"Where do you... plan to go first?" Erza couldn't help but ask.
"Let's go to Mermaid Heel first. Didn't you say Simon's sister is there?" Sho answered.
They definitely had to accompany Simon to see his sister first. After all, Simon was the only one among them with a goal; the other three didn't know where to go.
"Yes, Kagura is at Mermaid Heel." Marco, standing beside Erza, nodded to confirm the news.
"I heard that's a mage guild with only female members!" Wally added excitedly from the side.
He had gotten along well with the Fairy Tail members and picked up quite a bit of news.
"But they might not necessarily like a square head!"
Millianna made a sharp retort.
As companions, they were used to Wally's unique aesthetic, but for normal humans, this aesthetic was too advanced.
It would probably be hard to win the favor of girls.
"Hmph! Those who cannot appreciate the beauty of squares will not gain my respect!"
Wally snorted coldly, expressing his disdain for uncultured people like Millianna.
If he were to find a girlfriend, naturally, he would find someone who could appreciate him.
He wouldn't change his aesthetic for a woman! (take a note guys)
"Good job! You're very spirited!"
Hearing this, Marco couldn't help but give Wally a thumbs up. This kid had ambition, even if he was likely to stay single forever.
There was no helping it; the aesthetic was too niche. If he insisted on something else, he might find like-minded people.
But insisting on a "square face," with edges sharp enough to stab someone to death... people who could accept that were indeed rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
"See! Even Marco-sama agrees with me!"
receiving Marco's "praise," Wally got even more excited.
After spending this time together, their attitude toward Marco had become increasingly respectful.
There was no helping it; the more they learned about Marco, the more they respected him.
This peer of theirs seemed like someone from a completely different world.
Regarding Simon's honest admission of defeat and decisive departure, Sho, Millianna, and Wally understood it more and more.
In fact, if they had to choose, they wouldn't support Simon.
It wasn't even a matter of siding with friend or reason anymore.
With such a golden couple—both talented and beautiful—what kind of monster would dare to intervene?
As for Simon himself, he didn't feel sad about it.
After all, even he felt he wasn't worthy to compete.
If anything, they were more worried about Erza.
Based on their observations along the way, Erza's rivals were quite formidable.
Marco was a hot commodity!
"Erza, you need to do your best too!"
Before parting, Simon, Sho, Millianna, and Wally actually encouraged Erza instead, winking and making faces, leaving Erza confused, but she played along anyway.
"Everyone, do your best!"
While waving goodbye to her four companions, Erza shouted loudly.
Marco stayed by Erza's side the whole time until the four figures could no longer be seen.
"It's over."
Erza lowered her waving hand and said somewhat wistfully.
"Isn't this great? A happy ending."
Marco stretched lazily and teased with a smile.
For most people in this event, it was a happy ending.
The bad guys were punished, the good guys were saved, and Erza's knot was untied—a joyous occasion for all.
"No, there are still people who haven't received the ending they deserve." Erza shook her head.
It wasn't actually over.
Jellal, Ultear, the mysterious person who picked children at the Tower of Heaven, the forces behind the Tower of Heaven, the person who bewitched Jellal... the story of the "Tower of Heaven" hadn't truly ended.
"Unfortunately, that Ultear has already run away." Marco sighed too, but he wasn't surprised.
Once the Thought Projection Siegrain left, Ultear, who also served in the "Magic Council," obviously realized the danger.
She disappeared very quickly. By the time their news reached the "Magic Council," Ultear was long gone.
"This is really..." Erza frowned, unsure of what to say.
As the top management organization of the entire "Ishgar Continent," a professional organization responsible for managing all mage affairs, the "Magic Council's" most critical council had actually been infiltrated by two members of an evil organization!
Honestly, once this news was made public, it would be absolutely shocking.
The "Magic Council" would face immense public pressure.
How could mage guilds continue to trust them? For the Council to be infiltrated by enemies—two of them, no less—was simply a massive joke!
"The Magic Council really needs to be reorganized." Marco couldn't hold back anymore.
Compared to this, the "Tower of Heaven" matter was just child's play.
Zeref's resurrection would only be one person.
Although Marco didn't know exactly how strong that legendary figure was, the impact probably wouldn't be greater than the "Magic Council" losing control.
After all, the "Magic Council" controlled a lot of advance weapon.
Even the "Alvarez Empire" that unified the Western Continent chose to lay low under the deterrence of the "Magic Council."
Although Marco constantly complained about the "Magic Council," he never said it shouldn't exist.
The existence of this organization was absolutely necessary.
Although in normal times, the "Magic Council" seemed to be constantly appeasing and appeared unable to do anything about "Fairy Tail"—just scolding them lightly or making them write a self-reflection when something happened—that was because "Fairy Tail" was ultimately a legitimate guild.
Even if they really found them an eyesore, the "Magic Council" couldn't use extreme measures against them, at most pulling some petty tricks to annoy them.
"Once we get back, Grandpa is preparing to make things difficult for the Magic Council. The consequences of the Magic Council's mishap are too serious."
Walking back, Marco talked about the subsequent arrangements.
Don't look at how the old man was usually scolded because guild members caused trouble; once the old man exploded with such a legitimate reason, the "Magic Council" would be in deep trouble.
After all, the old man wouldn't be acting alone.
"The Magic Council must give everyone an explanation. These council members... I think it's time to change for some fresh blood."
Marco calculated in his mind whether it was possible to obtain more benefits for "Fairy Tail" in this major event, such as gaining more say within the "Magic Council."
Just having Old Man Yajima alone still wasn't quite enough.
"What about Jellal?"
Listening to Marco talk about the aftermath of the "Tower of Heaven Incident" all the way back, Erza hadn't heard any arrangements related to Jellal.
She was a bit confused; shouldn't Jellal be a key figure?
"Jellal... let's see the results of the experiment first."
Hearing this, Marco took out a card.
The severely injured Jellal was imprisoned within it, carried and guarded by Marco personally.
Marco had effectively mastered this "Card Magic," except he achieved it using [Another Dimension].
Jellal was indeed a key figure.
To prevent accidents or a jailbreak, Marco naturally kept him under strict guard.
Anyone wanting to snatch Jellal would have to get past him first.
---------
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator