Everyone knew whether Goldmine was joking or not, but some things are better left unsaid.
Just then, Bob suddenly said, "Little Makarov, the Mages in your guild have been very lively lately. I heard that some figures of authority in some places were actually defeated."
"Ah... that must be the new recruit, Lucy. She's pretty good, especially her chest," Makarov put his hand to his mouth and whispered jokingly, his old eyes twinkling mischievously, a perverted smile.
"Ah... so perverted," Bob covered his face and said, but Chen Fan felt his tone was strangely excited, a perverted smile visible through the gaps in his fingers.
"You can still laugh, Makarov. Being lively is good, but the Mages in your guild have gone too far. Someone on the Council is worried that Fairy Tail might destroy a city one day," Goldmine said from the side, his tone serious, a frown on his forehead.
"I really want to try destroying one, with Lucy's body," Makarov's tone contained a hint of admiration, a crazy glint in his eyes.
"No, you can't attack Mages from your own guild," Bob said from the side, feigning objection, though his smile remained.
"You're just pretending. I heard Chen Fan is no longer speaking for you..." Goldmine was somewhat unsure, and he couldn't be blamed. Everyone wanted to unleash their full power, but they were afraid of violating this and violating that, which was very frustrating. Hearing that Chen Fan was no longer speaking for Makarov, he was so happy that he couldn't sleep for several days.
"Guild Master Makarov, Guild Master Makarov, a letter from Miss Mira." A small blue bird, clutching a letter in its claws, flew towards Makarov, who was still closing his eyes with flared nostrils, and spoke in a cheerful voice.
"Hmm, thank you for your trouble," Makarov said, then took the letter, a faint smile on his lips.
"Thank you for your protection," the little bird chirped and flew away, flapping its wings towards the ceiling.
Makarov reached out to remove the magic seal, opened the letter, and watched a mini holographic projection of Mira emerge from the paper, flickering in the air like an important message.
In the projection, Mira said, "Guild Master, thank you for your hard work at the regular meeting."
Makarov looked up and said to everyone around, proudly, "How about that? This is our guild's typical beauty. Isn't she amazing?"
"Miss Mira, she has indeed matured greatly," Goldmine praised from the side, while inwardly he thought whether he should find some beauties for his own guild to attract Chen Fan. Despite having dirty thoughts, his expression remained calm; he hadn't been a Guild Master for so many years for nothing.
At this point, Mira in the projection continued, "It's like this, something wonderful happened while you were gone, Guild Master. Erza, Natsu, and Gray actually teamed up! I think this should be Fairy Tail's Strongest Team. I felt I had to report it to you, so I wrote this letter. Well then, goodbye." She then disappeared from the projection, flickering, leaving silence.
The more Makarov listened, the wider his mouth opened, his eyes bulging in shock. "WHAT?!" His surprised voice echoed, bouncing off the walls.
"Your worries have come true, huh," Goldmine said, gloating from the side, with a sly smile.
"BANG...!" Makarov collapsed onto the table, his head hitting it hard. His mind was in turmoil: 'How could something like this happen?! Their actions might actually destroy a city! The regular meeting ends today, although I can return tomorrow... Before that, please, please don't cause me any trouble!'
Suddenly, Makarov seemed to remember something. He jumped to Chen Fan's side, grabbed Chen Fan's pant leg, and began to cry. His wails were so heartbreaking that anyone who didn't know would think Chen Fan was bullying an old man.
"Chen Fan! I've worked so hard to raise you all this time, you have to help me! I don't want to be caught by the Council! @#$%^&%." He uttered many words that Chen Fan couldn't understand, sobbing, tears streaming down his face.
"You can't do that, Makarov! What's said is said! You wouldn't want to tarnish Chen Fan's reputation as 'God's Hand', would you?!" Goldmine quickly stopped Makarov's delusion. He was always lectured by the Magic Council. When Makarov fled, only he was left, and the Magic Council vented all their anger towards Makarov on him. Now that he finally had a chance to drag Makarov back to the front lines, he wouldn't let Makarov succeed in escaping.
"Right, little Makarov, Chen Fan's reputation is the most important! Oh..." Bob also spoke from Chen Fan's side. When he uttered the final 'oh', his mouth almost touched Chen Fan's face. Fortunately, Chen Fan's abilities were not for nothing; he simply wouldn't let him get close, making Bob 'oh' for a long time, but he never touched Chen Fan, as if there was an invisible force field around him.
"Guild Master, you've seen it. It's not that I don't want to help you. It's the will of the people! Accept your fate!" Chen Fan said in a low voice.
"THUD...!" Makarov fell to the ground again, a heavy sound betraying his weight, and everyone burst into laughter, seemingly the 'I've been annoyed with you for a long time' type.
Of course, this was just casual chatter between the Guild Masters. After that, the actual meeting began. Makarov and the other Guild Masters entered the conference room to discuss important matters. Chen Fan also returned to his room, enjoying the tranquility.
It was only at night that Makarov returned to his room. The conference room was truly exhausting. Makarov stumbled onto the bed as soon as he entered, not wanting to move.
"BANG!!" A door slammed shut, echoing in the silence.
Makarov jumped in surprise, seeing Chen Fan leaning against the door, his silhouette illuminated by the moonlight. The moonlight filtered through thin curtains, illuminating Chen Fan's glasses with a grayish-white sheen, making him appear mysterious.
Chen Fan, having found a leather whip from who knows where, stretched it back and forth, producing eerie thwack, thwack sounds in the air. "Welcome back, my Lord."
"Ow-woo...!" A wolf's howl suddenly sounded, startling a flock of birds still sleeping in the trees, adding to the strange, tense atmosphere, as if the world itself shivered in the shadows.
Like the story? You can read 7 chapters and an exclusive collection at p@treon/Rzzzy!