Chapter 436: The Scarlet Despair Awakens
(Third Person POV)
[Magnolia, Fiore]
"Natsu, do not move too much." Makarov told the pink haired dragon slayer, "Your wounds can still open!"
Makarov stood over Natsu who was lying down, bandaged up. This was after his fight with Jacob Lessio, Lucy aided him in fighting the Assassin and after a difficult battle, they both came out victories.
"Let me at em, Gramps!!" Natsu exclaimed, "Erza and the others are fighting that army, right? I wanna fight em too!!"
"Take it easy, boy!" Makarov growled, "They're merely repelling foot soldiers, you just finished a battle against a Shield. Both you and Lucy did something incredible, take the well deserved rest!!"
Lucy sat down on a table, with a bandage on her arms, flustered as she rubbed her head, "Oh well, this is the second Shield I help in beating." She said with a smile, "I'm glad we could help you in time, Master."
Makarov looked at her, "2 Shields? Lucy, you've impressed me today!" He said with a bewildered expression, "I am proud of you, my girl!"
Lucy looked away, even more flustered, "Oh, well when you put it like that...." She said
Happy floated behind Lucy, "Jason carried her in the first fight." He said, "It was easy for her to take credit."
Lucy frowned, "Why're you like this?"
Makarov cleared his throat and began to walk towards the screen in the front of the room.
"This war is going well for us." He said, "Mavis just let me know that the Northern Front secured a victory, Gajeel defeated a Shield and Jason aided in clearing up his army. But there was a flanking army they still have yet to deal with."
Lucy stood up, "Yes, it's good." She said, "Jason had defeated a Shield in the sky battle when they assaulted his ship and with Brandish, that had already made 2 we have defeated. And let's not forget the one that Laxus defeated too. 5 Shields have been defeated already, I think we can actually do this."
Makarov nodded, "Yes, but it's the remaining 7 that worries me." He said seriously, "And also, we must keep the Assassin prisoner as well. There's a possibility of him recovering. I believe the toughest battles are still ahead of us."
Lucy looked at him, "We've almost defeated half of the Spriggan 12, I think that's good morale for us." She said, "Natsu's all fired up and Jason has yet to go all out."
Mavis looked at her, "From the remaining 7, there are two that worry me the most, Lucy." He said, "The stories I heard about them, they are made out to be Monsters. I believe Jason is well aware of their power."
"We must be careful."
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[Eastern Front, A Couple of Miles From The Breached Border]
The land was reduced to nothing but ashes and smoke, the battle that took place shortly after the breach shook the ground itself.
There were nothing but motionless corpses of Alvarez Soldiers, caught up in the crossfire and suffered the consequences.
On top of a hill, Hyberion and Wolfheim laid on their bellies, struggling to move as their entire bodies were charred and bloodied.
Hyberion looked up, a massive gash above his eyes, "This...." He managed, "Is pathetic..."
Wolfheim slowly clenched his fist, "I.....agree...." He said, "We....let his army pass..."
In front of them, August stood with his staff in hand. He was seemingly unscathed as he looked down at the Wizard Saints.
"I warned you, Wizard Saints." He said calmly, "I allowed you to surrender and let us pass peacefully. While I knew you weren't going to accept, I still was against fighting. But I must commend you three, you were spectacularly strong, despite our power gap."
Behind August, God Serena floated while his eyes were closed. His face was covered in blood as he was engulfed in a strange amber-like substance, some type of barrier.
"To think God Serena would be defeated...." Wolfheim said, "It is unthinkable...."
"It is His Majesty's will to overtake this country." August said with a solemn tone, "And because we are his Shields, our souls belong to him. It matters not how many of us fall, his mission will be accomplished. So long as I, The King of Magic, still stand, Alvarez will succeed."
As he said this, the ground began to shake, the air began to distort, and they felt an immense and ominous magic power that hit the entire area around them.
Hyberion and Wolfheim widened their eyes, "W-What is this power?!" Hyberion exclaimed
August didn't react to this, the power was familiar to him.
"Hm..." He said, "So she's finally awake. I pity the souls that stand in her way, she is to wake in a foul mood."
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[MIles Away From August's Location]
The Fleet of Airships that had landed on an isolated location in the forest was shaking violently as the ground beneath them cracked. The amount of magic power that was being released was something.
Inside one of the ships, Heide Lunacy and Julliette Sun ran towards a run, pushing through the immense magic power that was released.
As they opened the door, they widened their eyes to see Irene standing in front of a bed, her eyes glowing brightly.
"Lady Irene!!" Heide exclaimed as they both knelt down
Irene was wearing the night gown she had when she had given birth, but in an instant, her attire changed to her usual outfit, her staff in hand.
Her eyes lost the glow, revealing her serious brown eyes.
"Heide." She said, "Where are we?"
"We're in Fiore, M'Lady." Heide replied, "Lord August took command of the rest of your army and we have begun the invasion. It's been days since you were taken out of commission, the war is ongoing....."
She slowly walked past them, "I see..." she said, "So we are at war...."
"Yes..." Juliette said nervously, "From the reports, 5 Shields have already been defeated."
"Interesting." Irene said, "So the enemy are more formidable than we've imagined...."
"Right...." Heide said, "We have yet to receive orders from-"
"Silence." Irene said seriously, "I take no orders from nobody but His Majesty. And I shall make my move, lest he says otherwise."
Heide and Juliette gulped in nervousness. They knew right away that Irene was in a terrible mood, she was much more serious and angry than usual. They could tell from the aura she was giving out.
"Of course, m'lady." They both said in unison
Irene then scowled, "Jason...." She said aloud,
"You will return my son to me."