Looking at Makarov who was almost crushed by sorrow, Ryoma sighed, then stepped forward, his voice carrying a deliberately created lightness.
"Old man, don't overthink it. Those guys outside are still waiting for you to come out and take charge. Without you, they wouldn't even know how to arrange the parade floats."
Makarov slowly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes still showing traces of unshed tears. He looked at Ryoma, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, it just turned into a long sigh.
Ryoma continued, "This guild can't do without you right now. You are everyone's backbone."
These words seemed to touch Makarov, and his dispirited expression regained some vitality, but then he sternly glared at Ryoma.
"You brat, you still want this old man to keep working hard? You really don't know how to respect your elders."
"That depends on how much you love the young." Ryoma immediately muttered under his breath. "You've spoiled your grandson quite a bit, the one who almost brought down the entire guild."
Makarov's ears were incredibly sharp, and these words entered them without missing a beat. He immediately bristled with anger, "What did you say!"
He sprang up from the bed, and one of his fists instantly grew huge, smashing towards Ryoma's head.
Ryoma was prepared. The ice flower under his feet flashed, and he instantly appeared at the door of the infirmary.
"Oh, getting angry out of embarrassment, are we?"
He made a face at Makarov, opening the door as he shouted, "I've brought Laxus to you! The rest is for you two grandfather and grandson to talk about! I'm leaving first!"
Bang!
Ryoma disappeared outside the door, leaving only the sound of the door closing.
Makarov's giant fist paused in mid-air, eventually dropping and returning to its original size.
He glanced at Ryoma, who had scurried away, then turned his gaze to Laxus, who was still unconscious on the corner bed, finally letting out a complex sigh.
When Ryoma emerged from the infirmary, the atmosphere outside was no longer as oppressive as before.
Although everyone's faces still showed a hint of fatigue, there was more relief and joy that Makarov was safe and sound.
As soon as he appeared, he was immediately surrounded by the sharp-eyed Natsu and Gray and the others.
"Hey, Ryoma, how's the old man now?"
"What did you do to Laxus? He's not really dead, is he?"
Ryoma waved his hand, signaling them to relax.
"The old man is fine, lively and kicking. He even tried to hit me just now."
He looked around and noticed that although everyone was gathered, they seemed a bit idle, so he suggested, "By the way, the Fantasia Parade must still happen. Even though this happened, I think it should continue. The old man probably thinks so too."
Erza walked over and nodded in agreement. "I think so too. I've already discussed it with everyone. The parade will be postponed by one night and will proceed as usual tomorrow night. We've already sent people to notify the citizens."
"Ohhhh! Parade! Parade!"
As soon as they heard that the parade would continue, the guild hall erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers than before.
Everyone's long-suppressed enthusiasm was fully ignited, and they enthusiastically resumed preparations for the parade.
Looking at these guys who instantly regained their vitality, Ryoma couldn't help but smile.
This is Fairy Tail. No matter how much hardship they endure, as long as their comrades are still there, as long as this home is still there, they will always quickly bounce back.
Although this civil war caused quite a stir, for the citizens of Magnolia Town, it seemed to be just an upgraded version of Fairy Tail's daily brawls.
After all, this town had long been accustomed to their style of minor fights every three days and major brawls every five, even having a special city form-switching mode prepared for Gildarts.
Therefore, when the guild announced that the Fantasia Parade was postponed by one night, the citizens naturally didn't think much of it. They simply thought that Makarov was getting old and unwell, needing an extra day of rest.
No one connected this to a civil war that almost split the guild. This common indifference, at this moment, ironically became a subtle form of protection.
Late at night, the guild, which had been noisy all day, finally quieted down.
In the infirmary, only the breathing sounds from the two hospital beds undulated in the quiet space.
Makarov sat up from the bed. He didn't turn on the light, just quietly stared at the figure on the other bed, illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the window.
"Since you're awake, stop playing dead." His flat voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Laxus's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He knew he couldn't hide it.
He slowly opened his eyes, silently sat up from the bed, then stood up, his head bowed, not daring to look at his grandfather's face.
He had actually been awake for a while, his mind constantly replaying the scenes of his comrades, whom he once looked down upon, desperately destroying the lacrimas before the Thunder Palace was activated, and flashes of past moments.
Each scene, each frame, branded his heart like a hot iron.
"Do you know what you've done this time?" Makarov's voice sounded again, carrying an unavoidable accusation.
Laxus still kept his head down, his lips tightly pressed, unable to utter a single word.
"Laxus, look into my eyes!" Makarov's voice grew stern.
Laxus trembled all over, finally slowly raising his head to meet those cloudy yet sharp eyes.
"A guild, as they say, is a place where comrades gather, an intermediary for work. For those helpless kids, this is their home."
Makarov walked step by step towards him, every word striking his heart.
"The guild is not your personal property. It is built upon trust and morality between people, thus possessing bonds stronger than anything else."
"But you violated that morality. For your so-called strength, you turned your blade on your comrades, using their lives as bargaining chips."
Makarov's voice was filled with deep sorrow.
"This is something that absolutely cannot be forgiven."
Facing the accusation as heavy as a mountain, Laxus finally spoke, his voice dry and hoarse, "I know... I just wanted... wanted to make this guild stronger..."
Hearing this answer, the anger and sternness on Makarov's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep weariness and sorrow.
Makarov let out a long sigh. "You... clumsy fellow."
He reached out but only gently patted Laxus's shoulder.
"You don't need to carry such a heavy burden. For me, as long as you are healthy and vibrant, and can smile happily... that's already enough."
These words were more damaging than any harsh reprimand.
Laxus's tall body could no longer suppress its trembling. He bit his teeth tightly, yet couldn't stop something hot from overflowing from his eyes.
Makarov withdrew his hand and turned around, saying in a calm tone, "Laxus..."
"You are expelled from the guild."
It was the expected outcome, yet it still made Laxus's heart clench violently.
He remained silent for a long time, finally nodding, then turned and walked step by step towards the door.
Just as his hand was about to touch the doorknob, he stopped but didn't turn back.
"Grandpa..."
His voice was unusually hoarse from extreme suppression.
"Please... take care of yourself."
Makarov spun around abruptly, his back to the door, and uncontrollable, cloudy tears streamed down his wrinkled cheeks.
He raised a trembling hand and pointed towards the door, squeezing out two words from the depths of his throat with all his strength.
"Get out!"