Frey didn't seem to want to discuss this matter further with Ankh.
After coughing twice, she immediately adopted a serious expression. "Alright, let me update you on the company's situation."
Ankh put away his highly strange expression, secretly planning to have Mirajane investigate this gossip when he returned to the guild later...
Frey briefed Ankh on the company's situation over the past seven years and presented him with a thick stack of documents that gave him a massive headache.
"Jude's business acumen remains impressive. Most of Ram Company's growth these years can be attributed to him. Following your previous unconventional ideas, he launched male and female idol groups performing songs and dances, which have become immensely popular among Fiore's citizens."
"Nearly all the boy bands and girl groups that young people in Fiore are crazy about now come from our company. We have essentially become the industry leader."
Ankh reviewed the documents in his hand, which detailed the company's comprehensive talent development system—including scouting, trainee programs, and debut production.
It's becoming more and more like my previous life, he thought.
After silently reflecting for a moment, Ankh suddenly remembered something and asked.
"Speaking of which, where's Jude? I haven't seen him."
Frey sighed and said, "He's sick. I gave him a month off."
Ankh frowned with deep concern. "Is it serious?"
Frey shook her head, her tone grave. "Just his old ailments. I've already sent top specialists and pharmacists from the Cureniar family to help with his recovery. It shouldn't be a major problem."
"The main issue is emotional—he misses his daughter too much."
Ankh nodded silently, thinking he should have brought Lucy along for this visit.
A father who hasn't seen his daughter for seven years—one could only imagine how miserable Jude must feel.
"Racer, go tell Lucy this news and have her come to Akane Resort as soon as possible."
Racer, who had been lounging on the sofa behind them, gave an OK sign before instantly disappearing from the room using his slowing magic.
Sorano stared in amazement at the spot where Racer had vanished.
"His Magic is getting more and more incredible!"
Jellal, who was also helping Ankh review company documents, nodded in agreement. "Since returning from Tenrou Island, his mindset has broadened significantly, and his magic has become much more fluid as a result."
"Well, we did fight a tough battle..." Midnight commented calmly.
Remembering their situation, Ankh told Jellal and the others, "Ultear and Meredy want to join the company too. Later, you should help them get familiar with everything."
Ultear and Meredy had chosen to actively embark on the path of atonement, while Ur felt she was too old to work...
So she decided to settle down at Fairy Tail long-term.
Makarov was naturally delighted to have a Ten Wizard Saints-level Mage in the guild, so he excitedly gave Ur the position of Magic Instruction Advisor.
Her main responsibility would be teaching knowledge about Ice Magic and Creation Magic, similar to Porlyusica's role—essentially a guild member without the Fairy Tail mark.
Jellal nodded in understanding.
Then Ankh asked curiously, "Speaking of which... where's Cobra?"
Sorano covered her mouth while giggling. "He's probably holed up at home with his girlfriend, their reunion after separation making their passion burn even brighter..."
Cubellios, or rather Kinana, who had been Cobra's best friend—the snake that used to coil around his arm—had been very close to him seven years ago.
They were on the verge of starting a relationship when the Tenrou Island incident happened to interrupt them.
Upon returning, Cobra looked at Kinana, who had steadfastly waited for him for seven years, and couldn't control his emotions as he confessed to her.
After enduring the torment of time, the two finally became a couple as expected.
"Kinana has become our company's top songstress over these seven years, and she's quite popular," Frey revealed with a gentle smile.
"That young girl waited day after day without any certainty for Erik's return, and now she finally has a good outcome."
'A songstress...' Ankh suddenly recalled that Cobra's former wish seemed to be simply hearing his best friend's voice.
How romantic...
...
After roughly understanding the company matters and giving instructions about tomorrow's visit to the Magic Council, Ankh prepared to return home.
Having been running around all day, Ankh hadn't even been back to his own home yet.
Since Akane Resort was very close to Magnolia, Ankh boarded an express train and successfully returned to his manor before sunset.
The manor didn't appear particularly messy.
Frey, being an exceptional "secretary," had managed all these private matters perfectly during Ankh's long absence.
Seeing their master return, the maids of the manor immediately opened the doors with absolute delight, warmly welcoming Ankh home.
"Ankh-sama, you've finally returned!"
Head Maid Soteni lowered her head hesitantly and whispered, "Ankh-sama, many of your friends have come, saying they're currently homeless. I took the liberty of inviting them in."
Ankh was taken aback.
Homeless?
"That's fine, you did well. Where are they?"
Soteni led Ankh into the house and brought him to the massive banquet hall used specifically for entertaining guests.
As soon as he entered, Ankh's eyes widened in shock.
'Good heavens, so many people?!'
The banquet hall was bustling with noise, and upon seeing Ankh enter, everyone began excitedly greeting him.
Gray, bare-chested as usual, waved apologetically. "Sorry to bother you, Ankh. We really have nowhere else to go."
Wendy poked her fingers with tears in her eyes, while Carla said uncomfortably, "We couldn't pay seven years' rent, so we have no place to stay..."
Juvia and Lisanna leaned against each other, looking as if their souls had permanently floated out of their mouths.
Even more extreme, Erza had completely petrified, collapsed on the table silently weeping.
The Fairy Tail female dormitory (Fairy Hills) had been canceled and purchased by the former mayor due to the guild's severe decline, no longer serving as Fairy Tail's exclusive dormitory, thus requiring payment of seven years' back rent.
The others were somewhat better off—100,000 J per month rent totaling 8.4 million J.
However, Erza had enthusiastically rented five rooms, and being originally someone who lived paycheck to paycheck, she now had no spare money at all...
"It's fine, my place is big anyway. Just pick your rooms and stay here temporarily."
Ankh didn't find it noisy but rather incredibly lively, immediately asking Soteni to prepare rooms for everyone.
Fortunately, Ankh had bought rather than rented his massive property back then, otherwise he might be seeking accommodation too.
Among the Tenrou Island team, Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe were temporarily staying at the old man's place, while Natsu and Happy accompanied Lucy to Akane Resort to care for the sick Jude.
Aside from them, practically everyone else was at Ankh's place.
Even when Gildarts returned home, he discovered his small shabby house had collapsed at some point... so he also came to Ankh's seeking accommodation.
Mirajane looked at Ankh with deep concern and asked, "You've been running around all day today, are you tired?"
Ankh gazed at her beautiful face, and his mood couldn't help but improve considerably.
He responded with a warm smile.
"Not tired at all. How could there be any reason to feel tired when looking for trouble?"