Even if it used all the magic in the world, Face was a one-time creation.
Its purpose was to lure the God Realm mages. Acnologia's immortality came from it. But it would eventually run out.
When that day came, Edolas would face its darkest hour. The people had been protected for too long by Acnologia.
A shadow crossed Acnologia's eyes. He was silent for a moment. His anger faded. He let go of Chase.
He knew all this. He had thought about it. But there was no time. The enemies kept coming.
The endless fighting had made him numb. All he knew was battle.
If not for the voices of his fallen comrades, if not for his duty to protect the world, he would have gone mad.
"I will carry this mission. I will fight until my last breath," Acnologia said.
"Then the world will slowly die," Chase said.
Acnologia could not argue.
"In my world, there is a saying. 'A nation is lost when it lives in peace and dies in war.' A people who have never known despair will only be conquered or destroyed. The more afraid you are of death, the faster it comes."
Chase stepped aside. He pointed to Edo Chase and the others.
"Do not underestimate their will. Let these idiots do their part."
Edo Chase and the others twitched.
There he goes again.
They knew he was helping them. But being called idiots still hurt.
Chase ignored them. "If you need help, I can help. They are weak. But I am strong."
Looking at Acnologia's power, the invaders were not that strong. Not like the Five Dragon Gods. Not like the Spriggan 12's Two Shields. At most, they were as strong as the Four Heavenly Kings of Ishgar.
If they were stronger, Acnologia could not have survived.
They were probably exiles. Or criminals. From the God Realm.
In Earthland and Elentear, there were no such invaders. Because they would die.
Edo Chase agreed. He was from the God Realm.
So, the problem was not impossible. The people of Edolas had no magic. But they had weapons.
Mystogan was proof. He was an S-Class mage of Fairy Tail. He only used magic staves.
With Mystogan's combat experience and Edo Chase's knowledge, they could help.
But this was just a guess. They would need to see the invaders to be sure.
That was why Chase wanted to help. He could learn about the God Realm.
And there was a chance for new cards.
"You talked so much just to use us as bait?!"
"Damn it. He is stealing the spotlight again."
They started complaining.
Acnologia was thinking.
He had believed in the will of people. But seeing his friends die had broken him. He chose the lonely path.
If Edo Chase and the others had said this, he would have called them naive.
But Chase was different. He was strong. He could fight.
Acnologia could sense it. Chase had not fought with all his power.
"Why are you doing this? You are not from this world. You only came here for your own world."
He believed in Chase. But he did not understand.
"Because..."
Chase put his arms around Edo Chase and Edo Laxus. He smiled. "We are mages of Fairy Tail."
If Natsu were here, he would be excited.
"Fairy Tail? Mages?" Acnologia was confused.
Edo Chase and Edo Laxus could not escape. They laughed awkwardly.
"He is more like Lucy's real brother," Edo Evergreen said.
In the end, Acnologia agreed. He would not seal Face or the island anymore.
But he would not let people die for nothing. Only those strong enough could stay. He would kick the others away.
He looked at Edo Chase and his team.
They felt uncomfortable.
BOOM!
He kicked them. They flew into the sky.
"You are not strong enough. Come back when you are stronger."
Chase could see it. A small light in Acnologia's dead eyes.
He wanted friends. He wanted their help.
But he did not know how to act. So he kicked them away.
What a tsundere.
Chase smiled. He flew after them.
This was about the lives of many people. There was no need to rush.
They would wait until things were settled in the capital. Until Mystogan was ready.
***
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