"Not good—he's going to self-destruct!" Ultear's expression changed drastically.
A mage's self-detonation was terrifying in itself—let alone someone like Ulunos, who wielded space-time magic. If he succeeded, the explosion wouldn't just level Maple Leaf Village—it could trigger a large-scale temporal rift.
Arlen reacted instantly.
Without hesitation, he teleported in front of Ultear, shielding her. He raised Alaya before him as the magic within his body surged like a roaring river, pouring entirely into the blade.
A complex magic circle of intertwining cyan and silver ignited along the sword.
The blade transformed—
From blue into a radiant, razor-sharp silver-white.
Violent currents wrapped around it, far surpassing even Wind Scar.
"Secret Art — Adamant Tempest Break."
Arlen swung.
A spiraling hurricane, filled with diamond-like blades, roared forward—an unstoppable storm of destruction crashing toward Ulunos.
Ulunos' body had already begun to crack, black fissures spreading as uncontrolled magic tore him apart from within. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Arlen and Ultear, his voice dripping with hatred:
"Then die with me!!"
The next instant—
The storm consumed him.
"No… I won't accept this—AAAAAH!!"
The fusion of razor-sharp adamant and violent wind erupted into catastrophic force, shredding everything in its path. The ground split open, the massive locust tree shattered, nearby houses collapsed into debris.
Dust and rubble were hurled skyward.
Within dozens of meters—
Everything was annihilated.
Ulunos' self-destruction, along with his very existence, was completely crushed and erased.
This—
Was Arlen's strongest technique.
Stronger than Azure Dragon Break—
But at a cost.
As the attack ended, Arlen's body swayed uncontrollably. His face turned pale.
That single strike had drained him completely.
Not a drop of magic remained.
"Arlen-sama! Are you alright?!"
Ultear rushed forward, catching him in her arms, her voice filled with panic and worry.
"I'm fine… don't worry," Arlen said with a faint smile, gently patting her head. "Just out of magic. I'll recover with some rest."
"You push yourself too hard…"
Tears welled in Ultear's eyes. She held his hand, pressing it softly against her cheek as tears slid down, landing on the back of his hand.
"I'm really fine," Arlen said gently. "Don't cry."
Then, after a pause, he added softly:
"I'll recover here. Go check on the villagers."
Ultear hesitated—then nodded.
"Alright… but stay here and wait for me, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Arlen chuckled weakly.
As she left, Arlen looked out over the battlefield.
The once peaceful place was now nothing but scars and ruin.
He exhaled quietly.
A dark mage who chased forbidden power at the cost of innocent lives—
Had ultimately been consumed by that very power.
Still…
Ulunos had been strong.
Dangerously so.
Durable, cunning, and master of space-time magic—even at the end, he nearly took them down with him.
I still have a long way to go…
—
Meanwhile, Ultear reached the village.
At first—
No one.
For a brief moment, her heart sank.
But then—
Voices.
Noise.
She rushed toward the central square—
And froze.
The villagers were there.
Confused elders. Trembling women. Children crying in their families' arms.
Some laughed through tears upon seeing loved ones alive.
Others collapsed, overwhelmed.
They had returned.
All of them.
Ultear closed her eyes, sensing with magic.
Every life—
Stable.
Alive.
"…Everyone made it," she whispered, a soft smile finally appearing.
Everything they had gone through—
The eerie silence, the dark ritual, the desperate battle—
It had all been worth it.
Without lingering, she turned back.
—
By the time she returned, the villagers had gathered.
Led by the village chief—
They knelt.
All of them.
Arlen and Ultear were both startled.
"Please, get up," Ultear said quickly.
The old village chief bowed deeply.
"We may not have been conscious… but we know. You saved us. We must thank our benefactors. May we know your names?"
Ultear shook her head gently.
"There's no need. Any mage would have done the same."
Arlen added calmly:
"Focus on rebuilding your village."
With that—
They turned and left.
The villagers watched their backs, eyes filled with gratitude.
"Such kind people… and we couldn't even repay them," the chief said, wiping tears.
"I saw their mark!" a young man spoke up. "It's the Fairy Tail guild!"
"Fairy Tail…" the chief repeated firmly. "Once we rebuild—we will go and thank them properly."
—
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in warm orange hues, Arlen and Ultear walked side by side along the forest road.
The oppressive chill was gone.
Replaced by the gentle breeze of spring.
"Are you really alright?" Ultear asked softly.
"Yeah," Arlen nodded. "Not fully recovered—but enough to walk."
Ultear sighed.
"Who would've thought a simple return trip would turn into this…"
Arlen's tone remained calm.
"The lure of forbidden magic always draws in those who lose themselves. But at least… this place can be peaceful again."
After a moment, Ultear spoke again:
"When we get back… we should tell the Master. Especially about Zeref."
Arlen nodded.
If that information were true—
The entire magical world would be shaken.
The two continued forward.
Behind them—
Maple Leaf Village faded into the distance.
Ahead—
Was home.
Under the setting sun, their shadows stretched long—
Until they disappeared into the path beyond.
—------------------------------
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