"Crystal Wall!"
Holding the Memory of Time, Marco directly used Crystal Wall to create a box that sealed the book inside.
"Let's see how you'll use it when you can't even open it!"
After completing this step, Marco returned the book to the bookshelf.
This seemed much more natural - keeping it under the pillow would obviously raise suspicions, but placed here, no one would notice this ordinary-looking book unless they specifically searched for it.
Even if someone did find it, the "Crystal Wall" would prevent anything from happening.
Actually, Marco had another simpler option - directly destroying the book.
But he chose not to do so.
Because Marco had some concerns too - what if they genuinely needed to "close the loop," what if Erza and the others really needed to travel back once? This way, they'd still have options later rather than hitting a dead end.
"Maybe it could prove unexpectedly useful elsewhere in the future."
Marco convinced himself this way - if they truly reached a "bad ending," perhaps they could still rely on this book to turn things around.
Better safe than sorry.
With "Memory of Time" securely hidden, Marco went to bed and dreamed all night, eventually laughing himself awake in the morning.
In his dream, he saw the future world where he successfully awakened the Eighth Sense, defeating gods and buddhas who stood in his way, directly becoming a God Among Men.
Then he unified Earth Land, society developed rapidly with both magic and technology advancing together.
Ultimately, he led the people of Earth Land beyond their planet, initiating the 'Great Crusade Era' - not only to conquer the vast cosmos but also countless parallel worlds.
"Damn, as expected, what one thinks about during the day, one dreams about at night indeed.""
Rubbing his forehead, Marco sat up in bed and muttered sarcastically.
"What a chaotic dream - even the Great Crusade Era showed up. I definitely don't want to sit on any golden toilet."
Marco grumbled to himself while quickly washing up.
He had to teach Lucy and Gray today, as they had arranged yesterday.
Rushing all the way to Magnolia, Marco noticed something different as soon as he entered the city—people were even more enthusiastic toward him.
"Your Grace!"
"Grand Duke Rose!"
From the way people addressed him, it was clear that the residents of Magnolia already knew about Marco's current status.
The city had completely taken on the Dreyar name, becoming Marco's property, and those living here had become his subjects.
"Thank you, Grand Duke!"
The citizens' attitude toward Marco was, of course, impeccable.
Many even expressed their gratitude, having evidently seen the newly posted announcements from the city government—Magnolia had been exempted from numerous taxes.
After returning to Magnolia, Marco had a brief discussion with the mayor.
The general administrative policies remained largely unchanged, but a significant portion of the taxes originally allocated to the king and the government were now waived.
Marco himself wasn't short on money, so he didn't need Magnolia to generate income for him.
The city government's revenue would be retained for urban development.
Marco's fiefdom wasn't limited to the current city area; it encompassed the entire Greater Magnolia region.
Although the exact boundaries hadn't been finalized, it was undoubtedly vast, with many areas still awaiting development.
The city's tax revenue would continue to be invested in development, which was certainly good news for the people of Magnolia.
Marco smiled all the way, accepting the citizens' praise and compliments, until he arrived at the guild hall of Fairy Tail.
"Hey! Isn't this our Grand Duke? What brings you to the guild today?"
As soon as Marco stepped inside, he heard a teasing voice.
With a quick glance, he spotted Macao chuckling mischievously.
"Mr. Macao Conbolt, today you will be exiled from Magnolia for stepping out with your left foot first and will never be welcome here again." Marco spoke with a stern face, but his eyes twinkled with amusement.
"How terrifying! It seems I'll have to stay in the guild all day without stepping outside." Macao laughed, not taking Marco's words seriously.
"Hahaha! Serves you right for running your mouth! Straight to exile with ya!" Wakaba slapped the table, roaring with laughter.
The other guildmates were also in stitches, enjoying Macao's comical antics.
Marco shook his head with a smile.
The only ones who could joke with him like this, without putting him on a pedestal, were his guildmates.
Outside, those who didn't know him well mostly treated him with respect, fear, or admiration.
Of course, there were also a few foolish ones who wanted to challenge him or make a name for themselves by defeating him.
In short, very few could interact with him on equal terms.
His guildmates were either childhood friends or had watched him grow up step by step.
Since he had always been the center of attention in the guild and could chat easily with everyone, their bond was naturally special.
For someone like Laxus, however, it was much harder to maintain that kind of camaraderie.
As harsh as it sounded, it was an unavoidable reality.
When two familiar individuals find themselves in vastly different positions of strength and status, with one far surpassing the other, the relationship can grow awkward if the more accomplished person doesn't actively maintain the bond.
The one in the lower position may feel that being too proactive comes off as flattery, often leading them to consciously distance themselves.
Marco certainly didn't want that to happen.
To him, Fairy Tail was his home, his sanctuary.
The companions and seniors who had grown up with him, showing him tolerance and care, were like family.
"Marco-nii!"
Beside Macao, a little boy ran happily toward Marco.
"Romeo, here to play at the guild again?"
Marco picked the boy up, smiling as he spoke.
The child was Macao's son, just over three years old and he often came to the guild with his father, almost as if he'd grown up there.
Seeing Romeo reminded Marco of his own younger self.
Although Marco was still just a teenager himself, looking at Romeo felt like gazing across a generational gap.
With more than a decades age difference, it was hard to consider them part of the same generation.
The emergence of children like Romeo made Marco keenly aware that their own group was gradually growing up.
In a couple more years, they would officially become the backbone of the guild.
Marco couldn't help but reflect inwardly: Their generation was undoubtedly the main cast, the future protagonists of the story.
This was evident from how much these youngsters had elevated the guild's overall strength.
While the guild's seniors were by no means weak—at least stronger than the average members of other guilds—they still fell short when compared to Marco's generation.
The contrast was quite striking.
"Marco-nii is famous again this time! Everyone's saying how amazing you are! When I grow up, I want to be as strong as you!"
Held in Marco's arms, Romeo gazed at him with starry eyes.
The child didn't really understand what Marco had done, what achievements he'd made, or what status he held.
He simply echoed the praises he heard from everyone around him.
That was how it was with the guild's next generation—the children all felt the same way.
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