No matter how much Mr. Jude detested Magic, he couldn't deny that the Heartfilia Konzern, which he'd poured countless efforts into establishing, was saved from the brink of bankruptcy thanks to a Mage.
"Mr. Noah, thank you very much."
"And you too, Roland."
Watching Mr. Jude's rigid face force out a smile, Roland burst into laughter. To make his prideful old friend humble himself and express thanks, he had to do something to celebrate.
So, for his old friend's pride, he decided to add another two million five hundred thousand Jewels to the reward.
Mr. Jude's expression changed instantly. Was his face only worth two million five hundred thousand Jewels? He suspected Roland was being sarcastic, but given the situation, he couldn't act out.
Noah hadn't expected the client to be so generous with money. The original reward was three million Jewels, two million for the Black Bird operation funds, plus the additional two and a half million.
Is this the capriciousness of the wealthy? A total of seven and a half million Jewels—almost two-thirds of Mira's reward for the Beast King subjugation job. Yet, compared to the life-and-death S-Class Mage jobs, this job's difficulty was merely child's play.
Seven and a half million Jewels in cash would require a large box. To avoid trouble, Roland opened a savings account for Noah and directly deposited the reward into it.
"Mr. Noah, please keep this payment Lacrima. When you need to spend, just activate it to pay. It's already widely used in many big cities, so you don't need to worry about inconvenience."
Noah took the payment Lacrima. He hadn't expected this world to have developed such a method. No need to carry cash when going out—just scan the payment Lacrima to pay. It was indeed very convenient.
After hearing "seven and a half million Jewels credited" from the Lacrima, Noah's current job was concluded.
Roland wanted to invite Noah to stay for another day or two to entertain him properly, but for Noah, who had a strong inclination to stay at home, he just wanted to return to his dorm and relax.
However, before leaving, Noah glanced at Mr. Jude, recalling the stories he'd heard from Roland about him and about his daughter, whom he'd kept locked up at home like a canary, ignored and neglected.
"Mr. Jude, some things shouldn't be said by an outsider like me, but I imagine we won't have any further interactions in the future, so I don't care if you get angry after hearing this."
"I don't know much about Magic, but I do know whether it's evil or not depends on the user's stance."
"Your wife passed away because of Magic. I don't know the specific reasons, but if you're taking out your anger on your daughter because of that, ignoring her thoughts and crushing her dreams... then you're truly a failed father."
"Don't wait until you suddenly realize your mistakes to regret them. There's no such thing as a 'regret pill' in this world."
"Cherish your family and friends well."
Regardless of whether Mr. Jude listened or not, Noah turned and left after speaking.
Noah was someone who disliked trouble. The reason he'd said so much to someone he met for the first time was simply because Mr. Jude's situation was similar to his old father, Faust.
Before Noah was created, Faust's queen died in childbirth, and the crisis of the world's dwindling Magic Power led him to vent his anger on his newborn son.
Noah's poor elder brother, who'd just arrived in this world, was cruelly abandoned.
Only when Faust's stony heart softened because of Noah did he remember his debt to his eldest son. But there was no longer any opportunity to make amends, so he could only shower Noah with double the love.
However, Mr. Jude was much luckier than Faust. He hadn't yet caused deeper harm to his daughter, and he still had a friend who genuinely cared for him.
Hopefully, he could move past the pain of losing his wife.
If he couldn't, then it had nothing to do with Noah—he was just a passerby.
The young man had been gone for half an hour, but the two people in the office remained motionless. Roland sighed, looking at Mr. Jude, who'd been dazed for a long time.
Roland himself didn't know how many times he'd tried to persuade his friend with the same words Noah had spoken to Mr. Jude.
But was it useful?
Mr. Jude remained as stubborn as a rock.
"Roland... thank you."
"Come home with me to see Lucy. If I go alone, she definitely won't want to talk to me."
The silent Mr. Jude suddenly spoke, startling Roland, who'd given up hope. Then he felt a surge of joy—this lucky idiot had finally come to his senses!
So, all my years of advice and comfort were completely incomparable to a few words from an outsider?
Is it because we're good friends that you don't take my words seriously? You're really a scoundrel, Jude...
While cursing inwardly, Roland was still willing to help his friend and immediately offered advice. "Then what are you waiting for? Go buy some things Lucy likes. She's fifteen and a sensible big child now. You need to apologize properly and admit your mistakes."
Hearing Roland's words, Mr. Jude was first excited and grateful, then his expression froze.
His daughter... what did she like again?
Because of the long estrangement and distance, Mr. Jude realized he didn't know his daughter's current preferences.
"You're truly a rotten father, you bastard."
Roland, usually a refined man, couldn't help but swear upon seeing this, then spoke helplessly.
"Dolls, storybooks, pretty clothes, delicious food... these are what most girls like."
"Lucy inherited her mother's Celestial Spirit Magic. Quickly have your subordinates go to various Magic shops and see if there are any Celestial Spirit Gate Keys for sale. It would be even better if you could find a rare Gold Zodiac Key."
"Don't just stand there! Get moving, you scoundrel who has nothing left but money!"
Noah wasn't interested in what happened after he left the Merchant Guild.
He only knew that he'd completed the job in just three days, and President Roland, the client, had even given him a five-star rating on the job form to express his satisfaction.
Now Erza couldn't say anything, could she?
With four days left until Christmas, Noah planned to take a vacation directly until next year, as it would only be about ten days in total.
The last days of the year, of course, should be spent relaxing thoroughly.
"Laxus, I am the Guild Master!"
"Old man, you'll regret this!"
Outside the guild gates, two angry voices reached Noah's ears. He felt like he'd heard these lines somewhere before.
Weren't these the words Roland and Mr. Jude said when they argued?
Next, wouldn't one of them open the door and walk out?
Just as Noah was muttering to himself, sure enough, the door was pulled open from the inside, and a cool-looking blond man in a black coat with distinctive headphones walked out.
The person who arrived was none other than... Makarov's grandson, the powerful and rebellious wielder of Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic, the first S-Class Mage of the new generation, the guardian of the guild's second floor, a lover of classic mixed rock music, and in Noah's eyes, a lunatic.
Laxus Dreyar.