The difference between them was simple. Erza had eventually escaped that hell.
Sorano, on the other hand, had been taken away by Brain because of her talent, coaxed and pressured until she became a member of the dark guild Oración Seis.
When Sorano finished speaking, everyone in Fairy Tail was seething.
Curses flew freely at the Dark Mage Cult and at Brain, nobody holding back.
Makarov let out a long sigh. Even though the Council had later launched a massive crackdown on the Dark Mage Cult and demolished every last Tower of Heaven, clearly there were still many survivors who had suffered all this time.
"Ah... poor child, you have had a rough life..."
He looked at her with real pity.
"Listen, coming this far is not something anyone can blame you for.
On the contrary, the fact that you could live in that environment, not be completely brainwashed, and still be willing to turn yourself in... that proves your heart is pointed toward the light.
I will report your situation honestly to the Council.
As for your safety, you do not need to worry. I still have enough strength left to protect at least one child."
Hearing that promise, Sorano felt as if the shackles around her heart had suddenly loosened all at once. The unreality of it made her almost dizzy.
She stood up very formally, bowed low from the waist and spoke with heartfelt gratitude.
"Thank you very much, Lord Makarov. I will absolutely reveal everything I know without holding anything back.
However, there is one more thing I would like to ask of you."
She bent even lower, showing earnest humility.
"Among the Six Demon Generals, apart from our leader Brain, the other members are all children taken from the R System just like me.
They were forced into this life the same way I was. I would like to beg you to give them a chance to turn over a new leaf as well."
She lowered her head even more, praying like her life depended on it.
Makarov's eyes flashed with a hint of approval.
Even now she still worried about her companions, rather than only thinking of saving herself. That was yet another sign she was a good kid at her core.
No one valued bonds between people more than Makarov. There was no way he would refuse such a request.
"Of course," he answered without hesitation, his voice firm. "If they are willing to come clean and cooperate, then I will also do everything I can for them."
Only then did Sorano truly relax and breathe out.
She lifted her head and glanced gratefully in Kabe's direction.
Catching that look, Kabe smiled back, giving her a small nod of reassurance.
"Since the old man has agreed, you can just relax for a while and stay in town for now.
Once everything is reported to the Council and those old geezers make a decision, we will talk about what happens next."
Sorano nodded obediently, while Makarov eyed Kabe with a very suspicious look, clearly doubting that this kid could ever be that pure-hearted.
Of course, this was not the time to dig into Kabe's motives. Sorano turning herself in was important, and he needed to contact the Council as soon as possible.
Under normal circumstances, the next step would have been to head straight downstairs and start calling those stubborn Council members.
However, right now there was another matter tugging at Makarov's attention even more.
The old man suddenly turned toward the quiet girl sitting on the chair nearby, Juvia, who had not dared to interrupt a single word.
His wrinkled face broke into an exceedingly gentle smile, and he asked her in a soft voice.
"Little one, you probably have not been in Phantom Lord very long, correct? You likely do not have much attachment to that gloomy place yet.
How about taking this chance to walk away from that creepy guild and come to Fairy Tail instead?
The brats in this guild are noisy and troublesome, but I promise you, it is a far more human place than Phantom Lord."
Faced with this sudden invitation, Juvia panicked a little. She snuck a quick glance at Sorano, then answered nervously.
"I, I only came to accompany Sister Sorano for a look.
For now, I... do not have that kind of thought."
"That is fine. No problem at all."
Makarov laughed and waved both hands in a relaxed way. Combined with his pink pajamas, he looked ridiculously approachable, almost comical.
"Our doors are always open to any child who is interested.
If you want to stay and play for a while, you can stay as long as you like."
As he said this, he turned back and fixed Kabe with a serious look.
"You hear that, brat?
You are to take proper care of little Sorano and little Juvia for me.
If I hear even one complaint from their mouths, every single report I owe the Council from now on will be written by you."
Kabe's face froze.
He wanted to complain, but under that stare there was nothing he could say.
He straightened his back, thumped his chest and answered loudly.
"Understood. Mission will be completed flawlessly!"
Only then did Makarov nod with satisfaction.
He gave the two girls one last kindly smile, then hopped off the bar counter and jogged down to the basement to start his business with the Council.
Once the old man was gone, Kabe let out a long breath.
He slid back into his seat at the bar, then turned his head and waved toward Laki, who had been quietly watching the whole thing from the side.
"Hey, waitress, what are you spacing out for? Bring out your best food and best booze, we have guests to entertain!"
"Coming, coming, I am on it!"
Laki hopped happily behind the bar, laying out bottles and dishes while assuming her rightful place as first-line gossip consumer.
The rest of the guild had also been holding themselves back for long enough.
One after another, curious heads and bodies began drifting toward the bar, everyone clearly itching to crowd in and surround the newcomers.