"Yes! That's right! For so many years, I've constantly researched and read all sorts of books, trying to understand what magic really is and why different magics exist. It wasn't until a few years ago that I finally understood and learned about the abyss of magic—that the ultimate state of magic is chaos. But why can't we reach that level, and why is the magic of this world constantly regressing!" Hades shouted frantically.
"Four hundred years ago, everyone could use magic. At that time, humanity stood at the pinnacle of the world. The prevalence and existence of magic allowed humanity to reach the top, subjugate countless monsters, and even make dragons human prey. But now, nine out of ten humans cannot use magic, and half of the remaining ten have achieved almost nothing. Among those who remain, almost all possess magic of a single attribute. Those who can use multiple attributes of magic have become extremely rare."
"What does this mean? It means that magic is regressing, constantly regressing. In just 400 years, it has regressed to this state. What will it be like in the next 400 years? Will there still be mages in the 400 years after that? Whenever I think about that situation, I worry about the future of mages. I dare not imagine it, but this question has been troubling me all along."
"I searched and searched for a solution to all my problems. I spent half my life searching, and finally... I finally found it."
"Makarov, you should know that the closer one gets to the Abyss of Magic, the more types of magic they will know. Those who truly reach the Abyss of Magic will be able to use magic of all attributes. Just imagine how magnificent that would be! Everyone would be able to use magic, everyone would be a mage—that would be the era of Great Magic World!" Hades said, his face contorted with madness as he spread his arms wide.
Hades' words shocked everyone who heard them. If such a grand spectacle were to occur as Hades described, Hades would be like a savior to the mages.
Makarov, however, was not so easily swayed. Over the years, he had weathered many storms and experienced countless events. Although Hades claimed to be a savior of magicians, the things he had done over the years were utterly heinous.
"Then why did you create the Dark Guild? What can the Dark Guild offer you? Why do you do so many bad things!" Makarov demanded loudly.
Hades suddenly fell silent, then said, "That was inevitable. To open the gates to the Great Magic World, essential keys are needed. Only by gathering all these keys can we succeed, and to gather them, sacrifices will be made. That's why I established the Dark Guild, Demon's Heart, to accomplish this bloody and sinful task. Perhaps in the eyes of others they are executioners, but in my heart they are all true heroes!"
"President Hades..." Rustyrose was somewhat moved upon hearing Hades' words;
"So what exactly are you doing on Fairy Island?"
"We've collected all the keys, and we won't be doing that again, but we're still missing the most crucial step," Hades said.
"What is that?" The members of Fairy Tail were all curious.
"That's Zeref!"
"Zeref!!" The Daimyo was taken aback. Every mage had heard of Zeref; he was the one who plunged the world into darkness 400 years ago, and his Daimyo was deeply ingrained in the hearts of every mage even after 400 years.
"Although Zeref is a heinous criminal, he is the person closest to the true essence of magic. If we can find him and awaken him, then the Great Magic World will arrive!"
"What are you doing in Fairy Tail's sacred grounds looking for Zeref?"
"Zeref is on this island!" Hades exclaimed.
"Zeref is on this island?" The group was taken aback. Elfman, however, thought of the person they had encountered earlier. "Could it be that person?"
"Elfman, do you have any leads?" Makarov asked, seeing Elfman deep in thought and seemingly knowing something.
"Yes, President. We encountered a black-haired man earlier. He seemed a bit mentally unstable and could unleash terrifying magic. He was the mentally ill person that Boss Chen Fan mentioned," Elfman said.
Makarov, Gildarts, and Laxus were speechless. A super boss of an era was described as mentally ill by Chen Fan. It was strange that Zeref hadn't gone to fight Chen Fan yet.
Hades, finally hearing news about Zeref, spoke with a hint of excitement, "Our original purpose wasn't to fight Fairy Tail members. After all, I'm the second guild master of Fairy Tail, and I still have feelings for the Fairy Tail. In all these years, I've never ordered my subordinates to attack any Fairy Tail member."
"As long as we find Zeref, we'll take him away. Fighting is just a last resort," Hades whispered. There was no other way now; the odds of winning were too low if they continued fighting. Fortunately, they had managed to intimidate everyone. Makarov and the others fell silent. If they really followed Hades's suggestion of fighting for the future of mages, they couldn't very well step in and organize the effort. Faced with the greater good, people's thoughts would always be suppressed.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Hades! The Great Magic World you described doesn't seem to be entirely complete."
"Chen Fan!"
"Boss!"...
Everyone who heard the voice turned their heads and saw Chen Fan walking towards them with Wendy, Charle, and Mest. Hades's face turned ugly as soon as he saw them.
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Calculation and Deduction
(The extra chapters feel like they're completely distorting my values.)