The day after the campaign against Enyo, Orario was already fervently engaged in reconstruction.
Although the corrupted spirit clones had failed to activate the Six Rings of the Spirits, the six spirit pillars still unleashed large-scale magic without restraint, causing substantial destruction.
Nidhogg's defeat at Charles's hands marked the complete collapse of Dionysus's plan. Even the six spirit pillars had been destroyed by the various Familia.
The Dark Faction had been thoroughly decimated. The few survivors had retreated into the artificial dungeon, making it difficult to flush them out in the short term.
As for the mastermind—Dionysus, or rather, Enyo—he had been exiled back to the heavens by the three gods Loki, Freya, and Hephaestus.
Yet the greatest contributor to this victory—the Dragon Furnace of the Hephaestus Familia—was nowhere to be found.
No one had seen when Charles left, nor did anyone know where he had gone.
Charles had already used world magic to return to the world of Fairy Tail.
Last time, he had been forced to absorb Spirit Magic Energy, and had no choice but to flee using world magic. He had now spent over three months in the Danmachi world.
But due to the upgraded world magic, only about ten days had passed in the Fairy Tail world. Still, he had technically vanished without a trace—he couldn't imagine how worried Natsu and the others must be.
Charles returned at the original site of the Tower of Paradise, but that towering spire of magic crystal had completely vanished, leaving not even a fragment.
Not surprising—any leftover magic crystal would've been retrieved by the Council after the explosion.
Looking around at the island now reduced to barren land, Charles unfurled his wings of flame and flew toward the guild.
In the Danmachi world, he had leveled up twice, and his speed had clearly increased since before he crossed over. He quickly approached the town of Magnolia, home of Fairy Tail.
Just as he was descending, a piece of paper smacked into his face. He stopped midair and peeled it off.
It was a flyer—for Magnolia's Harvest Festival.
The Harvest Festival was a celebration held in every city, meant to give thanks for a year's bounty and pray for peace and prosperity in the coming year.
What made Magnolia's festival special was the grand float parade hosted by the Fairy Tail guild.
Oh… and the Miss Fairy Tail beauty pageant.
Seeing the slogan for audience voting on the flyer, Charles couldn't help but sigh. Could someone please tell him who funded the 500,000 J prize for the pageant winner? The Guild Master wouldn't have dipped into guild funds, would he?
Charles suddenly froze—he remembered that this part actually happened in the original story.
"Laxus, you idiot, don't do anything stupid!"
He sped up, leaving a blazing red streak in the sky.
The closer he got to Magnolia, the stronger his sense of dread became. Sure enough, he could hear sounds of battle all over town.
What a cruel twist—he had just finished slaying an evil dragon in another world, only to return to deal with the aftermath of some brat throwing a tantrum.
Charles's mood soured instantly. Naturally, someone was going to suffer for it.
The battle in Magnolia wasn't an enemy invasion—it was a civil war within Fairy Tail.
It had started with Laxus's underling, Evergreen of the Thunder God Tribe, turning Erza and others into stone with her magic.
Then Laxus had unilaterally declared the start of a childish game, saying he'd only lift the petrification if someone beat him.
People had originally planned to just beat him into submission—but the moment they stepped outside, they were trapped in runes cast by Freed, another member of the Thunder God Tribe.
Freed's rune magic was tricky—once you stepped into his barrier, you were bound by the rules he set.
The rule covering Magnolia was for Fairy Tail members to fight each other, in order to determine who was "the strongest."
Charles surveyed the town. Though everyone was brawling, they were holding back, so it wasn't yet a serious danger.
So he flew straight back to the guild. When he had left before, it had still been under reconstruction—but now it stood fully rebuilt, looking like a luxurious castle.
But it was eerily empty, which was odd.
Charles landed at the entrance and reached out, only to be stopped by an air wall of magical runes.
Freed's barrier again—the rule for this one was "no one over fifty may enter."
Charles, having crossed through time from 500 years ago, was naturally affected.
The realization that the world saw him as 500 years old made Charles feel a bit conflicted.
"Charles!"
He heard Natsu's voice from inside. The pink-haired boy slammed himself against the rune wall.
Charles sighed. "Natsu, calm down. I'm fine."
Natsu braced himself on the wall and pulled back slightly, shouting excitedly, "Where the hell did you disappear to? Ugh, forget that—let me out! I've got to punch Laxus into next week!"
Charles sighed again. "So it really was Laxus who started this, huh?"
Makarov shuffled over, sleeves drooping. "Charles, you're back at the right time. That Laxus boy is about to do something very foolish. You have to stop him."
Charles scratched his head. "Master, you really know how to put people on the spot. But honestly, Freed's runes don't actually stop you, do they?"
"You're just not sure what to do with Laxus… but if this keeps up, you'll eventually have to make the choice you least want to make."
Makarov suddenly looked even older, his already short body hunching with weariness.
Charles grumbled, "Seriously, I just got back and this is what I'm dealing with? What a pain…"
With that, he turned to walk away.
Natsu banged on the rune wall. "Charles! Where are you going? Let me and the old man out first!"
Charles waved without turning around. "I'm going to knock some sense into Laxus. Can't let this mess ruin the Harvest Festival parade tonight."
Makarov looked up at Charles's retreating figure. "Sorry… and thank you—for everything."
Charles spread his flaming wings and shot into the sky.
Laxus hadn't even tried to hide—his presence had stayed in the same place all along.
Cardia Cathedral—the largest landmark in Magnolia aside from Fairy Tail.
Charles plummeted like a meteor and kicked open the cathedral doors.
"Yo! Laxus. Long time no see."
Inside the cathedral, sitting grandly with hands clasped under his chin, was Laxus.
Charles greeted him with fiery enthusiasm.
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