Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

"Could it be that you two really conspired in secret?!"

"Haha! You're such a woman. You still haven't realized what Su Yan meant." At this moment, Siegrain's figure began to blur and gradually merged into Jellal's body.

"An illusion?!" Lucy whispered, covering her mouth in shock.

Erza's pupils shrank, disbelief spreading across her face.

"I was always the same person from the start—so why would I need to collude with myself?"

"How can that be!!"

"What a foolish, pathetic woman. Hugh, Simon—they were all so stupid, too. That's why they fell for my ruse."

Erza roared in fury, "How many people have you deceived up till now?!"

"I don't keep track. Why remember the worthless existences of those who were fooled? They're all just pawns. Erza, you also performed splendidly as a pawn."

"What do you mean by that?!"

"Originally, I intended you to be the vessel for resurrecting Zeref, but Zeref himself hinted that Su Yan would be the vessel—because his body is more suitable. All I needed was to capture you; Su Yan would surely be drawn in. Huh! Even though it wasn't exactly my original plan, it hardly matters.

"Too bad for you, Erza—you were in the dark from beginning to end."

"What?!" Lucy pursed her lips in disbelief. She couldn't fathom how someone could be this evil.

"Jellal!!!"

Erza shouted, then lunged at Jellal to attack.

Suddenly, a snake-like tattoo materialized on Erza's skin and coiled around her body.

"W-What is this?!"

"The Binding Serpent I left on you when I pushed you away earlier. Even though you're just a woman of the forest, you do have some strength. I don't want interference when I fight."

"Ugh! My body...I can't move!"

"Erza, your use has ended. Now, you can die." Jellal pointed a glowing finger at Erza, golden light emanating from it.

"Erza!!" Lucy's face turned pale.

Right then, "Om----!"

A surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Su Yan, striking directly at Jellal.

Jellal's expression changed slightly.

"Boom--!!"

The blast of Su Yan's Haki slammed into Jellal, sending him flying backward and shattering the floor beneath him.

Su Yan spoke coldly, "Who gave you permission to lay a finger on Erza right in front of me?

"At this point, you're still trying to persuade that guy to come to his senses, Erza. You really are a stupid woman."

"Su Yan..." Erza looked up at him.

Immediately, she felt reassured. She had known Su Yan since childhood. Although she didn't spar with him as often as Mira did, she had seen Su Yan's terrifying strength first-hand. If anyone could defeat Jellal, it would be him.

"But Erza might be stupid, yet I'm the only one allowed to say that about her. Who are you?!"

"Om----!"

Another surge of Conqueror's Haki flared from Su Yan as he charged Jellal.

Jellal quickly raised his arms in defense.

"Boom--!!"

The floor beneath Jellal's feet crumbled, and the shockwave shook the area. Part of the ceiling collapsed from the impact.

Jellal's face showed a hint of surprise. "As expected of the 'Undead Demon Emperor,' the one who defeated Jose, a Holy Ten Wizard. You're formidable. But that alone won't make you my equal."

"Meteor!!"

Golden light surrounded Jellal's body. He darted at Su Yan with such speed that, upon approaching, he instantly evaded to appear behind him, landing a palm strike. Then he spun around to knee Su Yan's chin, following up with repeated strikes.

"Su Yan!!" Lucy and Erza looked on in alarm as Su Yan was hammered over and over, seemingly unable to fight back.

Jellal laughed. "Hahaha! Your eyes can't track me! This is the velocity of my Heavenly Body Magic!

"I know about your power—capable of annihilating the Magic Council, no less. But your moves, while strong, are slow. You can't catch me at all! Meanwhile, I can strike freely, and my attack power is higher than yours!"

Hovering in midair, Jellal aimed a gesture at Su Yan.

"Die! Let me show you real destructive magic.

"Face the judgment of the Seven Stars...

"Seven Star Sword!!"

Like the Big Dipper, seven luminous points appeared overhead, and then seven beams of magic rained down upon Su Yan.

"Su Yan!! Dodge!!" Erza yelled.

"Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!!!!"

The seven beams pounded Su Yan's body, making the entire Tower of Heaven quake violently.

Descending with a sneer, Jellal said, "This magic rivals the might of a falling meteor. Even you, the so-called 'immortal—'"

Suddenly, "Crack--!"

A shockwave burst from the center of the explosion, scattering the dust and smoke. Su Yan stood there, unscathed.

"W-What?! Impossible!!" Jellal's eyes went wide, disbelief etched on his face.

Su Yan cracked his neck. "Your massage technique isn't bad. It's been a while since I felt this relaxed—it's just a little bells and whistles."

Lucy and Erza let out relieved sighs at seeing Su Yan unharmed. They'd almost forgotten how overwhelming his defense was, though it was nerve-racking to watch him endure so many attacks.

"What did you say?!" Jellal fumed. One of the Holy Ten Wizards had been compared to a mere masseur.

"Is that...all you've got?" Su Yan asked coolly.