Ur fell into a long silence, seemingly weighing every word Ryoma had spoken.
For a Mage who had lived in seclusion for years, accustomed to a life free of worldly strife, to step into the Council, which represented power and conflict, was akin to a snow leopard leaving the snow-capped mountains to adapt to the laws of the jungle.
She looked at Ryoma, then swept her gaze over Gray and Erza, who were still in shock, and finally fixed her eyes on Ryoma's calm yet seemingly all-knowing gaze.
"I understand."
The short words contained no excessive hesitation or questioning.
Ur was not an ignorant young girl. Ryoma's analysis had laid all the pros and cons on the table. The Council needed strength and prestige to overcome the crisis, and she happened to possess both.
However, Ur's tone shifted, and that lazy demeanor quietly returned to her.
"Being a Council member sounds troublesome, with all the meetings and documents. I hope it won't interfere with my free time."
Upon hearing this, Gray's admiration, which had just risen from the help his master could provide by joining the Council, instantly dropped by half.
'Still the same as ever.'
Ryoma chuckled at her words.
"Don't worry, most of the trivial matters will be handled by dedicated personnel. All you need to do is cast a crucial vote at critical moments, or simply display your formidable strength as a Wizard Saint candidate."
"That sounds pretty good." Ur nodded contentedly.
The matter was thus settled in a few simple conversations.
Erza and Gray still felt it was somewhat unreal, but seeing Ryoma and Ur's matter-of-fact expressions, they could only suppress their astonishment.
Grrr—
An untimely rumble broke the slightly serious atmosphere.
Natsu clutched his stomach, shouting with a resentful face, "I'm hungry! I want meat!"
Gray snapped out of his disbelief and immediately yelled back at Natsu, "You idiot! All you know is eating!"
"What did you say?! Ice block bastard!"
"Want to fight?!"
Seeing the two about to start brawling again, Ryoma sighed helplessly.
"Let's go, time to eat."
Although Akane Resort was empty due to the attack, the hotel's infrastructure was still operational. Everyone returned to the hotel, and fortunately, the buffet restaurant had not closed due to the departure of tourists.
Natsu immediately let out a cheer, turning into an afterimage as he rushed to the barbecue section, piling his plate with roasted meat like a small mountain.
Gray looked at his master leisurely selecting delicate desserts and felt that something was off, but he couldn't quite pinpoint it.
Ur's appearance delighted him, but the fact that she was about to become a Council member made him feel as if he were dreaming.
Erza still ate elegantly, but her speed was by no means slow. She quietly filled her plate with her favorite strawberry cake, and the nerves that had been taut all day finally found a moment of relaxation under the comfort of the food.
Ryoma poured himself a glass of juice and sat leisurely to the side, watching his companions, who seemed like hungry ghosts reincarnated.
'Finally, it feels a bit like a vacation.' He sighed inwardly.
Although this holiday was filled with explosions, conspiracies, and battles, sitting together and eating like this was a rare moment of peace.
After eating and drinking to their fill, Natsu was the first to collapse into a chair, rubbing his round belly and burping contentedly.
As night deepened, a cool sea breeze swept by.
Ryoma did not return to his room to rest but walked out of the hotel alone, strolling towards the beach.
Tomorrow, he would return to the guild, and he wanted to properly experience the last bit of tranquility on this beach before leaving.
The soft sand made a slight rustling sound under his feet, the distant waves rhythmically crashed against the shore, and moonlight scattered across the sea, creating shimmering silver light.
As he walked, he saw a figure standing silently at the edge of the distant beach, gazing alone at the boundless sea.
Her crimson hair was particularly striking under the moonlight.
'It's Erza.'
Ryoma slowly walked over, not making a sound to disturb her, stopping a few steps away and looking out at the deep night sea in the direction of her gaze.
After a long while, Erza seemed to have just noticed someone beside her but did not turn her head.
Ryoma was the first to break the silence; his voice was soft, carried somewhat faintly by the sea breeze. "Did they leave?"
Erza still gazed at the dark horizon in the distance, softly uttering, "Mm."
"Their lives have always been trapped in that tower. Now that the tower is gone, they want to see the outside world with their own eyes, to measure this continent with their own feet."
Her voice was calm, without a trace of sadness, only a faint sense of relief.
Erza paused and continued, "Although I really wanted them to join Fairy Tail and become family with everyone, I have no reason to refuse them, as they have already found their own resolve."
There was a hint of undetectable pride in her words. Her companions, who had once suffered together, chose not to depend on her but bravely embarked on their own journeys, which itself was a testament to their growth.
Ryoma said nothing more, simply accompanying her in silence.
'What a pity.' He thought to himself.
'In the original story, at this time, Erza and the others should have put on a grand farewell fireworks display for Sho and the others.'
Those dazzling fireworks were the end of childhood friendship and the beginning of each person's new life.
However, this is fine too. Without that fireworks display, this farewell seems to have gained a touch more realism.
The two stood side by side like that, neither speaking again. The sea breeze ruffled their clothes and hair, and time at this moment seemed to slow down.
—
The next morning, Ryoma and his group boarded the train back to Magnolia.
Ur did not accompany them, as she had to handle relevant matters at the Council, only bidding them a simple farewell at the station.
Gray looked at his master's departing back, still somewhat dazed, seemingly unable to connect his lazy and casual master with a powerful Council member.
Natsu, as expected, was once again defeated by the vehicle, his face pale as he lay on the table, groaning weakly.
"Ugh... I can't... I'm going to throw up..."
"So noisy, you fire idiot, can't you be quiet for a bit?"
Natsu, who had just mustered his energy, immediately slumped back onto the seat, limp and weak.
Erza leaned against the window, watching the rapidly receding scenery outside, her expression having returned to its usual calm and resolute state.
When the train finally arrived in Magnolia, and everyone stepped onto the familiar land, a strong sense of longing for home arose.
As the four of them walked to the original location of the guild, everyone stopped, stunned by the sight before them.
In the place where the guild once stood, a brand new and magnificent building now towered, which was less a guild and more a true castle.
Its overall scale was several times larger than the previous guild, and a large open space in front of the castle was even enclosed with beautiful fences, forming an independent manor.
"This... is this our... guild?" Gray stammered, his eyes wide.
Natsu forgot his carsickness, his mouth agape, saliva almost dripping out. "So... so amazing."
Even the usually composed Erza now had a look of surprise on her face.
Ryoma couldn't help but be a little speechless.
'Although I knew the guild would be rebuilt and become very luxurious, seeing the actual thing firsthand is still too impactful.'
(End of Chapter)
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