Three minutes later.
Zeref remained sitting cross-legged in the center of that "dead land," ruminating on the bitterness of being rejected by the world.
Rustle...
Footsteps rang out once again.
Darwin's figure reappeared from the darkness, a refreshed look upon his face.
Zeref's brow immediately furrowed: "Didn't you already leave? Why have you come back?"
"I only went to pee just now. Now that I'm done, of course I'm coming back."
Zeref was momentarily speechless.
After a few seconds of silence, he tried to advise him earnestly again: "I told you to leave for your own good. Staying with me is a very dangerous thing."
As he spoke, he scanned the surroundings with his gaze, signaling: "Do you see the state of things around here? If you aren't careful, you will end up like these flowers and trees—stripped of your life. Is that really okay with you?"
Darwin let out a cold snort and raised his head haughtily: "Whether it's dangerous, whether I should leave, or when I leave—I have the ability to make my own judgments!"
That said, when he returned this time, he was clever enough not to approach Zeref. Instead, he found a spot to sit just outside the boundary of the "dead land," watching Zeref with eyes full of curiosity.
Seeing that he didn't draw closer, Zeref finally felt a slight sense of relief.
"You are clever. You discovered the latent danger on my person, so you chose a relatively safe place to observe me."
"But you are still not alert enough. You must know that often the places that seem safe are the most dangerous!"
Perhaps because there was finally someone to talk to, Zeref's mood tonight became unusually pleasant, and he became much more talkative.
"This 'dead land' you see now was caused unconsciously while I was sleeping. But now I am in a conscious state; the range of influence might be double, triple, or even more than when I am asleep!"
"Without sufficient understanding of this danger, this behavior of yours..."
Just then, Darwin spoke up, interrupting Zeref's rambling.
"Who says I don't understand?"
"This is the 'Curse of Ankhseram,' right!"
As soon as these words came out, Zeref froze, his eyes widening like copper bells.
"You... you actually know of this curse?!"
Darwin wore a look that said "as I thought," and looked at Zeref with a face full of curiosity: "In that case, are you actually that Black Wizard Zeref from over 300 years ago?"
Hearing this, Zeref felt it was even more absurd.
"Who... who on earth are you?!"
"The Curse of Ankhseram is one thing, but why do you know about me?!"
In over 300 years of living, this was the first time Zeref had encountered something so unbelievable.
Even if this child had read many books since he was young, had a photographic memory, and was brilliant enough to recognize this legendary curse at a glance, he shouldn't have been able to identify his identity based on that alone!
One must realize that the fact "Zeref suffers from the Curse of Ankhseram" was never recorded in magic history books!
In the magic world, scholars only knew that Zeref was a Black Wizard active hundreds of years ago who created many demons and left behind much Black Magic throughout his life. But regarding his whereabouts, there were many unsolved mysteries.
Some believed he was dead and sought ways to resurrect him;
Some believed he was sealed and sought ways to unseal him;
Others believed he was in a deep sleep and sought ways to awaken him.
These people were collectively known as "Zeref's Zealots."
However, even these zealots, who considered themselves to have a deep understanding of Zeref, did not know the secret of his "immortality," let alone the reason behind it!
This was why Zeref was so shocked to hear Darwin casually expose his identity.
Because that tone made it seem as if he were perfectly clear about everything regarding him.
"Me?"
"Just a passing wizard!"
It seems the rumored Zeref isn't such a big deal after all!
Wasn't he just shocked into total submission by a few simple words from me, nearly ready to kowtow in worship?
For a moment, Darwin's vanity surged, and he couldn't keep the corners of his mouth from curling up.
"So you really are Zeref?"
"Looking at you, you don't seem as bad as the magic history books say..."
Not as bad as the magic history books say?
If the people who recorded magic history heard those words, they would probably jump out of their coffins in rage...
Zeref felt a secret sense of amusement.
But...
A passing wizard?
What kind of identity was that?
He wasn't answering seriously at all!
It seemed he needed to get a good understanding of the person behind this little friend.
In Zeref's view, a six or seven-year-old child had limited channels to learn about "Ankhseram" and himself; there was definitely an expert guiding him from behind!
Wait!
Is this place near Magnolia?
Since this kid calls himself a wizard...
Zeref's eyes flickered, and a realization escaped his lips: "Are you a wizard of Fairy Tail?"
"That's right!"
"My name is Darwin Lagrange!"
Lagrange?
Zeref suddenly realized: "I remember the Guild Master of 'Fairy Tail,' his full name is Weston. Are you his child?"
"You actually know my Papa?"
Darwin couldn't help but cry out: "I didn't think a figure of your level would actually pay attention to an ordinary guild master?"
"...Hearing those words, I know you don't understand your father very well!"
"Weston is not just an 'ordinary master.' He is the world-renowned 'Fairy Commander,' and furthermore, he is the leader of the 'Ten Wizard Saints' of Ishgar!"
"In this era alone, his fame and influence are no smaller than that of the 'Black Wizard Zeref'!"
"And if nothing unexpected happens, this fame and influence will last at least another fifty years!"
Darwin was stunned, blinking blankly.
"Is that how it is?"
"I thought he was just a man who was afraid of his wife..."
Zeref: "..."
This kid sure is jumpy!
However, with this, all the previous doubts were resolved.
Rumor had it that the magic used by Weston was Archive, and his magical talent was more outstanding than any Archive wizard of the past. He could search for many unknown secrets and was a very learned and intelligent figure.
Since this youth named Darwin was his child, it wasn't strange for him to know about the "Curse of Ankhseram."
As for the fact that he himself suffered from the curse...
Finding clues from the scattered records of history, then connecting them slightly, making bold assumptions, and reaching a conclusion was not entirely impossible!
Having thought it all through, Zeref felt at peace.
Weston?
A very interesting individual...