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*****
"Hmm... Honestly, I think living is better than dying.
Have you ever heard the saying, 'A bad life is better than a good death'?"
George paused for a moment, then reverted to his cat form and blinked as he replied.
He could understand Zeref's feelings and was even willing to grant his death—after extracting all of his magical knowledge, of course. That would be one less problem to deal with.
After all, George held no personal feelings toward Zeref. He was only interested in the magic inside his mind.
But now wasn't the right time.
First, he might not even be able to do it. The curse placed by the God of Life and Death in this world wasn't something that could be broken easily.
Even Acnologia, who could nullify any magic, couldn't cancel out the curse on Zeref and kill him to give him release.
How did George know this?
It wasn't hard to guess.
Zeref longed for death and couldn't defeat Acnologia. If Acnologia could kill him, Zeref would have challenged him directly.
But since that never happened, it meant even Acnologia couldn't end Zeref's life—though he could defeat and torment him.
Second—and most importantly—even if George could do it, he wouldn't.
Zeref was punished for violating taboos. If George lifted the curse, he'd essentially be defying the god Ankhseram himself. That wouldn't end well.
Unless George's power reached a point where he no longer feared Ankhseram—or unless there was a reward worth the risk.
Mavis was able to die because she was killed by Zeref, who bore the same curse. Naturally, that didn't break any divine rules.
"You don't understand my pain, or how I feel. Kill me—or I will become your enemy. I'll continue my plan to invade the Eastern Continent and obtain Fairy Heart.
You are strong—perhaps even as strong as Acnologia—but if I choose to leave, you can't stop me."
Zeref shook his head and continued.
George was powerful, but not strong enough to kill him. He couldn't win a fight, but he could still escape.
If he couldn't die, then he'd return to Plan B—fusing with Fairy Heart and rewriting history.
"Zeref, if you truly want it, I can do it. I really can. I'm not lying."
At that moment, Mavis flew over and grabbed Zeref's hand.
"Do you know why I died back then?
Because your love for me was greater than mine for you. That's why the curse on you was stronger and ended up killing me.
But if my love for you surpasses yours, then in theory, my curse will kill you."
"It was because of my love...?"
Zeref looked at Mavis, dazed.
"But you're already dead. You're just a soul—you can't trigger the curse anymore."
"No, my body isn't completely dead. If I choose to, I can return to it and live again."
Mavis's gaze was firm.
"So please, stop your plans. End the war. I'll help you find peace and bring you release."
"If what you say is true, then I... ah..."
Looking at Mavis before him, Zeref's heartstrings trembled once more. The sealed-off love in his heart could no longer be suppressed, and the curse inside him erupted again.
A wave of death energy burst out of Zeref's body, attempting to devour all life nearby.
"This is the curse!"
Seeing the deadly energy surging forth, George instantly transformed into his dragon form, shielding everyone behind him.
The energy eroded his massive body, stripping away part of his life force before gradually dissipating.
"That sensation... it's quite similar to the Curse of Death—unavoidable and impossible to defend against."
After withstanding the curse, George returned to his cat form, silently contemplating.
The wave just now had been directed at Mavis because of Zeref's love for her, so George only suffered the backlash. Its power wasn't at full strength.
Most S-Class wizards wouldn't have survived it, but with George's physical body, it wasn't a big deal.
"Very well. I agree. If you can truly bring me release, the Alvarez Empire will never wage war again."
Zeref once again sealed off his emotions and, after a moment of silence, finally nodded.
But just then, George spoke up.
"I think this method could work—but not yet. I have a suggestion. Hear me out first."
"What suggestion?"
Mavis turned to ask.
George coughed lightly.
"It's like this—according to your logic, the deeper the love, the stronger the curse.
But you two haven't seen each other in over a hundred years. Starting now, how can you be sure the love is deep enough to trigger the curse?
If the love isn't strong enough, and it can't kill the other, then it's pointless."
"Ah..."
Hearing George's words, both Zeref and Mavis were stunned. How could one measure the depth of love?
"So, what I'm saying is—you two should spend some time living together again. Once your hearts are certain, then you can proceed with the plan.
You've already waited this long—what's a few more years?
Mavis is currently in soul form, so she's not in danger from your curse, and you don't need to suppress your emotions anymore.
Besides, you should also discuss this with your biological child. Don't you agree, August?"
George turned his head toward the Magic King, who had regained some strength.
The reasons George gave were all valid—but he had another, more important reason for delaying Zeref and Mavis's plan.
Zeref and Mavis were among the top-tier mages in the world—true magical geniuses with deep understanding and mastery of magic.
Acnologia might be overwhelmingly powerful, but in terms of magical theory and application, he was no match for them.
George didn't want these two to die so soon.
Even if he copied Zeref's memories, they were still just that—memories. To truly learn and master the magic within them, he'd need to study and research them himself.
But if, in addition to copying memories, he could talk to Zeref and Mavis, and exchange insights... that would be far more valuable.
And in doing so, the Spriggan Twelve would effectively become allies. Not just sources of knowledge, but future magical collaborators.
Lastly, given his rate of growth, George might one day be able to rival Ankhseram himself—and lift both of their curses, removing the need for them to die at all.
"Our child?"
Zeref and Mavis looked toward August, confused.
George spoke directly:
"August is your child. Back then, the second guild master..."
He quickly explained the truth he had uncovered from August's memories.
Mavis looked at August with eyes full of expectation and affection.
"George... is what he said true?"
"It is, Mother."
August looked at Mavis and smiled gently.
When George had first manifested Mavis, he'd wanted to call her "Mother" right then—but had held back until now.
Standing behind Mavis, Zeref froze when he heard the word—and the curse exploded once again.
(End of Chapter)