https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-196-President-Can-t-You-Speak-for-Me-/12864569/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-198-Skilled-to-the-Point-of-Heartache/12864571/
Chapter 197: Let's All Work Together!
Chapter 197: Let's All Work Together!
The various guild masters at the meeting spoke freely, each expressing their own opinions. Some believed the matter should be taken seriously, while others thought it was just a casual remark by the king and not to be taken too seriously.
As for Makarov, the beloved guild master of Fairy Tail, he dozed off like a chick pecking at rice.
After reminding him twice to no avail, Roed had to take out a small notebook and jot down a few key points for the old man.
Once the discussion on the Mages' Grand Gathering concluded, Guild Master Godeiman summarized a few points, emphasizing the importance of keeping an eye on related news after returning home.
This meeting might be an opportunity to further enhance the influence of mages. If not handled well, it could potentially affect the reputation of their respective guilds.
"Next, let's move on to the topic of the tax policy adjustments announced at the end of last year..."
Roed recalled that he had never paid taxes since coming here, and hadn't even considered such issues until this month.
He first realized the need to pay taxes when he helped Mira with the annual tax calculation at the beginning of the month.
The country's tax policy for official guild mages is quite lenient, usually handled by the guilds as a whole.
The tax rate is so low that it doesn't need to be deducted from the mages' mission rewards; instead, it is taken from the 'deposit' submitted by the client.
When a client posts a mission, they generally need to pay a small 'deposit,' which, according to Roed's analysis, should include taxes, service fees, and 'advertising fees.'
For ordinary missions, the deposit is usually around one percent of the total reward, a negligible amount.
Moreover, Fairy tail has a rule that if the reward exceeds one million, it is capped at one million, and not increased further.
Since the tax process is handled by the guild, ordinary mages don't need to get involved.
Specifically, Mira and Roed now handle most of the affairs, and the guild master just needs to sign off and pay the money when he has time.
Out of curiosity, Roed also inquired about the tax rates for merchants, workers, and farmers.
In comparison, being a mage is quite good.
"The next topic is the impact of the kingdom's policy supporting the development of magical artifacts on elemental mages..."
The guild masters continuously discussed the new policies and slightly modified laws issued by the kingdom, analyzing the effects on mages and whether the Alliance should take any special actions.
The discussion, which began at two in the afternoon, didn't conclude until around six in the evening.
At this point, someone asked about Fairy Tail's stance: "Master Makarov, what is your opinion?"
Roed quietly nudged his unreliable guild master.
Makarov suddenly woke up, slapped the table: "Let's all work together!"
Roed reasonably suspected that the old man might have been dreaming about fighting someone. Still, that move was pretty impressive.
However, this unexpected statement left the other guild masters looking at each other in confusion, unsure of what to make of it.
Poppo, who was familiar with Makarov's personality, was already holding his face and laughing, and Godeiman was also trying hard not to laugh, as he had to chair the meeting.
Makarov also realized something was off and quietly extended his arm behind his back, tugging at the corner of Roed's clothes.
He looked just like a classmate who had nodded off and was woken up by the teacher, not knowing what the teacher had asked and seeking help.
"Cough, cough..." Roed cleared his throat, "Our guild master means that, regardless of whether the kingdom's policies are beneficial to us, everyone should unite and overcome difficulties together, making the magical world a better place.
Fairy Tail will continue to work toward this goal, and we hope everyone will join us in this effort. In short, let's all work together!"
Makarov nodded deeply, "Yes, that's exactly what I meant."
(End of Chapter )
"Very well said, as expected from Master Makarov!"
"As a closing remark for today's meeting, it couldn't be more fitting."
Godeiman, who was responsible for chairing the meeting, tried to suppress his laughter: "Master Makarov's words seem to have preempted my job, but since it's already been said, let's conclude today's meeting here. Dismissed!"
During the dinner after the meeting, Godeiman mercilessly mocked Makarov's indiscretion, saying, "You almost made a fool of yourself again!" Makarov, with a red face, argued back, though it was unclear whether it was from anger or alcohol.
"It's no wonder you brought Roed along, he's such a good boy~"
President Poppo's voice, though somewhat low, sounded unexpectedly gentle.
Roed found himself almost getting used to it.
Just to be safe, he decided to take a look at more of Mira's photos later.
"That's right, exactly!" Inspired by Poppo, Makarov found a good way to defend himself, "Roed is like my own child, what difference is there between what he says and what I say!"
"Thick-skinned," Godeiman commented, "Porlyusica definitely can't stand this about you, which is why she refuses to join the guild."
"What does she have to do with it!" Makarov refused to follow Godeiman's lead and instead put on a smug expression, "Are you jealous of our guild having such an outstanding young member?"
Godeiman couldn't back down on this point: "Our guild's children are just as good!"
"Is that so? This child will become an S-class Mage in no time."
"S-class isn't that impressive, our guild has S-class members of the same age!"
"So what? Are you willing to have a competition?"
"What's there to be afraid of?!"
The two refused to back down, and Roed asked, "President Poppo, if they get drunk and start fighting, can you mediate?"
"Oh, their relationship has always been so good," Poppo didn't answer Roed's question directly but asked, "Who usually mediates when you fight?"
"..." Most people just wanted the fight to get more intense, no one really tried to mediate.
Only Erza, on her first day back at the guild or when she couldn't stand it anymore, would intervene.
Otherwise, it would have to get to the point where the guild was being demolished before the guild master stepped in.
Should they go and get the guild master of the guild masters to mediate?
Poppo said, "Let them be, they're all getting older and now prefer to settle things in ways other than fighting."
"Other ways? What kind of ways... No, do they really need to decide a winner even after a drunken argument?" Roed asked, "Rock-paper-scissors?"
"Given their personalities, they'll probably end up comparing the next generation of their guilds," Poppo said, "They might even have Roed represent Fairy Tail in a competition with the younger members of Blue Pegasus~"
Roed, recalling the young S-class Mage Godeiman mentioned earlier, said with a pained expression, "Spare me, I can't afford to provoke an S-class Mage right now."
Poppo encouraged him, "Young people should be a bit more confident, you are part of Fairy Tail~"
"How come you seem to know Fairy Tail better than I do?"
Roed laughed bitterly, _I just got beaten up by an S-class Mage last month, I don't have the confidence to challenge one again so soon._
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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