The Alvarez Empire.
Inside the palace hall, the young boy August waited silently.
With a flash, Caesar appeared in front of August.
His Majesty.
August bowed to Caesar.
Nephew, no need for formalities.
Eileen, you are here too.
Caesar waved his hand.
He then noticed that Eileen, Timalia, and Brantish were all present.
The other twelve shields were nowhere to be seen.
Did they go to meet Zeref.
Caesar asked with a guess in mind.
August nodded to confirm it.
That was normal.
Zeref created the empire.
Even if he only used the empire as a pawn, his prestige was something Caesar could not replace as the acting emperor.
For Caesar, the fact that August and the others waited here instead of greeting Zeref was already fortunate.
Let us go see Zeref together.
I want to ask why he came back so suddenly.
Caesar spoke and teleported August and the others to a main street in the empire.
Night had fallen, and the streets were lit brightly.
Residents lined both sides to welcome their emperor's return.
As soon as Caesar appeared, he brought August and the others to stand before Zeref.
Hey.
Where have you been all this time.
Caesar raised his hand slightly and smiled.
But the Zeref before him was not gentle.
His eyes were cold and empty.
Caesar's smile faded.
He frowned and asked, What happened.
Just some unpleasant things.
Zeref spoke calmly.
I realized something.
I do not want to wait anymore.
I want to end everything in my own way.
Caesar frowned and said coldly, Are you in that much of a hurry.
Yes.
Zeref extended his hand toward Caesar.
Then you, the acting emperor, should hand over what you hold.
I am about to
Before he finished, Caesar punched him in the face.
Zeref flew through more than a dozen buildings like a burlap sack and rolled across the ground like a dead dog.
Everyone stared in shock.
Caesar flashed in front of Zeref with a dark expression and brought his fist down.
Boom.
A violent explosion shook the city like a massive earthquake.
Buildings collapsed, but the residents found themselves protected by a shield.
The collapsed structures restored themselves in the next moment.
Outside, Caesar lifted Zeref like a dead dog and spoke coldly.
Did Ankhseram say something to you.
A little, but not the root cause.
Zeref's damaged face healed quickly.
The curse brought him pain but near immortality as well.
So what happened.
Why did you become like this.
Do you want to abandon Mavis and your son August.
Caesar raised his fist like he would crush Zeref's head if he stayed silent.
I went to the Northern Continent.
Zeref said calmly.
I saw too much despair there.
Caesar fell silent.
The Northern Continent.
The century long mission.
Caesar originally planned to find the Moon God Dragon Selene later and search for magic to travel between worlds.
Now he felt he should move sooner.
I found a way to kill the god Ankhseram.
All I need now is a method to finish him.
Caesar put Zeref down.
Give me time.
Give yourself time.
Do not act recklessly.
It is useless.
Zeref said quietly.
I learned something.
The curse on Mavis and me is a test.
If you kill Ankhseram, Mavis and I will die immediately.
We should have rested long ago.
Caesar frowned.
That guy said that.
Even if you die, I will resurrect you.
There is nothing you can do about it.
Zeref replied calmly.
You can resurrect the dead because the god still lives.
If he dies, everyone you resurrected will die.
Unless
Unless what.
Unless a new god is born to inherit everything.
Then all things can be preserved.
If not, everything disappears.
Me included.
Natsu included.
Caesar felt a headache forming.
The information was too heavy.
He was not sure whether Zeref spoke the truth or a lie born from fear.
If it was true, then the curse was a test from Ankhseram.
If they passed, Mavis and Zeref would take the god's place.
If it was false, then Zeref's heart was darker than expected.
What should he do.
He now faced two paths.
One was wrong.
The other was right.
If he chose wrong, he would regret it for a long time.
He disliked multiple choice questions.
Rather than choose, he preferred to break both choices and carve a third path.
Even if it was wrong, he would force it to become right.
Therefore, it is not about choosing, but preparing.
Caesar understood and looked at Zeref.
Make two preparations.
If something goes wrong, correct it immediately.
Zeref froze for a moment.
Then he gave a bitter smile.
You really do have your own style.
So do as I say.
Caesar raised his fist again.
You make two preparations.
I will make two preparations.
Zeref shook his head.
The Alvarez Empire is yours.
As for August, I should not see him.
Zeref turned and left.
He walked away from the empire.
After a while Caesar spoke calmly.
Come out.
You have watched the show long enough.
Eileen led August and the others out from behind a house.
August stared at Zeref's fading figure with blank eyes.
Caesar placed his hand on August's head.
This is the best way.
He cannot see you, and you know why.
August nodded and held back his tears.
The curse of Ankhseram.
The more you value life, the more life is taken.
If Zeref truly accepted August as his son, the curse would take August instantly.
This was Zeref's choice.