Makarov felt he had failed as a leader and wanted to abdicate in favor of a successor.
Hunched over, he dragged a large, bulging bag of luggage, shuffling slowly toward the guild entrance. His face was etched with frustration and grievance, looking exactly like an old child who had been bullied.
"Don't bother trying to persuade me. I have failed the previous Master."
He waved his hand without looking back, his voice thick with choked sobs, though he showed no intention of stopping.
Seeing this, the guild members swarmed around him in an instant.
Macao and Wakaba grabbed the large bundle from both sides, holding on for dear life. The bag was pulled out of shape, and the clothes inside nearly spilled out.
Elfman hugged Makarov around the waist from behind, while Cana and Levy each grabbed one of his legs.
"Master, don't go! What will we do if you leave?"
Lisanna looked up with a small face, her voice filled with tears.
"No one else can keep this bunch of bastards in check."
Wakaba gritted his teeth and pulled back with all his might, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Master, I'll let you see my prized limited-edition weekly magazine!"
Macao shouted at the top of his lungs, his expression one of total desperation.
Riyao unhurriedly pushed through the crowd, leaned over to Makarov's ear, a faint smile playing on his lips, and lowered his voice.
"Old man, before you leave, pay back the over a billion you owe me."
Makarov's eyes had already softened, but upon hearing Riyao's words, his whole body jolted. The hesitation on his face vanished completely in an instant.
He widened his eyes sharply, his short legs kicking the ground desperately as if they had springs attached. He rushed toward the guild entrance with all his might, shouting.
"Let go of me! Everyone, let go!"
Mirajane had appeared in front of Makarov at some point, arms spread slightly, blocking his path.
She tilted her head slightly, wearing her signature sweet smile that felt as gentle as a spring breeze. Yet, for some reason, this smile radiated an aura that made one afraid to act out.
"Master, where are you planning to go? I heard you want to abandon us cute children."
Mirajane's voice was as soft as if she were coaxing a child, but her gaze was locked firmly on Makarov's face.
Makarov looked up at Mirajane in front of him, then turned to look at the smiling Riyao behind him, his lips trembling twice.
Suddenly, he threw himself onto the floor, rolling back and forth like a petulant child.
"Wuwuwu, I want to live a Happy retirement life too. I've worked hard for most of my life..."
As he rolled, he wiped away non-existent tears, his short legs kicking wildly in the air. He looked both pitiful and hilarious.
The guild members looked at each other, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Riyao watched the old man rolling on the floor, sighed helplessly, rubbed his temples, and spoke up.
"I'll cover the full compensation for Magnolia this time, alright?"
As soon as the words fell, Makarov's rolling stopped abruptly.
He remained lying on his side, one eye peeking open through a slit, glancing sideways at Riyao with a look full of suspicion and anticipation.
"Really?"
His voice still carried the lingering notes of his tantrum, but his tone had clearly changed.
"Really."
Riyao spread his hands and nodded.
"Not a loan?"
Makarov sat up in one motion, propping his hands on the floor, his neck stretched out long.
"Not a loan."
Riyao held back his laughter and confirmed solemnly.
Makarov froze for a second, then sprang up from the floor with a kip-up.
He strode over to the large bundle, raised a foot, and kicked it neatly into the corner. Then, he straightened his back, adjusted his collar unhurriedly, and cleared his throat.
"Since everyone wants me to stay, I will continue to be the Master."
He clasped his hands behind his back, lifted his chin slightly, and wore a tsundere expression on his face.
"It won't be so easy for you to make me abdicate in the future!"
The guild members were stunned for a moment, then burst into uproarious laughter, which echoed throughout the guild hall.
Natsu laughed so hard he slapped the table, Gray bent over holding his stomach, and even the usually composed Erza couldn't help but turn her head away, her shoulders shaking.
Ur walked out from the crowd, came to Makarov's side, and whispered that she had something to discuss with the Master.
Riyao glanced at Ur's expression and silently followed.
As soon as the three entered the Master's office and before the door had fully closed, Gray crept over, plastering himself against the door like a gecko, his ear pressed tightly against the door panel.
Gray was listening intently when he suddenly felt a bit crowded.
He frowned and looked back, startled. Behind him, the space was already packed with people—Mirajane, Levy, Lucy, Happy, Natsu... not one was missing, all of them pressed against the door in the exact same pose as him.
Lucy lowered her voice, her eyes shining with gossip.
"Could it be that the Master intends to choose Riyao as his successor?"
Levy nodded her little head, tapping her chin with two fingers.
"I think so too. Senior Riyao is indeed the most suitable candidate."
Mirajane shook her head gently, a knowing smile on her lips.
"Riyao said long ago that he didn't want to be Master. The Master wouldn't force him."
Happy tilted his head, one paw propping up his chin in a thoughtful pose, his tail swaying slowly behind him.
"Then it must be to make Riyao go buy fish to compensate the residents! Aye!"
Everyone rolled their eyes at Happy in unison.
What they didn't know was that there were more than three people in the Master's office.
As soon as Makarov walked into the office and saw the person standing inside, he recoiled sharply, nearly losing his balance, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg.
Riyao wasn't very surprised, just raised an eyebrow slightly and waved casually.
"Yo, if it isn't the culprit who destroyed the Council headquarters, Ultear."
Ultear stood by the window, her posture elegant. Upon hearing this, she bowed slightly, a faint curve on her lips.
"Long time no see, Awesome Klas."
"Pfft..."
Riyao suddenly heard this name, his cheeks puffed up sharply, and then he couldn't hold it in, laughter leaking from the corners of his mouth.
He quickly covered his mouth with his hand, but his shoulders shook uncontrollably.
Ur walked forward, reached out to gently take Ultear's hand, and turned to look at Makarov, her gaze filled with solemnity and tenderness.
"Master Makarov, Ultear is my daughter."
Makarov's eyes widened even further, the wrinkles on his face stretching out slightly. He looked at Ur, then at Ultear, unable to speak for a moment.
Riyao also quickly wiped away his smile, putting on an expression of shock, his mouth forming an O shape, and he even gasped in cooperation.
Ultear's eye twitched, and a vein mark faintly appeared on her forehead.
"Riyao, there's no need for you to be surprised. You already know the truth, so what is there to be surprised about!"
Riyao scratched the back of his head, gave a sheepish laugh, and his eyes drifted to the ceiling.
"Hahaha... I just felt like I should act surprised at a moment like this."
Although Makarov didn't have a good opinion of the Council, facing the woman who had once destroyed the Council headquarters, his inner wariness instinctively made him tense up.
However, seeing Riyao's relaxed and casual reaction, his tense shoulders slowly relaxed again. It seemed she wasn't an enemy.
He was silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Ur and Ultear a few times, and finally, he spoke in a deep voice.
"So, what exactly is going on?"