Chapter 152: Feeding the Fiendfyre
"What about Mystogan and Gildarts?" George asked after a moment's thought.
Mirajane shook her head:
"Gildarts went to the northern continent - I can't reach him. As for Mystogan, only Master knows how to contact him.
But Councilman Yajima has replied - they're holding an emergency meeting. Once they reach a decision, they'll send enforcers immediately."
"Good. If we can hold out until either Master recovers or the Council intervenes, this will be over."
George nodded. Though Laxus, Mystogan and Gildarts were all unavailable, hope remained. If Phantom Lord reacted slowly enough, Council enforcers might arrive first.
"Alzack and Bisca are back!"
The couple who'd transported Makarov to East Forest returned with an update:
"Master Porlyusica said losing all magic at his age is serious, but she's contacted Mystogan to help recover his dispersed magic. At best, Master could recover by this afternoon."
"That's excellent news."
The guild collectively exhaled in relief.
At noon, as members rested after lunch, a thunderous rumble shook the building. Rushing outside, they saw an island-sized fortress with eight mechanical spider legs emerging from the southern lake - emblazoned with Phantom Lord's insignia.
"All positions! Activate every defensive artifact and spell array!"
Though stunned by the mobile fortress, George's amplified voice snapped them into action. Layered barriers shimmered over the guildhall as ancient relics formed additional shields.
The fortress anchored itself in the lake, extending a massive cannon that began gathering terrifying magical energy.
"Phantom Lord's funding must be insane," George muttered, eyeing the magitech monstrosity. The cost of this mobile artillery platform could bankrupt nations.
"Reinforce defenses!"
At George's second command, defensive mages added their power:
- Gray erected towering ice shields
- Earth and wood mages raised fortified walls
- Erza summoned her Adamantine Armor as final bulwark
BOOM!
The cannon fired. A beam of pure magical annihilation tore through:
- Shattering spell arrays
- Obliterating artifact barriers
- Piercing ice and earth defenses
By the time it struck Erza's shield, though halved in power, cracks already spiderwebbed across its surface.
"Reparo!"
George's wand flashed. The cracks healed instantly, only to reform under the beam's relentless assault. This cycle repeated until the cannon's energy finally dissipated - leaving Erza's armor unscathed and her magic reserves untouched.
"That damn cat again!"
Inside the fortress, Jose shot to his feet. First his branch forces mysteriously wiped out, now even their modified Jupiter Cannon (powered by three Elements plus Gajeel) had failed.
With fifteen minutes needed to recharge, he'd send a "gift" in the meantime.
"Dark Legion!"
Countless magic circles spawned spectral soldiers - an undead tide meant to disrupt Fairy Tail's defenses before the next cannon blast.
"We can't just defend. Natsu! We're taking out that cannon!"
As ghosts swarmed, George called over the eager Dragon Slayer.
Mirajane warned, "The cannon's powered by mages. Unless we defeat them—"
"I know," George cut in. "But this might destroy both cannon and fortress."
His wand conjured blue Fiendfyre - but instead of attacking, he directed it at Natsu.
Unlike in Oak Town, uncontrolled cursed flames here would burn Magnolia to ashes. His solution?
Let Natsu - a Fire Dragon Slayer who could consume and control any flame - become the delivery system.
Earlier tests had proven successful: Fiendfyre-enhanced Natsu gained both a power boost and perfect flame control.
"HAHA! I'm burning up!"
As George fed him cursed fire, Natsu's magic surged exponentially, his excitement growing with each second.
"Clear those ghosts first."
When the spectral army reached the guild, George stopped the flow. Jose's death-attribute spirits resisted normal attacks - but cursed flames could harm them.
"Fire Dragon's ROAR!"
Natsu inhaled deeply, blue magic circles flaring around his hands as he unleashed an inferno of Fiendfyre-enhanced flames.
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(End of Chapter)