The dust settled, and the Mountain Sub-Dragon didn't budge an inch.
It even spread its wings to block the aftermath of the move, so the three people behind it didn't feel any of the Power.
Jellal probably didn't think he could take down a Dragon in one move, but the opponent's indifferent attitude was somewhat infuriating.
He was completely shrouded in golden light, dragging a long tail flame like a meteor, flying back dozens of meters in an instant.
Then he clasped his hands together in a sword gesture, one hand pointing to the sky, the other to the ground.
Although using this move might destroy the Tower of Paradise as well, he couldn't care less at this point.
"True Celestial Magic: Star Collapse!"
The dark sky suddenly became covered with dense clouds, blocking the starlight, and the clouds formed a massive whirlpool in the sky like flowing water.
A terrifying Power brewed in the vortex, and a meteor emerged from the central position, accelerating its descent.
Mira, holding the immobilized Erza in her left arm and the Magic Power-conserving Rhode in her right, prepared to retreat.
Just as she flew out of the Tower of Paradise with the two, she heard the roaring noise above. Turning her head, she saw the meteor break through the clouds, its base gradually turning red.
Mira's mouth opened in shock: "This is..."
"This is the true Power of celestial magic... Jellal's full strength!" Erza hadn't expected Jellal to become this powerful.
Rhode also felt a chill up his spine, not knowing if this was Jellal's last burst before death, or if he was inherently this strong.
Either way, it was a relief not to face a fully formed big boss.
Such a huge spectacle was not only visible to them; even those who had just escaped a distance were stunned as they looked up at the sky.
Jubia was exerting her own magic to push two small boats, distractedly watching the sky: "Is that, really magic?"
Hapi worriedly said, "Will Erza and the others be alright?"
Lucy covered her mouth with both hands: "Even though Mr. Rhode said we'll leave right away, but with that kind of attack..."
Simon became a bit anxious, looking at Hapi: "Little cat, can I ask you to take me up there!"
"If anyone's going, it should be me!" Natsu jumped off the back of the River Crab he had finally retrieved, "That kind of rock, let me..."
"No one should disrupt!" Gray's face was taut, but he managed to remain somewhat composed, "It seems like there's something on top of the tower."
Since the day had not yet broken and the tower was too high, they couldn't see clearly.
When the meteor gradually descended, and the flames illuminated the scene, they could barely make out its silhouette.
"Is that... a Dragon?"
Natsu became excited: "I almost forgot! Rhode still has that magic in place!"
Amidst Natsu's joy and the others' shocked gazes, the Giant Dragon atop the tower leaped up, head-butting the meteor comparable in size to it.
The meteor shattered on the spot, turning into numerous flaming fragments, which lost their light as their speed dropped.
There seemed to be a little scorch mark on the Mountain Sub-Dragon's head, but its movements weren't slowed.
Its wings flapped, and as its body flipped, the scattered fragments gravitated around it like an asteroid belt around a planet.
"How is this possible..." Jellal couldn't believe his magic was countered with such a crude and simple method.
Despite the meteor having fallen for a short time and not reaching its maximum speed, it was still impressive enough.
Is this the Power of a Dragon?
The Mountain Sub-Dragon's eyes shifted slightly, quietly observing Rhode's position.
Once confirmed, it slightly adjusted its position, flapping its wings to send the 'asteroid belt' surrounding it slanting down like a meteor shower towards Jellal.
And it wasn't over yet. As Jellal dealt with the flying stones, the Mountain Sub-Dragon took a deep breath and unleashed a true Dragon Breath:
"Roar~~~"
The Dragon's roar echoed across the sky as the earth-yellow Dragon Breath surged down like the Yellow River descending from the heavens, engulfing Jellal entirely.
The Dragon Breath spewed from nearly a kilometer high, streaming down to the sea surface.
If Rhode's breath could flatten the peak of a mountain, then the Mountain Sub-Dragon's breath could topple an entire mountain, reducing it to a basin.
The sea immediately surged with giant waves, as if the Celestial God had thrown a mountain into the ocean, causing roaring floods to rise.
Mighty waves surged onto the small island where the Tower of Paradise stood, sweeping away hundreds to thousands of worms gnawing at the tower's body.
The nearly thousand-meter-high tower seemed teetering as well.
The sea waves even affected the two small boats that had already escaped a distance, but fortunately, Jubia could stabilize the boats, or they might have capsized.
In the sky, Erza wore a complex expression. Such an attack... even with the Vajra Armor, she'd probably only barely survive.
Should she blame the Dragon summoned by Rhode for hitting too hard? No, without such an action, they would be the ones in danger.
Rhode looked at the Mountain Sub-Dragon with envy, wondering when his breath could have that level of Power.
Incidentally, he mentally noted the approximate location, planning to send the River Crab for a retrieval later.
This formidable enemy, should it survive... even if, for Erza's sake, they don't kill him completely, they'll still need to secure him with ten or eight Sealing Demon Stones and throw him into the most reliable prison.
The Mountain Sub-Dragon seemed to remember Rhode's request to demolish the tower, diving downwards. Near halfway of the Tower of Paradise's height, it backed up slightly before charging at it.
This was the first time Rhode saw the Mountain Sub-Dragon in a fight, and he realized it seemed to enjoy head-butting things.
The earlier meteor, and now the tall tower were proof.
The moves, though appearing simple, were highly effective.
The Tower of Paradise, already gnawed at its foundation by the worms, toppled over when struck by the Mountain Sub-Dragon, akin to a tree felled by beavers.
The sea trembled slightly, and when the tower finally fell, it was inevitably another loud crash, accompanied by towering waves.
A thousand-meter high structure collapsing was no less dramatic than a landslide. During its collapse, the tower was already split into two parts, further shattering into several sections upon hitting the ocean, swiftly sinking.
The Mountain Sub-Dragon, having completed its task, didn't hurry back. With two wing flaps, it quickly caught up with Mira, who carried Rhode and Erza.
It flew above Mira, stretching its neck to observe Rhode below, casting glances left and right, seemingly satisfied.
Rhode lamented the steady depletion of his Magic Power: "If you're not in a rush to go back, could you give us a ride for a while?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a vast Magic Array suddenly materialized in the sky, large enough to cover the entire small island below.
An intense light orb formed above the Magic Array, accumulating terrifying magic within.
The Magical Elf Power was ready!
Feeling the terrifying Power, Rhode could only wonder whether this thing couldn't be stopped or if the Evaluators were blind.
The tower is already gone, and yet they still want to fire?