"There's no need to worry about that. The current situation calls for special measures."
Org had clearly anticipated this concern well in advance. He understood the bond mages had with their guilds. He had no intention of asking any of them to sever those ties.
"The most important thing right now is to get the Council operational as quickly as possible. As long as you all act impartially in your duties, making an exception to the usual rules is perfectly acceptable."
He addressed Rhodes and Jura first. "You would only need to inform your respective guild masters. Treat it as accepting a long-term mission posted through the Council. Surely that can be accommodated?"
Makarov nodded immediately. No issue on his end.
Lamia Scale's guild master, Ooba Babasaama, was a reasonable woman as well. She'd understand.
"As for Master Makarov and Master Bryliens, if guild affairs demand your attention, you're welcome to remain at your guilds for the most part. There's no requirement to be stationed at Council headquarters permanently."
"For routine matters, we can coordinate through communication lacrima. For major decisions, we'll arrange for you to make the trip."
"Furthermore," Org added, "this is a temporary system designed for the current crisis. Once the new Council finds its footing, you can collectively discuss and revise the working arrangements."
"At that point, if suitable new candidates have emerged, or if any of you have grown tired of the workload, you're free to step down."
"All I ask is that you cooperate to help us get through this period." He looked around the room. "How does that sound?"
Jura smiled warmly. "I accept. I look forward to working with everyone."
Rhodes nodded. "I want my child to be born into a stable world. So I accept as well."
Bryliens kept it short. "I agree."
Makarov briefly considered suggesting he swap places with Rhodes, since retirement sounded increasingly appealing. But this wasn't the moment to undercut the atmosphere. "I also agree."
"Wonderful." Genuine relief washed over Org's face. "Thank you all. The future of the Council is in your hands."
Everyone raised their cups. Tea for most. A glass of milk for Warrod. The gesture was simple, but it carried weight.
"We will do our utmost."
Org allowed himself a moment of satisfaction before moving on. "Now, the next item on the agenda. Who shall serve as Chairman?"
"If you ask me, we shouldn't have one." Rhodes spoke without hesitation. "Crawford Seam is the perfect example of why. The Chairman's authority is too concentrated. Even with all his faults, Crawford couldn't have done the damage he did without the power that position gave him."
He glanced around the table. "I'm not suggesting anyone here would betray us. But allowing one person's authority to stand above everyone else's is simply a bad structure."
Org shook his head. "I understand the concern. But it won't work in practice."
"Emergencies arise frequently. It isn't always possible to gather every Council member in time. In those moments, someone has to make a decision. Quickly. Decisively."
"Authority can be checked and restricted, absolutely. But the position of Chairman must exist. And beyond the practical reasons, changing too much of the system at once would create public anxiety. People need to see continuity."
Rhodes thought for a moment. "If the full Council can't always gather, then the Chairman won't always be available either. For the emergency scenarios you're describing, why not establish a fixed order of succession for decision-making authority? That way, whoever is present and highest in the chain acts on behalf of the whole."
He continued. "As for the Chairmanship itself, I'd suggest Mr. Hyberion as interim Chairman. He carries the right presence for the role. Mature without looking aged. Composed. Dignified. Exactly the kind of figure the public needs to see leading the Council right now. If issues arise down the line, we can adjust."
"I have no objection." Wolfheim.
"I second that." Jura.
"I agree." Warrod.
"Same." Makarov.
Hyberion accepted with characteristic calm. "It's a sound plan. Let it be decided."
"This..." Org stared at them. Slightly stunned.
Hyberion raised an eyebrow. "Does Mr. Org have another suggestion?"
"No, I just..." Org opened his mouth. Closed it. Then laughed. A real, helpless, delighted laugh. "It's nothing. This is very good."
He shook his head, still chuckling. "In the past, a decision like this would have taken hours of argument. Proposals. Counter-proposals. Amended counter-proposals. I didn't expect you all to reach consensus in under a minute."
He smiled broadly. "Good. This is very good."
The others had never sat through a Council meeting in their lives, so they couldn't fully appreciate what Org was feeling. But that was fine. The point was to choose the people best suited for the current moment, and that had been accomplished.
With the two most critical decisions settled, Org asked when everyone planned to take office.
Hyberion, Wolfheim, and Warrod said they could start immediately. No affairs to settle. No guilds to notify.
The other four needed to return to their respective guilds first to handle a few things, but they could be back by tomorrow at the latest.
Org nodded. "Then the three of you stay behind to prepare for the inauguration ceremony. For the four returning home, please come back as soon as possible."
"One task can be completed right now," Rhodes said. "Let's take a group photo and send it to the major newspapers."
Org hesitated. "That can wait until tomorrow's ceremony. We can have reporters present for it."
"Didn't we just agree that one of our most important jobs is to stabilize public confidence and deter criminals?" Rhodes pressed. "Every day we delay is a day people spend uncertain. Get the photo out tonight, and by morning, the entire continent knows the Council isn't dead."
Wolfheim stared at Rhodes for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled. "I'm starting to like you."
He appreciated the decisiveness. No hand-wringing. No "let's discuss this further." Just identify the problem and act. That was his kind of approach.
Nobody else objected. They filed out of the tent and assembled in front of the ruins, where scaffolding was already being erected for reconstruction.
Hyberion took the center of the front row. Makarov and Wolfheim, thanks to their respective "height advantages," stood on either side of him. The remaining four lined up in the back row.
The photo was taken. Copies were dispatched to every major newspaper on the continent.
The editorial departments received the photograph along with the announcement that the new Council had been finalized. Seven members. All Wizard Saints.
Editors immediately went to work. First came the headlines. Eye-catching. Reassuring. Authoritative. Then the background research on each of the seven. Identities, accomplishments, reputations, guild affiliations. Every word carefully weighed before it went to print.
Whether the newspapers would actually achieve the goal of reassuring the public remained to be seen.
But the effect at Council headquarters was immediate.
When the ordinary soldiers and staff heard that the Wizard Saints themselves were going to serve as Council members, they went quiet. Stunned. Then, slowly, something settled over the camp. Not excitement. Something better.
Security.
At the very least, they wouldn't have to worry about the headquarters being attacked again. Right?
To save time, Rhodes used the Gate to bring Jura and Bryliens back to Magnolia directly. Since both Shining Sun and Lamia Scale were located within Fiore, departing from Fairy Tail's guild hall tomorrow would be far faster than making the long trek back from Pergrande.
Both mages marveled at the convenience of the magic. They agreed to hitch a ride with Rhodes again in the morning, then hurried off without even sitting down. Too much to arrange at their own guilds before tomorrow.
A number of Fairy Tail members recognized the two departing Wizard Saints and immediately turned to Makarov and Rhodes with questions.
'What was going on? Why were Wizard Saints visiting? What happened at the Council?;
Makarov had maintained his dignified composure for the entire trip home. The moment he stepped through the guild doors, it evaporated.
He puffed out his chest and announced, with undisguised pride, "Starting tomorrow, Rhodes and I are Council members!"
The reaction was instantaneous.
"EHHH?!!!"
"You're joking, right?!"
"Rhodes, sure, that makes sense. But the Master? A Council member? Really?"
"Yeah, are we sure about that...?"
Makarov: "?"