What Irene did not understand was Erza's current strength.
Ultear had unlocked Erza's Second Origin as well, and her power had grown tremendously over the past three years.
She had not wasted that time.
Erza also carried a special potion personally prepared by Marco using Blood of God.
He had combined divine blood with rare herbs and magical ingredients, turning it into something that could trigger a temporary, explosive increase in strength.
When someone encountered an enemy beyond their normal limits, they could drink the Blood of God potion and immediately unleash several times their usual power.
Even without using it, there was no guarantee that the other members of the Spriggan 12 could defeat Erza.
After drinking it, she could have beaten most of them into the ground.
Irene understood neither her daughter's true abilities nor the full extent of Marco's research.
Over the past few years, Marco had not spent all his time training.
He had conducted numerous experiments, and the divine enhancement potion was only one of his results.
He was also trying to create medicines capable of permanently strengthening the body and extending a person's lifespan.
Ophiuchus specialized in medicine and poison.
The medicines Marco currently produced could cure virtually any illness, while his poisons were potent enough to kill gods.
Naturally, he wanted to make the fullest possible use of something as valuable as Blood of God.
He had researched many different applications, though the temporary enhancement potion remained the most extreme.
Multiplying a person's strength several times in an instant was simply absurd.
Marco had also begun studying his own blood.
His Eighth Sense Golden Blood was extraordinarily powerful. It could evolve Bronze and Silver Cloths until they were nearly comparable to Gold Cloths.
Blood of God was limited.
Marco's own blood was not.
If he could eventually use it to create potions that strengthened people permanently or granted ageless longevity, he thought that would be rather interesting.
At that point, he would practically become a walking source of immortality.
A much more dangerous version of one, admittedly—one who happened to be very good with his fists.
Buzz.
With a thought, Marco sent August and Irene back to the Alvarez Empire, returning them directly to August's residence.
The two pillars of Alvarez stood in familiar surroundings and exchanged a long look.
They had not been gone for very long, yet it felt as though an entire lifetime had passed.
"Let's get to work," August said first, quickly regaining his composure. "We can't disappoint everyone who placed their trust in us."
He had never been particularly interested in the title of emperor.
But if the empire now required him to shoulder that responsibility, he would not avoid it.
"Should we summon everyone?" Irene asked.
Her expression turned cold once more, and she resumed the demeanor of Alvarez's ruthless military pillar.
"What comes next will be brutal. We need to crush every opposing voice. Anyone who rejects the succession or tries to create chaos should be killed immediately."
Irene did not bother dressing her opinion in pleasant language.
This was no time to debate virtue or morality. They first needed to seize the throne securely and eliminate every source of disorder.
"The first one..."
August narrowed his eyes.
He did not disagree. Mercy could come later, once the empire was stable.
"Larcade Dragneel," Irene said, naming the person already on August's mind.
"Exactly. That bastard has always claimed to be Zeref's son."
August's personal resentment slipped into his voice.
He truly despised Larcade!
The man was arrogant, frequently ignored orders, and often failed to attend meetings of the Spriggan 12.
Because he carried the Dragneel surname, Larcade behaved as though he were the empire's rightful prince and inevitable heir.
He respected no one and acted as though ordinary rules did not apply to him.
If August intended to inherit Alvarez, Larcade Dragneel was the first obstacle he needed to remove.
August did not hesitate.
If Zeref had not repeatedly forbidden it, he would have disciplined Larcade years ago.
The man was merely one of Zeref's artificial demons, yet he dared to call himself Zeref's son.
As Zeref's actual son, August's hostility was entirely understandable.
"Then Bloodman will probably oppose us as well," Irene said.
Bloodman was also one of Zeref's demons and had more in common with Larcade than the human members of the Twelve did.
"Not necessarily." August smiled. "Larcade has always considered himself a perfected being far above the other demons. He looks down on Bloodman because he sees demons like him as failed creations. In Larcade's mind, carrying the Dragneel name makes him fundamentally different from the rest."
August knew Larcade too well.
Even though Bloodman was another Etherious, he might not help Larcade if conflict broke out.
Simply refraining from attacking him would probably be the greatest loyalty Larcade could expect from a fellow demon.
"Dimaria and Brandish should support us," Irene said, moving on to their likely allies.
The War Maiden Dimaria Yesta and Brandish, the Nation Destroyer, had always maintained good relations with them.
If fighting began, both would probably stand on their side.
"Jacob will support us too," August added.
Jacob Lessio, the Assassin, had always respected August and had a good personal relationship with him.
"That gives us five for certain."
Irene smiled faintly.
With herself and August, supported by Dimaria, Brandish, and Jacob—and possibly Bloodman, who disliked Larcade as well—the remaining members could not realistically defeat them.
"The others may not oppose us either," August said.
He intended to reveal his true identity.
Being Zeref's biological son, combined with his decades of authority in the empire and his reputation among the Spriggan 12, should be enough to secure considerable support.
"Summon everyone."
Once the decision was made, August stopped hesitating.
Ultimately, the succession would be decided by strength.
He and Irene were the two strongest mages in the Alvarez Empire. That alone gave them the greatest advantage.
The urgent summons was soon sent to every member of the Spriggan 12.
The message implied that something had happened to Zeref.
That was serious enough to draw even the members who rarely attended meetings. Larcade and Neinhart both arrived this time.
...
"Good. Everyone is finally here."
August looked around the assembly hall at the full gathering of the Spriggan 12.
"August, why did you summon us?" Neinhart asked from an elevated seat.
He wore green clothing, with his purple hair tied into a long ponytail.
"What happened to Lord Zeref? What did you mean by the message you sent?"
Neinhart rarely attended meetings, but August's warning had been impossible to ignore.
He had explicitly stated that something had happened to Lord Zeref.
No member of the Spriggan 12 could disregard that.
"Lord Zeref—our emperor—has died."
August gave them the answer without delay.
The entire hall fell silent.
Every face went blank.
Neither August nor Irene found the reaction surprising. They had responded much the same way when Marco first told them.
For most of the Spriggan 12, the idea was simply impossible to accept.
"What nonsense are you talking about, August?"
After a long silence, Invel Yura was the first to speak.
Dressed in blue, with grayish-blue hair and glasses, he stared at August in disbelief.
"This isn't something you can joke about. How could Lord Zeref possibly...?"
Known as the Winter General, Invel served as Zeref's chief strategist and administrator.
He was calm, disciplined, and exceptionally capable at handling political affairs.
Zeref trusted him deeply, and his position was essentially that of the empire's prime minister.
Invel also held August in great respect.
The elderly Magic King, widely recognized as Alvarez's strongest mage, had never tried to seize political authority from him.
Instead, August had always supported Invel and helped him govern the empire.
That was why Invel could not understand why August would say such a thing.
More than anything, he was afraid it might be true.
Invel knew August might have revered Zeref even more deeply than he did. Without undeniable proof, August would never have announced his death.
"August is telling the truth," Irene said.
She stepped forward while the others were still struggling to process the news.
"We have both confirmed it. Lord Zeref, our emperor, has left this world. He was freed from his curse and finally obtained the release he had sought. His death was peaceful."
Her gaze swept over the hall.
"Now we must decide the future of the Alvarez Empire."
The shock only deepened.
August's claim alone had already been nearly impossible to believe.
Now Irene Belserion was confirming it.
These were the twin pillars of Alvarez.
Both had served beside Zeref for many years and had stood with him during the creation of the empire itself.
Invel might officially hold the position of chief administrator, but his authority could not compare with theirs.
August and Irene were not merely officials.
They were the oldest and most powerful foundations upon which the Alvarez Empire had been built.
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