After finishing his work at the guild, Caesar was called to the council to help Makarov handle some matters.
He listened to Makarov's nagging for a long time.
Only after that did he finally clear everything that had piled up during Makarov's absence.
Exhausted, Caesar collapsed onto the sofa on the second floor.
He complained helplessly.
"This is really tiring. I should have known better than to take this position. Maybe I should train someone and make him the sixth generation Guild Master."
"Isn't it the fifth generation?"
Mirajane handed Caesar a glass of iced drink.
She asked curiously.
"The fifth generation was the original Guild Master. Have you forgotten?"
Caesar took a sip of the iced drink.
He immediately felt much better.
"Oh, right. I remember now. I thought you were just joking."
Mirajane covered her mouth and laughed softly.
Caesar finished the drink in one gulp.
Then he asked, "Selene and Athena should be fine, right?"
Mirajane nodded.
"Athena really likes the school atmosphere and studies very hard. She has even started helping Anna teach. As for Selene, she is working hard too, but she often goes to see Igneel and the others. I heard she had some friction with Ignia recently."
"That's normal."
"She fled to Giltina to avoid Ignia, so it's natural she feels unhappy now."
"With Betty around, nothing serious will happen."
Caesar nodded.
He did not dwell on it.
Then he spoke again.
"I plan to return to the continent of Giltina and resolve the century quest."
"When are you leaving?"
Mirajane asked.
"There's one more thing to take care of."
"I'll leave after that."
As Caesar spoke, an ancient book and a crystal covered in dark patterns appeared in his hand.
"This is?"
Mirajane looked at them in confusion.
"You'll know when Natsu and the others return."
Caesar smiled lightly.
He did not explain further.
This was the Book of END.
It was also the Demon Slaying magic crystal entrusted by Gray's father.
Caesar had obtained these items once before in another world.
He was very familiar with the process.
In the previous future, he had been in a hurry to leave.
He simply dropped the items off and went away.
This time was different.
He had his own considerations.
With Igneel and Ur here, there were things that needed to be said.
At lunchtime, Natsu and the others returned after a morning of studying.
They all looked drained.
Igneel was furious at Natsu's lack of progress.
"Three plus three equals six. Thirty plus thirty. How did you get thirty?"
"So noisy!"
"It's obviously ninety!"
Everyone looked at Igneel.
They finally understood where Natsu got it from.
"Natsu. Gray. Come up here."
Caesar stood by the second floor railing.
He called to them.
Natsu and Gray immediately went upstairs.
"What's wrong?"
Gray asked, confused.
"Is there a mission?"
Natsu's eyes lit up.
He was desperate to vent his frustration.
"Gray. Natsu."
"These are items I obtained after dealing with Tartaros."
"I'm giving them to you now."
Caesar handed the book to Natsu.
He handed the crystal to Gray.
"What is this?"
Gray felt a strange magic within the crystal.
Natsu shuddered.
"Don't give that to me. I'm allergic to books lately."
"Wait."
"Natsu, you must take that book."
Igneel flapped his wings and landed on the second floor.
His expression was extremely serious.
"Dad?"
Natsu froze.
He had never seen Igneel like this.
Igneel ignored him.
He looked at Caesar.
"Do you know Natsu's identity?"
"Zeref and I are close."
Caesar answered honestly.
Igneel fell silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Zeref entrusted Natsu to me."
"I promised to take care of him."
"But if Zeref dies, everything he created will disappear."
"That book is no exception."
"What are you two talking about?"
Natsu was completely lost.
"It's time you knew the truth."
Igneel sighed.
He looked straight at Natsu.
"You are Zeref's younger brother."
"You are also the strongest demon he created."
"END. Etherias Natsu Dragneel."
Natsu stood frozen.
He could not process it.
On the other side, Gray clenched the crystal tightly.
A demon.
Deliora.
The demon that killed his parents.
The demon that destroyed his village.
And now he was told his guildmate was END.
Gray's mind was in chaos.
Should he hate Natsu.
Or stand beside him.
Seeing this, Caesar sighed.
He waved his hand.
Natsu and Igneel were teleported outside the guild.
Father and son were left alone to talk.
As for Gray.
Caesar sensed Ur's aura.
He teleported her to Gray's side.
"Ur…"
Gray stared at her in disbelief.
Caesar spoke calmly.
"That crystal was left to you by your father."
"After his death, his body was resurrected by a demon from the Underworld."
"To fight it, he learned Demon Slaying magic."
"After I destroyed the Underworld, he entrusted this to me."
"Then he fell into a deep sleep once more."
Gray's fists trembled.
Hatred surged within him.
Ur understood immediately.
She rolled her eyes at Caesar.
Then she smashed Gray on the head.
"Wake up."
"What do you think you're doing?"
Gray snapped back to his senses.
The resentment vanished.
Tears poured down his face.
"Ur. I don't know."
"I really don't know."
Ur sighed softly.
She opened her arms.
She pulled him into a hug.
Gray bit his lip.
He made no sound.
Tears soaked her shoulder.