Once the Guild quieted down, Raizel pointed toward the direction of the underground library and said to Makarov.
"Gramps, Ur, we have something to discuss with you. Let's talk downstairs."
"Let's go." Makarov raised an eyebrow, nodded, then hopped off the counter and led the way.
Ur, after handing Wendy over to Kagura, quickly followed behind.
"Speak."
At this moment, inside the underground library, only Makarov, Ur, Raizel, Erza, and Ultear were present.
Mirajane could have joined them to listen, but since she was injured, she had already taken Elfman and Lisanna back to rest earlier.
After exchanging a glance with Raizel, Ultear spoke first.
"During this Beast King mission, a strange magic appeared in the sky. A vortex suddenly opened up, and within it was a magic circle that swallowed Ferrous Village at the foot of the mountain. I could sense it contained immense Magic Power, and it appeared to be a form of Spatial Magic."
"Raizel said Ferrous Village might have been transferred or absorbed. I lean more towards it being absorbed. Raizel knows Teleportation Magic, but from that magic circle and the magical signature, I didn't sense any resemblance to standard Teleportation."
Makarov frowned deeply. "Spatial Magic? Absorption?"
He hadn't expected something like this—especially an entire village being consumed.
However, he didn't doubt Ultear's speculation; she had read many magic tomes and had a keen sense for Magic Power.
"How exactly did it disappear? Be more specific."
Erza brow furrowed tightly as she spoke with a grave expression. "All the buildings and plants within the village's boundaries vanished instantly, leaving a deep crater in the ground. Fortunately, Lisanna had evacuated the villagers earlier, so there were no casualties."
After hearing Erza's explanation, Makarov nodded thoughtfully before speaking.
"As far as I know, there are many Spatial Magic users in Ishgar, but there is no magic known for devouring or absorbing land on that scale. Even if such magic existed here, it would absolutely be classified as a forbidden art. Of course, such magic might exist in the Western Continent or the more distant Northern Continent, but I wouldn't know about that."
Having lived to his age and held a high position as one of the Ten Wizard Saints, even Makarov had never heard of such magic in Ishgar.
Moreover, from Erza's description, it didn't sound like a spell cast by a single individual, but more like a super-magic phenomenon comparable to Etherion.
Makarov didn't immediately connect it to Edolas.
Although he knew of Edolas as another world, he wasn't particularly familiar with its specific conditions, nor did he know that Edolas had a limited and depleting supply of magic.
Apart from knowing that Porlyusica came from Edolas, he knew nothing else.
Porlyusica didn't like to talk about it, so he respected her privacy.
It wasn't that he wasn't curious, but asking too many questions usually led to getting beaten or chased around with a broom.
He also knew that Mystogan was from Edolas; after all, Mystogan had been introduced by Porlyusica and had immediately informed Makarov of his origins.
Otherwise, Makarov wouldn't have so readily accepted someone who always kept his face hidden.
Makarov would take in orphans, and he would accept those with unclear backgrounds after a proper explanation, guiding those who had lost their way back to the right path.
After all, he had calmly accepted it when Natsu inexplicably found an egg in the forest that hatched into a talking blue cat of all things.
But Mystogan was even more peculiar—always appearing and disappearing mysteriously.
Makarov had only seen him a few times.
He would return to the Guild once in a blue moon, grab a handful of quest flyers, and then vanish again.
Even Makarov didn't know what Mystogan was busy with.
All he really knew was that the number of magic staves strapped to the boy's back seemed to increase over time.
"I've never heard of such magic even in the northern regions," Ur shook her head after some thought.
Raizel looked at Makarov and said, "Gramps, since you mentioned planning to submit a proposal to the Council regarding the quest ratings, let's report this matter together. I think the villagers of Ferrous Village will likely report it themselves, too. With your additional report, I believe the Council will take it more seriously."
"Understood," Makarov nodded with a serious expression.
As they were about to leave the underground library, Makarov suddenly spoke up.
"By the way, how much are the medical expenses for Mira and Elfman? Let me pay for them."
"I already advanced the medical fees. Whether I pay or you pay, it's all the same anyway. Let's not argue about this," Raizel said dismissively before leaving the library with Erza and the others.
It wasn't that the siblings didn't have money, but Raizel had handled the procedures swiftly while they went straight for treatment, with Lisanna following them anxiously.
"Master, don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault," Ur comforted Makarov after Raizel and the others had left.
She didn't look at the slightly trembling old man, giving him space as she quickly exited the library.
She could guess that Makarov was feeling deeply guilty about Mirajane and Lisanna nearly losing their lives.
Though Makarov was short in stature, in Ur's eyes, he had always been a giant.
He loved every Guild member deeply, serving as both an excellent Guild Master and a wonderful head of family.
Ur had felt comfortable allowing her daughter, Ultear, to stay and train here—not just because of Gildarts and Raizel, but because she had felt Makarov's genuine love for his "children."
...
Eastern Forest.
Mirajane needed a full three weeks of recuperation, recovering even slower than Elfman.
Following proposals from multiple Guild Masters, the Magic Council approved the motion for stricter evaluation of Extermination Quests.
The Council also began investigating the disappearance of Ferrous Village.
Raizel asked Makarov to inform him immediately of any updates, as he wanted to use this opportunity to gauge how much the Council actually knew about Edolas.
The moment Mirajane recovered, she came to find Raizel, accompanied by Lisanna.
Actually, she was almost fully healed and didn't really need company, but Lisanna insisted on coming along, so she had no choice.
Elfman wasn't with them.
Having recovered a few days earlier, he had gone with Natsu and Gray to train by the waterfall, claiming he could temper both his will and body simultaneously.
Under Raizel's supervision, Elfman had already attempted a partial Take Over of the Beast King and proved he could use it without losing control.
Erza and Ultear had already taken their respective teams out on missions.
The Beast King incident had left a deep impression on them; from now on, they would be extra cautious when undertaking any quest!
"Lisanna, it's alright. I've arrived safely here arent i. I'd like to speak with Raizel alone. You can head back now."
This time, Lisanna was quite obedient.
After nodding to Raizel, she turned and left.
Raizel pointed to a small folding stool by the lakeside.
The stools were always placed there, as Raizel and Natsu often brought Happy fishing.
The Eastern Forest saw few visitors, and besides, no one in Fairy Tail would bother stealing a couple of small stools.
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