Destroying two small mountains in a battle is not a big deal, especially compared to the achievement of defeating a demon.
The Advisory Council's extensive mobilization this time wasn't due to the destruction caused by Fairy Tail but purely because of that demon.
It was a demon from Jellal's Book.
The name Jellal often touches the Advisory Council's sensitive nerve.
Because the Advisory Council knows that the Black Magic Sects' pursuit of 'resurrecting Jellal' and 'awakening Jellal' is not just empty talk, but something that is genuinely possible.
More than seven years ago, the Advisory Council also eradicated seven towers built by the Black Magic Sect to resurrect Jellal.
Besides, they possess many secrets related to Jellal and understand the disaster the world would face if Jellal 'resurrected'.
The awakening of the demon known as Canopus, combined with the recent increased activity of the Black Magic Sects and Dark Guilds, all give the Advisory Council an unusual feeling.
The evaluators are worried about this.
Previously, because they were unwilling to use black magic to awaken the demon, the investigation stalled. Now that it's already happened, they need to gather more information.
In a way, they owe Fairy Tail a favor.
However, some evaluators detest the trouble-causing Guild and would never acknowledge this.
Nevertheless, the final judgement was barely fair.
The Advisory Council thanked Fairy Tail for their contribution but also warned them not to intrude into the Council's prohibited areas again.
Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, information about the demon must not be disclosed to others.
This event was publicly declared as the elimination of an S-Class adult Unicorn Demon Beast, resembling Gorzan, which also used Earth Element magic.
As compensation, the Advisory Council will pay 6 million J, equivalent to the reward for an S-Class Task.
The lowest tier S-Class Task is about this sum.
Additionally, the Advisory Council acknowledges their insufficient power in the Fiore Kingdom branch and promises to continue strengthening it post-incident.
Regarding the tragedies in the two small towns, they will offer consolation and try to pay more attention in the future.
Overall, it involved a bit of praise, a bit of criticism, a warning, and some self-reflection.
It seems they didn't entirely evade responsibility.
After the meeting, the figures of the evaluators faded one by one, with Zikrein staying until the end and giving Erza a warning glance.
In fact, he wanted to have a private chat with Erza but unfortunately didn't have the opportunity.
However, because he stayed a moment longer, Wendy, who hadn't dared to look up much, noticed his appearance.
Wendy seemed a bit excited, shouting at Zikrein, "Jellal!"
Zikrein and Erza were startled, displaying shocked expressions.
Erza hurriedly asked, "Wendy, where did you hear that name?"
Zikrein's figure vanished from the platform and instantly appeared before Wendy: "I want to know too."
Erza shielded Wendy: "Don't come too close!"
"I'm just a Thought Body, nothing to be tense about." Zikrein spread his hands to indicate he could do nothing but didn't approach further, "Can you tell me where you heard that name?"
Erza was ready to draw her sword.
Currently, Jellal is an unknown figure, leaving others puzzled.
Nevertheless, they stand by Erza, no matter what.
Rhode even quietly asked, "President, is there any magic that can strike a Thought Body directly?"
Makarov gave him a look and lightly shook his head.
It's truly worthy, mages from our Guild, usually so cautious, are now so eager to attack an evaluator.
Wendy didn't know why things suddenly became so tense, but since both Erza and 'Jellal' were asking, she had to tell the truth.
"About seven years ago, I got lost, and Jellal helped me. We traveled together for a month.
But suddenly he had some urgent matter to attend to, so he entrusted me to the Cat Transformation Inn, and I've been looking for him ever since."
"Unfortunately, you've mistaken me for someone else. I am not the Jellal you are looking for. My name is Zikrein, and I am one of the ten evaluators."
Carla asked, "Since Wendy mistook you for that Jellal, there must be some relation, right?"
"Though I'd rather not be connected to him, he and I are twin brothers."
"Then…"
"No need to ask, I can't tell you where he is either." Zikrein looked at Erza and said, "However, the Jellal you are looking for is probably not the one I know. With that, goodbye."
Zikrein seriously pondered; he absolutely did not know Wendy.
And seven years ago, Jellal was extremely busy, impossible for him to go on a month-long journey suddenly.
He needed to investigate whether someone was masquerading as Jellal outside…
But it made no sense, Jellal is a nobody, what's there to impersonate?
Wendy appeared very aggrieved: "Miss Erza, do you know Jellal?"
Erza hesitated a bit but still said, "The Jellal you are looking for shouldn't be the one I know. That person couldn't have been near the Cat Transformation Inn seven years ago."
She recalled the last time she saw Jellal, the grotesque and frenzied look on his face…
How could such a Jellal have taken care of Wendy for a month?
...
Everyone was asked to leave the Advisory Council but didn't go far.
Because Wendy was downcast, everyone wanted to chat with her more.
Natsu asked, "Wendy and Carla, did those guys call you right after you returned to the Guild?"
Carla said, "We were approached a day after we rested."
Though we didn't rest well.
After the tension in the Judgment Court, Wendy now appeared preoccupied again.
"Carla, should we take this opportunity to visit Fairy Tail?"
Before Carla could respond, Wendy covered her ears and said loudly: "I don't want to go!"
Wendy recalled what the President said to her last time, now she understood why the President wished for her to leave the Cat Transformation Inn.
But she didn't want to leave.
Fairy Tail members are all good people, but Wendy is reluctant to leave the Cat Transformation Inn.
"Wendy?"
Several people were puzzled, not understanding why she reacted so strongly.
"Sorry, everyone, I just… um…" Wendy didn't know how to explain.
"Did those old men scare you? And those stinky frogs? I'll help you beat them up right now!"
Natsu made a motion of rolling up his sleeves and took big steps toward returning to the Advisory Council, although he had no sleeves.
The Frog People at the entrance were extremely nervous. Is Fairy Tail this brazen?
Rhode grabbed Natsu by the back collar: "Stop it, do you really want to go back after just getting out?"
Erza squatted down and asked gently: "Did we do something wrong?"
"Not because of that." Carla said, "We've just been out too long, we want to go back to the Guild soon and rest more."
That's definitely not the reason, but there was no way to ask more for now.
Rhode thought about visiting the Cat Transformation Inn to see Wendy sometime later, and shamelessly getting a gift from Granny Porlyusica.