Three days passed in a flash.
The Fairy Tail Guild began its reconstruction, and at the construction site, everyone from Fairy Tail was working diligently.
Without rebuilding the Guild, they couldn't start working. If they didn't work, they could only help out at the construction site. Although there wasn't much pay, food and drinks were plentiful, and they could chat with their Guild mates.
"So—heavy—!"
Natsu, carrying over a dozen logs, gritted his teeth and slowly moved his feet.
Gray, carrying a log on his shoulder, grumbled, "Who told you to take so many at once? Are you an idiot?"
"What do you know? I'm training! Just watch, once I finish my training, I'll be able to defeat Erza and that monster Qi Yan."
"Huh? You're dreaming, aren't you? That monster Erza is one thing, but Qi Yan is already a super monster. How could a guy like that be defeated?"
If they had thought before that defeating Qi Yan was somewhat possible, as his weakness was evident—lack of endurance.
But now, Qi Yan's magic power had greatly increased, growing from a one-minute powerhouse to a ten-minute powerhouse. Although the time was still very short, no one could withstand Qi Yan for those ten minutes.
"You're truly a man without dreams, that's why you're so weak!"
"Huh?! Who are you calling weak? If I get serious, I can carry twice as much as you!"
As Gray spoke, he really went to carry twice as many logs, moving his body with all his might.
"Ow ow ow! How... how about that? Did you see?"
Gray said through gritted teeth, but after only a few meters, the rope snapped.
"Whoa oh oh oh!"
The scattered logs pressed Gray down.
"Hahahahaha! So embarrassing! Did you see that, Happy?"
"Aye!"
Natsu, seeing this scene, mercilessly mocked Gray.
"You two, stop playing around and get to work! As long as the Guild isn't finished, there's no work!"
Qi Yan, carrying several logs, shouted at Natsu and Gray. He still wanted to do S-Class Quests, but if the Guild wasn't finished, they couldn't start working.
No work meant no gacha draws, and a life without gacha draws had no fun.
"Hey! Everyone, look quickly, there's big news in the newspaper!"
Just then, someone ran over, holding a newspaper.
"What news?"
Everyone in the Guild looked over curiously. If it was big news, it certainly wasn't a small matter.
"The Phantom Lord Guild has disbanded!"
"What?!"
Everyone in the Guild was greatly surprised.
The Phantom Lord Guild and Fairy Tail were actually evenly matched. Perhaps their strength was a bit weaker than Fairy Tail, but they had many Guild members. If they really fought, it was hard to say who would win or lose.
"What exactly happened? How could Phantom Lord suddenly disband?!"
Erza walked over and asked, puzzled. Even if they lost to Fairy Tail, Phantom Lord was still the second strongest Mage Guild in Fiore.
"The newspaper says that shortly after the last competition ended, Jose went back and disbanded the Phantom Lord Guild."
"..."
Everyone in the Fairy Tail Guild was somewhat silent. To be honest, they really disliked the Phantom Lord Guild, but they never thought of making the other Guild disband.
After all, they were all legitimate Guilds. Friction was one thing, but they never thought of making the other party homeless or jobless.
Qi Yan said, "Alright, don't think too much about it. It's their own business if they want to disband the Guild. We can't interfere, and there's no need to interfere. We just need to do our own thing."
Everyone in the Guild nodded upon hearing Qi Yan's words. Indeed, if they had been the ones who lost the previous competition, Phantom Lord would have been even more arrogant.
If they lost and couldn't accept it, disbanding the Guild was their problem, not theirs.
After everyone went back to work, Qi Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. In his impression, Jose was not the kind of man who would willingly accept such a huge loss.
Who knows what kind of revenge he might exact on Fairy Tail in the future, but he didn't need to care too much. Jose couldn't defeat him now, and he would be even less able to defeat him in the future.
*****
Magic Council ERA
Fiore Branch
"Hoo hoo hoo—hoo hoo—hoo hoo..."
During the branch's trial meeting, Makarov stood in the judgment seat and fell asleep.
This made many Council members tremble with anger. In this sacred courtroom, in front of so many Magic Council members, he was actually sleeping. This was simply ignoring them, the Magic Council members.
"Mr. Ma... Makarov?"
"Yes!"
"The trial is currently underway... were you asleep just now?"
Makarov scratched his head awkwardly, his eyes darting around: "No such thing! Oh ho ho ho ho ho!"
"The verdict will now be delivered..."
After the trial ended, Makarov sat with his friend Yajima.
"I never thought that in this matter, Fairy Tail would be judged innocent. To be honest, I was prepared to be confined."
Makarov was in a good mood after hearing the verdict. After all, the incident this time was no small matter. Although the method Qi Yan proposed circumvented the Magic Council's regulations, there was indeed an underlying desire for retaliation.
Coupled with the damage caused to Onibus City this time, the Magic Council ultimately ruled to withhold the prize money Fairy Tail won in the competition, without adding any other penalties. This was the best possible outcome for Fairy Tail.
"Thank me, old Makarov. I tried my best to defend you all."
"No need for thanks, Yajima. Once the Guild is built, I'll invite you to visit and treat you to Fairy Ramen."
Makarov thanked Yajima. The two had known each other since childhood, and now, after nearly eighty years, their bond was naturally very deep.
"Fairy Ramen, with 12 slices of char siu."
"12 slices, isn't that too many?"
"Is that so? Then next time, I won't speak up for you."
"I know, I know! 20 slices, 30 slices, I'll give them all to you!"
As the Guild Master, he knew Fairy Tail's troublemaking ability best. Who knows when the next trouble would occur. Over the years, it was thanks to his good friend Yajima covering for them in the Council; otherwise, Fairy Tail might have been forcibly disbanded by the Council long ago.
"12 slices of char siu are enough, but, old Makarov, the Council has been constantly paying attention to the incidents caused by Fairy Tail recently. Makarov and Org even proposed disbanding Fairy Tail. If this continues, one day you will be severely punished. You should retire quickly; your body won't be able to handle it."
As Makarov's friend, Yajima knew that Makarov's heart had long had problems, and he had been maintaining it with potions concocted by Porlyusica. Intense emotional fluctuations could easily lead to trouble, and who knows when a major problem might arise.
"..."
Makarov did not speak. How could he not know these things? But he couldn't bear to leave the Guild, nor could he bear to abandon the children of the Guild. To allow those children to grow up happily, he, as a father, had to shield them from the wind and rain, but this matter indeed needed to be put on the agenda.
"I will consider it carefully."