Chapter 51: The Magic Council
Fairy Tail Guild - Basement, First Floor
Loki burst through the door, his face pale. "President! This is bad! Dino was captured by the Magic Council!"
"What?! Dino was taken by the Council?!"
"Why would those bastards arrest him?!"
Loki caught his breath. "Apparently Dino stormed the Phantom Lord Guild, beat up their mages, and—get this—sank their entire guildhall!"
"YEAH! That's my bro! A real man!" Elfman pumped his fist in the air.
THWACK!
Mirajane's fist connected with her brother's head. "Don't encourage him!"
"Haha! I knew Dino wouldn't just sit back!"
"He's got guts, I'll give him that!"
"Serves those Phantom bastards right! Now they know not to mess with Fairy Tail!"
"That was so cool!"
Natsu leaped onto a table, flames igniting around his fists. "Dammit, Dino! Why didn't you take me along?!"
"Aye sir~!" Happy flew circles around Natsu's head, just as fired up.
Gray crossed his arms, his expression serious. "Hold on—did you all forget Dino's been arrested? The Council's had it out for us for years. Who knows what they'll do to him?"
"Then let's bust him out!" Natsu cracked his knuckles. "We're storming the Magic Council!"
"YEAH! Let's tear that place down!!"
SLAM!
A giant hand descended from above, flattening Natsu into the floor. "Quiet down, you brats!"
"Master?!"
"Old man, what the—?!"
Makarov's hand returned to normal size as he hopped onto a barrel, taking a leisurely sip from his mug. "That's the Magic Council you're talking about storming. What are you, rebels?"
"But Master! What about Dino?!"
Makarov chuckled, waving dismissively. "Dino? You think he needs saving? If those Council idiots dragged him in, it must be some new member trying to flex their authority. Trust me—they're the ones with a headache right now, not him."
He set down his drink, his expression hardening. "Dino did the right thing. Someone attacks our family, we hit back. That's the Fairy Tail way."
Then his tone shifted. "But we need intel. Jose wouldn't attack without a reason—he's planning something. Tell everyone to stay sharp and prepare for battle."
Magic Council ERA - Council Chamber
The projection crystal replayed the entire incident: Dino breaking into Phantom Lord's guildhall, the destruction he caused, and finally—the moment he shattered the Council guards' weapons and broke the messenger's fingers before they could even speak.
"Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable!"
"He assaulted the Council's official messengers! This is the behavior of a dark mage!"
"Attacking another legal guild so brazenly, destroying their entire headquarters—this cannot stand!"
"I move to imprison him immediately! And disband Fairy Tail Guild!"
"If he resists, we should authorize use of Etherion to eliminate the threat!"
"Chairman Crawford, please—your decision!"
Crawford Seam opened his eyes slowly, his expression unreadable. "My decision? Whoever ordered his arrest can handle the consequences."
He stood. "I get one day off per week. I've saved up seven. Starting now, I'm taking the next three days. Handle things by majority vote as usual."
Poof.
His Thought Projection vanished.
Back in his residence, the real Crawford opened his eyes and snorted. "Hmph. Such conveniently prepared evidence. Do they think we're all fools?"
Council Chamber
The remaining eight councilors exchanged bewildered glances. The Chairman just… ran away?
Org, Second Seat of the Council, suddenly stood with theatrical urgency. "Ah! I just remembered—today is my fortieth wedding anniversary! I've been saving vacation days for two weeks now."
He clasped his hands together apologetically. "My wife and I have plans for a week-long trip. I've been so focused on work, I've neglected my duties as a husband. If you'll excuse me!"
Poof.
His projection disappeared.
Back home, Org's wife set down a teacup with raised eyebrows. "That was quick. Meeting over already?"
Org smiled warmly. "We work too hard. How about that vacation we've been planning?"
Council Chamber
"Khoff! Khoff khoff khoff!!"
Councilor Yajima suddenly doubled over, coughing violently, his small frame shaking.
"Elder Yajima! Are you alright?!"
Yajima waved them off weakly. "I'm fine… just an old condition acting up. My physician recommended two weeks rest, but the Council needs me. How could I—khoff!"
His projection collapsed and vanished.
Miles away, the real Yajima glanced toward the Council building. "This mess is beyond me. Time to check on Porlyusica's herbs."
Council Chamber
The six remaining councilors stared at the empty seats. These were seasoned politicians who'd clawed their way to power—they recognized a strategic retreat when they saw one.
Yajima was a Wizard Saint-level mage. The idea that he'd suddenly fall ill was laughable. Like Crawford and Org, he wanted nothing to do with this situation.
Usually these three stayed neutral regarding Fairy Tail's antics. But now someone had pushed forward with "irrefutable evidence," forcing a confrontation.
"Everyone…" A melodious female voice broke the tension. "I'm afraid I need to excuse myself as well."
"Ultear—you too?!" Several councilors looked ready to explode.
Ultear smiled sweetly, tilting her head with exaggerated innocence. "I'm sorry, but… well, I'm a woman, you know? We have certain times of the month where we're just not feeling our best~"
She gave an apologetic shrug, her smile never wavering.