This answer was somewhat unexpected. On the road, when listening to Marcus and the others talk about the new Mages, I didn't pay much attention.
But someone actually managed to defeat Blue Pegasus using tools?
Although the competition's events aren't necessarily battles, that's still impressive.
Rhode realized that participating in this competition might be a good choice if he wants to restore the guild's reputation, status, and treatment.
He asked, "When is the next Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts?"
"Next July."
"?" Rhode was stunned.
Already eager? Too bad this year has already ended." Jura said with a smile, "I'm looking forward to your performance next year."
Alright then, Rhode sighed. It seems this cannot be rushed. But that's good; over the past 6 years, many powerful Mages have emerged, so everyone might need a bit of time to practice.
Jura chatted a few more words with Makarov about the current situation, and Yuka and Jie Li were already waving at Leon.
Leon nodded in understanding and quietly reminded Jura that it was about time, that there were still things at the guild.
Jura said, "You guys go ahead, I have two more things to discuss with Makarov."
Leon turned and left, saying a proper goodbye to Gray, then looked tenderly at Jubia, inviting her to come visit.
Jubia blushed and imagined some strange things, then glared angrily at Lucy, who was teasing her.
Mira was torn between going over to watch the excitement or staying here to listen to potentially important matters.
Here, Makarov had already asked, "What exactly is it?"
Jura said, "Firstly, it's about Demon Heart; they suddenly disbanded 6 years ago, but there are rumors that Hades was actually Fairy Tail's second president, Precht. Is this true?"
Makarov looked somewhat melancholic: "Ah, yes, that's how it is. What about them now? Have they been arrested?"
"Some were arrested." Jura wasn't surprised by Makarov's response; evidently, the source of his information was reliable, he was just confirming it in person,
"When we learned about Demon Heart's disbandment, Hades and the Seven Dependents were already missing, but some lower-ranking members rejoined other Dark Guilds.
"However, whenever they made some name for themselves by taking illegal commissions, they were quickly captured by mysterious people and thrown outside the Council's door.
"Sometimes just one or two people were thrown over, sometimes entire guilds were taken down... to this day, no one knows who did it."
Everyone was previously clueless, thinking perhaps it was some righteous person displeased with the conduct of the Dark Guilds, but afraid to act and violate the non-violent resistance treaty, so they did it in secret.
But after confirming that Hades was once part of Fairy Tail, a new guess arose, but it's better not to say it.
"In any case, there's been no news of Hades and the Seven Dependents causing trouble in recent years."
Makarov breathed a sigh of relief; he thought Jura brought it up because Demon Heart had caused some new trouble.
On the surface, the 94-year-old Makarov suddenly realized that having an unreliable elder is indeed quite exhausting.
He vainly thought, if only the second president could be as reliable as himself.
Jura continued, "The other thing is about Laxus. In the days you were away, I heard by chance that a Dark Guild has been investigating Laxus' whereabouts."
Concerned about his own offspring, Makarov suddenly sobered up from his drink: "Raven Tail?"
"Yes." Jura said, "I heard that the president of Raven Tail, Ivan, is your..."
"Ah, he's my son." Makarov remembered Gajeel told him that Ivan wanted to extract the Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal from Laxus.
But Laxus went missing for six years, and he didn't know if he gave up or not.
"Did he do anything excessive?"
"No, not only did he not cause trouble, but he has recently been pursuing becoming a Legitimate Guild."
"Ivan... what is he up to now?"
Jura offered a somewhat positive guess, "Perhaps he's trying to find another path to revive the guild because he doesn't want to see Fairy Tail decline like this?"
"Impossible." Makarov knew Ivan's ways too well, trusting him to mend his ways would be like expecting Gray to keep his clothes on all day.
After frowning and thinking for a while with no results, Makarov said, "Thank you for telling me this. If you deal with Ivan, be doubly careful."
"I understand, well then, farewell."
Rhode and Mira saw Jura and the others out the door, watching them board the Flying Ship and leave.
——Compared to the Fairy Battleship, the Flying Ship of Lamia Scale is smaller in size and narrower in width.
The ship's prow is a beauty, the stern a raised serpent's tail, matching their guild's emblem, a beautiful serpent design.
Overall, it looks very much like a dragon boat.
Rhode estimated that its speed was probably half as fast as Fairy Battleship, clearly a new model of the Flying Ship.
The two were about to go back when they ran into Erza, who was sending Simon out.
Mira said to Simon, "Not staying a bit longer? It'll get even livelier later; this doesn't even count as a beginning."
"No, I haven't returned to the guild to report after completing my task, and you all should be quite busy next." Simon said with a smile, "I'll come back to disturb you when I have time later anyway, you are right here."
Erza liked Simon's words, smiling and agreeing, "Yes, we're right here."
After sending off Simon, the three returned to see the president frowning, sitting cross-legged on the counter, with a bottle of wine placed beside him but no mood to drink.
"President?" Rhode called out.
"Hmm." Makarov was absent-minded.
Erza asked, "Do you have any worries?"
"Various worries." Earlier during drinking and playing around, Makarov hadn't thought of these things, but Jura's mentions brought up piles of issues.
Unconsciously, Makarov started considering what to investigate next and what to do, the more he thought, the more his head hurt.
Erza asked again, "Is there anything that needs to be solved immediately?"
Makarov thought for a moment, "Well... no, there isn't."
Erza looked at the noisy companions, who had already started dismantling tables, and smiled, "Then that's good. At least for now, let's make some noise first."
"That's right." Makarov smiled again, realizing there is nothing more important right now than letting everyone release their emotions.
Let all joys and sorrows be fully expressed, and then, carrying all the past, take big steps forward; that's the way of doing things in Fairy Tail.
Makarov raised the wine bottle and stuffed it into his mouth: Glug, glug, glug...
"I do think there's one super urgent thing." Rhode said, "Have you thought about notifying Granny Porlyusica?"
"Pfft... cough, cough, cough..." Makarov sprayed out the wine he had just drunk in one gulp, coughing continuously.
It seems I should indeed go tell her, but going there now reeking of alcohol, Porlyusica would definitely channel her six years of worry into a broom, letting him truly feel how heavy those years of emotions weigh.
Makarov asked, "Why not invite her to come and celebrate together?"
"Do you think that's appropriate?" Rhode felt the president must have lost his mind, actually intending to bring Granny Porlyusica to such a lively place.
Makarov also thought it inappropriate and looked pleadingly at Rhode.
Rhode thought for a moment, "How about I go with Wendy."
Wendy certainly wouldn't get beaten.
As for Rhode himself... he hasn't seen Porlyusica in six solid years and indeed misses the old lady a lot, so he'll take the hit.