User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 497: The Winter Mage, Review./@comment-84.197.239.101-20160809142159

Interesting to see Irene apparently wants Erza dead. Perhaps Irene once wanted to dispose of Erza for whatever reason (disappointment, envy, could be anything) and left her behind in Rosemary, knowing full well she would become a victim to the cult worshipping her emperor. Maybe she never assumed the girl would actually survive the ordeal.

Invel's powers are quite something, as far as magic goes he's certainly above Gray. However, Gray has plot armor, nakama power and the ability to eat ice, so he'll turn the tables.

Would've liked to see Natsu vs Invel. Heat vs Cold, Fire vs Ice. Then Invel would suddenly realize Natsu is related to Zeref and subsequently reveal who E.N.D. in front of the entire FT guild. It might still happen, but I'm afraid we'll stick to Gray vs Invel, although I still hope the fights gets crashed by either Gildarts or Makarov.