Two weeks after the war, the Council's final resolution regarding the war between the two major guilds in Fiore Kingdom was finally determined.
Inside the Council.
Zorn and the Master attended together, as Zorn possessed ample evidence proving Master Jose's initiation of the war and his collusion with a Dark Guild, among other charges.
Therefore, this was not a trial meeting, but a regular meeting of the Ten Wizard Saints and the Council members, where they merely announced the investigation and its findings.
Announcement: "1. Jose Bora is stripped of his Ten Wizard Saints title, and Phantom Lord Guild is disbanded."
"2. Fairy Tail is innocent."
"3. All losses shall be compensated by Phantom Lord Guild's remaining assets."
After the meeting concluded, Zorn and Makarov had just reached the Council's main entrance when they were stopped by Yajima, one of the Council members and a close friend of the Master. Zorn nodded to the elder in greeting, then walked a distance away, leaving space for the two old friends.
"Yajima, I truly have to thank you this time. You spoke many good words for our Fairy Tail. When the guild is rebuilt, I'll invite you to visit us."
"Given our relationship, there's no need to say anything."
"When you come, I'll treat you to ramen with a full twelve slices of chashu. How's that, luxurious, right?"
Makarov understood then that Yajima must have put in a lot of effort in this matter, and he felt immensely grateful. Offering a luxurious chashu ramen was the best way to express their friendship.
"That does sound luxurious, but Makarov, don't act recklessly anymore."
"Hmm?"
"We're no longer young. You haven't forgotten about Rob, have you?"
"Yes, that's right, Rob, back then..."
"You and I, Ruboshika, Rob, when we were young, we were truly wild, but also truly Happy."
"Indeed, very Happy."
Makarov was also stirred by memories, recalling their Happy times back then. Yajima continued, "Recently, there have been many people with opinions about your Fairy Tail, some even wanting to disband your guild. Makarov, you should find an opportunity to retire soon."
"The next generation has fully grown up, haven't they?"
After Yajima finished speaking, Makarov fell into deep thought. He looked at Zorn, who was waiting for him in the distance, and Laxus, who was currently relaxing at the guild, as well as Gildarts, who was on a mission in an unknown mountain range, and so on.
He couldn't help but lament that he was truly old.
...
Under Everyone's efforts, the guild began to take shape, and the town's repairs were also nearing completion, with residents gradually moving back.
Normal guild mission postings officially began at a temporary stall, not delaying anyone from taking on missions.
"Laxus, let's fight!" Ever since Laxus returned, Natsu had been pestering him for a duel, but Laxus always found various excuses to refuse, which made Natsu explode in anger and furiously attack Laxus on the spot.
He made the guild a noisy mess, but he was always knocked out by a single punch from Laxus, never winning once.
Laxus would also laugh happily at these times, seemingly enjoying the process immensely.
Lucy sat on the temporary bar counter, watching Natsu's boisterous behavior, and sighed helplessly.
"Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Happy, how about we team up for a mission?" Erza walked into the temporary guild hall and loudly invited them to join her team.
This was the guild's strongest team, officially formed here. Lucy was very Happy to join this team, but what she didn't know was that three of the members in this team were notorious destroyers within the guild; they'd be lucky if they didn't have to pay out of pocket after completing a mission.
Zorn watched this scene happily from the side, taking the opportunity to photograph it as evidence.
Of course, Natsu was still on the ground, unable to get up, and this scene was also photographed and stored in Zorn's photo album.
After the strongest team completed their mission, night quickly fell.
Master Makarov sat on the nearly completed building, sipping wine, contemplating the matter of retirement that Yajima had mentioned to him a few days ago.
Immediately, Zorn, Laxus, and Erza came to his mind. The other candidates were directly excluded by the Master: Mystogan was not good at expressing himself, Gildarts was often not present at the guild, Ur had clearly stated her intention to retire with Ultear after her affairs were settled, and Mirajane currently had no desire to be Master.
These three candidates each had their strengths, making it very difficult for the Master to choose.
Of course, after this evening, the destruction caused by Erza leading Natsu and the others on their mission caused the Master a pang of heartache, and he silently made up his mind. He decided that he absolutely could not let those who loved causing destruction, or those who caused destruction unconsciously, become Master.
...
Zorn, meanwhile, followed Loki to the guild's back mountain. Loki clutched his chest, powerfully enduring the physical discomfort, and looked at the joyful scene below. Loki's face was filled with reluctance.
"I truly hate to leave you all, but this way, I can atone for my sins."
"If you hate to leave, then stay, Loki! No, it should be Leo, the Leo!" Zorn looked at Loki, who was filled with longing, and suddenly spoke, breaking the somber atmosphere.
"Zorn, how do you know?" Loki looked at the suddenly appearing Zorn with disbelief.
"I apologize, Loki. I knew about your situation a long time ago, but it's been dragged on until now to resolve it for you." Zorn did not directly answer Loki's question but looked at him with a face full of guilt.
He had intended to resolve it as soon as he returned from the Galuna Island mission, but he hadn't expected Loki's condition to be so serious now.
Loki looked at the guilty expression on Zorn's face, covered his own face with his hands, feeling utterly pathetic. Tears wouldn't stop flowing, but he didn't want Zorn to see them, so he desperately covered his face.
"I am a sinner. I caused Karen's death. It's my fault! I deserve to be punished!"
Loki slowly knelt on the ground, sobbing as he poured out the entire story between him and Karen. Zorn quietly listened by Loki's side.
"There's no other way. These are the Celestial Spirit King's rules. I am willing to accept this punishment!" Loki was not afraid of death; he just couldn't bear to leave Everyone in Fairy Tail, and he wanted more time to be with them.
"This isn't your fault, Loki. And the one who can save you is right here in the guild, the Star Spirit Mage—Lucy." Zorn placed his hand on Loki's shoulder, his magic power flickering as he slowly channeled it into Loki's body.
As the vast and profound magic power surged into Loki's body, it was like pouring water into a leaky cup; it couldn't be retained at all, only alleviating Loki's pain for a moment.
The magic power Zorn infused had a Holy Light attribute, which made Loki's magic power slightly stronger than before, buying him some time.
"I will tell Everyone about your situation truthfully, just as the Master said: one person's pain is the entire guild's pain. We are family, Loki. Remember these words well."
Loki's ears echoed with Zorn's words, and his eyes, filled with tears, watched Zorn's departing back.
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