"Dorma Anim? That is a forbidden technique!" the soldier beside him cautioned. "According to Article 23 of the Kingdom's Charter, its use is strictly prohibited."
"Go prepare it now!" Faust demanded, opening his eyes, which were now completely bloodshot.
...
Meanwhile, at the Exceed Council Hall...
After receiving new information, an Exceed scout immediately returned to report.
"The entire royal guard division, led by Captain Nichiya, has been turned into a giant Magic Crystal and placed inside the human palace!"
"What exactly are the humans planning?" a minister gasped.
'This seems different from what I foresaw...' Queen Shagotte thought to herself.
Originally, things should have been much worse—the Dragon Chain Cannon would have been successfully activated, and the massive Magic Crystal would have crashed directly into their home, Extalia.
It was precisely for this reason that the so-called Seed Project was initiated, safely sending 100 Exceed children down to the Earthland world.
But Queen Shagotte also knew the time had finally come.
Even if they were not hit by the Magic Crystal, the Exceed's floating island would inevitably crash.
This was completely unavoidable.
"Your Majesty, please make a decision!" a minister pleaded.
"The time has come... It is time to tell everyone the truth."
While the ministers were desperately seeking the queen's guidance, Shagotte made a completely different decision instead.
"What? What are you saying...?"
"Yes, that is right. I will reveal the so-called truth about our 'god.' I am tired of deceiving everyone for so long..."
Queen Shagotte wasn't a god at all; she was just an ordinary Exceed.
One might even say she was inferior to her own kind, as she only had one wing, and her magical power was much lower than that of other Exceeds.
She merely possessed a slight ability to foresee the future, specifically knowing when a human's lifespan was about to end.
She had cooperated with the ministers in an elaborate scheme to ensure the survival of the Exceed race.
Shagotte slowly descended from her throne and left the palace...
...
"Alright, the absorbed members have successfully returned to Earthland." Mystogan turned and nodded to Raizel.
This was a necessary step before fully reversing the Anima.
Otherwise, even if the Fairy Tail members returned to Earthland, they would still remain trapped in their Magic Crystal forms.
"Eh???" Gajeel and Lily, who were in the midst of intense combat, suddenly stopped.
A dazzling blue light emitted from the sky above their battlefield, and then the giant floating Magic Crystal disappeared into thin air.
"Gajeel! Raizel says everyone has returned safely!" Happy jumped up happily.
"I can hear him without you telling me! Although that matter is resolved, our battle is not over yet!" The panting Gajeel provocatively waved a hand at Lily.
"You still have not said why you joined the Royal Army."
"I was exiled." The two began talking while continuing to exchange heavy blows.
"I was exiled because I saved a human child."
Lily continued, "But I do not regret it. Even if I had to do it all over again, I would still save him!"
"You are growing on me more and more! Why don't you come back to Earthland with me and be my cat?" Gajeel grinned.
The only response Gajeel received was Lily's fiery fist to the face.
...
"Raizel and Mystogan succeeded! Everyone has returned!" Natsu and Gray high-fived each other.
..
Meanwhile, the rest of the Exceeds also learned the shocking truth spoken by their queen.
"Though I do not know what the future holds for our people, I will definitely stand and fall with everyone!" Shagotte declared bravely.
Battles continued to rage all around the royal capital.
As the Fairy Tail members fought against the royal army, Erza and Knightwalker began their second round of deadly confrontation.
Finally, Gajeel and Lily's fierce battle reached its conclusion, with Gajeel emerging victorious.
At the exact same time, near a ruined section of the royal castle, a glowing green magic circle appeared.
A giant silver 'egg' burst forth from the ground, instantly capturing many people's attention.
"Jellal, it is you!" King Faust's furious voice echoed throughout the entire royal capital.
"Only you know how to reverse the Anima and change the Magic Crystal back into its original form!"
"The prince?" Lily, lying exhausted on the ground, heard Jellal's name and perked up his ears to listen.
"Disappearing without a trace for seven whole years, only to return and obstruct my plans! This crime is completely unforgivable!" Faust roared.
"Your Anima plan has already failed. There is no meaning in continuing to fight, is there?"
The soldiers guarding the Anima had all been dealt with by Raizel.
With Raizel standing guard there, Jellal had no worries, responding calmly through Raizel's Archieve Magic.
"That is Mystogan's voice," Natsu's ears twitched.
"It really is the prince..."
Though they hadn't met for years, Lily could still vaguely recognize the voice.
Besides, aside from Jellal, there really wasn't anyone else who would dare speak to King Faust like that.
"Meaning? You are actually asking me about the meaning of this battle? This isn't any ordinary battle—it is retaliation against those who oppose the kingdom! It is one-sided annihilation!"
"What is that thing?" Natsu asked.
"Could it be some kind of magic weapon?" Gray frowned as he looked closely at the giant silver egg.
Suddenly, the thick chains binding the silver 'egg' automatically broke apart.
"If you refuse to heed my warning and stand before me to obstruct my path! Even if it is you, my own son, I will utterly destroy you! I will leave no trace behind!" Faust shouted madly.
"Why must you, of all people, obstruct me? Never mind, as long as I kill you here, no one in Earthland will be able to seal the Anima anymore, and I can continue creating giant Magic Crystals!"
"ROAR————"
An earth-shaking, metallic roar reverberated throughout the entire royal capital.
BOOM! BOOM!
Two giant silver claws stomped heavily on the ground, causing massive tremors.
"A king's power can accomplish anything! A king's power is supreme!"
A massive silver tail swept across the area, forcefully clearing away all the surrounding buildings.
The mechanical dragon head's two eyes glowed with a piercing red light.
"ROAR!"
"That form!"
"That magical power, there is no mistaking it!" Shagotte and the Exceeds, who had flown down to join the battle, stared in horror at the giant silver metal dragon.
"Dorma Anim!"
"Dorma Anim—that is the language here, meaning 'Dragon Knight'," Lily, still lying on the ground, explained quietly to Gajeel.
"That is reinforced dragon armor."
"What? A dragon?" Happy, flying high in the sky while carrying Natsu, said, "Now that you mention it, the shape does resemble one..."
"What is reinforced armor?" Wendy asked, having never heard of such a thing.
Coco sat weakly on her flying Legion mount. "It is made of anti-magic crystal. This specific type of crystal can completely nullify all external magic. This Dragon Knight is a pilot-type armor—His Majesty is currently inside, controlling the Dorma Anim."
"My loyal soldiers! Quickly capture all the Exceeds!" Faust commanded from within the machine.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The royal soldiers, riding their flying Legions, charged straight toward the Exceeds in the sky.
They carried magical cannons fully capable of turning the Exceeds into Magic Crystals.
"This is bad! Get away quickly!" Erza waved her hand urgently, warning the cats.
"Do not let them escape!" Knightwalker gave the exact opposite order to her troops.
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