Chapter 158

【"Before me, there was only marriage, and only then could that kingdom be preserved."】

【Next, Irene began her narration.】

【From the background of the era, why she married, all the way to being imprisoned by that general.】

【Even to protect the child in her womb, she went crazy with dragonification.】

【After killing the general, she hid in the deep mountains in the form of a dragon.】

【Until four hundred years later,】

【She met Zeref and successfully returned to human form.】

【But such a change was merely a change in external form.】

【Irene's inner self was still a giant dragon.】

【Because of this, she couldn't sleep, and she couldn't feel the taste of food.】

【This mental torture made Irene fall into madness at all times.】

【Finally, one day, Irene could no longer endure this dragon body.】

【Her already extremely tortured thoughts made her set her sights on the child in her womb.】

【Using attachment magic, she transferred her personality to the child.】

【This way, she could gain a new life!】

【Thus, Irene gave birth to the child who had been sealed in her womb by magic for more than four hundred years.】

【That child was Erza.】

【Just as Irene was about to take action.】

【She couldn't bear to do it no matter what.】

【"Perhaps... it was because you smiled at that time?"】

【Irene's voice was full of self-mockery.】

【"That smile made my heart ache and made me tremble; I discovered that even the most extreme thoughts would become insignificant in front of your smile."】

【"So... for fear that I would really be unable to bear it one day and take action against you, I chose to abandon you in that village."】

【"Before that, I had inquired that the folk customs of that village were very simple, and I thought... you could grow up healthily in that village, but... I didn't expect that you would lose your trace later."】

【"I once thought that you had encountered misfortune."】

【"But, I didn't expect that I would be lucky enough to see your figure again."】

【Inside the conference room of the Spriggan 12, Irene wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.】

【"Until not long ago, because of the sky screen, my body finally returned to normal, but... I know that all this cannot be undone."】

【"Perhaps, only when those extreme thoughts were cured did I know what a wrong decision I had made at the beginning."】

【"And precisely because of this, I have never dared to clarify this matter; it may also be my cowardice."】

【"In short! I don't expect to get your forgiveness, but... if possible, can you let me love you once more? Erza..."】

【"Can you let me love you once more?"】

【Looking at the words in the sky screen image.】

【Erza couldn't help but close her eyes tightly.】

【She didn't know what attitude to use to face the current Irene.】

【The world channel also started a discussion.】

【Bob: "Looking at it this way... it seems I can gradually understand it."】

【Goldman: "Suffering for four hundred years, emotions approaching distortion, it is also understandable, but... no matter what, this is still her own flesh and blood."】

【Ultear: "That's right, no matter what, one shouldn't have the idea of laying a hand on one's own child, right?"】

【Jellal: "You should pay attention to her emotions at that time; emotions tortured for four hundred years, at that time, not being on the verge of madness was already good; I think... this is understandable."】

【"After all... in the end, she didn't lay a hand on Erza, did she?"】

【Hades: "Feeling and love... are really the most torturous things in this world, right?"】

【Mavis: "But, it cannot be denied that love makes this world colorful."】

【"Love makes ordinary people become great! Isn't it?"】

【Zeref: "Love, huh... but, some things are unrequited love; Irene at that time was also the same kind of person as me."】

【"Precisely because of love! She gave up the crazy idea, and while she hadn't wavered, she let her child stay away from her as much as possible; from a certain perspective, this is also a manifestation of love."】

【Ur: "Mother and child... this is really, hemp rope breaks at the thinnest part; I don't know what to say, look at yourselves."】

【"Don't let other people's views decide your future."】

【"Erza, you should decide for yourself."】

【"Decide for myself..."】 【Inside the Fairy Tail guild.】

【Erza supported her forehead with one hand, her back of the hand completely covering her eyes.】

【Her body was trembling.】

【More than twenty years, the maternal love she had never touched appeared before her in such a dramatic way.】

【Should she embrace this love?】

【Or... reject this love?】

【Cana took a light step, stepped forward, and hugged Erza.】

【She could feel Erza's body trembling, and that low sobbing sound.】

【"I don't know what to say... but, Erza, believe me!"】

【"In this world, there are no parents who don't love their children."】

【"Even a playboy like Gildarts is the same."】

【Gildarts, not far away, was stunned, opened his mouth, and really wanted to say that he was no longer a playboy now.】

【But, in the end, he sighed helplessly.】

【Watching the two girls hugging, he didn't interrupt.】

【"I... I... really don't know how to face a mother who suddenly appeared?"】 【Erza's voice choked.】

【Makarov turned his gaze elsewhere.】

【Then he wiped the corners of his eyes.】

【"Really... a poor child..."】

【He couldn't help but sigh softly.】

【After a long while, Erza, leaning in Cana's embrace, raised her head.】

【She had already wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.】

【She took a deep breath, and under everyone's gaze, slowly raised a smile.】

【"Everyone... why are you so heavy?"】

【Erza said with a smile.】

【"Erza... you..."】 【Lucy looked at Erza with some worry.】

【"I'm fine!"】 【Erza pushed Cana away and straightened her body.】

【The keen crowd had already discovered that Erza at this moment seemed to be no longer trembling.】

【"Those... are all in the past, right?"】

【Erza asked softly.】

【Makarov nodded: "From the moment you joined Fairy Tail, everything is in the past."】

【"Yes!"】 【Erza sighed with emotion.】

【She looked at the sky screen again.】

【And spoke softly in the world channel.】

【Erza: "Perhaps, you are actually a sad person too."】

【"I can also understand your feelings; if it were me, maybe I would also choose this way."】

【"So, I don't blame you!"】

【Inside the Alvarez Empire.】

【Irene, who was burying her head and not speaking, suddenly raised her head!】

【Her eyes were full of hope again.】