There are many legitimate Mage guilds on this continent, as well as a Council to regulate and manage them.
But besides that, there are quite a few Dark Wizard Guilds that have not been recognized by the guild Alliance.
Most of the Mages in these Dark Wizard Guilds are engaged in illegal activities.
Or they are brewing conspiracies that disrupt the peace.
The most troublesome among them is the Balam Alliance, composed of the three strongest Dark Wizard Guilds.
Within this Alliance, the most active is the Oración Seis, the most mysterious is Tartaros, and the most powerful is Grimoire Heart.
"What did you say? Council member Siegrain is Jellal, and his drastic change in personality back then was because he was hit by your magic!"
After hearing Gray recount the whole story, as well as all the intelligence on Grimoire Heart provided by the reformed Ultear.
Erza's expression changed instantly, and she wished she could strike down Ultear with her sword on the spot.
Ten years ago, she was captured as an orphan by an organization that worshipped the Dark Mage Zeref, and was forced to work as a laborer on an island to build the Tower of Heaven.
During that time, she met many friends, among whom the most close to her was the gentle and kind Jellal.
Later, they united in an attempt to escape the Tower of Heaven, but ultimately failed, and Jellal was taken away and tortured in everyone's place.
In the crisis, she unleashed her inner potential, awakened her magic abilities, and relying on the enhancement of her powerful magic on her physical body, she defeated all the guards.
Just when she thought everything was over and she could escape the Tower of Heaven with Jellal and her friends.
Jellal suddenly changed completely, and he also awakened more powerful magic abilities, forcibly driving her out of the Tower of Heaven.
And by threatening the lives of those friends, he stopped her from returning to the Tower of Heaven again.
For so many years, she couldn't understand why the gentle and kind Jellal suddenly changed his personality, and why he did that.
Now she finally knew, it was because of Grimoire Heart, and because of this woman in front of her named Ultear, who had secretly bewitched Jellal with dark magic.
"Back then, because Hades valued Jellal's magical talent, he had me cast dark magic on him in the name of the Dark Mage Zeref."
"Luring him into the darkness to continue building the Tower of Heaven, and attempting to use the forbidden R-System magic that can be cast from the Tower of Heaven to summon the real Zeref to descend."
"Jellal's magical talent was indeed astonishing; he could learn all kinds of magic at a glance and master them quickly, no worse than what ordinary Mages study for decades."
"Before he was twenty, just using a thought projection under the pseudonym Siegrain, he obtained the glory of the Ten Wizard Saints and joined the Council with me to become a member."
"Now that the Tower of Heaven has been built, it requires immense magic power to activate."
"Hades had me continue to induce Jellal to use the Council's ultimate weapon, Etherion, to provide the final charge for the R-System."
"I know I have committed many mistakes, each of which is enough to pay for with my life."
"If you kill me, I have no complaints whatsoever."
The awakened Ultear, facing the angry Erza, was full of remorse on her face.
At this moment, Ur stepped forward somewhat weakly, held Ultear's hand, and pleaded with Erza: "I know it is excessive to ask you to forgive her, but I still hope you can give her a chance to atone, and I will accompany her to atone for her sins."
"She is my child; if she made a mistake, it is my mistake."
Gray also wanted to step forward to plead, but Erza waved her hand, took a deep breath, and replied: "You were just a blade in Hades' hand; Hades is the real culprit."
"Since you have repented, lift the control over Jellal and help us destroy Grimoire Heart."
She understood that Ultear was also acting under orders, and that Ultear was also a miserable person.
So, since Ultear was willing to atone, she would no longer pursue the matter.
"I am willing to act as an inside agent in Grimoire Heart and cooperate with you to destroy Grimoire Heart."
Ultear nodded.
"Ultear, how much do you know about Hades?"
Makarov asked with a grave expression.
He did not expect that Grimoire Heart had secretly plotted so many conspiracies and even planted two spies in the Council.
If their plan were to succeed, he didn't know if the legendary Dark Mage Zeref would be summoned, but the Council would definitely be finished.
"I only know that he is extremely powerful and proficient in all kinds of dark magic and Lost magic."
"My Lost magic, Arc of Time, was taught to me by him, and the Lost magic of the other six members of the Seven Kin of Purgatory was also taught by him."
"Anyway, up until now, I have not met a Mage more powerful than him; even among the Four Emperors of Ishgar, most are probably not his match."
"By the way, his real name should be Precht Gaebolg."
Ultear revealed all the information she knew about Hades.
And when Makarov heard Hades' real name, his pupils suddenly constricted, and he said loudly in disbelief: "What did you say? His name is Precht Gaebolg? Use Ice-Make Magic to create his appearance and show it to me."
Ultear raised her hand, a purple magic circle rose, and an old man with white hair, wearing armor and an eyepatch, with a gloomy expression, appeared before everyone.
"It really is him. This is impossible. How could he have become the master of a Dark Guild? This is impossible!"
Seeing the appearance of the ice sculpture, the last bit of luck in Makarov's heart vanished, and his face was full of disbelief and anger.
"Old man, do you know Hades?"
Natsu stepped forward and asked.
Makarov took a while to recover before sighing and saying: "It's more than just knowing him; the reason I became the guild master is because of him."
"He is the second master of our Fairy Tail Guild."
"What?"
At this, everyone was shocked.
The master of the strongest Dark Guild was actually once the second master of the Fairy Tail Guild.
This... no one would believe this if it were said out loud.
"Precht and my father were both founders of the Fairy Tail Guild."
"After the first master passed away, Precht became the second master and always took care of us."
"In my impression, he was always a very kind elder who loved to study various types of magic."
"Besides mastering Giant Magic and Light Magic, the reason I like to learn other magic when I have free time is also because of his influence."
Speaking of this, Makarov sighed again and continued: "Forty-eight years ago, Precht told me that he wanted to travel around the continent to search for the mysteries of magic, so he passed the position of guild master to me."
"Since then, I have never seen him again, nor have I had any news of him."
"I thought he had died long ago."