Chapter 1099 436: Zeref Declares War

Hades, also known as Precht.

Rhode last saw him when he said he was going to the Western Continent to gather information.

Now it seems something unexpected happened.

If that's true, then the Western Continent might be more dangerous than imagined.

Ultear was invited into the guild and felt somewhat uneasy, she tugged at the hood on her head, trying to cover her face.

Mira handed Zu Yilu to Lisana for care, while she poured a cup of tea for Ultear.

Rhode and Makarov sat across and listened to her speak.

Mebius quietly snuck over to eavesdrop.

——Ultear couldn't see her, so it counted as eavesdropping.

"It happened last month," Ultear said,

"President Hades infiltrated the royal capital of the Alvarez Empire but was unfortunately exposed and surrounded by four members of the Twelve Shields, ultimately being captured.

"Fortunately, he is not in mortal danger, just found the opportunity to send the news back yesterday."

"Four members of the Twelve Shields..." Makarov frowned, "It's not surprising someone could defeat the second generation, but to capture him, this..."

The enemy seems overly powerful.

Rhode asked, "Are there any more specific intelligence? Who did it, what magic was used?"

Ultear said, "Only two people were mentioned, one is the 'War Consort' Tima Liya, who can pause time.

"The other is Augustus, who seems capable of instantly analyzing and copying the opponent's magic.

"President Hades said this person's identity is rather special, he wants to return to Fairy Tail and tell the president personally."

"..." Rhode was helpless, why keep secrets at such a time? Old Precht is not reliable.

Mira frowned, "Those are quite tricky magical powers."

Copying the same technique is one thing, but pausing time is too unfair.

No wonder the second generation got captured by them.

But in such circumstances, the old man actually managed to find a way to send Ultear a message?

Makarov said, "We must immediately find a way to rescue the second generation."

Ultear shook her head, "No, President Hades said he has things to do and will find a way to come back himself.

"You do your work well; as long as Sin of the Witch can assist him slightly."

Makarov wanted to say something.

Mebius calmly said, "Since Precht says so, we should just follow his wishes. Is there anything Sin of the Witch needs my help with?"

Rhode relayed the First Generation's question.

Ultear was about to speak when the communication magic crystals on Makarov and Rhode both went off.

"It's the Council's emergency contact." Rhode gestured to Ultear.

Ultear lifted her collar, pulling her hood to reveal only her eyes.

Contact connected, Lahar's silhouette emerged.

Even though it wasn't a meeting in person, it was clear he looked anxious.

Seeing both Rhode and Makarov present, Lahar steadied himself, speaking somewhat urgently:

"Mr. Rhode, President Makarov, the Alvarez Empire has declared war on the Ishujal Continent!"

"What?" Makarov was shocked.

He had just been thinking about how to rescue the second generation, and suddenly war was declared.

Rhode reassured, "Don't panic yet, tell us more, what is this declaration of war? Did someone officially challenge us?"

"Yes." Lahar organized his words, reporting,

"Specifically speaking, it's not just declaring war on us, but simultaneous declaration of war against Ishujal and Black Dragon Acronologia.

"Just fifteen minutes ago, the Thought Body of Augustus, head of the Twelve Holy Shields of the Alvarez Empire, suddenly appeared over the Council.

"He claimed to represent Sprii, Emperor of the Alvarez Empire, to make a statement,

"'From today, the Dragon King Festival begins.

"'Emperor Sprii and the Twelve Holy Shields will lead the military of the Alvarez Empire to annihilate Ishujal and kill Black Dragon Acronologia.

"'Among our three parties, only one can survive. The outcome will be revealed in the coming war—this is the new era's Dragon King Festival!'"

Mira was shocked to hear this: "Even Acronologia is being dragged into it?"

Makarov pondered, "Indeed, it's beyond imagination."

Mebius was not so surprised: "As expected, it has come to this point."

Ultear opened her mouth but ultimately remained silent in front of Lahar.

Rhode felt there were many things wrong with this situation, brewed over it, but couldn't resist:

"Are they insane? Fighting is one thing, but why drag the Black Dragon into it?

"Speculating from this arrogant approach, probably they didn't just flaunt to us, but also sent people to provoke the Black Dragon.

"Isn't this idle behavior? If one were normal, wouldn't it be unreasonable to declare war on both sides simultaneously... are they that confident they can defeat both?"

"This... I must correct my previous statement." Lahar said gloomily,

"What I called a declaration of war earlier was just to save face for us.

"In reality, the opponent's attitude shows that Ishujal is only a small obstacle on their path, they merely came to deliver an annihilation declaration."

"Mr. Rhode, the situation may be even more severe than we anticipated."

With that, Rhode understood, 'Destroy you, what does it matter to you,' right?

Quite arrogant.

"Mr. Rhode, Mr. Hayberion has summoned all evaluators to discuss strategies, please..."

Rhode nodded, "I understand, give me a few minutes to arrange guild matters, I'll be right there."

Lahar opened his mouth to say President Makarov could oversee the guild while you come personally.

But looking at Makarov beside him, felt it impolite, had to nod, and cut off the contact.

It would only take a few minutes, it wouldn't delay things.

"It's troublesome." Rhode looked at Ultear, "If you go now, you might encounter the main force directly."

Ultear said, "It's okay, we have a way to go through the seabed, avoiding the regular routes."

"If so, being cautious should be fine." Rhode nodded.

Sin of the Witch has absorbed members from the original Oracion Seis, across the entire Ishujal, probably not many guilds could rival them.

While the Alvarez Empire's army is mobilizing, internally vacant, infiltrating should not pose much danger.

Besides, the second generation has his own arrangements.

"Remember to call after you arrive... never mind, better not to make contact."

Rhode negated himself halfway through speaking.

Because there's Augustus on the opposing side.

Not only can they not contact Sin of the Witch, even their own communications must be cautious.

Currently, everyone's communication magic crystal is developed based on Wolian's Telepathy Magic.

General mages cannot decipher and monitor, but Augustus is not ordinary.

Although Wolian's magic is exceptional, facing such a bigwig, Wolian mostly cannot compete.

Even within his proficient field.