Chapter 51: Good Fortune and Three Kids
The final bounty for the Iron Forest dark guild was a hefty 11 million J.
Of that, their guild master Erigor alone was worth 8.5 million J.
The remaining 2.5 million was split among the many lesser grunts combined.
This wasn't unusual—bounties are set based on reputation, after all.
You had to be known to get a price on your head.
Just like the pirates from a certain other world, those who stood out got the higher rewards—even if they were on the same crew.
That said, for dark wizards, having a high bounty was not exactly a blessing.
If you had a big price tag but not the power to match, you were basically a walking payday for bounty hunters.
And some mages—especially those with strong moral codes—made a living hunting down wanted criminals.
"Eleven million J! We're all walking away with a good cut!"
When Master Makarov announced the total amount, the entire guild broke into cheers.
A few of the older guys immediately poured themselves another drink, ordered extra meat, and declared a bonus feast on the spot.
Watching them toast, drink, laugh, and split their earnings like bandits sharing loot, Moen couldn't help but think—
"They really do feel like a bunch of happy outlaws."
"Erigor was taken down by Moen! Give the kid a bigger share!"
It was Macao who spoke up, raising his hand in support.
Erigor alone was worth 8.5 million—clearly, Moen had done the heavy lifting.
Everyone instantly agreed.
In the face of cold, hard cash, there wasn't a single voice of dissent.
But Moen stood up and said, with a calm and resolute tone:
"That's not necessary. It's not like I was theonlyone capable of beating him. You all gave me the chance by holding back—and we all took part in this mission. Everyone did their part. The credit belongs to the guild as a whole."
Though still young in appearance, Moen's maturity and sense of responsibility were unmistakable.
"…"
Laxus, watching from the side, gave a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
He'd have refused too, sure—but he definitely couldn't have said it like that.
"Well said!"
Makarov slammed the table with a proud grin.
"Everyone contributed. Everyone gets an equal share! That's the Fairy Tail way!"
"OHHHH!!!"
The guild erupted in cheers once more.
In the end, when evenly divided, the amount each person received wasn't massive—
but no one cared.
They were happy. They were together. They were family.
And most importantly, they were celebrating like only Fairy Tail could.
There were no complicated schemes or politicking here—just laughter, loyalty, and a shared sense of belonging.
After the wild celebration, the crowd slowly dispersed.
The guildhall was a total mess.
Eleanor and the new recruit Laki stayed behind to clean up, with Moen lending a hand as usual.
"Moen-nii… you really don't have to stay and help…"
Laki's cheeks were glowing red as she looked over at him shyly while wiping down the tables.
Clearly flustered, she tried to convince him to go home and rest.
"…Huh?"
Moen blinked, puzzled by her tone and expression.
"But… I always help Eleanor-sis with cleanup. It's just something I've always done…"
The moment he said that, realization seemed to hit.
Laki's face turned even redder—like a kettle starting to whistle, she seemed ready to boil over. Steam was practically coming out of her ears.
"Pfft—!"
Nearby, Eleanor let out an audible snort of laughter.
She couldn't help it anymore.
No wonder Laki had always acted so strangely whenever Moen helped out.
Turns out... someone had misunderstood something.
"Ahem… uh, Eleanor-sis—I think I'll just head back for tonight."
Moen cleared his throat awkwardly and quickly made his exit.
Honestly, it was a little embarrassing.
He had never even thought about that kind of thing before.
Laki… turns out this girl was more emotionally mature than Moen expected—
and not just that—a little self-absorbed, too.
She had actually assumed that Moen stayed behind to help clean up because of her.
That thought had never even crossed Moen's mind.
She didn't ask. She didn't confirm.
She just blindly assumed that must be the reason.
Had she simply asked around a bit, she'd have learned that Moen always stayed to help clean up after guild events.
"Ahem… Itotallyknew that. I just thought you were probably tired from beating up Erigor… and should get some rest…"
After overheating and entering full mental shutdown,
Laki finally managed to say something—nervously trying to explain her actions.
"Laki~ Little Moen already left."
The reply didn't come from Moen—but from Eleanor, her senior,
who now wore a wide, teasing grin.
Laki looked around in a panic.
Moen was nowhere to be seen in the hall.
"Ugh…"
She covered her face in pure despair, looking like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
The Next Morning
Laki ran into Moen again inside the guild.
"Good morning, Laki."
Moen greeted her brightly with a warm, sunny smile—like nothing at all had happened yesterday.
His kindness and easygoing charm immediately put people at ease.
"G-Good morning, Moen-nii…"
Laki replied, voice stuttering, face still burning with leftover embarrassment.
She clearly couldn't pretend it never happened the way Moen could.
Across the hall, Cana sat shuffling her tarot cards.
She noticed the strange interaction and raised a brow.
"Hmm? What's with Laki? She's acting weird."
"No idea. Maybe you should askher—instead of me."
Moen laughed and reached for a tarot card from the deck.
The card he drew showed a young child with an innocent face and sweet smile,
riding a horse, bursting triumphantly through a gray stone wall.
A wreath of daisies crowned his head, a long red feather behind it.
In one hand, he held a red flag.
Behind him, the bright, radiant sun lit up the sky.
"Looks like today's going to be a lucky day?"
Moen raised a brow and glanced at Cana.
"That's right. Everything should go smoothly today."
Cana nodded with a serious look, even as her sleepy white cat curled up beside her yawned adorably.
"Thanks, I'll take that blessing."
Moen chuckled and handed the Sun card back.
After drawing tarot cards every day, he was starting to memorize their meanings.
Just as he got up, ready to check for a new mission request on the board—
a voice called out from the guildhall entrance.
"Come in now. Don't be afraid."
Master Makarov had returned.
Walking beside him were three children.
At the front was a girl in a long cloak, with two younger kids trailing closely behind—
likely her little brother and sister.
The sight immediately drew Moen's attention.
Something told him—his "lucky day" had just begun.