"Ah, it's nothing, I just suddenly thought about how Zeref's peculiar ability comes from the curse of Ankseram God..."
Makarov explained to Princess Jade with a slight panic, reminding himself to instruct everyone not to reveal the existence of the First Generation.
The current state of the First Generation should absolutely not be known to outsiders.
Mebius also paused temporarily, planning to talk about it later.
Princess Jade, after hearing Makarov's explanation of that paradoxical curse, found it somewhat unbelievable: "'The more one cherishes life, the more it takes away the lives around them'? So, Zeref is actually someone who values life greatly?"
Mira speculated along this line of thought: "If that's the case, perhaps he strives to forget the preciousness of life to prevent harming those around him, thus avoiding activating the curse, but..."
Rhode continued speaking: "But once he forgets the preciousness of life, then the 'Black Mage' himself becomes an extremely dangerous individual."
A person who wields countless black magic and disregards life is dangerous in itself.
Princess Jade mused, "So, no matter how he thinks deep down, ultimately... he'll bring disaster to those around?"
In that case, we must find a way to deal with him.
Rhode said, "Perhaps there's a third possibility, like Ankseram God, viewing everyone as insignificant ants and becoming a high and mighty god oneself."
He hadn't thought much about gods before, but now he was curious about how gods are born and where they reside.
Analyzing Zeref closely, you'll find he already possesses the characteristics of a deity.
For example, being ageless and immortal, creating the Ethereal Demon Race, a race of intelligent beings, and having many followers...
If he occupies a place and gathers the demons he created and his followers, wouldn't he be considered as a god?
Princess Jade assumed he was joking: "Become a god? That's impossible. How can a person become a god?"
Being part of the Royal Family, she believes a commoner cannot become a king, and naturally, mortals cannot become gods.
This is an ingrained belief written in her bones.
Makarov and Mira felt the same way.
Only Mebius's facial expression changed slightly, thoughtfully considering the possibility Rhode mentioned—because she knew Zeref really played a 'management game' on the Western Continent over a hundred years ago.
Treating everyone as chess pieces, mobilizing people, expanding territory...
Since they are chess pieces, he won't 'love' them, no matter how many are lost, he won't feel regret, so the curse wouldn't take effect.
It's said that the Western Continent has been unified long ago; wonder what Zeref's next goal might be.
Could it really be, as Rhode speculated, that he might eventually become the new 'god'?
Rhode didn't want to argue with Princess Jade; he was merely presenting a possibility.
According to Natsu's description of the meeting scene at the time, Rhode suspected that Zeref had a self-destructive tendency.
Not sure how much the First Generation understood about him, will have to ask eventually.
Princess Jade chatted with the trio for a while, then expressed her desire not to disturb the newlyweds and wished to see the Mages' Guild ball.
Naturally, no one stopped her, but Rhode paid extra attention to Princess Jade—not to guard against her, but worried she'd be killed by some unknown attack.
Princess Jade wasn't particularly reserved, she searched through the crowd, found Jura and One Night, and greeted them separately.
Then she chatted a bit with Kagura, the star contestant of the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts, finally locating Lucy in the crowd.
She waved with a smile, "Miss Lucy."
Lucy was sitting with Reby, eating and chatting, heard the voice and hurriedly stood up, "Princess Jade?"
Reby was also shocked, "Lu-chan knows the Princess?"
"How could I, today is our first meeting..." Lucy spoke a bit unsure, suspecting perhaps she attended some royal event in her childhood.
Given the former scale of the Hartfelia Group, her parents and she were eligible to meet the Royal Family.
Unfortunately, she couldn't recall whether she had ever met the Princess or the King.
"We haven't met, but I've often paid attention to you." Princess Jade smiled, "You might not be aware, but I received care from your parents during my childhood and even once consulted your mother on magic knowledge."
"Is, is that so? My mom..." Thoughts of her mother brought Lucy a bit of sadness, yet meeting someone who had ties with her mother brought joy.
Princess Jade apologized, "Sorry for bringing up Lady Reela on my own. Her matter... was really unfortunate."
Lucy gently shook her head, smiling softly, "It's already in the past; hearing others mention my mother's matters makes me happy."
Princess Jade chuckled, "Indeed, you resemble Lady Reela, with your gentleness."
Lucy chuckled, then suddenly asked, "Does the Princess also practice magic?"
"Yes, actually..." the Princess leaned in slightly and whispered, "Please don't tell others, but I'm also a Star Spirit Mage."
"Really?" Lucy was a bit delighted; aside from her mother and the Oracion Seis's 'Angel', it was her first time meeting another Star Spirit Mage.
She hadn't met Yukino, and Balrog's original owner was erased from her memory.
Lucy curiously asked, "May I know what your Star Spirits are?"
Princess Jade discreetly displayed her several Silver Keys, "None of them are rare Star Spirits."
Lucy looked closely: Cyanogen Constellation, Pegasus Constellation, Furnace Constellation—two pet types, one tool type.
Seeing the last one, she exclaimed in surprise, "It's Canis Minor Constellation, I also have the Canis Minor Constellation key!"
Princess Jade smiled, "Because Nikla of Canis Minor is so adorable, I worked hard to buy a key, the same goes for Cyanogen Constellation and Pegasus Constellation."
Reby questioned, "Eh~ None are battle types?"
Princess Jade kept silent with a smile, and Lucy explained on her behalf, "Because she's a princess, she doesn't need to fight."
"Indeed..." Reby nodded; she learned magic for livelihood, whereas a princess might simply learn magic for pleasure.
Being fellow Star Spirit Mages provided common topics, and with parental ties, Princess Jade and Lucy's relationship advanced swiftly.
"By the way," Princess Jade suddenly asked after chatting for a while, "has Lucy heard of the Fairy Tail fighting?"
Lucy nodded, "Yes, it's an annual festival where all national Mages' Guilds can participate, right?"
Princess Jade replied, "Yes, will Fairy Tail participate this year? I'm looking forward to Lucy's performance."
"I think we will? Everyone is still quite concerned with the guild's ranking. However..." Lucy smiled wryly, "If we were to compete, I probably wouldn't be up for it."