Su Yan slowly approached Michelo and the other magic judges, his presence exuding an overwhelming sense of dread.
Terrified, Michelo scrambled backward, screaming, "Protect me! I'm a councilor! You must protect me!"
"Protect us!"
"Shield the judges!"
The remaining soldiers of the Ancient Knights moved to form a barrier in front of the judges.
"Attack him!"
The knights unleashed another round of magic toward Su Yan.
Su Yan moved his fingers slightly, and a massive, spectral bell formed around him, shimmering with the power of his Conqueror's Haki. It encased him completely, like an impenetrable golden shield.
The knights' magic struck the bell but fizzled out harmlessly, unable to penetrate its defense.
Seeing Su Yan getting closer, the captain of the Ancient Knights shouted, "Use the magic shield, now!"
The knights quickly gathered, channeling their energy to form a massive combined magic shield.
Su Yan smirked. "You think this will stop me?"
He clenched his fist and punched the shield.
"Boom----!!"
The shield shattered instantly, and the force of the impact sent the knights flying backward, screaming as they crashed into walls and collapsed to the ground.
Only the trembling magic judges remained, cowering behind the broken remnants of their protection.
"Don't come any closer!" Michelo screamed, crawling backward on all fours, his voice shrill with terror.
Og tried to compose himself and said, "Su Yan! You've already committed a grave offense! Don't make things worse!"
Su Yan chuckled, his laughter cold and cutting. "Offense? What offense? Didn't you just sentence Fairy Tail to disbandment? By your own ruling, Fairy Tail is now a Dark Guild. And isn't it perfectly reasonable for a member of a Dark Guild to attack the Magic Council?"
The judges paled at his twisted logic. As absurd as it sounded, they couldn't refute it.
One judge stammered, "Th-The disbandment of Fairy Tail is… negotiable…"
"Negotiable?" Su Yan sneered. "Why negotiate? Wouldn't it be simpler to wipe all of you out?"
"You let Phantom Lord destroy our guild and did nothing. But the moment I retaliate, you're all too eager to jump in and pass judgment. Makes me wonder… did Phantom Lord pay you off?"
"That's nonsense!" one judge exclaimed, his face turning red.
Su Yan smirked. "Nonsense? Maybe. But what are you going to do about it? You're nothing but a group of weaklings pretending to wield power."
His voice turned icy. "Over the years, I've destroyed more Dark Guilds than your entire Council has even acknowledged. And now, you dare sentence me? Sentence Fairy Tail?"
Su Yan raised his hand, and the ground trembled beneath him. A massive spectral sword formed above his head, radiating terrifying power.
"Let me show you how little your 'justice' matters."
The sword's overwhelming energy caused everyone present to tremble. The judges, knights, and even the remaining mages felt the breath of death closing in.
"No! Don't do it!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice boomed from the distance.
"Stinky brat! Stop this instant!!!"
Su Yan paused and turned. "Master?"
It was Makarov, standing not far away, his face a mixture of exasperation and stern authority.
"Makarov!!"
The judges, who had moments ago been trembling with fear, now looked at him like a savior.
"Makarov, thank goodness you're here!"
"Please, control your guild member!"
Makarov sighed and jumped onto Su Yan's back, smacking him hard on the head.
"Ow!" Su Yan exclaimed. "Master, why are you hitting me?"
"You little idiot!" Makarov snapped, shaking out his hand. "I told you to stop, didn't I? And now my hand hurts from hitting your rock-hard head!"
"Master, I was just about to make the Magic Council disappear," Su Yan said with an innocent expression.
Makarov groaned. "And what brilliant reasoning led you to think that was a good idea?"
Su Yan shrugged. "They sentenced me to eight years in prison, you to one year, and disbanded Fairy Tail."
"What?!" Makarov's expression darkened, his jovial demeanor replaced by a sharp intensity.
"Disband Fairy Tail?" His voice turned cold, his gaze locking onto the trembling judges.
"Everyone," Makarov said with a dangerous calm, "this is a bit much, don't you think?"
The judges began to stammer excuses, their fear now divided between Su Yan's raw power and Makarov's righteous fury.