Earth Land, Alakitasia, Alvarez Empire, Vistarion.
January 1, x792.
"His Majesty is late." Invel, the Alvarez Empire's Chief of Staff, said while looking down at a pocket watch. "He said he would be back before midnight."
"There is no need to worry, Invel." August, the leader of the Spriggan 12, replied casually. "There is no one on Earth Land who could harm his Majesty."
"I am aware." Invel replied while putting the pocket watch away. He then adjusted his glasses as he continued. "That doesn't change the fact that he is behind schedule."
The reason for Invel's worries was quite simple. The Alvarez Empire was preparing for its invasion of the Kingdom of Fiore to retrieve the Fairy Heart, or Lumin Histoire, from Fairy Tail. And according to Zeref's original plan, they were supposed to be ready by the beginning of the year.
And as exemplary as his subordinates were, the Alvarez Empire was right on schedule to launch their invasion.
As for why August and Invel were waiting for Zeref in the throne room, it was because they wanted to report the status of the preparations. Then, they would finally be able to get the go ahead for the invasion to start.
However, neither of the Spriggans were aware that Zeref came across a festival while visiting Fiore. Nor did they know about his conversation with a certain wizard who knew more than he should have. And the reason for Zeref's tardiness was the thoughts he had about the information Alfonzo revealed.
*Flash!*
Several more minutes passed with Invel's worry growing. However, when Zeref appeared on his throne in a flash of light, all of the blue-haired wizard's worries evaporated immediately.
"Welcome back, your Majesty." August and Invel said in unison while bowing respectfully.
"There's no need for the formalities."Zeref replied while waving off his subordinates' bows.
"Majesty, we are ready to report on---" Invel said after straightening up.
"There's no need for that, either." Zeref said, cutting off Invel. "We'll be pushing back the time of the invasion for a few months."
Opening their eyes in shock, August and Invel looked at Zeref with clear confusion in their eyes. Luckily, Zeref did not keep them waiting for too long.
"August, tell me… Are you familiar with [Seith Magic]?" Zeref asked nonchalantly. "More specifically, the [Human Possession] branch of [Seith Magic]
Though still surprised and confused, August regained his senses quickly. He then gave a slight bow.
"Yes, I am familiar with it." August replied. "Though it is not my most proficient magic, I can use it with some level of proficiency."
"Good." Zeref replied with a satisfied nod. "I will be calling on you to use it in the near future. Before that… There is a former State Alchemist imprisoned in Fiore's highest level prison. His name is Solf J. Kimblee. There is something I would like to discuss with this man. Please bring him here without drawing attention to us."
"Your wish is my command, your Majesty." August said with his head lowered.
Then, without another word, August straightened up, turned around, and strode out of the throne room. Meanwhile, Invel, still in a state of confusion, continued to stare at Zeref, a clear question in his eyes.
"I know what you want to ask, Invel." Zeref said casually. "The reason for the delay on the invasion is simple. I came across some information that I can't ignore."
"I see." Invel replied.
"You're not going to ask what it is?" Zeref asked with a hint of amusement in his tone.
"It would be a lie to say I'm not curious, your Majesty." Invel replied reverently. "But it is not my place to question your decisions."
Zeref nodded in response, thankful for his Chief of Staff's understanding.
"All will become clear in the near future." Zeref said. A moment later, however, his expression hardened, and his tone turned dark. "But should I find out that the information I was given was false, the wizards of Fairy Tail will pay dearly."
Surprised that the information Zeref mentioned was from the greatest opposition to his plans, Invel widened his eyes once again. However, he did not stay surprised for too long.
"I will inform the rest of the Spriggans, as well as the soldiers, that there is a delay." Invel said while adjusting his glasses. "Is there anything else you would like me to relay?"
"No, that is more than enough." Zeref replied, his tone returning to normal. "For now, just make sure that the soldiers stay ready."
"Understood." Invel replied with another bow. "Then, if you'll excuse me."
After nodding in response to his Chief of Staff, Zeref watched Invel leave the throne room to carry out his duties. Then, once he was alone, he leaned on the right arm rest of his throne while supporting his head with his right hand.
"For your sake, Alfonzo Marcus, I pray this information was not false." Zeref muttered to himself. He then turned his head in Fiore's direction with a wistful expression on his face. "Because I am truly looking forward to the day I can hold her in my arms again… Right before I take the Lumin Histoire from her to make everything right again."
Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus.
While Zeref spoke with August and Invel, Alfonzo finished overseeing the end of the New Year's Celebration and making his way to the Sixth Sense Hotel to finally call it a night. And just as Invel left the throne room, Alfonzo was walking down the hallway leading to the Presidential Suite while loosening his tie.
*Click!*
"Welcome back, Fonzie." Elicia said with a bright smile as Alfonzo stepped into the suite. "You put on another great show this year."
"Thanks." Alfonzo said with a tired smile. "I can't wait until the people in the company get used to how this shit goes. Then, I can delegate all the work to them and just oversee the situation."
"We both know that will never happen." Elicia replied with a giggle as she approached Alfonzo. She then gave him a peck on the cheek before continuing while helping him take off his suit jacket. "Even if you get them up to your standards, you'll still find a way to insert yourself into the production. I can see it in your eyes, you like doing this too much."
Then, Elicia smiled mischievously before continuing.
"Besides, if anything happened like those two Mariah Carey performances, you'd really lose your mind." Elicia said while barely holding back a giggle.
Thinking back to the two performances Elicia mentioned, Alfonzo could not help shaking his head while smiling wryly.
"*Sigh* Can't you just let me bitch and moan a little bit, Lici?" Alfonzo aske while continuing to smile wryly.
"I could." Elicia replied with a nod "but where would be the fun in that."
"Anyway, I guess the kids are sleep already." Alfonzo said while rolling his eyes.
"Yup!" Elicia said cheerfully while hanging Alfonzo's suit jacket on a coat rack. She then spun around to look at Alfonzo again when she was done. "Mira and Shizuka are sleeping with them, too. Honestly, I thought they would never go to bed. They had so much sugar it should be criminal."
"Like you and I were any different when we were kids." Alfonzo said with a chuckle.
"Yeah… And now I feel sorry for our parents." Elicia said while placing her right forearm on her forehead in a forlorn pose.
Alfonzo could not help chuckling once again at his wife's act, causing Elicia to smile widely.
"So, how did your conversation go?" Elicia asked curiously.
"Better than I expected." Alfonzo replied. "Just like I thought, he wasn't here to start no shit. And that meant there wouldn't be no shit, too."
"Okay, Lil Jon." Elicia said while rolling her eyes. "Still, I didn't think Zeref would show up."
"Neither did I." Alfonzo replied with a shrug while slipping his dress shirt off. "I almost nuked the area when I saw his must walking around."
"Uh huh, sure." Elicia replied while rolling her eyes. "We both know that's a lie."
"Yeah, but that's how most people would have reacted if they saw him just strolling through the streets of the capital." Alfonzo replied with another shrug. "Or at least, they would have wanted to. I'm sure the old Council would have even called it a necessary sacrifice."
"Not that it would have actually finished him off." Elicia said.
"True." Alfonzo replied. "Anyway, I told him about the Philosopher's Stone and the effect it can have on Ankhseram's Curse. I also told him about Izumi's idea of using the wandering souls to make one. I just hope it works."
"Yeah, me, too." Elicia replied. "I don't want that Demon Seed inside of Natsu to act up."
"Yeah, but I actually had a thought about that." Alfonzo said as he flopped down on the couch.
"Oh, what's that?" Elicia asked as she sat down next to Alfonzo.
"What would happen if Natsu were reincarnated into a devil?" Alfonzo asked rhetorically. "I mean, he's technically a demon right now, right? And James said that he reincarnated Hiei and Kurama into Devils, and there was no issue, right?"
"That's true." Elicia said with a contemplative expression on her face. "But is it really the same? I mean, Natsu isn't the same kind of demon, right?"
"No clue." Alfonzo replied while shaking his head. "Either way, Natsu would never go along with it. Hell, he doesn't even know that he's not human yet. I'm actually surprised that Igneel hasn't told him yet."
"Igneel's probably suppressing the demon seed." Elicia pointed out. "I'm sure he doesn't wanna see Natsu lose his humanity, either."
"Either way, I just hope this idea with [Seith Magic] actually works." Alfonzo said while slouching back into the couch. "Because if it doesn't, I don't know if I'm gonna have enough time to find a way to get that fucking seed out of Natsu... Pause."
"*Sigh* Are you ever gonna grow out of that?' Elicia asked as she leaned into Alfonzo's side.
"Probably not." Alfonzo replied while smiling cheekily as he wrapped an arm around Elicia's shoulders. "At least, not as long as I have a say in it."
"Boys." Elicia said with fond exasperation. A moment later, however, she turned a sharp glare in Alfonzo's direction. "But I swear, if Mar'e picks up that habit, we're gonna have words, Alfonzo Marcus."
"Oh, shit..." Alfonzo said playfully. "You just used my whole name. Looks like shit is getting real."
"You better not let him pick up that habit, either." Elicia added while continuing to glare.
"Yes, Ma'am." Alfonzo said while saluting playfully. He then put on a stern glare of his own. "But if he picks up your habit of saying shit without thinking, then I'm gonna be the one with shit to say, Elicia Marcus Taylor."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Elicia asked, her glare turning into one filled with innocent curiosity. "Where in the world would Mar'e pick up a habit like that from? It looks like we're gonna have to make sure the members of the guild are careful with how they act around Mar'e, huh?"
A moment later, Elicia slipped out of Alfonzo's hug while ignoring his glare. Then, she started walking towards the bedroom at a faster pace than usual.
"Anyway, it's getting pretty late." Elicia said without turning back to make eye contact with Alfonzo. "You should take a shower and come to bed. We're heading back to Magnolia after breakfast, after all."
Elicia could feel Alfonzo's eyes boring a hold into her back all the way to the bedroom. Even so, she refused to meet his gaze. All the while, she giggled internally while bickering with Scylla internally.
As Elicia disappeared into the bedroom, Alfonzo turned away. He then let out a tired sigh.
"Damn... I'm tired." Alfonzo said as he stood up from the couch. "Well, at least I won't have to do this again until next year. Still, I really need to train some people who can handle this better. This is the second year I haven't been able to bring in the New Year with the kids. And I'm not okay with that shit."
As he spoke, Alfonzo made his way towards the bathroom. Along the way, he slipped off his shirt and undid his belt. Then, he disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower before climbing into bed with his wives and children to start another year.