The purple-black, dimly glowing "Unseen Hand," its form twisted, struggled faintly in Zeref's palm.
The dark spirit flowing over its surface was like a mire made solid, trying to erode the sanity of whoever touched it.
And yet not the slightest ripple rose in Zeref's black eyes.
He simply watched this conceptualized power in silence.
As if he were examining some curious new toy.
"Ugh—"
Natsuki Subaru clenched his teeth hard enough for them to chatter.
Cold sweat kept rolling down his forehead.
Maintaining the existence of that arm felt to him like suffering acute appendicitis.
The violent abdominal pain made him tremble uncontrollably.
Even his breathing turned ragged.
Fortunately, Zeref returned from his deep thought.
Seeing Natsuki Subaru on the verge of collapse, a trace of pity showed on his face.
He slowly released his hand and said in a low voice, "That's enough. Draw it back."
Hearing those words, Natsuki Subaru felt as if he had been granted amnesty.
His taut nerves instantly slackened.
As the "Unseen Hand" disappeared, the agony receded swiftly like the tide.
Only deep exhaustion and weakness remained.
"Huff, huff... huff."
With trembling hands, Natsuki Subaru clutched his still faintly aching stomach.
He lifted his head with difficulty.
His bloodshot eyes were filled with urgency and expectation.
"Your Majesty Zeref... did you discover anything?"
Zeref did not answer at once.
He lowered his eyes slightly and pondered for a moment before turning his gaze back to Natsuki Subaru. "Simply touching it isn't enough."
"This arm is only the surface. To make an accurate judgment, I still need to examine your body and find its source."
With that, Zeref took half a step forward, raised his right hand, and placed it on the other man's shoulder.
"Relax. Don't resist."
As Zeref's words fell, Natsuki Subaru