The next morning, the sun shone brightly as a cool breeze drifted through the air.
Erza, Kagura, Cana, and Ultear were all in great spirits. Along the way, they hummed little tunes and chatted nonstop. In order to secure a good request, Arlen and the others had finished breakfast early and headed straight for the Fairy Tail guild.
"Good morning, Master. Drinking beer this early isn't exactly good for your health," Arlen remarked.
"Haha! What's life without this, eh?" Makarov laughed it off.
Arlen could only shake his head helplessly. He had said it countless times, but Makarov always gave the same response—agree verbally, change nothing. Stubborn to the core.
"You're all here pretty early today," Makarov noted.
"Yeah. Erza and the others want to take on a subjugation request, and they asked me to join them," Arlen said, pointing toward Ultear and the others, who were carefully selecting a request at the notice board.
"To get a good one, we came early."
"Well…" Makarov took a sip of beer, a slightly mischievous look appearing on his face. "I'm afraid they might be disappointed."
Arlen narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean? Don't tell me you've got another job for me."
Makarov chuckled awkwardly, clearly a bit guilty. "Ahem… The routine meeting is the day after tomorrow. I want to take you with me—let you show your face in front of the other guild masters."
"There's also going to be a sparring competition. I'd like you to participate."
"…Seriously?"
Arlen didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Even Makarov knew this was a bit much. But he didn't have a choice—Laxus and Gildarts were both away. He couldn't bring ordinary guild members to such an event.
The only ones qualified were Arlen and Ur.
And sending Ur—a Wizard Saint—would be excessive.
"Fine," Arlen relented. "I'll go. But you're the one explaining this to Erza and the others."
He looked at Makarov with unmistakable sympathy.
They had been looking forward to this for a long time.
Now their plans were being completely overturned.
There was no way Arlen was volunteering to break the news.
Makarov coughed awkwardly. "Maybe… I should ask the First Master to help smooth things over?"
"You can try," Arlen said with a teasing tone. "But she's been obsessed with novels lately. If you interrupt her reading, she might just kick you out."
"…Then never mind," Makarov muttered. "What about Ur? Where is she today?"
"No need to look. She's resting at home today," Arlen replied.
For a brief moment, something flashed across his mind—and for once, even his usually composed face turned slightly red.
He quickly brushed it off.
Just then—
"Arlen-sama! We've picked a request!"
Ultear's cheerful voice rang out.
Arlen immediately stood up and gave Makarov a look that clearly said good luck.
"Ultear, Erza, Kagura, Cana—come here. The Master has something to tell you."
Without hesitation, he sold Makarov out completely.
Better him than me.
As for what exactly Makarov said—
Arlen didn't know.
But in the end, the four girls simply smiled and told him to stay safe before heading off with their chosen request to find Ur.
The so-called "Routine Meeting," formally known as the Guild Masters' Regular Assembly, was a periodic gathering of the leaders of legal guilds in Fiore and nearby regions.
It operated independently from the Magic Council.
Its purpose was to relay Council decisions, coordinate guild relations, exchange intelligence, and resolve disputes.
On the surface, it was serious.
In reality—
It often turned into a drinking party mixed with arguments.
A publicly funded social gathering… with a bit of actual work on the side.
This time, it was being held in the city of Clover.
"Yo, Makarov! Long time no see!"
As soon as Makarov and Arlen stepped down from their carriage, a man approached them.
He wore a black short-sleeved shirt, black pants, a triangular hat, and a spiked choker.
"Goldmine. Yeah, it's been a while," Makarov greeted casually.
"Arlen, this is Goldmine, the Guild Master of Quatro Cerberus. Back in the day, he, Rob, Porlyusica, Yajima, Bob, and I were all friends."
"So this is the famed Noble Prince of Fairy Tail—Prince Arlen, huh?" Goldmine said, sizing him up with a smile.
"Nice to meet you, Master Goldmine. I'm Arlen of Fairy Tail," Arlen replied with a formal noble's bow.
"Not bad at all," Goldmine nodded. "An S-Class Mage at such a young age… your future's limitless."
Then he shot Makarov a glare.
"You lucky bastard."
Internally, he was practically screaming.
Why don't I have talent like this?!
Makarov, meanwhile, looked utterly pleased with himself.
"Ah~ long time no see, Goldmine darling… Makarov darling~ And oh my, what a handsome young man we have here~"
A flamboyant, sing-song voice suddenly rang out.
Turning toward the entrance—
They saw a bald, heavily made-up man in a purple tank top, floral shorts, high heels, and even small white wings on his back.
His entire aesthetic screamed exaggerated femininity—despite his large, bulky frame.
"Bob… you're as unique as ever," Makarov said.
"Oh my~ it's been too long, Makarov darling~ Aren't you going to introduce this handsome boy to me?" Bob said, swaying as he approached Arlen.
In that instant—
Arlen felt a deep, existential sense of danger.
He quietly took a step back.
"Ahem. Arlen, this is Bob, Guild Master of Blue Pegasus. Another old friend of mine," Makarov explained.
"Nice to meet you, Master Bob. I'm Arlen of Fairy Tail. Please take care of me," Arlen said politely, bowing again.
"Oh my~ so you're Arlen! I've heard so much about you. And you're even more handsome in person~"
Bob leaned closer.
Arlen's smile stiffened.
"…Heh. Hehe."
Without a word, he subtly stepped even farther away.
This Guild Master…
Was truly something else.
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