"Too lenient, declaring an incident of otherworldly invasion resolved just like that?"
"Magic Power hasn't completely disappeared, the Magic Device remains intact, and the main culprits are left to Edolas to deal with."
"Indeed, it's too hasty. What if their elected King is overthrown? What if they launch another attack on Aslan?"
"If we're to act, we should act decisively, cutting off any possibility of them invading Aslan again."
"Looking at these mountains of introspective letters, it's clear that if it weren't for the Guild's laxity, so many issues wouldn't have remained."
In the Freshman Council, the newly appointed presiding officer and eight new Evaluators sat around a long table.
On the table were Fairy Tail's recent months' introspective letters and civilian complaint letters, the investigation report Lahar brought back, a set of magic equipment Rhode sent them, and a newspaper.
The Evaluators were heatedly debating the mysterious disappearance and sudden reappearance of Magnolia.
This incident had hit the news. As an institution responsible for maintaining Magic Realm order across the continent, they had to give an explanation to all countries, especially Fiore.
This explanation couldn't just be a simple account of the causes, processes, and results.
They needed to inform the public whether such an incident would happen again and how to respond if it did.
Currently, their biggest headache was ensuring there wouldn't be another Anima incident.
While Fairy Tail can rely on their trust in Mystogan for assurance, the Council cannot.
People often consider problems from their own perspective, so naturally, the Evaluators increasingly believed Fairy Tail acted irresponsibly.
They didn't fully handle the situation from start to finish.
How can such a major issue be settled with just a verbal guarantee from someone?
Org, who had been silent for quite a while, couldn't help but speak as their criticisms of Fairy Tail grew sharper: "I understand your sentiments, but please objectively and fairly view this matter."
The person opposite Org questioned, "'Objective and fair'? Mr. Org, are you defending Fairy Tail?"
"No, I just think that under such sudden circumstances, Fairy Tail did their utmost to ensure the safety of every resident of the city and brought back a wealth of information on Edolas. They've done quite enough.
"As for what you criticize as not handling the situation cleanly... esteemed members, that should've been the responsibility of our Council, not the Guild."
Org patted the copies of Lahar's report and pointed to the magic equipment Rhode donated, indicating that without Fairy Tail, they would still know nothing about Edolas.
The meeting room fell into silence for a moment, as they realized their fault.
Moreover, not just this time, even in the last Nirvana incident, the Council's team arrived late.
Counting it up, the Freshman Council, which was just getting started, already owes Fairy Tail two favors.
If not for those introspective letters and complaint letters on the table to bolster their criticisms of Fairy Tail, they might not have had the face to mention them at all.
Seeing everyone fall silent again, Org brought up an apparently unrelated topic: "Jura has nominated Rhode to fill an empty spot in the Ten Wizard Saints, what are your thoughts?"
A person with an afro immediately opposed it: "It's too hasty, and he's from such a dangerous Guild."
"Right, his achievements... I mean, reputation... no, conduct... I meant capabilities..."
Their words faltered.
Regarding achievements, Rhode had been involved in subjugating the dangerous Demon Canopus, sealing Lalabai, destroying the Tower of Paradise, and Nirvana, and even contributed to the matters on the table.
Previously, his tasks had been uniformly praised by the old Council.
In terms of reputation, though much is attributed to his fiancée, his fame is certainly high enough.
Character-wise, at a place like Fairy Tail, he could be considered one of the few 'reliable' talents untouched by the environment.
As for shortcomings, it's only that he's too young and hasn't adequately showcased his abilities, but with Jura's endorsement, this likely isn't an issue either.
For a time, it was also difficult for the other Evaluators to voice opposition.
Finally, the presiding officer Gelan Domma made the decision: "Since it's like this, the nomination stands. After a while, have him come to the Council for a Magic Power test. As long as he passes, he'll be granted the Ten Wizard Saints title."
"Let's now address the urgent issues on hand."
The discussions heated up again.
From the Council's perspective, Fairy Tail's handling certainly had issues.
But the Council should still be grateful to them. If there are dissatisfactions, they should figure out how to establish diplomacy with Edolas themselves.
Whether it becomes a matter of friendship, war, or sanctions, should be determined by them and the kingdoms on the Ishujal Continent.
Technically, the Western and Northern Continents also have a say, but the relations among the continents aren't great, and the Council can't control them.
...
Rhode tasted the sugarcane.
The President had gone to visit Granny Porlyusica in the morning and brought back half a piece.
Based on the uneven break in the middle and some tooth marks on one section, Rhode deduced it had been broken rather than cut.
"President, are you okay?" Rhode showed a hint of concern for the old man.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Makarov wanted to touch his forehead but forcibly resisted the urge, hands behind his back as he walked away, "Eat slowly, it's expensive."
"...." Rhode stifled a laugh, knowing full well it was indeed expensive since he had bought it himself.
"What's wrong? Are you that thrilled to eat sugarcane?" Mira didn't recall Rhode being fond of sugarcane.
Once a bit farther away, Rhode whispered in Mira's ear, "No, I think I might've set the President up, yesterday..."
Mira burst into laughter; indeed, Rhode was the chief culprit, but somehow, it couldn't be entirely his fault.
Rhode snapped a piece of sugarcane, peeled it, and tossed it to Warm.
Warm chewed on it a few times, tasted its sweetness, then decisively swallowed it, waddling its round, plump body as it continued to seek more from Rhode.
Rhode sighed, "You're supposed to spit out the fiber..."
"Huh?" Warm didn't understand; how could something edible be spat out when it wasn't poisonous?
Fine, just consider it a dietary fiber supplement.
"Warm, move aside a bit." Gray patted Warm's fluffy backside behind him.
The little one was blocking his task-posting.
Warm obediently shuffled aside.
Gray stepped forward to lay down a task sheet: "This task, by the way, isn't Warm growing a bit too fast?"
"I don't know either, maybe it's because everyone's feeding it too much."
If things continued like this, they might not let Warm freely roam inside the pub any longer, and instead toss it into the backyard for rearing.