"Enough."
An old yet majestic voice came from the sky, and holy white light poured down like a waterfall, washing away the dark purple magic Jose had gathered.
That white light didn't seem like an attack, but more like an irresistible command, carrying absolute suppressive power that caused Jose's magic to dissipate in an instant.
Jose looked up abruptly, his wise eyes reflecting the figure slowly descending from the sky.
Makarov slowly descended from the air, wearing the ornate robes that symbolized his status as one of the Ten Wizard Saints, his white cloak fluttering loudly in the sea breeze.
His expression was uncharacteristically serious, with not a hint of a smile on his wrinkled face, and his cloudy eyes were filled with anger and sorrow.
Riyao exited his Star Dress state, the black-gold light dissipating as he returned to his original appearance.
Holding Mirajane's hand, the two of them stepped aside together, leaving the stage to Makarov.
Mirajane still bore the marks of battle, her battle skirt torn and her hair disheveled, but the battle intent in her crimson eyes had vanished, replaced by a sense of peace.
She gently squeezed Riyao's hand without saying a word.
Riyao glanced at Makarov, then at Jose, and whispered, "It looks like the old man plans to settle this himself."
"Yeah," Mirajane nodded. "If we keep fighting, the Magnolia coast will be completely demolished by us."
Riyao's lips twitched, thinking to himself, Why didn't you think of that while you were fighting just now?
After Makarov landed, he looked at Jose with a heavy gaze. As the two stared each other down, a heavy atmosphere filled the air.
"Because of a useless father, the children have suffered and shed many tears."
Makarov's voice was low and raspy, every word sounding as if it were squeezed from his chest.
Jose was silent for a moment. He straightened his tattered robes, trying to maintain a final shred of dignity.
"We are both the same; it's time to stop."
Makarov's tone softened slightly, but his gaze remained sharp.
"Stop?" Jose sneered. "You think I would admit defeat?"
"Things must be brought to an end."
After Makarov finished speaking, powerful magic erupted from his body. Golden light as dazzling as the sun swept away the surrounding darkness.
The sea breeze was stirred by the magic, debris was sent flying, and the steel floor beneath their feet trembled.
Jose also erupted with magic, his dark purple light standing its ground against the gold.
Their magic collided in mid-air. The clash of pure magic caused wave after wave to rise from the sea, crashing against the wreckage of the fortress with a deafening roar.
The two began to trade magical blasts, golden light bullets and dark purple energy intersecting in mid-air, each collision erupting with blinding light.
The wreckage of the fortress continued to collapse during their battle, but Makarov was clearly controlling the range of his attacks, trying his best not to let the aftershocks reach Magnolia.
After several rounds of trading blows, Makarov realized he couldn't take down Jose this way.
Although Jose was significantly injured, his magic at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints was still profound, making it impossible to determine a winner in a short time.
Makarov's gaze changed.
He slowly raised his hands and struck a special pose, bringing them together. Holy-attribute magic condensed between his palms, the golden light even purer and more dazzling than before.
Riyao's eyes lit up as he recognized the starting stance.
"Yo, the old man is getting serious." Riyao leaned against a broken steel beam, pulled a handful of melon seeds from his pocket, and gave some to Mirajane.
From Riyao's perspective, Jose was standing on the left. The corner of his mouth curled up slightly; this win was in the bag.
Mirajane took the seeds and looked at Riyao with some surprise. "You carry melon seeds with you?"
"Prepared for any contingency." Riyao cracked a seed, leisurely watching the two in the field.
"That old ghost is quite concerned with appearances. Even though he's in tatters, he's still putting on the airs of a gentleman."
Mirajane replied while cracking seeds, "I haven't had such a satisfying fight in a long time. I'll reward you with your favorite dishes tonight."
Riyao leaned closer to Mirajane and chuckled. "Is that the only reward?"
Mirajane's ears turned slightly red. She turned her head away, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
Seeing this, Riyao laughed even more happily and leaned a bit closer to her.
The two completely ignored the battle on Makarov's side; they both believed Makarov would definitely win.
While Makarov maintained a majestic exterior, he had already cursed Riyao several times in his heart.
He doesn't even know to give me a buff. He got a wife and forgot his guild master! I'm here risking my life, and you two are over there cracking melon seeds?!
He took a deep breath, suppressing his resentment. His hands remained held together as the holy-attribute magic in his palms condensed more and more, the golden light illuminating the entire ruin.
"Kneel before me, Jose! I'll only give you three seconds!"
Makarov's voice was like thunder, echoing between heaven and earth. Golden magic surged around him, his presence as heavy as a mountain.
Jose looked as if he had heard the world's biggest joke. A mocking expression appeared on his aged face, and his lips curled into a disdainful arc.
"Huh? What kind of joke is this? Our strengths are equal."
"3"
Makarov's voice was cold and firm, without the slightest hesitation.
Jose snorted coldly, dark purple magic surging around him. "In terms of ruthlessness, I far surpass you!"
"2"
"Let's see where you get the confidence to say those words!" Jose roared, gathering purple-black magic in his hands. The magic spun wildly in his palms, forming a destructive sphere.
He intended to launch his strongest attack and kill everyone before him.
"1"
Makarov's hands suddenly spread open, and golden magic poured out like a tide.
"Fairy Law!"
A massive golden magic circle appeared in the sky, hundreds of meters in diameter, covering almost the entire sky.
In the center of the magic circle was the Fairy Tail emblem, that insignia symbolizing freedom and bonds shining brightly in the holy light.
The holy light shone for dozens of miles around. The golden radiance was like the midday sun—warm and sacred, yet carrying an irresistible power of judgment.
People nearby were so blinded that they couldn't open their eyes at all, raising their hands to shield them.
Bisca stood on the pier, shielding her eyes from the blinding light, but a gentle smile appeared on her face. "This is the Master's magic. It's so warm."
Cana turned her back, her long hair fluttering in the holy light, a smile playing on her lips. "The old man is as reliable as ever."
Levy waved her hands and jumped up in excitement. "Yay! The Master is the strongest!"
Riyao reached out to feel the light. His fingertips were enveloped by golden light particles, and a strange sensation flooded into his perception.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured to himself, "Is it also a life-attribute magic? Directly stripping away life force?"
Mirajane buried her head in the crook of Riyao's neck, blinded by the holy light, but hearing what Riyao said, she whispered, "Then can you learn it too?"
Riyao said indifferently, "No need. I rarely even use Weight of Life anymore."
He paused, his eyes flickering slightly, and his voice became very soft. "This kind of magic should not be used if it can be avoided."
Mirajane didn't press further, only squeezing his hand a bit tighter.
After the light dissipated, Riyao silently healed his eyes; he had been staring wide-eyed the whole time.
Jose now looked even older than Makarov. His once relatively hale face had become haggard and shriveled, his skin wrinkled like old tree bark, and his white hair had thinned out.
He had no magic left at all. His body swayed, and he couldn't even stand steadily.
Fairy Law, judging enemies in the name of holy light, directly strips away the opponent's life force and magic.
This was the terror of the Three Great Magics.
Jose collapsed to his knees, his cloudy eyes losing all luster. His lips trembled, but he could no longer utter a single word.
Makarov withdrew his magic, and the golden light slowly dissipated.
He glanced at the kneeling Jose, then at the children still clearing the battlefield in the ruins in the distance. A trace of a comical smile finally appeared on that serious face.
"Let's have a banquet tonight."
These few simple words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves.
On the opposite shore, the cheers of the Fairy Tail members grew louder and louder, making the sea surface tremble.
"Aye! We won!" Happy waved his little paws and flew into the sky while grabbing Lucy, so excited he almost lost his grip.
"Master... Aaaah! Stupid cat, hold on tight!" Lucy was about to join the cheers when she felt her body drop, nearly crashing from mid-air, which scared her into clutching Happy's paws tightly.
"Whoo! Ugh..." Natsu stood on a wobbly steel beam, raising his fist in celebration.
"Fairy Tail is the strongest! A real man!" Elfman shouted while showing off his muscles, his bulging biceps nearly bursting his clothes.
Gray stood to the side, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly, but he quickly returned to his cool expression and put his hands in his pockets.
Then he looked down and saw that his clothes had disappeared again at some point, leaving only his underwear.
"Where are my clothes?!"
Juvia covered her face and watched, her face incredibly red.
Riyao stood at the edge of the ruins, watching Makarov cast Fairy Law, a glint of deep thought flashing in his eyes.
He felt the power contained within that magic and understood its deeper meaning.
The First Master improved Fairy Law and added many restrictions. If it were still the original version, it would still draw the curse of Ankhselam.
Do not disregard life; respect and love life, huh?
Riyao let out a soft breath, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
The sea breeze gradually subsided, and the afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the ruins, dyeing everything in a warm orange-red.
A little girl sat on the treetop of the wutong tree, her legs dangling and swaying gently, her long pale-gold hair fluttering in the wind.
She looked toward Fairy Tail, a gentle smile appearing on her lips, her emerald eyes reflecting the golden light of the setting sun.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Read Ahead & Support Access up to 181 chapters ahead with daily updates on Patreon: patreon.com/laktozlu
Discover more novels: 02radnovel.com
Connect & Updates:
Twitter • x.com/02IsmetHQ
Instagram • instagram.com/02novelofficial
150 POWER STONE = BONUS CHAPTER
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯