User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 444: Emperor Spriggan, Review./@comment-24039250-20150713155605

All Hail Zeref!! All Hail Zeref!!

Makes sense that Zeref is the current Emperor. The one that was Emperor 10 years ago was likely a different person and Zeref had only recently (during the 7 year skip) became the next Emperor. Remember he has been gone for a year so he was wondering with the Book of End for a year proclaiming a Declaration of War to Acnologia. Remember that Zeref was on Tenrou 8 years ago and at that point was cut off from society so he wasn't the same person that tried to get Lumen last time. Since Zeref is the Emperor and he knows who's in Fairy Tail, he probably made it clear to the guilds to NOT attack Fairy Tail which is why they haven't attacked Fiore and Fairy Tail in those many years.

How the Decision to not Invade Fiore Came forth:
 * Guilds of Albareth: "Let's get Fairy Tail. YEAH!!!"
 * Emperor Zeref: "No you not!"
 * Guilds: "WHAT!?! Why?
 * Emperor Zeref: "My bro is in the guild, so.....yeah you guys aren't doing shit....at least not until the plot allows it!"