The bustling town of Magnolia was as lively as ever today, with various enthusiastic stall owners competing to attract customers.
Hawkers' cries echoed throughout the wide streets, creating an extremely vibrant atmosphere.
Yet amidst this bustling, fiery marketplace, there was a hooded figure sneaking along with several others.
Mirajane, who had already retracted her demon form and now wore a revealing bodysuit with her hair in a high ponytail, looked exasperated.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on the strangely behaving Ankh.
"What's this about? Does your guild require covering faces when going out?"
Ankh nervously scanned the surroundings and whispered.
"You don't understand the rules around here. The moment I appear in public, something's bound to happen!"
Mirajane widened her eyes curiously. "Do you have some contagious disease?!"
"Bah!"
Ankh spat in disgust, too lazy to explain further to this straightforward woman with her peculiar thought process and sharp tongue.
Following behind Mirajane, Lisanna jumped up and patted her sister's ass, holding up a magazine as she said.
"Mira-nee, you'll understand when you see this."
"What's this? Sorcerer Weekly?"
Mirajane flipped open the magazine, and the first thing that caught her eye was a ranking list in the magazine's "Most Popular Mages" column.
In the male mages ranking, Ankh's name and photo prominently appeared at the very top.
"'Most Desirable Boyfriend Mage Ranking'? They even have something like this?"
Mirajane, the "country bumpkin" from the countryside, expressed she'd never heard of such things.
'You city folks really know how to have fun...'
Lisanna clasped her hands behind her back, shaking her head like a little adult as she analyzed.
"Ankh-nii must be very popular. He probably covers his face to avoid trouble, right?"
Ankh gave Lisanna an approving look, not forgetting to tease Mira.
"Lisanna's so clever. It seems you havent been influenced by your sister."
Lisanna spread her hands, cutely indicating it was no big deal.
Hearing this, Mirajane couldn't hold back anymore, rolling up her sleeves to confront him.
Ankh was even more direct, waving his hand to summon a magic circle.
Elfman moved between the two, his face full of worry as he said, "Don't fight, Nee-san and Ankh-san..."
While these lively characters were fooling around ahead, the two White Devil Cult captives being led by Ankh broke out in a cold sweat...
'Fighting in the middle of the street while being led by the person fighting—how embarrassing!'
Due to the trouble caused by Ankh's popularity, the group ultimately had to take a long detour through town before finally reaching the guild entrance.
Ankh led the somewhat nervous Mirajane and the other two, pushing the door open and stepping inside first.
The moment they entered, greetings from the guild members rang out.
"Ankh's back! As expected, demons are no match for you!"
"So fast? It hasn't even been two days since you left, right?"
"Of course! Ankh is our guild's genius Mage!"
Ankh quietly nodded in acknowledgment to everyone.
Mirajane, somewhat surprised, ran to Ankh's side and whispered, "I didn't expect you to be so popular."
To be honest, even Ankh didn't know why people were willing to approach someone with his personality... Clearly, his temper wasn't much better than Laxus's, yet Natsu, Cana, and the others always liked to gather around Ankh.
Even during their usual casual chats, when Ankh wouldn't even bother to say a word...
"Is that Ankh's little girlfriend? So cute!"
"That little sister in the back, kawaii ne~"
The members' discussions weren't particularly quiet, and Ankh's group could clearly hear what they were saying.
While Ankh remained completely unperturbed internally, even the seemingly impervious Mirajane suddenly flushed bright red.
With sharp eyes, Ankh spotted the Master drinking at the bar counter and walked over.
"Master, I'm back."
Makarov looked somewhat surprised at Ankh, putting down his glass as he said.
"Back so soon?"
Ankh nodded, explaining, "The situation was a bit more complicated than we initially thought."
Ankh recounted the details of this mission to Makarov from beginning to end, including the sudden appearance of the White Devil Cult.
After hearing Ankh's report, Makarov pondered.
"Indeed, some rogue elements have recently entered the Fiore Kingdom, and the White Devil Cult is one of them. I've heard they're a terrorist organization that worships demons. Their base is unknown, but they often move between countries to carry out attacks disguised as demons."
Ankh waved his hand and threw the two bound captives forward, saying, "I've interrogated them. They're just low-level lackeys who know very little. Their captain probably doesn't know much either."
Makarov jumped down from the counter and looked down at the two trembling men, speaking seriously.
"We need to plan this carefully to prevent any accidents."
The Master's tension wasn't really because the White Devil Cult was powerful, but because such deliberate attacks hadn't appeared domestically for a long time.
No matter how strong the White Devil Cult might be, could they possibly surpass the Kingdom of Fiore with its numerous powerful individuals and countless guilds?
The magic nation of Fiore, having maintained neutrality for a century and stood firm on the continent with prestige that deters all challengers—how could a small cult possibly shake it?
Then Ankh raised his hand to signal Mirajane over and introduced.
"Master, these three siblings have talent. I'd like to recommend them for the guild."
"Oh?" Makarov looked curiously at the three siblings.
A strikingly beautiful older sister who looked like she wouldn't take any nonsense, a timid younger brother, and a clever younger sister—were they really from the same family?
But since Ankh was recommending them...
Makarov secretly glanced at Ankh, who gave him a knowing nod.
Only then did he agree. "Since Ankh recommends you, you may join."
Mirajane, who had been waiting nearby, was taken aback and asked somewhat confused.
"Is it really that simple to join the guild?"
Makarov laughed heartily and said, "Ankh is very cautious in his work. Any children he recommends are sure to have good character!"
Fairy Tail had a unique membership process.
The main method wasn't through applications like ordinary guilds, but required introduction by existing guild members.
Of course, final approval still rested with Master Makarov himself.
Moreover, as long as the Guild Master confirmed they weren't evil people, magical talent wasn't particularly important.
This might sound reckless, but surprisingly, during Makarov's decades as Guild Master using this admission method, there had never been any betrayal activities within the guild.
Instead, the guild had grown stronger.
Except for that one incident years ago, when the Master was betrayed by someone closest to him...
After finishing their discussion, the Master hurried out, apparently to discuss countermeasures.
The task of settling the three siblings fell to Ankh.
Ankh taught them how to apply the guild marks on their bodies.
Mirajane gazed contentedly at the mark on her left thigh and praised it.
"It's actually quite nice-looking."
Ankh glanced discreetly at her fair thigh and remarked.
"You're definitely a rebelious girl."
Mirajane glared at him displeased and said, "You don't know anything! This is fashion!"