the Good Dragons looked to him as their leader. If he left, would the Good Dragons still obey?
Acnologia saw his thoughts and said, "Your staying here has little significance. Have all the Good Dragons go to support the rear. They've already done more than enough. Those who don't want to fight to the death can go to other continents."
Grandeeney was hesitant: "There are over a thousand dragons here. If more Evil Dragons join later, the total could reach over two thousand. Can you really fight them all alone?"
"If we stay, we can at least help share the burden."
Although Acnologia was powerful, it was absolutely impossible for him to face the siege of two thousand dragons alone. She didn't want to see Acnologia suddenly die.
"No need to say more. I know what I'm doing!"
Acnologia's tone was calm, unwavering from start to finish: "You learn the Dragon Soul Technique, then go to the future with Natsu and the others. I will be the one to end this era!"
Fire Dragon King Igneel and the Five Dragons fell silent for a moment. Knowing their teacher had made up his mind, they could only say in the end: "Then take care of yourself, Teacher!"
They didn't know if this was right or wrong. One person ending this era? Even with the prophecy Zeref spoke of, it still felt too exaggerated.
Igneel sighed inwardly. If they failed in this era, who knew if there would even be a future.
After receiving the orders, the Good Dragons and the majority of the Dragon Slayer Mage army assembled and set off, heading for the rear Kingdoms... Acnologia looked at the neatly lined-up army of four hundred thousand. This was the final number; no one would come to reinforce them even if they fought to the last man.
His gaze swept over the many faces—despair, determination, fear, fearlessness... "This war is a fight with almost no chance of survival. Those who want to flee, or return to the rear Kingdoms, I will not stop you."
"I give you one day to choose!"
After these brief words, Acnologia walked towards a large tree, sat down on the ground, and closed his eyes to sense the dragon souls within him.
He planned to use Enchantment Magic to try and separate the memories within the dragon souls.
The soldiers' moods were low, like a sky shrouded by dark clouds—gloomy and heavy. An atmosphere of despair spread.
This was a war that was almost certainly fatal. Deep down, they couldn't suppress their fear and unease.
Before, with many dragons fighting alongside them, the pressure wasn't as great, and they could still hold a sliver of hope for victory.
Now, the number of Dragon Slayer Mages had been cut in half, and the dragons were gone. That sliver of hope had vanished.
The soldiers felt as if a massive boulder was pressing on their hearts, making it hard to breathe. Even their hands holding weapons trembled slightly.
Finally, some couldn't withstand the pressure and chose to flee. Seeing their comrades escape, more began to consider whether they should leave too.
Although the rear would also face Evil Dragon attacks, it was definitely better than this seemingly certain death.
The next day arrived... Acnologia looked at the assembled soldiers. About two hundred thousand remained. The expressions on their faces were mostly those of resolute acceptance of death; they were prepared to die.
He didn't say anything to boost morale, merely stating: "Follow me into battle!"
"Fight!"
All the soldiers raised their heads and let out a unified roar that shook the heavens.
All traces of negativity and despondency vanished. Their eyes now shone with a firm light—a light of conviction born from despair... The Evil Dragon Camp
Over two thousand Evil Dragons were gathered in the forest, each in different postures. King of Red Dragons, Osta, stood at the very center, gazing down at the surrounding dragons like a king.
His injuries had now fully healed. Purple Dragon King Saweier had performed accelerated regeneration on his wounds, leaving no trace of injury.
"Osta, we've now gathered two thousand three hundred dragons. It's time to start the war again!"
A Dragon King whose entire body was wreathed in wind blades strode over, each step causing the earth to tremble.
"The Cloud Dragon King hasn't arrived yet. Wait one more day..."
King of Red Dragons, Osta, hesitated. The shadow Acnologia had cast over him last time was too great; he had almost been stomped to death on the spot. If not for the Thunder Dragon King sacrificing himself to save him, he wouldn't have returned.
"With three Dragon Kings joining forces against him, it's more than enough. Acnologia's magic is ineffective against us. We'll fight him in close combat, and with Purple Dragon King's Accelerated Regeneration Magic, I refuse to believe we can't wear him down!"
Seeing King of Red Dragons, Osta, still hesitating, the Wind Dragon King said with a hint of mockery: "You haven't been scared out of your wits by Acnologia, have you? At the start, you dared to fight Acnologia alone. Now, with the two of us added, you're actually hesitating? Is that monster really so terrifying to you?"
"What did you say?"
King of Red Dragons, Osta, flew into a rage. How dare a defeated foe question him? Just as he was about to teach the Wind Dragon King a lesson, he suddenly sensed something and sharply looked up at the sky.
This magical power... "Acnologia!"
The Wind Dragon King's pupils flashed with a trace of shock. This law-defying, unprecedented magical power made his body feel heavy, and the ground beneath his feet began to crack.
However, he soon revealed a fighting spirit: "Excellent! He actually dares to come to our doorstep. Today, we'll make sure he meets his end here!"
Boom!
Acnologia descended from the sky. His massive black wings blotted out the sun, accompanied by a terrifying storm and rolling thunderclouds. A vast swath of trees in the forest were uprooted; his very arrival was a natural disaster!
The surrounding Evil Dragons were forced back by the sudden storm. Looking at the black dragon standing at the center, their eyes filled with fear and unease.
The monster who had driven them back last time had descended once more!