Chapter 132: Mira vs. Jehfrit – Let Go!

"Enough," Natsu said firmly. "You've already lost."

"Damn you bastards!" King Faust roared. "Even if I destroy everything, it doesn't matter as long as I survive! As long as I have magic, I can rebuild it all!"

*BOOM*

The massive dragon acted like a vacuum pump, sucking in an overwhelming amount of magical energy.

"This turtle shell is such a pain," Laxus muttered, furrowing his brow slightly.

Immune to magic.

Though their Dragon Slayer magic wasn't completely nullified, most damage was mitigated, making the fight much harder than expected.

"Hmm?"

Jehfrit frowned, glancing toward the city. "Something's approaching. Trouble might be on the way."

No sooner had he spoken than Miko shouted, "Jehfrit, watch out!"

*BOOM*

A blast of magic struck Jehfrit squarely!

"Jehfrit!" Mirajane screamed, immediately transforming into her Demon Queen form and flying over.

"I'm fine, but trouble has arrived," Jehfrit said, staring at the distant figure.

It had come.

Demon—Ansa!

"What is that?" Mystogan and others noticed the disturbance.

"Z-Zombies!"

Someone cried out.

Panic spread through the entire city.

Hordes of zombie-like humans were advancing, led by someone whose gaze was fixed intently on Jehfrit.

"Do you remember that demon we encountered when we first crossed over?" Jehfrit asked.

"It's him! He followed us here!" Mystogan recalled.

"Is he an enemy?" Ed-Jehfrit questioned.

"Yes. Be careful—he's a true demon," Mystogan warned.

"It doesn't matter," Ed-Jehfrit replied. "I've never seen your version of Jehfrit fight. Let's see who's stronger between us!"

"I'm sorry, but I don't specialize in combat—I'm more of a support mage. However, I can assist you," Jehfrit responded.

"Hahaha, being supported by yourself feels strange!" 

"Muscles—begin liberation!"

*BOOM*

A powerful aura exploded around Ed-Jehfrit.

He transformed into a towering, muscle-bound figure.

"Ten percent!"

His body grew taller and more imposing!

"Thirty percent!"

His muscles expanded rapidly, straining against his skin.

"Sixty percent!"

Demonic patterns resembling devilish wings formed across his back—a grotesque yet awe-inspiring sight.

"Ninety percent!"

All his hair fell off!

"∑(Дノ)ノ"

Even the usually stoic Jehfrit couldn't help but gawk.

"Incredible…" Erza and Mirajane stood with their mouths agape.

"That monster… Is he really using Jehfrit's name?!" Lucy pointed shakily at the scene. Watching Jehfrit turn into a muscular behemoth felt like witnessing a complete breakdown of reality.

"Gross…" Emily wrinkled her nose. A little muscle was fine—even cool—but this was just too much. Plus, baldness? Ugh.

"Jehfrit…" Laxus and the others looked on, their expressions complicated.

Natsu gave a thumbs-up. "This version of Jehfrit is way cooler than ours!"

*SMACK*

Suddenly, Natsu was sent flying by the dragon knight's tail.

"Huh?" Natsu climbed out of the rubble, utterly bewildered. "I didn't even see the attack coming!"

"*Huff*"

Ed-Jehfrit exhaled slowly before inhaling sharply.

In an instant, his chest swelled to the point of bursting while his abdomen became impossibly thin—his infamous "Vacuum Abs" technique!

"One hundred percent muscle liberation!"

Ed-Jehfrit surged forward like a freight train!

"Two… Jehfrits?" Ansa commanded his minions, preparing to strike.

*BOOM*

Ed-Jehfrit was already upon them!

A single punch—

*KABOOM*

A radius of five hundred meters was completely obliterated!

The zombies were blown away, but Ansa remained unfazed.

"Jehfrit! Jehfrit!" Miko slapped Jehfrit's shoulder excitedly. "If you had that kind of power combined with my scales, we could beat even Acnologia to a pulp!"

"…" Jehfrit adjusted his glasses. "Not very elegant."

Then, somewhat jealously, he added, "If you think he's better, why don't you team up with him instead?"

"Huh?" Miko turned to look at him, then bent down abruptly, wrapping her arms around Jehfrit. Standing over two meters tall, she whispered tenderly, "You're special."

"…" Jehfrit pushed her away. "Stay ready to enter Scale Angel mode."

"Yes."

"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!"

Ed-Jehfrit entered berserk mode, showing no significant difference from Jehfrit's Scale Angel form.

*SLAP*

Jehfrit smacked his forehead. Everyone now looked at him strangely after seeing Ed-Jehfrit's performance, silently conveying thoughts like, 'Why don't you learn from this guy?'

Learn what?!

Go bald?!

"Strong power indeed." Ansa's minions were utterly annihilated, prompting him to reveal his true form.

Three meters tall, eight arms, and a pair of wings.

Slowly opening his eyes, his demonic gaze locked onto Ed-Jehfrit.

*BOOM*

He threw a punch.

"Bring it on!" Ed-Jehfrit prepared for a direct clash.

*KABOOM*

Their fists collided evenly matched!

"*Huff*"

Jehfrit took a deep breath, unleashing his full magical potential.

His magic didn't manifest visually—it worked through infiltration and influence.

"Trouble ahead," Jehfrit estimated. "We need to hold out for fifteen minutes."

Everyone gasped.

Jehfrit always announced how long battles would last because once time ran out, even if they hadn't won outright, his magic would force the opponent to submit instantly.

Previous fights against S-Class enemies lasted only three or five minutes.

Fifteen minutes this time!

Such strength likely surpassed even Master Makarov.

And indeed, it did.

One of Ansa's arms alone equaled Ed-Jehfrit's strength—and he had eight!

*BOOM BOOM BOOM*

He attacked simultaneously.

Jehfrit immediately used his magic to deflect the blows, but Ansa adapted quickly.

Deception Magic could be countered by confidence—if one believed they weren't deceived, the illusion broke.

Ordinary mages hesitated, unsure whether something was real or fake. Jehfrit could afford many failures, but they couldn't risk even one, so they lacked confidence and failed to break free.

But Ansa believed his indestructible body rendered any attack meaningless.

Even genuine attacks couldn't kill him!

Thus, he casually shattered the illusion and landed three consecutive punches, sending Ed-Jehfrit flying.

By then, Jehfrit himself charged in, slashing downward.

*KABOOM*

Spikes erupted from the ground!

Jehfrit quickly retreated.

"Big trouble…" His expression darkened.

Ansa's eight arms glowed with eight different types of magical energy.

He thought of the Eight Knights…

Those bizarre and powerful magics…

Ansa knew them all!

The group's scalps tingled.

Especially those like Natsu, who had previously fought the Eight Knights in Aharnita Town.

They understood how troublesome these abilities were.

Now controlled by a powerful demon?

Big trouble indeed!

"We can't delay any longer. Change the battlefield!" Jehfrit declared.

"Got it!" Everyone nodded.

"Mystogan!" Jehfrit turned to Mystogan.

"Father, enough!" Mystogan shouted. "That demon is the real enemy!"

"You're all enemies!" King Faust retorted.

"Stop deluding yourself!"

"Shut up, Jellal!" King Faust snapped. "I revoke your princely title—you'll never inherit the throne!"

"That doesn't matter anymore!" Jellal raised his wand. "Sorry, Father, but for this world and to face the true enemy, we must stop fighting among ourselves!"

"Fire Dragon's—"

"Heaven Dragon's—"

"Iron Dragon's—"

"Thunder Dragon's—"

"Roar!!!!"

"Five-layered Magic Circle—Mirror Water!!!"

Five streams of magic engulfed the dragon.

"Hahaha, useless! Your magic is so weak—"

King Faust's mocking laughter cut short.

An uncontrollable fear erupted within him.

"W-What is this?"

Darkness consumed his vision as he collapsed unconscious!

*KABOOM*

The dragon exploded.

Its cockpit was obliterated by relentless magical bombardment.

"Father…" Mystogan shed tears but wiped them away resolutely. Turning to face the demon, determination hardened his gaze.

"Erza, organize the citizens' retreat. This battle for our country will be fought by me and my guild. We'll protect everyone!" Mystogan declared.

"Yes, Your Highness." Ed-Erza nodded.

King Faust was dead.

No further explanation needed; his plans had failed.

Anyone still loyal to the king now seemed foolish.

Upon reflection, soldiers realized there wasn't much difference anyway.

Under Faust, they hadn't enjoyed many benefits.

Prince Jellal appeared far more compassionate.

There was almost no dissent—after all, Jellal was the rightful heir until Faust stripped him moments ago. But with Faust gone…

Moreover, Jellal's earlier actions earned significant public favor.

Thus, everyone switched allegiance seamlessly.

Following the new king's orders, they organized the evacuation of civilians.

"Crack crack crack"

Natsu clenched his fists tightly.

"Natsu." Lucy ran over, lighting a stick with a glowing orb and handing it to him.

"Gajeel-kun." Levy brought over an iron rod.

"Ha—" Wendy took a deep breath.

"Laxus-nii." Lisanna approached with an electric baton.

"I don't need it." Laxus scowled.

"Open wide!" Lisanna grabbed Laxus's hair and forced his mouth open, shoving the baton inside.

*ZAP ZAP*

"Pfft—" Lucy stifled a laugh. She dared not offend either Laxus or Jehfrit the way Lisanna did.

*Swoosh* Ikuto drew his katana, standing protectively in front of Jehfrit.

"Uwaaa—" Emily started to draw her sword but was lifted by the scruff of her neck and tossed aside by Jehfrit.

*Thud* Erza caught her mid-air and passed her backward.

Eve caught her next, continuing to toss her rearward.

"You're being unfair!" Emily shouted, red-faced, feeling like a ragdoll being thrown around.

"Kids stay in the back. This is a battle for adults. It's not your time yet." The one who finally caught Emily was none other than Master Makarov.

"Master Gramps…" Emily pouted at him.

Makarov set her down gently and moved forward, followed silently by Gildarts and numerous Fairy Tail mages.

"The battle begins, idiots. Don't die," Makarov said, his fingers glowing ominously.

"Don't worry, Master." Jehfrit twirled his revolver, Teal.

"Old man, are you sure about your condition?" Laxus asked worriedly.

"No need to fret." Makarov flicked his finger.

*BOOM*

A terrifying surge of magical energy erupted.

"All members of Fairy Tail—"

"Reporting for duty!"

*BOOM BOOM BOOM*

Terrifying spells rained down on Ansa and the zombies.

"Our Fairy Tail of Edolas can fight too!" Ed-Lucy shouted as members of Edolas' Fairy Tail charged forward.

"I am both a member of Fairy Tail and the prince of Edolas Kingdom!" Mystogan joined the fray.

"Muscle Supremacy!" The muscular men followed Ed-Jehfrit into battle.

"Even though I'm weak, how could I possibly retreat now?!" Ed-Laxus charged forward but was knocked unconscious seconds later by the shockwave. Fortunately, Jehfrit cast a barrier to save him from fatal injury.

"I, Panza Riri, representing the Kingdom of Extalia, join the battle!" Riri arrived.

Everyone united their efforts.

Physical attacks and spells alike bombarded Ansa and the zombies.

The strongest fighters confronted Ansa, while others dealt with the zombies, each possessing the strength of average dark mages.

"Truly formidable," Jehfrit murmured.

"He's a natural demon," Miko said. "I can feel it."

"If he weren't a natural demon, I'd lose interest," Jehfrit remarked.

Natural demons, like Miko, weren't created by Zeref.

Everyone charged forward except him.

Because he had his role—

Support.

Ansa's attacks were lethal; a single misstep could mean death.

So he unleashed spell after spell, barriers intercepting blows only briefly before shattering under Ansa's strikes. Yet, those brief moments saved lives.

The battle was intense.

Half the royal city lay in ruins.

Thankfully, Erza and others had evacuated the citizens.

Five minutes passed.

Most zombies were defeated, but half the attackers were incapacitated.

Forced to retreat, the injured were too badly wounded to continue.

Seven minutes.

Fewer people remained standing.

*BOOM*

Even Gildarts was sent flying.

"Old man, your body giving out?" Jehfrit teased.

"Just fine!" Gildarts insisted stubbornly, though in truth, he was struggling. Having nearly died at Acnologia's hands recently, his old injuries flared up again.

Cana, noticing his condition, urged, "Useless old man, rest if you can't fight. Don't push yourself."

"Cana… That hurts," Gildarts tried to rise but was held down by Cana.

Looking into her eyes, he saw concern.

"…" Gildarts sighed. "Alright, I'll rest for a bit."

Cana breathed a sigh of relief.

*BOOM*

Mystogan crashed heavily into the ground.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Ed-Erza scrambled to dig him out of the rubble.

"Erza…" Mystogan managed a weak smile.

*BOOM*

Mirajane was also sent flying.

Her Demon Queen form reverted mid-air as her magic depleted entirely.

Jehfrit leapt up to catch her, but the sheer force sent them both crashing backward.

*CRASH*

They landed amidst the wreckage, fortunately cushioned by Miko lying behind Jehfrit.

Soft padding on both sides.

But Jehfrit still cried out, "Ouch ouch ouch!"

It wasn't the fall that hurt—it was Mira squeezing painfully.

Holding something soft, Mirajane blushed deeply. "Jehfrit, let go!"

"Oh my…" Lisanna covered her mouth, clearly amused.