After the mission was completed, everyone was invited to the headquarters of the Cait Shelter guild.
But there was an unexpected interruption: the newly formed Council task force suddenly appeared and took Jellal and the Oración Seis into custody.
Charles immediately lost his temper. They hadn't shown up during the battle, and now they suddenly appeared demanding to arrest people? How convenient.
The most infuriating part was the commanding officer's arrogant attitude. In a flash of fury, Charles beat them all black and blue.
They'd assumed that numbers would force Charles to back down, but those nobodies couldn't even stay standing under the pressure of his magic field.
In the end, it was only because Jellal volunteered to go with them that the incident was settled.
And so, with mixed emotions, the group arrived at Cait Shelter. While the others went to rest, Charles sought out the guild's master.
Cait Shelter was an incredibly low-key guild—just as Sherry had mentioned when she first arrived, she hadn't even heard of them before the joint operation.
Of course, that was no surprise. Aside from Wendy and Charle, everyone in Cait Shelter was an illusion created by the guild master, Robaul.
Robaul wasn't human, either. He was an undead from four hundred years ago, a lingering will of the magic engineer who had created Nirvana.
Robaul opened his aged eyes and looked at Charles, speaking slowly, "Mages of this era truly are impressive. So, you noticed?"
Charles nodded. "Phantom illusions lack the spark of life. But your magic, Master Robaul, is truly awe-inspiring."
He wasn't flattering Robaul—he was genuinely in awe of his magical achievements.
It wasn't just about creating a magic like Nirvana. The fact that a mere thoughtform had withstood the erosion of four centuries was astonishing in itself.
And more than that, this thoughtform had constructed an entire guild of phantom beings. If one ignored the absence of life force, even Charles couldn't tell them apart from real people.
Robaul said, "Magic isn't something I'm proud of anymore."
Charles paused for a moment. "Sorry. That was insensitive of me."
He realized what Robaul had endured—how the magic he had created to bring peace had instead led to the annihilation of his own people.
To him, powerful magic was nothing to be proud of.
Robaul continued, "It's been so long… it's not worth clinging to. My only concern now is…"
Charles cut in, "Wendy, right?"
Robaul nodded. "That child doesn't need illusions like us anymore. She's finally found real companions.
Thank you for fulfilling my wish… and for appearing in Wendy's life."
Charles said, "If anyone should be thanking someone, it's me. Wendy is actually my sister, though she doesn't remember.
Thank you for taking care of my little sister all these years."
Robaul was stunned for a moment, then smiled in relief. "So that's how it is… Then I can entrust Wendy to you with peace of mind. You'll take good care of her, right?"
Charles responded solemnly, "I will protect her. She's my precious family."
"That's all I need to hear," Robaul said. "Then call everyone. It's time to say goodbye."
Charles gave him a final glance before turning and walking away.
For four hundred years, Robaul had stood guard over Nirvana's seal. The old man was exhausted, in both body and soul.
Now that his last tie to this world—Wendy—had found a new home, he could finally rest.
Everyone gathered in front of Robaul and listened as he told them the origin of it all.
Then, with Wendy's tearful reluctance, the members of Cait Shelter disappeared one by one, their faces filled with smiles and blessings.
Charles watched as Robaul himself dissolved into shimmering motes of light and drifted away, deep in thought.
Illusions were merely tricks on the senses—but were the members of Cait Shelter really just phantoms?
Though Wendy's mind and strength were still immature, it was precisely because of her pure heart that she could feel what others could not.
The emotions she sensed from Cait Shelter's members must have been real.
"What an incredible old man," Charles murmured softly.
…
Wendy was sad for a while, but she soon bounced back.
Robaul's final wish was for her to live happily—he would never want her to remain trapped in sorrow.
Of course, Charles helped a bit. On the way back to the guild, he had Faal do something special.
Faal flew everyone up above the clouds. The unprecedented experience left Wendy flushed with excitement, momentarily forgetting her grief.
Seeing her smile again, Charles felt truly relieved.
As for what came next, Charles believed Fairy Tail would heal Wendy's sadness. Because Fairy Tail had that kind of magic.
Sure enough, back at the guild, Wendy and Charle were welcomed with open arms. Even though she was new, Wendy quickly blended into the group.
Charles sat at the bar, sipping from his glass.
Behind the counter, Mirajane was polishing glasses. "You look really happy, Charles. Is it because of Wendy?"
Charles nodded. "Actually, Wendy and Natsu are both family to me. Finding family again… that's always something to be happy about."
"Family, huh…"
Mirajane's hand stopped mid-polish, a trace of sadness flickering across her face.
Charles glanced over. He realized he had unintentionally touched on her wound, but he didn't say anything to comfort her.
Family was Mirajane's deepest source of pain. No simple words could ease that.
But according to how events should unfold, the Edolas arc would begin soon. When that time came, Mirajane would be reunited with Lisanna, who wasn't truly dead.
Speaking of Edolas, Charles looked up toward the figure on the second floor.
Mystogan stood there, watching Wendy surrounded by people, a look of contentment in his eyes. He turned to leave.
But as soon as he turned, he saw Charles standing behind him.
Charles waved. "We haven't officially met yet, Mystogan. What's wrong? Not going to speak to Wendy? After all, you once cared for her."
Mystogan tugged at his scarf. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Charles noticed the motion and said, "You don't have to hide it, Mystogan… or should I say, Edolas's Jellal."
Mystogan paused, then said, "How did you… Never mind. No matter the world, you're always such an inscrutable guy."
That caught Charles off guard. What did he mean? Was there another Charles in Edolas too? It seemed his presence had triggered changes beyond what he had expected.
From the sound of it, Mystogan also knew another version of him. He wondered what that other Charles was like.
But he quickly let it go and said, "Mystogan, don't forget—we're guildmates. Whatever burdens you carry, you can share them with us. That's what companions are for."
Mystogan was silent for a moment, then replied, "Understood. Then when the time comes… please allow me to rely on you."
Charles nodded and extended his hand, which Mystogan took in a firm handshake.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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