Chapter 223

"The Fire God's Fury!"

Boom—!

Flames erupted; wherever they reached, black fire burned everything, unleashing a terrifying temperature.

In the blink of an eye, Hu Zi was swallowed within them.

A crazed expression surfaced on Zankuro's face.

"Empty bluster. I thought you were so powerful, but in the end you still died beneath my God Flame."

"Hahahahaha!"

"Careful! Zankuro!"

Just as Zankuro laughed wildly, Azuma behind him cried out in alarm.

However, before Zankuro could react.

The searing black flames that had covered the opponent were rapidly receding, being swallowed.

At the same time, Hu Zi's figure appeared once more—and when he reappeared, he was already right in front of Zankuro.

Endless black mist surged forth, darkness exploded, blooming with a terrifying suction force, and then a fist came crashing down.

Everything happened too fast; Zankuro had no time to dodge at all.

"Flame God's Fire God!"

In his panic, black flames surfaced once more, and a ferocious look spread across Zankuro's face.

Since he couldn't dodge, he might as well go head-on!

In terms of pure destructive magical power, Zankuro naturally wasn't the strongest among the Seven Pillar Generals of Purgatory, but there were few who could match him.

Clash head-on against him?

He could only say that person had picked the wrong opponent!

In an instant, flame and darkness collided!

However…

What happened next was not the scene Zankuro had imagined.

The black mist was like a black hole; beneath it, the flames rapidly receded.

The next second, a hand wreathed in black mist had already pierced through Zankuro's heart.

At the same time, a cruel and evil voice rang in his ears.

"Th-this… how is this possible… my flames…"

Zankuro's pupils contracted instantly, and a thick expression of horror spread across his face.

Not only him, but even the other members of the Seven Pillar Generals of Purgatory nearby, Hades included, were stunned by what had suddenly happened.

Unlike ordinary mages, what Zankuro used was not fire magic,

but a "God"-tier flame that transcended even "Dragon"-tier—Lost Magic: God-Slaying Magic!

Its inherent property was that, unless one possessed power several times greater than the caster, it simply could not be blocked.

And now…

Against the opponent's black mist, it was swallowed without the slightest resistance.

From the look of it, the opponent didn't even show a trace of being injured.

"What a shame—your flames are very similar to someone I know, but unfortunately, you're just as weak as he is."

Gazing at Zankuro's despairing expression, Chairman Hu's smile grew ever thicker, and leaning close to Zankuro's despairing gaze, he laughed loudly.

The moment his words fell, his right hand suddenly yanked back; along with a gush of fresh blood, Zankuro collapsed to the ground instantly.

For a moment, the other several Pillar Generals were directly cowed by Hu Zi's brutal methods, not daring to act rashly.

Was Zankuro's strength weak?

No! Absolutely not!

Though he seemed crazed, his formidable might and the special nature of his magic made him second only to Ultear in strength among the Seven Pillar Generals.

But before that man, Zankuro couldn't even last a single exchange; if it were them, they couldn't guarantee they could do any better.

Wiping the fresh blood from his hand, Hu Zi shifted his gaze to Hades and 'Zero' nearby.

"What a pity. I thought he could entertain me a bit, but sadly he disappointed me. I hope you two won't disappoint me."

"Gyahahahahahahahaha—!"

"Hu Zi, what exactly is your purpose?"

Though deeply shocked, Hades still asked in a low, steady voice.

As someone who had roamed the Magic World for decades, Hades naturally possessed the composure befitting him.

If Zankuro died, he died—there were replacements.

But what truly concerned him was Hu Zi's purpose.

He didn't believe a member of an otherworld would attack others without reason, just like the other several otherworld organizations that had appeared before.

Coming to this world, they must have some hidden purpose.

"Gyahahaha… of course it's for 'Zero' that I came. You should know that finding you cost me quite a bit of effort."

'Zero' was also slightly taken aback.

As far as he knew, aside from being ambushed by the Five Elder Stars of the World Government, he didn't seem to have had any contact with other otherworlders.

Could it be that they learned of his existence through the Fapingyi Society?

But even if they knew, he didn't seem to have any grudge with them—so why would they chase him all this way alone?

"Right, not just you, but also that fellow beside you—the second Guild Master of Fairy Tail, Precht!"

"Didn't expect you two to be together. Saves me a second trip."

The moment these words left his mouth, a great storm surged within Hades' heart.

One had to understand that this identity had been buried by him for several decades; even the Seven Kin of Purgatory and the others had never learned of it, so how could the other party know?

"Fairy Tail? The second Guild Master?"

Like a bolt from clear skies, the members of the Seven Kin of Purgatory also stared at Hades in astonishment.

Clearly, they too had never imagined that their own Guild Master would actually be Fairy Tail's second Guild Master!

"Could it be that you are willing to believe the words of your enemy?"

Hades waved his hand, a sharp glint flickering within his aged eyes.

"Ultear, repair the airship, take the others and leave first. Keep an eye on the Heart. The fellow before you is not someone you can handle."

The strength to instantly take out Zancrow meant that even if the opponent's power was at the level of a Wizard Saint, it was still among the top few of the Ten Wizard Saints.

And this was only on the surface; there was no guarantee the opponent wasn't hiding further strength.

"Yes, Guild Master!"

Regardless of whether Hu Zi's words were true or false, judging from the current situation, staying any longer would certainly put their lives in danger.

Moreover, compared to the other party, they would rather trust their own Guild Master.

Therefore, upon hearing Hades' words, Ultear also made her decision after a brief pause.

While using the Arc of Time to restore the magical airship, she gave the order, and all members of the Seven Kin of Purgatory began to retreat.

As for 'Zero' and Bluenote, they remained where they were.

Bluenote's reason for staying was based on wanting to show off a little.

'Zero's' joining had made him feel immense pressure, while 'Zero' himself simply wanted to show off a little.

After all, this was his first battle since joining Grimoire Heart, and by every right he ought to make a move.

However, just as he was preparing to strike, he heard Hu Zi speak mockingly.

"Oh, letting your subordinates flee while you stay behind to cover the retreat? How touching."

"It doesn't matter. My target from beginning to end has only ever been the two of you."