"I see the Ancient Wimpera language holds considerable value. Is Gran Doma really so stingy as to disband your team over mere funding?"
Marco clicked his tongue in amazement while expressing confusion.
Given the abilities Karel had demonstrated, he hardly seemed deserving of dismissal—this invisible capability was fairly impressive.
Moreover, the "Ancient Wimpera language" could be activated simply by vocalization.
These abilities could easily be popularized—for instance, among frontline investigators or Mages requiring stealth operations.
Their practical value remained significant.
Even funding their research would be worthwhile.
Any additional deciphered spell would make it a profitable investment.
If it were up to Marco, he would undoubtedly retain this research team, encouraging them to unravel more "Ancient Wimpera spells" to enrich the linguistic magic arsenal.
"The learning conditions for Ancient Wimpera magic are extremely stringent. Not everyone can wield it, nor do all vocabulary entries possess magical effects. Otherwise, I wouldn't have resorted to using the 'Exchange' spell against you—it would've been better to obliterate you all outright."
Karel mechanically addressed Marco's query.
These "Ancient Wimpera spells" came with various limitations: not just anyone could use them, not every practitioner could "manifest power through speech," and not all terms held magical properties.
Thus, their value fell short of Marco's expectations.
"Is 'Exchange' the only one that can be freely used?"
Marco furrowed his brows.
If that were the case, its value was indeed mediocre.
While the "Exchange" spell appeared potent, its critical flaw was indiscriminate targeting—even the caster could fall victim.
Wasn't that utterly absurd?
"Currently, only 'Exchange' can be activated upon utterance. In total, there are merely four or five vocabulary entries with magical effects."
Karel's answer left Marco deeply disappointed.
He had thought he'd uncovered a treasure trove, but now realized "Ancient Wimpera magic" held little practical utility—no wonder Gran Doma had outright disbanded the team.
Not only was it arduous to learn, but there were also few usable spells, compounded by the prolonged stagnation in deciphering new magic.
With drawbacks piled high, the decision to disband now seemed justifiable.
"Still, that Gran Doma is utterly reckless. you lot still controls the 'Exchange' ability. What if you disregards consequences and publicizes the incantation? Wouldn't that throw the entire world into chaos? Anyone with magical power could use 'Exchange'—disorder would be inevitable."
Marco vented his frustration.
To dismiss such a hazardous individual without precautions—Gran Doma truly had no fear of Karel inciting mayhem!
His negligence was staggering.
"He wasn't aware the spell could be activated so simply."
Karel's explanation left Marco momentarily speechless.
Had Gran Doma failed to thoroughly investigate the magic before disbanding the team? Did he make the decision blindly?
"That doesn't seem surprising. Master Makarov also knows this magic, but he didn't realize it could be activated so simply, nor did he know how to counter it. I imagine Gran Doma was in a similar situation." Mirajane spoke up, expressing her understanding on this point.
This "Ancient Wimpera Language" was simply too obscure.
Even the knowledgeable Makarov wasn't very familiar with it, so it was completely normal for Gran Doma not to understand.
Probably only specialists studying this field would comprehend it, making such oversights unsurprising.
"That's true. But this works in our favor - we don't need to worry about its dangers anymore since barely anyone understands it."
Marco nodded in agreement with Mirajane's words.
The obscurity of the "Ancient Wimpera Language" actually reduced its threat level.
The handful of people who had mastered it had all been captured in this operation.
As for the limited research materials related to it, they were either kept by the "Magic Council" or at "Fairy Tail" - neither being resources accessible to ordinary people.
Actually, the research materials from both sides weren't shared. "Fairy Tail" possessed research notes left by previous generations, which might be more detailed than those held by the "Magic Council," though they had gone largely unnoticed until now.
"Wrap it up!"
After the interrogation concluded, Marco signaled for Karel to follow them back to the guild.
...
"I thought this matter would be quite troublesome, but unexpectedly, it was resolved so easily."
On their way back, Mirajane quietly remarked to Marco.
"Not surprising. If they were truly powerful, they wouldn't resort to such underhanded tricks. Rats in the gutter can never show their faces - once exposed, their end is near."
Marco offered a brief assessment, speaking with the ease of a victor.
Now that these people had been captured, Marco planned to directly imprison them in Magnolia's local jail. As the "Duke of Rose," he certainly had the authority to do so.
Had Jelal's incident not been so massive, he could have been imprisoned in Magnolia's jail as well.
But that was impossible now - the "Magic Council" wouldn't release him, insisting on keeping him in their own prison for security.
Pushing open the guild's heavy oak door, warm yellow light and noisy chatter immediately washed over them.
When Marco and Mirajane returned to "Fairy Tail" with Karel, the other capture teams had already returned.
The main hall was brightly lit and bustling with activity.
"Looks like no one ran into problems."
Marco smiled as he scanned the gathered guild members.
Seeing everyone somewhat tired yet spirited, satisfaction showed in his eyes - this operation had been quite successful.
In the temporarily cleared space in the backyard, a group of people were tightly bound together, dumped there like goods awaiting processing.
These were all Karel's accomplices captured by everyone.
"Marco, are these the guys?" Natsu asked, his face showing clear dissatisfaction - he clearly hadn't had enough action.
These guys were too weak, too easily defeated and captured after just a few moves.
"That's right. It's confirmed - these are the ones causing trouble." Marco smiled and nodded, then extended his hand to point at Karel.
"This guy is the mastermind—he's the one who brought that commission request in."
Pointing at Karel, Marco explained how the guy had pulled it off, leaving everyone astonished.
This stealth ability was truly remarkable, and its effectiveness was nothing to scoff at.
In combat, maintaining such stealth would offer a significant advantage.
Even if enemies could sense someone's presence, there was a vast difference between merely detecting someone and actually seeing them.
In battle, the slightest discrepancy could be perilous, enough to sway the final outcome.
"Is this Ancient Wimpera language difficult to learn?" Gray asked curiously, feeling a stir of interest. If he could master it, his tactical options would expand considerably.
"It's very difficult."
Levy adjusted her glasses and replied with absolute certainty.
If even she claimed it was hard, it must truly be challenging.
"And to use these higher-level Ancient Wimpera spells, you also need to master the corresponding magical formulas and mana circulation pathways."
Karel added a note, explaining that just like "Script Magic" isn't merely about writing characters to cast spells—one must understand the appropriate formulas aligned with these magics.
The same principle applies to Painting Magic; magic isn't that straightforward.
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