"Even if this Eclipse Cannon is as powerful as you say, I still don't understand why you had to impersonate Lucy. There's too much that doesn't add up." Calvin thought for a long time before sighing, his tone full of suspicion.
Future Rogue's expression darkened at Calvin's words, though it was unclear if this was a genuine reaction or just an act.
"You're overthinking it. Everything I did was because, in the original timeline, you stopped the Eclipse Gate from being activated. Defeating Acnologia requires the power of the Eclipse Gate, so I had to obtain the Zodiac Keys. But I knew you'd never allow that. That's why I pretended to be Lucy, faked being captured by the kingdom's soldiers, and tricked you into leaving to rescue her. It gave me the chance to steal the keys."
"Before that, I couldn't be sure you'd trust me, so I acted alone to ensure the Eclipse Gate would be activated. But everything I've done is for peace. Please believe me, and help me!" Future Rogue pleaded earnestly; his voice filled with sincerity.
Calvin sighed again, sincerely, staring into Rogue's eyes before suddenly lifting his hand and firing a Cero.
Future Rogue was startled but swiftly dodged the attack. He looked at the straight line of destruction left by the Cero, then turned to Calvin, his eyes filled with both anger and disappointment.
"Enough with the act. I'll admit, your performance is convincing. But everything you've said is too full of holes to hold water," Calvin said with a tone of amusement, casually toying with a card in his hand, ready to fight at any moment.
Future Rogue knew his limits, just as he had told Princess Hisui. Even with his current power, he was no match for Calvin. A confrontation would only end in defeat.
He quickly adopted a serious expression, his body tensing defensively as he continued to argue, "I don't understand what you mean. I've already told you everything I've done is for the future!"
"Oh, I believe that, but only that part," Calvin said with a smirk. "But I'm certain you're not trying to use the Eclipse Cannon for its intended purpose."
"Princess Hisui has been eager to activate the Eclipse Gate tomorrow, and it's obvious you've had a hand in that. You probably convinced her to use the Eclipse Cannon to destroy the dragons. That's why she's so desperate to use it!"
At this, Future Rogue's expression froze for a moment before quickly returning to normal. But Calvin, who had been watching closely, didn't miss the subtle crack in his facade, confirming his suspicions.
"It just doesn't add up. Acnologia isn't supposed to appear for another year, yet you're pushing for the Eclipse Gate to be used tomorrow. How will you deal with Acnologia when he arrives? Can the Eclipse Gate recharge in just a year?"
"Everything you've said contradicts what you've done."
"Let me ask you one more time—where is the Lucy from the future?" Calvin's voice turned cold, and a murderous aura began to emanate from him.
Future Rogue hesitated for a moment, clearly surprised that Calvin had seen through his lies so easily. He couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Seeing the hidden emotion in Rogue's eyes only made Calvin more anxious.
Something was wrong.
"You really are sharp, aren't you? I can't deceive you..." Future Rogue sighed. "You're right, I've seen the Lucy from the future. To be precise, I found her as soon as she arrived in this era. I knew where she'd appear because I knew history. So I got to her even before you noticed."
"Then, using my identity as a future traveler, I gained her trust and had her hide in the shadows. The night I stole the keys, I brought her to meet the princess."
"With the combined assurances of me and Lucy, plus the accurate predictions I made for the Grand Magic Games, I easily gained Princess Hisui's trust. Up to this point, my Eclipse Plan has gone smoothly."
"It's not the princess's original Eclipse Plan, nor is it Eclipse Plan 2, which aims to destroy the dragons. It's my plan—Eclipse Plan 3!" Future Rogue's expression twisted into a maniacal grin, his tone now arrogant and mocking.
"So, you finally show your true colors, you bastard!" Calvin muttered bitterly. He now realized he couldn't act—Future Lucy was likely in Rogue's hands. Without knowing her exact situation, Calvin couldn't afford to make a move.
Future Rogue, realizing this as well, became even more bold and reckless.
Though Lucy from the future had long since died by his hand, Calvin didn't know that, did he?
"Do you know why Princess Hisui despises you so much? You can thank your summoned beasts for that. Nothing makes framing someone easier than labeling them the leader of Seven Sins!"
"The princess immediately believed you were the one who released the dragons. So, no matter what you said, she'd always think you were lying and trying to deceive her. Add to that the fact that Lucy, who should have been your ally, was on my side, and it made my words all the more convincing!"
Hearing this, Calvin finally understood Rogue's scheme. Although he still didn't know Rogue's ultimate goal, he had a clear picture of the overall situation.
Rogue had traveled back from the future and first created the persona of future Lucy to deceive Calvin, using this identity to steal the Zodiac Keys.
Then, he gained the trust of the actual future Lucy and successfully tricked Princess Hisui, making her believe that Calvin was the true villain. With this, anything Calvin said seemed weak and insincere, explaining why the princess never believed him.
As for now, Future Rogue's intentions were clear—to activate the Eclipse Gate.
Knowing that Calvin would try to stop him, Future Rogue had been stalling for time with his lies and manipulations. His deceit and delaying tactics were all part of his plan.
"You really are a scumbag, aren't you? Smart, too!" Calvin growled, cold sweat running down his face as his expression turned dark.
Even though Calvin knew Rogue was stalling for time, it didn't matter. As long as Lucy's safety was uncertain, Rogue had a hostage, and Calvin couldn't act.
"Talking to someone as clever as you is both exhausting and rewarding. You finally figured out my plan, huh? It wasn't easy," Rogue laughed wildly. In truth, he hadn't wanted to push things this far.
He knew there was a chance Calvin might gamble everything to try and take him down quickly and extract information on Lucy's whereabouts.
Rogue thought that Lucy's death might provoke Calvin even more than his Eclipse Plan 3.
"I just need to keep stalling. If he snaps, I'll die a horrible death," Rogue thought beneath his outward bravado. He was desperately trying to hide his anxiety.
Truthfully, Rogue deeply regretted killing future Lucy so quickly. If he had kept her as a hostage to control Calvin, he wouldn't be in this precarious situation now.
He feared Calvin might lose patience and end him at any moment.
Right now, Rogue was like a gambler who had bet everything without a hand to back it up. He was relying solely on bluffing and confidence to outlast his opponent. One wrong move, and he could lose everything.
But it was the final stretch. What else was there to lose?
As long as he could hold on for a bit longer, the Eclipse Gate would activate, and the future would be his.
Not even Calvin, Zeref, or Acnologia would stand in his way!