"Dead."
Athena stared at the golden ground with wide eyes.
She looked at Viernes, whose head had been blasted apart, and fell into deep self doubt.
Caesar clapped his hands.
He looked at Viernes's golden body and spoke unhappily.
"Tch. Luckily I still have hundreds of tons of gold to make up for the loss."
"Otherwise, this mission would have been a huge loss."
As he spoke, Caesar began dismembering Viernes's body.
He refined it into neat chunks of gold.
By selling these gold ingots, Caesar estimated he could easily buy a medium sized kingdom.
"Alright. I will draw some cards later and replenish the Philosopher's Stones I used."
Caesar muttered to himself.
Overall, it was still a good deal.
"Lord Caesar."
After Caesar finished handling the aftermath, Selene walked up to him.
"Among the five Dragon Gods, only the Fire Dragon Ignia remains."
"Should we take this opportunity to eliminate him."
Selene's eyes gleamed faintly.
Once Ignia was dealt with, her long standing goal would be almost complete.
From then on, she could freely enjoy moonlight and wine.
"Ignia is not urgent."
"I will ask his parents first."
Caesar thought of Igneel.
As Ignia's biological father, Igneel was now part of Fairy Tail.
Caesar had to consider his feelings.
If he turned around and beat Ignia into tears, that would be awkward.
As a Guild Master, he still needed to consider the emotions of his members.
After that, Caesar took Selene and Athena back to the Dragon Array.
They met with Elefseria.
Elefseria learned of the Golden Dragon's death and was overjoyed.
Only one of the five Dragon Gods remained unsealed.
So when Caesar said he needed to return first, Elefseria did not object.
After all, a task unfinished for a century had finally shown hope of completion.
…
Magnolia.
Fairy Tail Guild.
As dusk fell, the guild reached its liveliest moment.
A gentle woman with long golden hair pushed open the door and walked in.
"Excuse me."
"May I come in."
When Melty noticed someone entering, she immediately broke free from Ultear's hold and stood up.
"Is there something you need."
Hmm.
She still hated green peppers.
"Excuse me, are Natsu and the others here."
The woman smiled gently.
Her expression was filled with warmth.
Melty blushed slightly.
This woman perfectly matched all the images she had of her late mother.
"Ah. Yes."
"The noisiest group over there."
Melty snapped out of it and pointed.
Natsu and Gray were locked in a heated standoff.
Wendy nervously tried to calm them.
Gajeel rolled up his sleeves, eager to join.
"Natsu."
"Wendy."
"Gajeel."
The woman raised her hand and called out to them.
The three turned around.
They saw the woman standing at the entrance.
"She looks familiar."
"She feels really kind."
"Carla, I feel like I know her."
"You look familiar."
"Do I know you."
The three were confused.
The familiarity felt undeniable.
Thump.
Igneel punched Natsu on the head.
Natsu crouched down, holding his head.
Igneel looked at the woman.
"It has been a long time."
"Anna Heartfilia."
"You're…"
"Igneel, the Fire Dragon King."
Anna was stunned.
Had the dragons not sealed themselves inside the children using the Dragon Soul Technique.
How were they free now.
"Heartfilia."
Natsu suddenly caught onto something.
He looked at Lucy, who was laughing with Levy and Freed.
Lucy's surname was Heartfilia.
"Wait."
"She looks just like Lucy."
Natsu shouted instantly.
Lucy turned around.
She followed Natsu's gaze and saw Anna.
Anna also noticed Lucy.
She smiled gently.
"Hello."
"You must be Layla's daughter."
Lucy immediately stood up.
This was clearly someone her mother knew.
Anna looked at Lucy.
She felt relief seeing her full of life.
"Master Caesar."
"You truly fulfilled our promise."
"I am back."
Caesar suddenly appeared.
He brought Selene and Athena back to Fairy Tail's teleportation point.
But as soon as he arrived, he sensed something unusual.
He looked toward the entrance.
Anna was there.
Anna had followed the five children to an era filled with magic.
After confirming their safety, she left to research how to defeat Acnologia.
To conceal the truth, Caesar claimed Acnologia had already been slain.
That the Black Dragon no longer existed.
Anna likely heard this news and came to verify it herself.
Caesar coughed lightly.
He drew everyone's attention.
"It is not good to just stand around."
"Anna, right."
"Come to the second floor."
"Let us sit and talk."
"Nab, bring some drinks."
"Yes, Master."
Nab smiled and left.
Anna nodded at Caesar.
She followed him upstairs.
Natsu and the others followed.
Only then did everyone notice the two women Caesar had brought back.
Wait.
Why did it feel like this had happened before.
Caesar led Anna to the round booths upstairs.
Selene and Athena stood behind him.
The others quickly filled the seats.
After the drinks arrived, Caesar glanced around.
"Where is Mirajane."
"I do not see her."
"She went back early."
"She said she has been tired lately."
Lucy answered.
Caesar nodded.
They needed to finish this quickly.
Then he could go check on Mirajane.