In this chapter Team Natsu finally encounters Mercuphobia. Kyria prepares to attack him but is teleported by someone called Skarion. Their bodies disappeared in ash. The team figures that it was likely some sort of Ash magic that is used to “move from one place to the other.” Regardless, Mercuphobia asks Natsu if he “came to slay him.” Natsu surprisingly doesn’t appear to be eager for a fight. He responds, “not exactly.” Natsu admits that they are here to seal him but isn’t sure that they’re going to if he’s a “good guy.”
Team Natsu feels a sense of relief. They are under the impression that they won’rt have to “seal,” him now. However, Mercuphobia tells them that they “must seal him.” He decides that team Natsu are now his guest. He brings them to his palace, where he shows them his “underwater farm,” “medical facility,” and “watch tower.” Everyone feels that the water god is “good.” He tells them that he actually has “killed many humans in the past.” He had a change of heart over the years.
Mercuphobia informs them that he can “no longer control his powers.” He believes he must be killed to prevent his powers from effecting other cities. Before he dies he must do something. It’s not elaborated on before we see Kyria and her group. We are introduced to Mage Guild Diabolos Corpse Dragon Skarion Raider who suggests that Mercuphobia is a “false” water god. The water god’s interaction with team Natsu was surprising. Now that he’s change it became more difficult to see him evil.
The I was evil until this special person changed me has been done many time before. I don’t particular hate the trope but it’s a common one. That said he wouldn’t be as complicated without this change. If Mercuphobia isn’t evil anymore then some else must become the conflict. That remains to be seen as we find out what the water god must do. However, all this change seems to be fake or according to Skarion, the water god is. That appears to be a waste of a character but we shall see what he meant.
