While Gajeel was fiercely battling Azuma, Mest had already found his target.
Zeref did not want Natsu to face him so soon, nor did he want to harm the life on this island any further, so he staggered towards the edge of the island.
"This feeling... it must be!"
Mest was convinced that it was the legendary Black Mage Zeref.
As for why the other party appeared so frail, it was naturally because he hadn't 'awakened.'
As long as I can capture him and bring him back...
Without hesitation, Mest appeared behind Zeref in an instant, placing his hand on Zeref's shoulder.
Zeref was about to turn around when the scene before his eyes changed from forest to beach, and then quickly to a large ship.
Space Magic!
"Stay away from me!"
"Quick, prepare the technique!"
Zeref's voice and Mest's voice echoed simultaneously as the soldiers on the Advisory Council's deck remained clueless about what had just happened.
Even Lahar, who had led the team there, was momentarily stunned.
But once he saw Zeref's appearance and sensed the peculiar power emanating from him, beads of sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.
"Dolanbart! Where did you... find him?!"
Lahar didn't even dare to utter Zeref's name, fearing both waking him and frightening his subordinates.
"I never imagined this guy would be hiding in Fairy Tail's Holy Land!" Mest's heart pounded wildly. Capturing the Black Mage Zeref alive was such an incredible feat, he could hardly believe it!
"Anyway, while he hasn't awakened, quickly arrange the technique!"
"Everyone, stay alert! Start arranging the technique!" Lahar knew this was not something to be delayed; this was an extremely dangerous individual.
Either they throw Zeref into the sea and flee, or quickly restrain Zeref and urgently contact the Evaluators.
As a member of the Advisory Council, naturally, he couldn't casually abandon such a dangerous entity; he had no choice but to brace himself and face it.
Zeref continued to clutch his head, mumbling phrases like stay away from me, don't come near.
Lahar did not dare provoke the other party and ordered his subordinates to keep away and start arranging the technique from the edges of the ship.
The technique was absolute, even for Zeref. If he were entrapped... still, it's hard to say!
He was a Black Mage who had lived from 400 years ago to now, mastering and creating countless black magic, possibly even magic specifically designed to counter such techniques.
Dolanbart, this guy, was truly reckless!
At the same time, a large, uniquely designed airship was approaching Celestial Wolf Island.
When Zeref landed on the Advisory Council's boat, Demon's Heart President Hades suddenly stood up from his seat: "I can feel it! I can sense him! He's right here!"
The other higher-ups were a bit slower to react, but soon they all had excited expressions.
Originally thinking it would take some effort, the President even sent Azuma, Kawaz, and Youmaz to the island in advance, but unexpectedly, they found his traces right away!
The airship sped up a notch and soon spotted the Advisory Council's warship down below on the sea surface.
Hades caressed his eyepatch-covered right eye: "It can't be wrong, Lord Zeref is on that ship!"
Ultear, who had once served as an Evaluator, was very familiar with the style of that ship: "President, that's a Council warship."
The pink-haired girl, Melty, questioned in confusion: "The Council? Wasn't it destroyed by Ultear?"
Ultear's originally gentle expression immediately became overcast: "Don't call me 'Ul'!"
Melty was startled, lowered her head, and apologized: "I'm... I'm sorry."
"You're being too hard on Melty, Miss Ultear." Zankuro said with a grin,
"Melty, haven't you heard? That bunch of incompetents regrouped after Miss Ultear dealt with them, and now they're apparently called the Freshman Council.
"Although they're incompetents, this time they actually did something good. Saved us quite a bit of time. Now I can finally exact my revenge on that detestable big guy and the deceitful fellow!"
Rastillos flexed his prosthetic limb: "I don't care about others, but Zankuro, the Fairy Tail Strategist is my prey."
Zankuro was about to retort, but Hades interrupted them: "That sort of thing can wait. The most important thing now is to bring back Lord Zeref!"
Meanwhile, Lahar, who was arranging the technique, also noticed the ship in the sky: "That... can't be..."
The striking red heart pattern emblem was easily recognizable, and neither Lahar nor the others could deny it any longer: "Demon's Heart!"
What day is it today?
A new member joined the ranks of the Ten Wizard Saints, yet Fairy Tail still needed close attention;
Zeref, the Black Mage they had searched for but found no trace of;
The mysterious whereabouts of Demon's Heart, claimed to be the strongest Dark Guild within the Balram Alliance...
The three forces that caused the most headaches for the Advisory Council all gathered here today!
Is it a coincidence? No!
If Fairy Tail coming here was an accident, then Demon's Heart's obvious course correction and accelerated movements were directed at the Council's warship!
Or... was it directed at Zeref?!
Mest's initial thought was to capture both Zeref and Demon's Heart in one go, yielding tremendous glory.
But Lahar immediately felt things were amiss: "Complete the technique as quickly as possible! The rest prepare to fend off Demon's Heart, Dolanbart, contact headquarters immediately!"
Lahar issued his orders quickly, but it was already too late.
A goat-like figure jumped off from Demon's Heart's ship, carrying a personal flying device.
As the device's thrusters emitted a trail of flames, the figure swooped over the ship in a flash.
He spread his arms, and within an instant, hundreds of people appeared in mid-air and landed on the warship's deck.
As soon as these individuals' feet touched the ground, they immediately went into combat mode, striking down and knocking out a dozen soldiers who were arranging the technique in succession.
Neither Lahar nor Mest had time to command the battle, as six of the Seven Purgatory Dependents surrounded the two of them.
"Rastillos, Zankuro..." With Rhode's information, Lahar recognized the two instantly.
Not only were those two there, but Lahar and Mest also gritted their teeth and glared at the black-haired woman holding a crystal ball.
"Ultear!"
Former Evaluator Ultear, the culprit behind destroying the Advisory Council, the collaborator with Jellal to incite other Evaluators to activate the Magical Elf Power!
She vanished after the Tower of Paradise incident.
The Council never knew where she went or what her origins were, but now that she has appeared, many things made sense.
Lahar suddenly understood the purpose of the other party infiltrating the Council, to gather as much information about Zeref as possible and help Demon's Heart stay hidden.
Speaking of which, the last time the Council was escorting regular members of Demon's Heart back to headquarters, the route was supposed to be very discreet, yet they were suddenly attacked midway...
That must have been thanks to this woman!