"To actually hold a Ten Wizards meeting in a place like this."
Makarov looked around; he was quite familiar with this place since it's near the Council Headquarters.
Today is the third day after receiving that letter, and he and Rhode arrived here through the Hex Flying Gate.
Compared to a few days ago, there were more tents around, more construction workers, and piles of building materials covered with tarps.
It seems that the reconstruction work of the Council has already begun.
"It seems like we're a bit early this time." Rhode didn't see anyone else.
Makarov said, "Let's go see Mr. Org first."
The two found Mr. Org's tent, but the guards didn't let them in, instead asking them to rest elsewhere.
It was an empty tent with four square tables lined up to form a long table.
On the sides of the long table, there were three chairs on the left and four on the right, making seven chairs in total.
Rhode and Makarov sat on the left side, and soon someone brought some tea.
Soon after, the sound of a flying ship roaring in the sky quieted down not far away.
Soon enough, Jura and Brellins entered the tent together.
"President Makarov, Mr. Rhode," Jura said with a smile, his hands folded, "You two have accomplished something truly impressive again."
Rhode laughed, "Don't make it sound like we've caused another big trouble."
Makarov was about to laugh aloud, but when Rhode mentioned it, he realized that Jura always said this whenever Fairy Tail caused a big commotion.
"Hahaha... I absolutely didn't mean that!" Jura said, "Annihilating the Gate of the Underworld and wiping out the last piece of the Balram Alliance is a great morale boost for all Legitimate Guilds. Especially Feis, if..."
Brellins suddenly interrupted him, "If only it hadn't been destroyed!"
Jura was stunned, and quickly said, "Don't joke about that, Mr. Brellins; a dangerous thing like Feis is, of course, best destroyed."
"No, no, no... Such a weapon, at the very least, should have given me a chance to study it... Just a glimpse would be enough!" Brellins lamented.
Before hearing about Feis, he had never considered a combat approach to eliminate Magic Power.
If a weapon could be developed that, once activated, directly eliminates the magic around the enemy, wouldn't they be helpless?
Also, it's said to be ancient technology, destroying it is such a waste, I really want to study it!
Jura gave Rhode and Makarov a helpless look.
From the last gathering, they already knew he was a research fanatic.
Once it involves interesting Magic Tools, he gets lost in his world, his mind full of research and improvement.
Makarov and Rhode were not concerned, just a scientific oddball who doesn't notice the mood; nothing to make a fuss about.
But should they really bring him into this matter this time?
After exchanging a few words of casual conversation, Vorod's laughter suddenly came in:
"Ha~ha~ha~ Still the same, Uluvheim, with skin crumpled like tree bark."
Uluvheim, not very amiably, said, "You're the last one who should say that, you old tree!"
"Hahaha~ Just joking, just joking!"
"I'm not joking."
"Ah, saying that hurts my feelings... just a joke, I'm happy to be compared to a tree!"
Uluvheim couldn't be bothered with him, briskly lifted the tent drape, and sat across from Makarov with his hands behind his back.
"Already this many people, huh?" Vorod leisurely walked in and sat beside Makarov, "Well, Makarov, Rhode, impressive job this time... But not as beautiful as the flowers I tend to."
Whenever Makarov first met the senior, he'd be a bit reserved: "Ah, we still have much to improve..."
But before he finished speaking, Vorod immediately interrupted, "Just a joke, just a joke, the flowers I grow could never be as beautiful as the victory flower the guild nurtured together!"
"Ah, thank you for your com-"
"I'm joking."
Makarov: "..."
Vorod: "The previous one was the joke."
Though it wasn't the first time experiencing such a conversation, Makarov still felt like punching someone.
He sighed, whispering to Rhode: "Such a prominent senior, can't they be a little more mature?"
Rhode laughed, "Isn't President Mebius also a senior, and is she mature?"
Makarov instinctively retorted, "That's different, President Mebius was still very young when she passed away. If she lived to my age..."
Rhode spread his hands, mercilessly said, "I think, if you retired and became the guild's senior instead of president, you wouldn't be any more mature than Mr. Vorod...
"Look, I just said a word and you jumped up, what mature senior would jump on the chair mid-conversation?"
Makarov's words got caught in his throat, and he angrily sat back down.
The guild has long been hopeless; it's been this way since the first generation, and the president still harbors strange fantasies about his future personality.
Rhode helplessly chuckled: "Being lively isn't a bad thing; I think the second generation's lack of liveliness led to big issues."
The implication being, so stop thinking about making me, an un-lively person, the president.
After waiting a while, Hayberion finally entered the tent — as always, holding his cherished goblet with half a cup of milk.
Uluvheim complained, "You, who lives the closest, yet you arrive the latest."
"Living nearby doesn't mean I was nearby when I received the letter." Hayberion explained,
"I recently went far to pursue clues on the Gate of the Underworld, but once I got a lead, it was already resolved."
"Haha, truly sorry." Makarov rubbed the back of his head, showing an utterly sincere smile.
"With such great achievement, there's no need for modesty." Hayberion said sincerely, "Regarding this matter, mages across the continent owe gratitude to Fairy Tail."
Makarov was even happier.
Rhode spoke for him, "It was just being at the right place at the right time."
Hayberion took the seat left for him on the right side, pushed aside the teacup, and began swinging his milk, chatting with the others.
After a short while, Lahar lifted the drapes, and Dolanbart pushed Org's wheelchair into the tent.
He positioned Org at one end of the long table, then went out to stand by the door with Lahar.
"Everyone's here, so let's begin." Org looked at the seven Ten Wizard Saints present, cleared his throat twice,
"You've all seen the current state of the Council; in such a condition, it's impossible to continue maintaining order in the Magic Realm.
"This time, I've taken the liberty to gather everyone to discuss this matter. Myself and the Council's upper and middle management agree that we need your help with what's to come!"