Council-exclusive port.
A massive ship was being resupplied for its return journey, its sail bearing the emblem of the Giltina Council gently swaying in the light sea breeze.
At the boarding point, a stern-looking, bald middle-aged man wearing a monocle stood by the gangway. His name was Lano, a councilor of the Giltina Magic Council.
For a major matter like requesting aid from Ishgar, the Giltina Council naturally had to send someone of sufficient stature to ensure the local Council took it seriously.
A month ago, when Lano arrived in Ishgar, he held little Hope for this plea for help. Even if the Ishgar Council wanted to assist, the powerful Mages might not be willing.
After all, what they were up against... were dragons, whose physical constitution and magic power inherently overwhelmed humans. No Mage would be foolish enough to leave their homeland and travel to another continent just to die.
Yet, he clung to a sliver of Hope—perhaps some of Ishgar's powerful Mages, noble and righteous, would be willing to lend a hand.
As the return deadline drew closer day by day, Lano's spirits sank bit by bit, having received no response.
But just as he had his subordinates pack up to return to Giltina, the Ishgar Council delivered good news.
A Ten Wizard Saints had accepted their request.
The only condition from that "Ten Wizard Saint" was to bring some companions along to Giltina.
Lano agreed without a second thought. But why hadn't his Ishgar colleagues told him this "Ten Wizard Saint" would bring so many people... On the dock, Lano adjusted his monocle, his gaze sweeping over this very lively group—or rather, gang—of young, attractive boys and girls.
A pink-haired boy and a blue kitten tried to light a fire on the dock but were tightly restrained by a blonde girl;
Another boy, for some reason, suddenly took off his shirt in the middle of winter in front of a blue-haired girl beside him. Though it seemed like a perverted act, the girl wore an infatuated expression.
A seemingly young black-haired girl was chugging from a half-person-tall barrel of alcohol... A few who looked slightly more normal were gathered around a black-haired youth holding a flag and a megaphone—the core figure of this request, the Ten Wizard Saint, Hope.
Hope was currently shouldering a Fairy Tail flag, holding a megaphone, and explaining like a tour guide, "Ladies and gentlemen, what we see here is a ship of the Giltina Council. This is a vessel full of Northern Continent style, its biggest feature being... uh... that... it can sail on the sea."
Cana scratched her head in confusion, "But isn't that just what ships are for?"
"Even Natsu, that idiot, knows that basic fact."
Carla looked haughtily at the embarrassed Hope, about to continue mocking him, but Wendy covered her mouth, "Sorry, Hope, Carla didn't mean to say you're as dumb as Natsu..."
Hope:...She didn't before, but she does now.
Erza, who had changed into light travel clothes, rolled her eyes at Hope, "A guide needs to know how to guide. With skills like yours, you call yourself a tour guide? At least prepare some materials in advance. Maybe we should let Levy do it instead."
Lilly glanced at Levy, who was being affectionate with Gajeel not far away, and said seriously, "Sorry, Levy's been dating Gajeel lately. It's better not to disturb them for now."
"Speaking of dating..."
Mirajane slightly lifted her chin, her gaze sweeping over Hope, "Erza, and Cana, has Hope ever done what a boyfriend should do?"
Erza thought for a moment, "Seems like he really hasn't."
"Damn it," Cana also caught on, "We were fooled by just a ring. We let this guy off way too easy."
Feeling the three pairs of eyes focused on him, Hope broke into a cold sweat. What could he do? The Hell Commander never taught him how to date.
Watching this scene, Lano suddenly felt a pang of bitterness.
Why did this plain-looking guy get to have three beauties by his side, while he, so handsome, had no luck with women and not even any hair?
The world is so unfair... Lano took a deep breath and stepped forward, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Hope?"
"That's right! It's me," Hope turned around, his smile dazzlingly bright, "You must be Councilor Lano. Pleasure to meet you."
After greeting him, he pointed to the group beside him, "They're all elite Mages from our tour group... I mean, our Fairy Tail. We'll make sure to handle your troubles thoroughly."
Did he just say tour group?!
He definitely said it!
Lano's eye twitched slightly. Suddenly, this overly young Ten Wizard Saint seemed a bit unreliable... "Elite... good, very good. Thank you all for your willingness to help. Rooms on the ship have been arranged. Please board."
Lano looked at this Mighty and mighty group of 12 people + 3 cats. Fortunately, his ship was large enough, and he didn't need to worry about supplies. Otherwise, having so many people and his accompanying subordinates together might have been cramped.
Hope's earlier proposal to form a group to go to Giltina was vetoed by Makarov. Before confirming the level of danger, the protective old man wasn't willing to let the still-growing children adventure to the Northern Continent.
However, Hope still brought along all the Dragon Slayer Mages from the guild—except Laxus, who was out on a mission—using the excuse of broadening their horizons.
He also invited Mirajane, Gray, Levy, and others to come along. Plus the three cats, the members heading to Giltina accidentally numbered over a dozen.
As everyone boarded the ship in an orderly manner, Natsu suddenly dashed up to Lano, "When can we see the dragons? Do they breathe fire? Whose flames are stronger, theirs or mine?"
"That's enough..."
Erza grabbed Natsu by the collar and dragged him onto the deck. After dropping the instantly subdued Natsu, she nodded apologetically to Lano, "Sorry, Councilor. Natsu's foster father is a dragon, so he's a bit excited."
"Understandable... understandable."
Lano wiped the sweat from his forehead, but inwardly, his mind was reeling. He looked at Natsu with changed eyes.
Foster father and foster son... So humans and dragons could be this close?
But thinking of the dragons on their Northern Continent... Lano sighed inwardly and said, "Everyone, please board first. We're Expected to set sail in the evening. The voyage to Giltina will take about a week. During that time, I'll Detailed introduction the situation to you all."
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