The group followed Nichiya into the palace, with the "expedition force" members chattering excitedly about the palace's decorations.
The Exceed's palace was indeed slightly smaller, but its interior was still quite magnificent, at least resembling a proper royal palace.
It was evident that the "Queen" lived quite comfortably, having elevated herself to the status of a "deity," with the entire Exceed race worshipping these so-called "gods."
Led by Nichiya, they proceeded unimpeded to the throne hall, where Nichiya looked at everyone with a troubled expression.
"Let just a few of us go in."
Marco didn't make things difficult for this Edolas version of Ichiya.
He glanced at the three guild masters and the S-Class Mages.
"Alright, just us then."
Makarov nodded, agreeing with the suggestion.
There was no need for their large group to crowd inside all at once.
The "Queen" was quite sensible.
Since negotiations were possible, there was no need to escalate tensions.
Let the younger members wait outside.
With Makarov having spoken, everyone naturally had no objections.
The hall didn't look very large anyway—if they all went in, they might overcrowd it. Better to wait outside for the negotiation results.
Of course, not being able to witness the negotiations firsthand was somewhat disappointing.
Lucy, for instance, found it quite regrettable.
This was all material!
And extremely rare material at that! It would definitely make an important chapter in her novel!
"The Otherworld Journey arc would be incomplete without this crucial part. I'll just have to ask Marco about it privately later."
Lucy sighed and shook her head helplessly.
"Lucy, come in with us."
Just as Lucy had given up hope, Marco's voice suddenly rang out.
Surprised, Lucy looked toward Marco standing at the hall entrance.
"Me?" Lucy pointed at herself, asking uncertainly.
"That's right, come quickly."
Marco smiled and waved to his silly apprentice.
He remembered Lucy's plan to write "Fairy Tail Adventure Novels."
If he could bring Lucy along, he didn't mind providing her with more material.
Even if he didn't, she would pester him with questions later anyway—this way would save some trouble.
"Okay! Coming right away!"
Lucy immediately ran joyfully toward Marco and happily followed him into the hall.
"Damn it! Why does Lucy get to go in!" Natsu was somewhat indignant.
He looked expectantly at the S-Class Mages—Laxus, Mystogan, Erza, and Mirajane—but unfortunately, none of them invited him in.
Makarov had already entered directly.
"Lucy needs material for her novel. Are you going to write one too?" Gray teased from beside him, understanding why Marco specifically called Lucy in—to facilitate her recording.
"Never mind then." Natsu immediately refused.
He didn't have that kind of skill!
"Rather than Lucy, I'd like to know why Bacchus and Hibiki get to go in! Their strength is similar to ours, but just because they're S-Class Mages they can enter!"
After refuting Natsu, Gray himself began to feel dissatisfied—what right did those two guys have to enter with them?!
"Blame Fairy Tail's excessively high standards for S-Class Mages."
Hearing Gray's words, the surrounding Fairy Tail members chimed in with sarcastic remarks.
If Bacchus and Hibiki were taken as the standard, Fairy Tail's "S-Class Mages" would practically become commonplace.
"I'm going to become an S-Class Mage too!" Natsu shouted loudly.
This obsession of his had persisted for a long time; since childhood, he had dreamed of becoming Fairy Tail's strongest Mage.
Though this dream remained distant for now, becoming an "S-Class Mage" was a milestone goal he had set for himself.
Natsu's shouts echoed into the grand hall, making Marco's lips twitch.
'These guys were getting increasingly out of hand.'
But there was no time to worry about what Natsu and the others were yelling about now.
Marco's gaze shifted to the Exceed.
"That white cat... why does it look familiar..." Mirajane approached Marco and whispered.
The "white cat" she referred to was naturally the "Queen" seated on the throne—a lavishly dressed, noble-looking white-furred Exceed who resembled a dignified noblewoman.
"As white as Carla." Marco nodded.
This "Queen" shared the same "fur color" as Carla—a radiant, gleaming white that appeared whiter and silkier than other white-furred Exceeds, which was why Mirajane found her familiar.
"Could they be related?"
Erza looked surprised, though this speculation was rather unfounded.
After all, the figure before them was the "Queen" of the Exceeds!
If Carla were truly related to her, why would she be in the world of Earth Land? Like Happy, Carla had been born in their world of Earth Land.
"We can just ask and find out." Marco smiled as he spoke.
He thought it wasn't entirely impossible—if this "Queen" could truly foresee the future, perhaps she had indeed sent her daughter to the world of Earth Land.
"Are you the Queen of the Exceeds?"
The group stood firmly in the grand hall as Laxus spoke up first.
Frowning, he noted that the image of this "Queen" and "god" differed significantly from what he had imagined.
It seemed Marco's guess was right—these Exceeds were nothing but paper tigers.
"Yes, I am the Queen of the Exceeds. You may call me Shagotte."
The crowned opulently dressed Exceed Queen, who seemed to have large angelic wings behind her, replied.
Marco's lips twitched again.
"You called us here, so you must be prepared. Since you can see the future, tell us what you saw – did your Exceed win, or did we humans prevail?"
Laxus continued speaking, his tone rather impolite, which angered both Nichiya and the other long-necked Exceed beside him.
This was State Minister Nadi, who together with Nichiya served as the two key ministers—civil and military—of "Extalia."
"I saw it. You won. If we resist, the Exceed will face extinction."
Nadi and Nichiya's anger vanished like smoke after Queen Shagotte spoke these words.
The two Exceed ministers slumped in defeat, utterly crushed by the cold reality.
Behind the two ministers stood several elderly Exceed, all looking equally dejected.
They were the elders of the Exceed, trusted wise figures respected by their community.
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