The aftermath of the waves gradually subsided, and the few small boats stabilized again amidst the rocking.
The people on the deck were still shaken. They held onto the railings or supported each other to stand steady, their faces still etched with lingering terror.
When they finally returned to the harbor of Akane Resort, the once bustling vacation sanctuary was completely deserted. The sea breeze blew, scattering a few lonely flyers, making the scene exceptionally desolate.
Evidently, the recent attack and the massive commotion coming from the direction of the Tower of Heaven had scared away all the tourists.
As soon as the boats docked, several figures on the shore immediately came forward, dressed in uniform attire, their faces showing unconcealed exhaustion and solemnity.
Clearly, the situation at the Tower of Heaven had been relayed back to the Council Headquarters through some channel.
The person leading the group quickly stepped forward when he saw Ryoma disembark from the boat.
"Ryoma-sama." That member bowed slightly, his attitude respectful.
"We have been ordered to receive the criminal, Jellal Fernandes."
Jellal's deception and Ultear's betrayal had caused the behemoth that was the Council to suffer an unprecedented blow.
The Council was already in complete disarray internally, but its most basic functions were still being maintained, especially after learning that Jellal had been successfully captured, prompting them to send people immediately.
'The Council's intel gathering sure is fast.'
Ryoma snorted inwardly, but he was happy to be rid of the trouble.
Jellal, this hot potato, and that large group of rescued innocent citizens would be enough to give the Council a headache for a while.
"Perfect." Ryoma stepped aside without wasting a single word.
"The person is right here. Take him away."
The Council personnel paused slightly when they saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face in the ice coffin. That face, which once represented youth and promise within the Council, was now frozen in ice, bearing expressions of clear madness and unwillingness.
This was the traitor who had deceived the entire Council and nearly caused a catastrophic disaster.
The middle-aged man bowed deeply to Ryoma, his attitude growing even more respectful.
"Thank you for your efforts, Ryoma-sama. The Council and the entire Kingdom will remember your merits."
Ryoma waved his hand dismissively. "I'm handing over those rescued people to you as well. Settle them properly."
"Of course."
Several Mages from the Council carefully lifted the ice coffin. Once they returned, they would have ways to break the seal and restrain Jellal, while others were assigned to organize the populace.
Erza stood silently watching as the ice coffin was slowly carried away, sealing within it one of the most complicated memories of her childhood. She neither stopped them nor said anything.
This ending was perhaps the best form of atonement for Jellal. He no longer had to be controlled by false specters, nor did he have to bear the burden of resurrecting Zeref.
Yet, watching him being taken away in this manner, an unspeakable pang of sadness still arose in Erza's heart.
Natsu and Gray stood behind her, maintaining a rare silence. They could feel the low spirits emanating from Erza.
The Council members hurried away with the ice coffin and the rescued citizens. Their mission was heavy: escorting a major criminal, appeasing the populace, and dealing with the mess left by the Tower of Heaven explosion. They likely wouldn't find peace for a long time.
Akane Resort fell completely silent.
Natsu stretched with a huge yawn, complaining that he was hungry.
Just then, a slightly lazy female voice drifted over from behind the group. "It seems I didn't arrive too late."
Ryoma seemed to have expected this, he turned around with a slight smile on his face.
"Mhm, just in time."
That voice!
Gray's body instantly stiffened. He turned his head mechanically, little by little, and when he clearly saw the familiar figure and appearance of the newcomer, his face was filled with astonishment.
"Ur! Why are you here? Didn't you go look for Lyon?"
The newcomer was indeed Ur, the master of Gray and Lyon.
She was dressed in simple casual clothes, hands in her pockets, looking relaxed.
Upon hearing Gray's question, her lazy demeanor vanished slightly, replaced by a hint of annoyed complaint.
"Don't even mention that brat. I don't know what he's thinking, constantly hiding from me. Hmph, it looks like I'll have to find a chance to properly teach him a lesson later."
She deliberately emphasized the words "teach a lesson."
Upon hearing this, Gray instinctively shrank his neck, as if he could already foresee Lyon's miserable future.
Ur ignored her disappointing apprentice and turned her attention to Ryoma. The laziness on her face receded further, replaced by a hint of curiosity.
"It looks like everything is resolved? Why did you specifically have someone contact me?"
Ryoma nodded and said calmly, "It is resolved. However, the reason I invited you here this time is that I hope you can join the Magic Council and become a new Councilor."
As his voice fell, the air seemed to freeze.
"Eh!"
Erza and Gray exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.
Ur becoming a Councilor for the Magic Council? That idea was far too outlandish.
Ur herself was stunned. She blinked, and after a moment, replied with some uncertainty, "Me joining the Magic Council? Even if I were willing, I probably couldn't become a Councilor directly, could I? That requires complicated procedures and nominations."
Although she had lived in seclusion for many years, she still understood the basic rules of the continent.
Ryoma looked at their surprised expressions, a faint smile appearing on his lips, and began to explain, "Under normal circumstances, that would be true, but these are extraordinary times."
He held up two fingers.
"First, the Council now has two vacant Councilor positions left by traitors."
Ryoma continued without pausing, "Second, the Council was instigated and easily activated Etherion, which is a serious dereliction of duty. After this incident, Crawford will certainly step down. And several Councilors who voted in favor of the launch will also have to resign to appease the anger of the public and the various Guilds."
His analysis was clear and well-structured, captivating both Erza and Gray.
"In this way, several Councilor positions have suddenly become vacant. This is an unprecedented power vacuum."
Ryoma paused, then threw out the most crucial point.
"More importantly, Etherion, the biggest deterrent weapon, has vanished due to its use this time. The Council's prestige and strength have fallen to a historical low point."
A smile of complete control appeared on Ryoma's face as he looked at Ur and threw out the final bait.
"Under these circumstances, the Council needs powerful and reputable Mages to join them more than ever, in order to solidify their position and restore order to the continent."
The smile on Ryoma's lips deepened.
"Tell me, if a powerful Mage, long renowned and even capable of surviving forbidden magic like Iced Shell, actively requests to join at this time, would the Council refuse?"