Thanks to Chase's magic, the boat was much faster than when the Edo Chase team had traveled north.
By evening, with the last light of the setting sun, they could see the outline of the southern continent.
Knowing they would soon see their loved ones, Edo Chase and the others stopped playing cards. They stood at the railing, watching the horizon. Their eyes were bright with excitement and hope.
Two and a half years was a long time. They wanted to share their adventures.
Chase stood next to Edo Chase. He leaned on the railing. He enjoyed the cool sea breeze.
Dark Magician and Silent Magician had analyzed his power. There were three possibilities for getting new cards.
First, strong emotions. Life-or-death battles. Exciting card games. Anything that made his blood race could give him a new card.
That was the most likely. In this world, emotion and will were the core of magic.
Second, the importance of the target. Edo Chase was his counterpart. He was special. Most of the bosses Chase had faced were important.
There were exceptions. Like the Sky Drum on Demon Ruins Island.
Third, his power had grown. His magic had upgraded.
Whatever the reason, it was good. He had another way to grow stronger.
He decided to promote Duel Monsters when he got back to Magnolia. He would hold a tournament. He would find strong opponents. He would learn more about his power.
With Fairy Tail's reputation and his connection to Weekly Sorcerer, it would not be hard. It would just take time.
Just thinking about it made him excited.
"Hey! Look at that!"
Edo Evergreen's shout broke his thoughts.
They looked. At the edge of the sea, the southern continent was being covered in darkness. But then, golden light filled the sky.
The light flowed toward a giant vortex.
"Magic. It is flowing magic!"
Edo Chase stared at his device. "What is happening? Why is the magic flowing into the sky?"
Mystogan is faster than I thought.
A dark gold magic circle appeared on the deck.
Chase did not have time to explain. "I am going ahead."
He and Dark Magician Girl flew toward the capital.
The Edo Chase team could only watch them disappear.
Inside the capital, deep in the king's castle, was the control room for Anima.
Mystogan stood with his back to a giant crystal ball. Opposite him was a muscular man with a black cat face.
Panther Lily. An Exceed. He could transform into a combat form. He was the captain of the first Magic Warfare Unit.
"I refuse. This is insane!"
Lily was angry.
Mystogan had just told him his plan. Drain all the magic from Edolas. Let himself be known as a traitor. Let Lily be the hero. Lead the people as the new king.
"My father was right. I am the one who brought mages from Earthland. I caused this destruction," Mystogan said.
"You did it for Edolas. I am the real traitor. I was abandoned by the Exceeds. I work for humans."
Lily looked at him. "Let me carry this burden, Prince."
"You love humans. You saved me when I was young."
Mystogan would not change his mind.
Lily wanted to argue. The crystal ball shook. The flowing magic stopped.
"Deciding to die without telling anyone. How annoying."
Chase walked out of the passage. His eyes were angry. He looked at Mystogan.
"Do you not value your life? Are you really a mage of Fairy Tail?"
There were three rules.
First. Never tell anyone outside the guild about things that could hurt Fairy Tail.
Second. Never use past clients for personal gain.
Third. No matter your path, live strong. Never despise your life. Never forget your friends.
Lily tensed. This man was strong.
"Mystogan."
Chase.
Mystogan was surprised. And a little scared.
He knew his friends would stop him. That was why he had come alone.
"So this is your solution? Dying? Stupid."
Chase stepped forward. The floor cracked. "You are not just a prince. You are a mage of Fairy Tail."
"Did you think about the master? About everyone in the guild?"
Mystogan was angry too. "I did it to protect them! Anima almost killed everyone!"
Without Nirvana's warning, they would have been caught.
He could not let that happen again. He was from Edolas. He had to protect his world. So he chose to die.
His voice was tired. His eyes were dim.
"Let Anima continue, Chase. It is the only..."
Before he could finish, Chase was in front of him. His fist was ready.
"Screw that!"
BOOM!
His fist hit Mystogan's face. Mystogan flew back. He hit the giant crystal ball.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!
patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!