Although she was confident she could win, after the victory both she and Kildas would also fall together.
If an enemy were to pass by at that time, it would be disastrous.
Kana clutched the mark on her wrist, wondering how to deal with such a thing...
She assumed a defensive stance, unsure of how to attack.
Was running away the best option now?
Kana had this thought, unsure of what to do.
Melty continued to create the flying swords without hesitation:
"You are Kildas' greatest weakness, and likewise, Kildas is your weakness. Accept your fate!"
The dozen or so flying swords stopped in front of Kana, breaking into countless tiny fragments and disappearing.
A deep male voice sounded: "I can't pretend I didn't hear that, you little demon heart brat."
Kana quickly turned her head: "Dad..."
Melty was surprised: "Kildas?"
Surprised, but not panicked.
Melty confidently displayed the magic mark on her wrist: "Even if you're here, it won't help. If you attack me, both you and your daughter will be hurt!"
"I see." Kildas nodded calmly and asked Kana, "Is it because of this that you're so restrained?"
Kana nodded reluctantly.
"In that case, it's my fault." Kildas nodded again, "How could a father become his daughter's weakness?"
He raised his right hand, the pink chain mark on his wrist buzzed and shattered, turning into square pink light particles that finally vanished.
"It's been lifted?!" Kana showed a surprised expression.
"How is this possible?" Melty looked disbelieving, "My Lost Magic..."
"Indeed, compared to ordinary magic, Lost Magic is closer to the roots of demon path and often represents strength. However..." Kildas gestured for Kana to raise her hand and gently tapped the mark with his finger, "A father's love can surpass any magic!"
As he finished speaking, the mark shattered.
The seasoned man stood in the rain, his black cloak lightly swaying, seemingly the most handsome man in the world.
Unfortunately, as soon as he spoke, he ruined the atmosphere: "How's that Kana? Isn't Dad especially handsome? Aren't you even more in awe of Dad?"
Kana's eyes shimmered with admiration, only for that glimmer to vanish as if hit by a smashing magic.
She hugged her shoulders, turned her face, and said disdainfully, "So cheesy! Why act cool at a time like this? Stupid Dad!"
"Oh~~~" Kildas stretched his tone, his body twisting like a sulking child, "But I just saw..."
"An illusion, an illusion! And there are still enemies around, be serious!"
Kana blushed as she denied it, wondering if this man could never maintain his serious demeanor for more than three minutes.
"Ah." When Kildas looked at Melty again, his expression was very stern, "Next, we need to settle the score for how you hurt my daughter."
An enormous burst of magical power emanated from Kildas, causing the nearby rain to seem to pause for a moment.
His aura was even more powerful than when facing Natsu during the exam, intimidating Melty enough to make her shiver slightly.
"Such magic power..." Melty was at a loss for words, wondering if the Vice-President had ever been this terrifying when angry.
...
"What a terrifying aura!" Azuma exclaimed in admiration.
He'd been battling with Mira for a while.
This woman before him was truly deserving of the title 'Demon'.
The terrifying explosiveness, the vicious techniques, and the fierce, indifferent expression...
Although Azuma bore many wounds, he was nonetheless thrilled.
This was the battle he craved! The fight where carelessness could lead to his death!
The previous battles with Iron Dragon or that green-haired one hadn't satisfied him, but this Demon absolutely could!
Compared to him, Mira felt much heavier at heart.
The opponent was quite troublesome, with potential explosions in the forest and the trees possibly transforming into weapons at any moment.
Wood Magic, along with formidable fighting techniques, and the explosions resembled Fire Magic, yet felt more like he was detonating the magic power in the air directly.
Mira only knew this much for now.
While it seemed she had the upper hand, Mira was aware that Satan's Soul, a type of Receiving Magic, wasn't well-suited for a prolonged fight.
—When Rhode was not here.
Without quickly defeating the enemy, she feared she would be the first to give in.
Mira pondered her next moves in the battle.
Should she try to finish it with Hutley in one blow? Or attempt to use Lalabai to hypnotize him? Or keep fighting like this, waiting for him to make a bigger mistake?
However, before she could decide, Azuma created several large explosions and withdrew: "It's a pity, I originally wanted a fair fight with you."
"What do you mean?"
"Time's up." Azuma looked up, aware that prolonging it further might displease the President.
The ground suddenly started shaking, and Mira seemed to hear the sound of something snapping.
She noticed a fluctuation of magic power from Azuma just now, realizing he must have used some kind of magic.
"What did you do?"
"My magic is a Lost Magic, Great Tree Arc, a magic that manipulates trees. The explosions are caused by making the trees produce tiny fruits and then concentrating the magic power within the earth into them.
"The true strength of this kind of magic is rooted in the land, dominating the magic power within that area. The President had me come to the island first precisely because of this."
"..." Mira listened to his explanation with confusion, unsure why he suddenly began introducing his magic.
At that moment, the shaking intensified, and Mira suddenly realized that the tallest, umbrella-like tree at the center of Celestial Wolf Island was tilting.
Mira realized Azuma was responsible and questioned, "Why do such a thing?"
"Orders from President Hades. That tree, known as the Celestial Wolf Tree, serves a special purpose. It protects those bearing the Fairy Tail emblem, preventing your demise on this island and enhancing your magic power."
"!" Mira realized that this was why the President had chosen Celestial Wolf Island as the testing ground and why everyone was told they could fight freely.
Despite not knowing why the Demon Heart's President was aware of this information, which even she was unaware of, their objective in toppling the Celestial Wolf Tree was now obvious.
"Even without the magic boost, Fairy Tail will not lose to you."
"Of course, President Hades believes that merely removing the magic boost and life protection still leaves Fairy Tail with a slight chance of victory."
Azuma continued, "But have you forgotten? Now the magic power of the entire island is under my control. Fairy Tail mages not only can't recover their magic power but will also continuously lose it!"
Mira's pupils contracted sharply, realizing everyone's magic power was continuously draining, and without the protection of the Celestial Wolf Tree, with many strong enemies on the island...
It meant someone could die at any time!