Ultear Milkovich, dressed in her official (though currently unauthorized) Council attire and using her intimate knowledge of the Magic Council's bureaucracy, immediately stepped forward.
She worked in tandem with Rimuru, who used her vast administrative and magical auditing skills.
"Let's deal with them once and for all."
Arthur placed his hand on the utterly broken Jose Porla and applied a gentle, conceptual compulsion—not to lie, but to cooperate fully.
Jose, wanting only the oblivion of surrender, immediately divulged the locations of all of Phantom Lord's hidden assets and shell corporations.
Ultear provided Makarov with the undeniable legal framework for the immediate seizure of Phantom Lord's vast treasury, prime real estate, and dark asset networks, citing unprovoked aggression, destruction of property (Fairy Tail's hall, Celestial Forge's dust on the wall), and the attempted kidnapping of a civilian (Lucy Heartfilia).
Rimuru used her magic to quickly assess and transfer all liquid assets—gems, gold, and magical resources—from Phantom Lord's accounts directly into the Celestial Forge's secure vaults.
This move financially empowered the Celestial Forge, ensuring their wealth now surpassed the combined treasuries of multiple major guilds.
Phantom Lord was not just defeated; it was conceptually erased from the magical economy of Fiore. The guild was immediately disbanded, its mages scattering, realizing their allegiance was bankrupt.
With the crisis averted and the guild acquisition in full swing, Arthur found a quiet moment to address the two powerful women whose destinies he had fundamentally altered: Erza Scarlet and Ultear Milkovich.
He located them near the main transport gate—Erza, still recovering from the emotional and physical strain of the Tower, and Ultear, exhausted but exhilarated by her role in the political siege.
"The war is over, and justice is delivered,"
Arthur said, approaching them.
"But I owe both of you a reward for your courage and assistance."
He looked first at Ultear, whose eyes still held a fierce, protective shine.
"Ultear, you faced your past and fought on the side of justice. Now, you get to live the future you deserve."
Arthur took her hand, his gaze direct and serious.
"The time for secrecy is over. I am not just an S-Class mage. I am a being who exists on a different conceptual level. My nature is to protect, to acquire, and to elevate those who follow me. You are the Time Mage I claimed, and your loyalty is accepted."
Ultear looked down at their joined hands, her heart pounding. The revelation confirmed her deepest intuitions about his power.
"Arthur-sama... you are not merely a mage. I understand. My life is yours,"
She whispered, her devotion complete. She leaned in, pressing her forehead gently against his chest in a gesture of total submission and profound thanks.
Arthur then turned to Erza, who was watching the scene with a mix of fascination and intense self-consciousness, remembering Rimuru's advice.
"Erza,"
Arthur said, taking her free hand.
"You taught me the value of courage and self-sacrifice. You are the most honorable mage I have ever met."
He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a feather-light kiss to her armored knuckles, a simple, non-aggressive gesture of deep respect and growing affection.
Erza's entire face flushed a deep crimson that spread down her neck. Her mind, usually organized by the rules of combat, short-circuited.
"A-Arthur-san..."
She stammered, completely unable to form a coherent word.
Arthur smiled, recognizing the immense effort it took for the 'Titania' to be vulnerable.
"Your question from the resort is answered now, Erza. Yes, this feeling is worth exploring."
He pulled both women closer, their hands linked—the Iron Queen and the Time Empress—both powerful, essential allies, now bound to the Cosmic True Dragon.
He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to the top of Ultear's head and then shifted his gaze back to Erza, holding the moment as an unspoken promise.
With the emotional scene concluded and the political chaos now settling into manageable administration, Arthur turned his attention to the final remaining loose end: Gajeel Redfox.
The Iron Dragon Slayer, still immobilized by the Conceptual Bind, was brought before Arthur in the now magically enforced peace of the former Phantom Lord hall.
"Gajeel Redfox,"
Arthur stated, his voice ringing with authority.
"You are an Iron Dragon Slayer. Your power is good, but your loyalty is misplaced. You tried to attack a non-combat team, and you served a bankrupt cause."
Arthur removed the Conceptual Bind, allowing Gajeel to move. The Iron Dragon Slayer immediately tried to attack, a snarl erupting from his throat.
Arthur simply raised a single finger, and Gajeel's body slammed into the floor, not from physical force, but from the invisible, unquantifiable weight of Arthur's sheer presence.
"No,"
Arthur commanded.
"You have two choices, Dragon Slayer. Incarceration—you will be handed over to a very annoyed Magic Council and spend decades in a conceptual prison—or Recruitment."
Arthur let his Dragon's Aura flare for a moment, letting Gajeel sense the reality of his power.
"You will join the Fairy Tail. You will not be an indentured servant; you will be an ally with a new, firm purpose. Your new Master will be Makarov, and your new duty will be to protect Levy McGarden and the Shadow Gear team, ensuring their safety from any future threats."
Gajeel, utterly defeated by the display of a power that made him feel like an insect, and presented with a purpose that aligned with his internal draconic code, made his choice.
"I... I accept,"
Gajeel growled, pushing himself up, his eyes meeting Arthur's with a new, grudging respect.
"I'll join Fairy Tail."
The final piece of the puzzle was in place. The Celestial Forge had acquired immense wealth, The Fairy Tail got their new Dragon Slayer.