"Diamond Dust Fist!"
In the central battlefield, Gray, clad in the "Cygnus Cloth," unleashed his signature technique once more.
With a low shout, an intensely cold vortex of magical power coalesced at Gray's fist.
Countless tiny ice crystals instantly solidified in the air as a howling, frigid winter wind erupted from his knuckles, sweeping toward the "Dorma Anim."
"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!"
Wherever the icy wind passed, the ground rapidly layered with thick frost, emitting faint freezing sounds.
A chilling mist filled the air, and the temperature plummeted.
But when the "Diamond Dust Fist" struck the silver-armored monster, it was like a stone sinking into the sea—merely causing the metallic creature to stagger slightly.
"Still not enough?"
Gray sighed, a flicker of defeat in his eyes as he observed the nearly undamaged armor of his opponent.
Even with the enhanced magical power granted by the "Cygnus Cloth," he still couldn't breach the monster's defenses.
"Can we really do this?"
At this moment, Gray couldn't help but begin to doubt.
A heavy sense of powerlessness, mingled with the biting cold, spread through his heart.
"You're no good, Gray! Leave it to me!"
Gray's failure dampened everyone's spirits, but it was immediately followed by the voice of someone who never knew surrender.
Natsu blazed with fighting spirit in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, the scorching heat causing the surrounding air to waver slightly.
The "Fire Dragon" traced clumsy circles with his hands, one after another, as blazing flames writhed like living beings in his grasp.
They spun, compressed, and condensed, finally merging into a massive fireball that churned with violent energy, emitting blinding light and intense heat.
"Lionet Bomber!"
All the energy gathered in his fist as Natsu roared, hurling the enormous fireball as if throwing a miniature sun.
Terrifying energy wreathed the fireball, trailing a long orange-red tail of flames.
Where it passed, the air crackled and exploded, the ground scorched black and cracked under the extreme heat, as if intent on incinerating everything in its path.
This wasn't just the power of the "Lionet Cloth"—it also contained the force of "Fire Dragon Slayer Magic."
Two destructive energies fused together, creating an even more fearsome power.
In comparison, Natsu's full-force "Lionet Bomber" possessed far more direct and straightforward destructive power than Gray's "Diamond Dust Fist."
"Whoosh!"
The fireball shot forth, trailing flames as it roared toward the "Dorma Anim."
King Faust raised his arm with a mix of disdain and irritation, attempting to block it.
"BOOM!!!"
The moment the fireball made contact with the mechanical arm, a blinding flash erupted, followed by a deafening explosion!
The fireball instantly burst apart, scattering brilliant flames across the sky, and the "Dorma Anim" was sent flying backward.
"We did it!!!"
Watching the "Dorma Anim" hurtle away wreathed in light and flames, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
Exhausted faces were instantly replaced with ecstatic joy.
The "Dorma Anim," which had remained unscathed despite the relentless bombardment, now had half of its left arm missing.
The severed forearm showed a dark red, molten-and-quickly-solidified metal lump, with internal structures and circuits emitting black smoke as they were exposed to the air.
"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!" King Faust, who had been knocked to the ground, struggled to maneuver the 'Dorma Anim' back to its feet.
The metal joints emitted a grating friction sound, and his face was completely distorted, filled with disbelief and extreme fury.
He raised the left arm of the "Dorma Anim," staring at the missing forearm as if he were in a dream.
The invincible "Dorma Anim"!
The "Dorma Anim" that was absolutely immune to magical damage!
Yet, it had lost a section of its forearm to the magic of that "Fire Dragon"!
"Hahaha!!! I really am the strongest!!! Gray! You're still far from matching me!!!"
Seeing the results of his attack, Natsu, despite being completely exhausted and barely able to stand, still placed his hands on his hips and let out his signature roar of laughter toward the sky.
He was getting a bit carried away, but that was just typical for him.
Truth be told, if he had merely injured the "Dorma Anim," Natsu wouldn't have been this ecstatic.
However, the fact that he had succeeded after Gray's failed attempt made all the difference.
The joy was multiplied.
Gray stared at the mechanical monster with its severed arm, then glanced at the overly triumphant Natsu, his lips twitching slightly.
He wanted to retort with something stubborn, but he couldn't find the words.
The slight sense of defeat was largely overshadowed by the current achievement.
"It's the result of everyone's continuous efforts. You just happened to land the final blow."
Gray didn't say it out loud, but someone else did it for him—Bacchus, who was panting heavily, wiped the sweat and dust from his face and shouted it loudly.
The "head hound" of "Quatro Cerberus" wore a serious expression, his level of awareness truly remarkable.
Of course, whether it was out of genuine selflessness or simply because he was displeased that Natsu had landed the final blow, no one could say for sure.
But Natsu didn't care, as he collapsed to the ground with a thud, his chest heaving violently as he gasped for air.
Sweat instantly soaked the ground beneath him.
That last attack had completely drained him, leaving his magical power utterly exhausted.
Natsu needed to rest for a while, to let his magic power recover, though it wouldn't take long.
Above, the dwindling magic of the "Leo Minor" constellation could still replenish him.
Gazing up at the smoke-filled sky, Natsu cracked a tired but satisfied smile.
...
"See, I told you they could do it."
Natsu's impressive final blow finally gave Marco something to say, and he immediately raised an eyebrow at Laxus.
"And now? That guy looks like he's about to go berserk, while Natsu is completely drained."
Laxus nodded, acknowledging Natsu's efforts, but then sneered and questioned.
"Natsu has some strength and potential, I've always admitted that. But even going all out, this is the most he can achieve."
"Drained? For Natsu, being drained isn't the end." Marco shook his head with a grave expression.
His understanding of Natsu ran far deeper than Laxus could possibly comprehend.
Natsu was far from losing his fighting capability.
That guy's body seemed to possess inexhaustible magical power, always able to squeeze out more strength as if an endless stream of power would surge forth as long as the fire in his heart kept burning.
...
"RAAAAAAGH!!!"
"Dorma Anim" with a severed forearm roared like a wounded beast, crimson light flickering madly in its eyes while its entire body radiated violent and destructive energy.
Terrifying beams of magical power shot from "Dorma Anim's" eyes like two crimson light whips, sweeping chaotically and wildly toward the surrounding Mages.
The Mages either dodged or employed various techniques to block the attacks, each demonstrating their unique abilities like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.
Simultaneously, they coordinated with each other, providing cover for their comrades - the group had developed remarkable synergy.
Contrary to Laxus's expectations, the group hadn't been quickly overwhelmed by the frenzied "Dorma Anim."
In fact, despite their magical power gradually depleting and their movements slowing due to exhaustion, their increasingly skilled coordination and familiarity with "Dorma Anim's" limited attack patterns allowed them to respond more calmly and methodically, even beginning to handle the situation with growing ease.
This time, it was Laxus who fell silent, this development clearly exceeding his expectations once again.
Watching those figures instinctively covering for each other in critical moments, observing their determined persistence despite their battered state, and seeing Natsu struggling back to his feet - Laxus felt a tightness in his chest, unconsciously clenching his fists.
This wasn't the scene he wanted to witness, but... was this truly not what he wanted to see?
"Dorma Anim is strong, it's troublesome, but a machine is ultimately just a machine - its limits are clearly defined."
"But Laxus, humans have no limits. Humans are the creatures most adept at creating miracles in this world."
Marco turned to Laxus, pressing his advantage.
"A cold machine can never defeat a heart that burns eternally."
---------
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator