CHAPTER 584: FREED’S DEFEAT

After Erza, Mira, and Cana emerged from the medicinal spring, they quickly found themselves confronted by a large number of Grimoire Heart soldiers.

The three fought while steadily retreating, their shared goal clear, return to the camp as quickly as possible.

The soldiers hadn’t expected to be so fortunate as to stumble upon three beautiful women at once. Nor had they expected to be so unlucky as to stumble upon these three beautiful women at once.

In the distance, flames roared skyward, lighting the horizon in a fierce glow. The three women naturally caught sight of it.

Cana’s first instinct was to blurt out, "Fire? That’s gotta be Natsu, right?"

Mira, however, shook her head. "No... this feeling, it’s Rhodes."

Erza narrowed her eyes. "Magic on this scale... it seems a formidable enemy has appeared. Could it be one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory?"

They had just captured a Grimoire Heart soldier earlier and interrogated him, learning that the enemy had deployed all their forces today. Every member of the Seven Kin of Purgatory was already somewhere on the island, only the Guild Master and Vice-Master had yet to make a move.

Mira’s expression tightened slightly, but she quickly relaxed.

A cluster of purple Voidmites hopped into view, bouncing toward them to join the fight.

If Rhodes still had the strength to maintain his summons, it meant he wasn’t in any serious trouble.

"We can’t waste time here either," Erza said firmly.

"If these are all just small fry, then it’s highly likely others, especially those at the camp, are dealing with the Seven Kin right now."

"I’ll head back first," Mira decided, spreading a pair of sleek, demonic wings from her back. "Can I leave this lot to you two?"

"No problem," Erza replied.

She shifted into her Heaven’s Wheel Armor, countless blades materializing in the air around her. Beside her, Cana pulled out a thick spread of Magic Cards, her stance relaxed but ready. Both women were more than capable of handling grunts like these.

Mira nodded once, then flapped her wings hard, soaring high above the treetops and streaking toward the camp.

Meanwhile, back at the camp, Levy lay unconscious, and Panther Lily had only just forced himself into his battle form to help, only to be gravely injured by Azuma.

Now, only Freed and Bickslow remained to face him in the forest near the camp, and both were already covered in wounds.

The battleground was a chaotic ruin, many trees lay broken, others bent at unnatural angles with their roots exposed, and most had been stripped of their leaves. Scorched earth and deep craters marred the ground, as if someone had laced the entire area with magical landmines.

"Is that it?" Azuma taunted, his tone calm but cutting. "You call yourselves someone’s personal guard? Where is this master you protect? Surely they didn’t leave you to cover their retreat while they ran away?"

Azuma’s knowledge of Fairy Tail’s members was unsettlingly accurate. Whether he intended to or simply enjoyed provoking them, his words cut deep, and they always managed to push people past their limit.

Just as Gajeel had been goaded into unleashing his Dragon Slayer Secret Art earlier, Freed and Bickslow were now seething with fury.

"You’re not allowed to insult Laxus!"

Freed’s eyes flashed as he swept his long blade through the air, writing ancient runes that streaked toward Azuma. "Dark Écriture: Extinguish!"

Azuma casually lifted one hand, and a massive nearby tree groaned as it bent to intercept the glowing script.

The rune for Extinguish seared itself into the bark, and the tree instantly rotted away, its leaves withering to dust, its roots decaying before it collapsed in a heap.

This was a magic capable of bringing instant death, one Freed never used lightly.

"Baryon Formation!" Bickslow barked, snapping his fingers. His five dolls whirled into a tight, spinning circle, a bright green glow building between them before they fired a concentrated cannon of energy straight at Azuma.

Azuma brought his palms together, and a thick root burst up from the ground, spearing toward the attack. A deafening series of explosions followed, each shockwave shaking the forest and scattering debris, until the energy was completely neutralized.

"Damn it... again!" Bickslow snarled.

Bickslow was about to issue his next command when several thick tree roots erupted from the side, coiling tightly around all five of his dolls.

"What?!"

Before he could react, the roots burst into flames, followed by a series of deafening explosions. Smoke and sparks filled the air as the charred dolls dropped helplessly to the ground.

"Leaf Sword!" Azuma swept his left hand in a sharp arc. In an instant, every leaf in the surrounding area whirled into the air, gathering together into a twisting, snake-like stream. They shot toward Bickslow and Freed with deadly precision.

The edges of the leaves gleamed unnaturally, sharpened by Azuma’s magic until they were as lethal as steel blades. They slashed down on the two Fairy Tail mages in a relentless storm.

Bickslow collapsed to the forest floor, a deep, ragged wound torn across his chest. Blood welled up immediately, staining his clothes.

Freed gritted his teeth, deflecting the leaves as best he could with his katana. But their speed and agility outmatched him, and cuts began to open across his arms and thighs.

"Bickslow!" Freed shouted, far more concerned for his partner than for himself.

When he saw Bickslow lying motionless on the ground, something inside Freed snapped. A crimson light flickered dangerously in his eyes. "Those who harm my comrades... those who insult Laxus... the ’Rules’ no longer apply!"

He slashed runes into the air and onto his own body. "Dark Écriture: Darkness!"

His magic flared violently. Dark markings spread across his torso, his chest and back turning pitch black as two long, curved horns sprouted from his head. His entire form became an intimidating, demonic silhouette.

With a thunderous crack, Freed’s foot shattered the earth beneath him. He launched forward like a fired arrow, his fist coated in seething dark energy as it smashed directly into Azuma’s chest.

The impact hurled Azuma backward, sending him slamming into a massive tree. Bark splintered, and his shirt tore open to reveal a darkening bruise.

But instead of anger, Azuma’s expression lit up with delight. He pushed off the tree instantly, charging straight back in.

Freed met him head-on. The two clashed with fists, elbows, and kicks, each blow striking with bone-shaking force. They moved at a blistering speed, almost too fast for the human eye to follow, perhaps even faster than when Azuma had fought Gajeel earlier.

"This feeling! It’s incredible!" Azuma’s excitement only grew as the battle intensified.

He drove a fist into Freed’s cheek, and Freed answered with a sharp kick to Azuma’s side. Both staggered from the hits, Freed’s face set in grim focus, while Azuma, despite the pain, grinned with feral exhilaration.

"That’s it... Give me more of this thrill!"

Freed gathered a mass of dark energy between his palms and thrust it forward. Azuma responded by summoning thick roots from the ground to intercept it.

The resulting explosion tore through the forest. Black shockwaves collided with searing red flames, the force sending a violent gale whipping through the trees.

Freed was blasted backward, the darkness fading from his body as he crashed hard to the ground.

Azuma’s upper garment had been completely destroyed, and scorch marks ran across his torso, but his injuries were shallow.

Looking down at the battered Freed struggling to stand, Azuma’s enthusiasm faded. "Is that all?"

He had just tasted the excitement of a worthy fight, only for it to end too soon, leaving him dissatisfied. His mind was already turning to the thought of finding other famous Fairy Tail members.

"Damn it..." Freed’s right hand dug into the dirt, leaving claw-like marks.

’If only I had prepared my runes ahead of time when guarding the camp... It was the same during the S-Class Exam, always too little time to set my most effective magic.’

’No wonder someone like me couldn’t pass.’

Dark clouds had gathered overhead, and at last, rain began to fall. Droplets splashed against Freed’s face, trailing down his skin before soaking into his torn clothes.

"Then I’ll give you a grand exit," Azuma said, spreading his fingers wide.

Several massive roots ripped through the earth, coiling tightly around Freed’s body.

"Hm?" Azuma’s eyes narrowed.

A shadow fell over the battlefield. He looked up just in time to see a white-haired woman in crimson descending rapidly from the sky.

The next instant, pain exploded across his cheek as something struck him with brutal force, slamming him deep into the ground.

"Mirajane!" Freed’s eyes widened, his voice breaking with relief.

The last time he had seen her in this form up close, she had been beating him into submission, but this time she had come to his rescue.

"Well done, Freed," Mira said firmly, holding her right arm steady, her gaze locked on Azuma.

"Leave the rest to me."