The continent of Ishgar.
Across kingdoms and regional powers, upheavals were unfolding.
Some saw princes slay their fathers. Others saw fathers butcher sons. Families destroyed—parent against child, brother against brother.
Sometimes Natsu's influence succeeded, granting him control of a nation. Sometimes it failed, and an untouched ruler managed to escape with his life.
No matter the outcome, across the land scenes of kin-strife and betrayal played out, tragedies without number.
In another world, under different circumstances, such blood-soaked sagas would have spawned avengers, dragged into hundreds of episodes of revenge, love, and hate.
As the architect of it all, Natsu watched the scenes projected by the Circumference Satellites with an expressionless face. Yet ripples stirred in his heart.
"If even one ruler had the slightest thought of restraining power—of not abusing it—such tragedies could have been avoided."
"But no. They see only themselves. Even when they claim to maintain order, to regulate power, their true intent is only to safeguard their own rule."
That divergence of intent was why so many leaders across the kingdoms were untouched by his influence—and why familial bloodbaths had erupted.
Natsu concluded thus in his heart. He felt no regret. If given the choice again, he would do the same—only more thoroughly.
With that, the last shred of hope he had held for the ruling classes was extinguished.
"My lord, we are ready to strike at any time," came the voices of Precht and Mard Geer. They had already diverted forces from Azuma's and Seilah's dark guild suppression squads.
At Natsu's word, they could step through the space tunnels opened by the Circumference Satellites and descend upon royal palaces to subdue kings and high officials.
"Go," Natsu ordered. "Bring me their thoughts. Those guilty of the gravest sins—bring them here."
"Your will shall become the will of this world," they intoned before vanishing. Across Ishgar, new assaults began.
Massive explosions lit the land like stars in the night sky. But they carried no beauty, no poetry—only annihilation.
They destroyed all who opposed, all obstacles to the birth of a new order.
"Why? You lunatics claimed to protect this world! Yet your first act is to assault the kingdoms. Aren't you afraid of plunging the continent into chaos?!"
Amid the ruins, flames roared to the heavens. All that was splendid was reduced to ash. Blood turned the earth black.
A handful of figures strode through it all, untouched by dust. The king, broken and drenched in his own blood, glared up at them with the last of his strength, teeth clenched, voice filled with fury.
"You have never represented the world," Azuma said flatly. It was not the first time he had faced such an accusation. Each time was strangely novel, yet his answer never changed.
"Destroying you has nothing to do with chaos. The order can always be replaced. Do not overestimate your own importance," Seilah added. To her, humanity's self-importance was contemptible.
Whether as the original demon or as Natsu's recreated version, in this respect, Seilah had not changed.
"You are not the center of this world. No one is. No one—except that lord," said another Seilah, eyes alight with the image of Natsu, his overwhelming might, his unwavering will. Her admiration for him ran deep.
"Take them."
From the ground, plants surged forth, lifting the maimed nobles and carrying them into the spatial magic array.
"I curse you! I curse you to hell! May you never know rebirth for all eternity!!" the dying king spat, his eyes wide with venom, burning his enemies' faces into his soul.
Boom!!!
The plants bore the king and his ministers into the portal. At that instant, the towering column of light wavered. Space itself rippled chaotically.
Black fissures, thin as serpents, slithered out of the beam. They devoured all they touched, burning holes through matter as lava burns through snow.
"What's happening?!" Azuma's and Seilah's squads immediately fell back. Space rifts were lethally dangerous—an instant's carelessness and even a Wizard Saint would be bisected, doomed without urgent aid.
"Someone must be tampering with the Circumference Satellites. The lord will handle it," Seilah said, raising her gaze. Above, the three hundred sixty satellites flickered like candles in the wind—on the verge of being snuffed out.
The view shifted to Natsu.
He sensed the Council interfering with his control over the Circumference.
For a moment, he was surprised. Then—no anger. Instead, a trace of joy.
"This is how it should be. From my perspective, I am purging those who wield power in ways that endanger the world. I do not think I am wrong. But from the rulers' perspective, I am the greatest destabilizer, the greatest villain. Now, at last, they are trying to restrain me."
"…Good."
A faint smile curved Natsu's lips. Yes—this was what he had hoped for.
Whether himself or anyone else, whoever possessed power must shoulder responsibility—and be subject to strict oversight.
On his arm, the glowing mark Pai Pai had once given him shone, and in the next instant, Natsu was transported into the Magic Council.
The Council meeting was already deep in progress. On the fundamentals, the councilors had agreed: Natsu's actions must be stopped, no matter who might secretly back him.
In the Circumference control chamber, technicians sweated nervously as programs ran across the displays. Matters had escalated beyond imagination. Even they knew the risk: the infamous Fairy Tail mage could appear at any moment.
All were busy, all were waiting.
And then—Natsu appeared.
His voice rang in every ear. It was not loud, yet crystal clear.
"Very good. That you would try to restrain me for the sake of order—that is commendable. Now, continue. If you can prove your strength, I will entrust you with the authority to regulate me. At that time, I will even give you Pai Pai's collection—to help you oversee my power."
His colossal projection loomed outside the Council, gazing down upon it.
"For now, I transfer control of the Circumference to you. Do your utmost. Within ten days, gather all the strength you can, and defeat me. Otherwise—"
Natsu's voice cut off. The next words were cold as the ice of the underworld.
"—The Council itself will become a target for purging. I will use every means to forge the world I desire."
The projection vanished.
Silence fell. Councilors and staff stared at one another in dread. Some glared at the councilors with open hatred—blaming them for dragging everyone into the abyss.
The councilors themselves were dazed. Had they… pushed Natsu further down the road of extremity?