Summoner of the Fairy Tail - Chapter 271
“First of all, allow me to apologize for the incident two days ago involving the attack on Miss Lucy. Of course, I had no intention of causing harm; it was a rash decision made out of urgency to quickly test our plan using the power of a Celestial Spirit Mage. I misjudged the situation.”
“It was you!?” Natsu shouted angrily but was quickly restrained by Calvin again.
“Let him finish. I’m curious to hear what kind of plan made him dare to target one of our own! Sir Knight, let me be clear: if your reasons aren’t convincing, I can’t guarantee you’ll leave here unharmed,” Calvin said lightly, but the chilling tone in his words made everyone shudder.
However, Arcadios remained calm, his face showing a deliberately crafted look of guilt as he continued slowly.
“This plan is called the Eclipse Project.”
“For the past seven years, the Grand Magic Games have been held to gather magic power. We have been building a gate, and it requires an enormous amount of magic to complete.”
“This gate, the Eclipse Gate, can change the world. On July 7th, when the sun and moon align, we will use the twelve Celestial Spirit Keys to open it. It will allow us to travel 400 years into the past to defeat Zeref before he becomes immortal. That is the Eclipse Project!”
Arcadios’s heavy words left everyone stunned. The plan sounded outlandish yet strangely plausible, leaving them at a loss for how to respond.
Only Calvin furrowed his brows, deep in thought. In truth, this was a performance; he had already prepared his arguments for rejecting the Eclipse Project.
Yukino added, “Miss Lucy, you should know that time flows differently in the Celestial Spirit World. We plan to use this unique time stream, combined with the power of a Celestial Spirit Mage, to open the Eclipse Gate and travel through time.”
Hearing this, Lucy remembered how, during her training, one day in the Celestial Spirit World had equaled almost three months outside. This made the plan seem even more feasible.
Having experienced the Tenrou Island incident, they were all wary of Acnologia and Zeref. Given the chance to eliminate them, they were willing to consider it.
Seeing the group’s growing interest, Arcadios pressed on, “Initially, we aimed to use a mage similar to a Celestial Spirit Mage, but with the real deal and the twelve Zodiac Keys, the success rate would be even higher—no, it would be essential.”
“Therefore, we need your power, Miss Lucy! To defeat Zeref and Acnologia!” Arcadios sincerely requested Lucy’s help.
Lucy, unaccustomed to making such weighty decisions, hesitated. Agreeing to this plan could change the world, for better or worse, and she would ultimately bear the responsibility.
Just as she struggled with the decision, a hand rested on her shoulder. She turned to see Calvin.
“There’s no need to say more. Lucy will not participate in such a ridiculous plan. You can leave now,” Calvin declared firmly.
Arcadios’s brow furrowed deeply in displeasure. “Lord Calvin, please don’t speak so recklessly. The decision is for Miss Lucy to make, not you. And don’t call this great plan ridiculous!”
Calvin scoffed, raising three fingers as he coldly spoke.
“I have three reasons for rejecting your plan.”
“First, you claim that Acnologia was created by Zeref, but that’s merely a subjective guess. You base this on the fact that Acnologia is the only known case of a human transforming into a dragon. However, it’s possible that Acnologia was simply the first to master Dragon Slayer Magic to the point of transforming into a dragon.”
“As we just heard from Kirckinis, Acnologia became the Dragon King through countless acts of slaughter. Even before turning into a dragon, he was already bloodthirsty, having hunted and killed many dragons. It’s also possible that he wiped out all other Dragon Slayers, leaving him as the only one who transformed.”
Calvin explained fluently; while Arcadios’s face grew darker, his anger was barely contained. “That’s just your speculation, Calvin!”
“And what you said was also speculation, wasn’t it? Unless you can provide concrete evidence linking Acnologia and Zeref, we can’t change history based on unverified theories.”
“In fact, I have another theory. Why haven’t these two notorious figures appeared for centuries, aside from the Tenrou Island incident? Could it be that they’re wary of each other and are avoiding conflict? If you kill Zeref but Acnologia remains, who will stop that terrible black dragon?”
“Second, even if you travel to the past, can you really defeat Zeref?”
“Historical records emphasize Zeref’s evil deeds, but there is little information about his birth, childhood, or other key details about his early life.”
“You say you plan to go back 400 years, but that’s too broad. You have no way of knowing where Zeref was or what he was doing at that time.”
“You might not be able to find Zeref, or by the time you do, he could already be immortal. Even if you find him before that, who’s to say you can defeat him?”
Arcadios opened his mouth to speak but was unable to find the words.
Calvin continued, not caring about Arcadios’s internal struggle.
“Third, after opening the Eclipse Gate, who do you plan to send through? Ordinary mages definitely can’t defeat Zeref, so you’ll have to rely on top-tier mages like us. But then, what happens afterward?”
“If you succeed, how do you return? Will the Eclipse Gate remain open the entire time? Don’t forget, 400 years ago, the sky was ruled by dragons. That era was full of danger. If we can travel through the Eclipse Gate, so can the dragons. Have you considered that possibility?”
“Those three reasons are enough for me to reject this plan on Lucy’s behalf, Arcadios. Unless you can provide convincing answers to those points, I advise you to abandon the idea of opening the Eclipse Gate.”
“One more thing, you already have ulterior motives. Earlier, you planned to take us to the Eclipse Gate. Since you’ve been absorbing magic from the Grand Magic Games participants, I highly suspect that once we’re there, we won’t be able to use magic. If we oppose you, you might use force to make us comply!”
At this, everyone’s expressions changed drastically, including Arcadios, who froze in place.
He had considered that possibility but hadn’t expected Calvin to see through it so quickly.
Calvin’s series of well-reasoned points left Arcadios speechless. He wanted to argue back but couldn’t find the words.
This plan had been kept secret for seven years, and no one had ever raised these issues. Everyone had been too focused on the glory of defeating Zeref to think about the potential risks.
After hearing Calvin’s blunt reasoning, Arcadios broke into a cold sweat. Any one of those reasons could lead to disastrous consequences.
Even Yukino, determined to defeat Zeref, looked discouraged and lost.
“You’re right, Lord Calvin. We didn’t think this through. I apologize. We’ll take our leave,” Arcadios sighed and, with a dispirited Yukino, walked away. Their retreat carried the heavy weight of a dream crushed just before it could be realized.
After they left, Calvin sighed softly. If he hadn’t learned about the future from Lucy’s future self, he might have been swayed by the plan.
Although his reasons had seemed solid, he had spent the previous day picking apart the plan to find those flaws. His friends’ admiring gazes didn’t go unnoticed, making him feel a little self-conscious.
“Wow, Calvin, you’re amazing! You picked up on so many flaws so quickly,” Wendy said, unable to contain her admiration. The others agreed.
Calvin shook his head. He had already sent Arcadios away, and now the priority was to protect Lucy so she wouldn’t be captured. Once July 7th passed, everything would be over.
“Let’s go. There’s nothing left to see here. That guy hasn’t given up yet. Keep a close watch on Lucy. Who knows what the kingdom might try next,” Calvin instructed as they left, though he was inwardly anxious.
Just moments ago, he had sensed Jellal’s magic outside the venue. Jellal had come to find him, and unless it were urgent, he wouldn’t risk coming to Crocus.
“I hope it’s nothing serious…”
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