A magic merchant infiltrating Fairy Tail

The trial... the heart of the devil... Zeref... the black dragon... the seal...

Words appeared on the notebook, and Kira's gaze never left it.

"Based on the information we have, Zeref was the first to land on the island. Digimon Heart went to Tenrou Island to find him, and their encounter with Fairy Tail was just a side project."

After a long time, the muttering to oneself echoed again in the room.

"After the Demisol Academy incident, the higher-ups lost half of their fighting strength, and there's been no news of any prison break from the Council. So, currently, they should only have Hades, Lustiros, Melty, Hua Yuan, and Ultear, who's almost defected, and Jellal, who was sent there as an undercover agent... Oh, right! And a bunch of unknown extras!"

Kira wasn't worried about the Devil's Heart. Even in the original storyline, a guild war wouldn't have been a problem, let alone now that the strength of both sides had shifted, making it even easier.

At this moment, what he was worried about was Acnologia, and the seven years that had been sealed away!

Chapter 291 Kira's Troubles

From any perspective, the biggest problem for Tenrou Island is the Black Dragon, Acnologia!

“I remember Zeref saying to Hades, ‘It was because of beings like you that I was created, it was because of evil thoughts like yours that Acnologia was summoned.’”

Kira closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, becoming increasingly agitated. Finally, in a fit of anger, he slammed his fist on the wooden table in front of him and yelled, "Zeref, that bastard... can't he just speak properly?! He's like a riddle-maker. I don't know if he's telling the truth or just showing off."

"We'll take down your Empire Game one day!"

After venting his anger, Kira calmed down and started planning again.

shhhhhh...

The notebook was filled with hundreds of words, Kira's speculations about all the possibilities that would follow.

The first option is to lead the guild members away from Sirius Island first, avoiding a confrontation between the two sides; the second option is to use illusion magic to buy time, and then let everyone leave through a spatial passage, creating a "fake death" phenomenon; the worst-case scenario is to seal them away for seven years, just like in the original story.

The main difficulty is that Kira is unaware of Acnologia's purpose.

"Is this guy... just out for a stroll? Or did he come prepared to hunt down Natsu and the other Dragon Slayers? Is it because Zeref is there and he wants to fight him? Or is it because Fairy Tail and 'Grimoire Heart' generated a lot of dark energy, attracting him here? What's his attitude towards us? Will he try to wipe us out, or will he go all out and leave it to fate?"

Either way, Kira must find a way to have a backup plan!

As Kira pondered, he glanced at the pile of magical items behind him and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "I wonder if these things are even useful?"

During his month at Demisor Academy, Kira wasn't just playing house with his classmates; in his spare time, he was also continuously developing magical items.

Just as Kira was troubled by the appearance of the black dragon, undercurrents lurking in the magical world were also stirring.

……

In a quiet valley somewhere in the Kingdom of Fiore, a huge magical airship sits proudly.

Countless mysterious mages, clad in blue-black cloaks and wielding various magical weapons, moved in and out between the valley and the airship. They spoke in hushed tones and observed cautiously, but without exception, all their attention was focused on the cabin of the airship.

Not everyone in the Dark Magic Guild is an arrogant and lawless individual. Survival is harder in the dark forces than in the light forces, and the survival of the fittest is a stark reality. Therefore, if you want to live longer and better, reading between the lines is an essential skill.

The mages were all calm and focused, listening intently, afraid of missing a single movement in the cabin.

This is the headquarters of the dark magic guild 'Heart of the Demon,' one of the three triangles of the Balam Alliance.

At this moment, on this enormous magic airship that could carry thousands of people, in the spacious central cabin, one person sat down while several others stood.

The only seat is in the center of the wall directly opposite the main entrance. The chair is not particularly luxurious or ornate; it is simply made of the bones of an unknown animal and is of no use except for its size. However, it is the exclusive seat for the strongest person here.

At this moment, the oldest person in the room was sitting in this position.

This unique position represents supreme power and unparalleled strength within the guild. It can only be held by one person!

That powerful figure who led the 'Heart of the Devil' and dominated the darkness of the Ishgar magic world for half a century.

Hades Precito, the guild master of 'Heart of the Devil'!

No one here knows how old Hades is. Even Ultear, who is standing next to him now and was the first among them to join the guild and is the leader of the 'Seven Kin of Purgatory', only remembers that when she first met Hades, he was already this white-haired.

Hades wore a helmet with two demon horns covering his long white hair, a black eyepatch over his right eye, a beard that stretched to his abdomen, and a black cloak, a standard accessory for a powerful warrior.

He wore no armor, yet he was more imposing and domineering than anyone else; he did not display any magic, yet no one dared to underestimate his strength.

A mage of his caliber can already control his magic at will. Compared to those clowns who constantly bluff and flaunt their magic to show off their power, someone like Hades is far more fearsome.

Besides him, there were several other people in the room.

Lastiros, Hua Yuan, and Melty, who did not participate in the "attack on Demisor Academy," as well as Ultear, who had just returned a month ago, and Gerald, who arrived unexpectedly.

These five people are the only high-end combat force that Hades can currently use.

"Now, all the keys are in my hands! The time has come!" Hades' voice was as old as his face, yet deep and powerful. "The day the legendary dark mage Zeref is resurrected!"

"We must... awaken Zeref's soul!"

These two short sentences barely qualify as a speech, let alone a sophisticated tactic like "the boss making empty promises," so they didn't really boost morale. However, Gerald and Ultear, who had already read "Workplace Training (by Kira Hoplett)," didn't show any signs of weakness on their faces. Instead, they cooperated by displaying excited expressions.

"Awaken Zeref's soul? That sounds intriguing!"

The first to speak was Gerald, who, as always, was dressed in his favorite blue clothes and exuded a dark, sinister aura as he stood in front of Hades.

"To achieve this day, you didn't hesitate to slaughter tens of thousands of lives, and even had Ultear infiltrate my side and use me to enter the Council, all to obtain that 'key'. You really have a far-reaching plan!"

"I never expected someone as calm as you to say something like that. Haven't you learned enough lessons from before?"

It was Urudia who spoke, her tone mocking and sarcastic, as if she weren't the one who had used Gerald for eight years.

Gerald's breath hitched, his eyes turning icy as he stared at Ultear: "If it's you, I wouldn't mind giving it a try and seeing who teaches whom a lesson!"

Seeing that the confrontation between the two was escalating, the other three quickly tried to stop them.

Lastiros struck a cool pose for himself: "Looks like this brought back some unpleasant memories, Gerald. But now that we're all comrades, I suggest you put aside your past grudges and behave yourself!"

Hua Yuan stammered, "I...I...I feel the same way..."

"Let me translate: 'I feel the same way!'"

Seemingly unable to keep up with his speaking speed, Melty spoke up directly, then added, "If a fight breaks out, I definitely won't be on your side."

Urudia looked at Melty, her eyes filled with a mixture of tenderness, melancholy, guilt, and reluctance. She felt a sense of indebtedness towards this innocent girl, unable to face her yet unwilling to lose her.

After hearing the "truth about Zeref" from Kira, she began to question Hades's years-long search for the "key to resurrect Zeref," and naturally, she felt more pity for Melty, who had suffered as a result.

They slaughtered Melty's town in order to obtain the key to resurrect Zeref, and it was Ultear who committed this atrocity.

Gerald sneered, seemingly unconcerned: "She was the one who provoked me first! Besides, anyone who's been played for eight years, even sacrificing friendship and love, and spending countless resources to achieve an impossible dream would react the same way! I think I've been very restrained with Ultear!"

“Hearing you say that, I’m starting to feel a little sorry for you!” Lastiros said elegantly, spreading his hands. “Such a tragic experience might enrich my fantasies!”

Gerald seemed to be in a bad mood at this moment, and retorted directly: "Using other people's pain as raw materials to become stronger is a very bad thing!"

"enough!"

Hades scanned the crowd with his remaining left eye: "I took you in because of your strength, ambition, and pursuit of Zeref, not because I wanted to see you complaining about your past!"

Gerald could only lower his head, covering his eyes, which at the right moment revealed resentment and bitterness, with his hood.

Hades nodded in satisfaction and said to everyone, "As long as you awaken Zeref and enter the Great Magic World, you can all make up for your past regrets!"

Chapter 292 Hidden Currents

A month ago, Gerald's understanding and application of "the boss making empty promises" was still in its early stages.

At the time, he thought he had done enough at the Tower of Paradise, but after reading Kira's masterpiece, he realized how ridiculous his previous behavior had been.

Is it enough to simply ensure that your employees are well-fed, clothed, and well-rested?

Do not!

This method simply cannot cultivate a sufficiently powerful subordinate!

An employee who lacks ambitious goals and experiences tangible benefits will not be motivated to improve their work enthusiasm or efficiency!

Although he taught magic to A-Xiang, Simon, Miliana, and Worry, their rudimentary skills were barely enough to deal with even the lowest-ranking soldiers, let alone a real mage.

Difficult to become a master!

If they hadn't been so weak, I wouldn't have needed to hire the Three Crows!

In contrast, what is the quality of the high-level combat power under the command of 'Heart of the Devil'?

Each and every one of them is a mage capable of standing alone! And they even use lost magic! No wonder they've been able to uphold the dark magic world for half a century!

It's precisely because of this generosity!

Hades is a large and powerful company, and the treatment he gives to his employees is something I can't compare to. Even the pie in his sky... oh no, even the goals and blueprints he plans for his subordinates are much more ambitious than mine!

My goal: to use the Tower of Paradise, sacrifice Erza, and revive Zeref;

Hades' goal: to awaken Zeref's soul, to glimpse the abyss of magic, to usher in a new era for the world, to usher in a great magical world, and to eliminate those who cannot use magic...

Each and every one of these tasks was beyond my ability to accomplish!

Admittedly, there are limitations in knowledge, experience, and age, but in the nearly one month since joining 'Heart of the Devil,' Gerald has to admit that Hades truly possesses extraordinary talent and vision! His talent and brilliance are beyond his own reach!

Unfortunately, just like me, he was on the wrong path!

"Ha ha……"

Hades was slightly displeased by the harsh mockery. He frowned and looked at Gerald with an air of authority: "You seem to disdain what I'm saying?"

"I just feel that your current situation is very similar to mine back then! We are both followers of Zeref, both want to change the world, and both have our eyes on Fairy Tail!"

Jellal's voice slowly came from under his hood, "I failed in the end, losing to 'Fairy Tail.' What will your fate be? I'm looking forward to it!"

Ultear spoke up again, taunting and mocking: "Someone who has been deceived for eight years, who can't even distinguish between truth and falsehood, and who has never even approached the Abyss of Demonic Path, dares to compare himself to Guild Master Hades?"

After separating from Kira, Ultear took Jellal back to the guild and introduced him to Hades to replenish the "Seven Kin." However, she couldn't make it seem too easy, so she made up an excuse.

While evading pursuit by Demitholl Academy, Ultear stumbled upon Jellal, who was being hunted by the Council for the 'Nirvana' incident. The two were forced to join forces to fight their enemies and find a way out. Because Jellal had nowhere to go and didn't want to give up his pursuit of Zeref, Ultear led him into 'Demonic Heart'.

This is the story the two told, and then they began to perform in front of everyone: due to the eight years of exploitation, the two were outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds. Gerald harbored a lot of resentment towards Ultear, so the two often argued with each other.

Gerald is indeed a rare genius. Even if he may not be as good as Bruno, he is at least one of the "Ten Wizards"!

So even though he joined halfway through his career, had never learned lost magic, and even had a history of being wiped out after joining the Oración Seis, Hades still took him under his wing.

However, after agreeing, the first thing Hades did was to punch Gerald in the face for his inherent arrogance.

This is one of the lessons Urtia mentioned earlier.