Chapter 348: Opening of the Harvest Festival
Noah also knew that after this, he wouldn't need to worry about Laxus's psychological issues anymore; he had figured it out himself.
"I'll support you too," Noah said to Laxus from the side.
Laxus smiled at him and said, "Isn't that a given? You better watch out that I don't surpass you, and don't try to deny it when I do."
"Hehe, let's talk after you actually surpass me," Noah waved his hand dismissively.
"By the way, Gramps, Noah, the dark guilds' movements have started to become a bit frequent lately," Laxus recalled something and said to Noah and Makarov.
"Frequent movements? What specifically?" Noah asked.
"It's the Oración Seis. There's been quite a bit of activity on their end. This time, Freed and the others wiped out Ghoul Spirit, a dark guild located outside the town of Shirotsume, which falls under the Oración Seis's umbrella. According to the information Freed's team extracted from the members of Ghoul Spirit, the Oración Seis has increased the tribute fees for their subordinate guilds. But they aren't sure exactly why."
"This definitely requires vigilance," Makarov said from the side.
The Oración Seis suddenly increasing the tribute fees of their subordinate guilds naturally meant they needed money. There could be many reasons why they needed money, but the most likely possibility was that they were planning to do something major. Considering they were a dark guild, it was necessary to be on guard.
"You two should also pay more attention to matters regarding this," Makarov said to Noah and Laxus.
"Got it, Gramps," Noah and Laxus replied simultaneously.
"Alright, take your time working, Laxus." After asking about Laxus's recent situation, Noah got up and left the counter, walking over to see how Ultear and the others were preparing for their Harvest Festival performances.
Laxus could only watch Noah's back, shaking his head, and began to process the guild's paperwork.
Seeing that Noah and the others had finished chatting, everyone started finding excuses to wander over to the counter. After all, a Laxus with two black eyes was a rare sight.
Laxus could naturally feel their stares and heard the teasing laughter of some guild members. Especially the older members who had watched him grow up, like Macao and Wakaba; their laughter was completely unconcealed.
He knew this was Noah's twisted sense of humor, a punishment for running away and not handling the guild's affairs. He stood behind the counter with a dark expression, processing the paperwork. As soon as noon arrived, he transformed into a bolt of lightning and shot out of the guild.
"Laxus!" Seeing Laxus leave, Freed, who was still in the guild, quickly chased after him. Evergreen and Bickslow, also members of the Thunder God Tribe, followed close behind.
In the afternoon, Laxus returned to the guild on time. He was afraid that if he didn't show up, Noah would go straight to his house and drag him out.
After resting for a while, the black eyes on Laxus's face and the bruises on his arms had faded significantly. With no more spectacle to watch, the guild members stopped making up excuses to approach the counter. Laxus no longer had to endure their evaluating gazes, and his mood improved greatly.
Soon, two days passed, bringing them to the day before the Harvest Festival. Ur, Layla, and Jude had also arrived in Magnolia, ready to participate in the festival.
Makarov's old friends, Goldmine and Bob, also came to the guild to find Makarov. Seeing the lively atmosphere in the guild, the three of them began reminiscing about their youth.
"I used to think you and Porlyusica would end up together," Goldmine said with a sigh.
Ever since Goldmine and Bob entered, Ultear and the other girls had been paying close attention to their side. Hearing Goldmine's words, the scent of gossip hit them like a wave. They immediately pricked up their ears, focusing intently on the conversation.
Noah heard it too. His figure flickered, and he instantly appeared at the nearest table to them, sitting down to listen. At the counter, Laxus heard it as well. Although he didn't turn to look at Makarov, his hand movements noticeably slowed down, clearly paying attention to the situation.
"Shoo, shoo, don't eavesdrop on our conversation," Makarov said, waving his hand to shoo Noah away when he saw him sitting nearby.
Seeing that he couldn't listen to the gossip up close, Noah had to get up and sit a little further away. It didn't matter; he could still hear perfectly well from that distance.
"That's all in the past," Makarov shook his head after shooing Noah away.
"Yeah, it's all in the past. By the way, how is Porlyusica doing?" Bob asked Makarov.
"Still the same. Living alone in a log cabin in the nearby forest, researching pharmacology." Makarov answered.
"I see. She really hasn't changed," Goldmine shook his head and said.
"Alright, we're going to take a stroll around Magnolia later. Are you coming?" Bob asked Makarov.
"I'll pass for now. Yajima-kun said he'd be coming later, so I'll wait here for him."
"Alright then. We'll go for a walk first, and when Yajima arrives, we can all walk around together." After saying that, Goldmine and Bob left the guild to wander around Magnolia. This was a place where they had lived for a long time, so naturally, there were many places worth reminiscing over.
Seeing that they didn't get to hear any juicy gossip, Noah and the girls didn't hide their disappointed expressions. Makarov glared at them fiercely. These little brats wanted to hear his gossip? He wouldn't give them the chance.
After a while, Yajima also arrived at the guild. Upon seeing him, Noah quickly welcomed him and led him to Makarov.
"Yajima-kun, you're here? Arriving this early, is everything alright at the Magic Council?" Makarov asked, looking at Yajima.
"No problems. Things over there are mostly settled. I'm using the Harvest Festival as a chance to relax and clear my head, and to think about whether I want to continue being a council member," Yajima said to Makarov.
"So, what are your thoughts, Yajima-kun?" Makarov asked.
"Me? I'm still considering it," Yajima said, sounding a bit hesitant.
"Grandpa Yajima, I think it would be better if you continued to serve as a council member. It doesn't have to be for too long, just think of it as doing it for one more year," Noah said from the side.
"Oh? Noah, did you notice something? Or do you have some kind of plan?" Yajima looked at Noah. One year was a very specific timeframe, meaning Noah knew something they didn't.
"I can't say for now. I can only say that I have some premonitions and guesses, and I need Grandpa Yajima's help in the Magic Council," Noah said to Yajima very sincerely.
"Hmm... Since you put it that way, I'll continue being a council member. But you can't have me do it for too long; I still want to open a restaurant and be a chef," Yajima said to Noah.
"Of course. When the time comes for Grandpa Yajima to open a shop, I'll go help out." Noah smiled and agreed.
Makarov listened to their conversation without interjecting; he trusted Noah and his judgment.
"Noah, if you need any help, make sure to tell me," Laxus said from behind the counter.
"Naturally. If I need you, I'll find you," Noah nodded.
"Is Laxus processing the guild's paperwork?" Yajima asked Makarov, looking at Laxus.
"Yes, he's currently handling the guild's affairs."
"That's good. Remember to help share Makarov-kun's burden, don't let him work too hard. I remember Noah and the others also help process the guild's paperwork. You're all good children," Yajima said, looking at Noah and Laxus.
As a former member of the guild, seeing the new generation grow up and start taking over the guild's affairs naturally made him happy.
"I will. I'll help Gramps more from now on," Laxus said earnestly under Yajima's gaze.
"Hehe!" Noah watched Laxus from the side. Since he had said so, if Laxus ever tried to run away from handling guild affairs again, Noah would just go and drag him back. After all, a promise made must be kept, right?
Laxus suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He shivered and saw Noah looking at him with unfriendly intentions. He glared back at him and continued processing the paperwork in his hands.
"By the way, Makarov-kun, what about the Fairy Ramen you promised me last time?" Yajima said to Makarov.
"I know, I know. Fairy Ramen with 12 slices of char siu, right? I remember. I'll treat you to it right now," Makarov said in an exasperated tone.
"That's good. Remember, exactly 12 slices of char siu. I don't want any more or any less." After saying that, Yajima and Makarov walked over to a table, sat down, and ordered two bowls of Fairy Ramen, chatting as they ate.
After they finished eating, they went outside together, found Goldmine and Bob, who were strolling around, and began to reminisce about their early years in Magnolia.
A day passed quickly, and the day of the Harvest Festival arrived.
The entire city of Magnolia began to awaken as soon as the sun rose. The bustling sounds of people gradually filled the air, and the whole city became lively.
Festive balloons and colorful flags were everywhere, and the holiday atmosphere hit you right in the face.
Merchants brought out their pre-prepared goods to the roadside. A dazzling array of holiday merchandise was stacked on the shelves, drawing the eyes of pedestrians.
A wide variety of snacks, souvenirs, and handmade crafts were specially prepared for the festival.
In particular, products related to Fairy Tail were abundant. Souvenirs printed with the guild's crest and action figures of the guild members were the most popular.
Even with the impact of the recent Weekly Sorcerer report, everyone's enthusiasm remained undiminished, because they had all come specifically for Fairy Tail, for the continent-renowned [Fantasia Parade].
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