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Chapter 231: The Council
Chapter 231: The Council
"Go to the Council? Arrest?"
"Natsu, I can understand, but why Erza and Loke too?"
"What do you mean 'I can understand'... I feel the same way."
Everyone murmured but did not act rashly.
The Fairy Tail members naturally felt guilty when facing the Council's team. They had too many questionable actions in the past.
Natsu was the first to explode: "What are you talking about? We defeated..."
"Natsu!" Erza stopped him from continuing. Matters involving demons were not something to be shouted about in public.
Loke carefully considered the words of the Frog Messenger. While the messenger's tone was firm, the wording didn't seem overly harsh?
Mira looked at Loke, then at Makarov: "Master..."
The Frog Messenger saw Makarov jump down from the counter and asked, "Lord Makarov, do you have any objections?"
"No, but..." Makarov smiled, "All their actions were under my instruction, so I will go with them."
"Master?" Erza, Natsu, and Loke were a bit moved.
Especially Loke, who felt a bit guilty. The old man really steps up when there's trouble...
"This..." The Frog Messenger was a bit hesitant, "We don't have the authority to arrest the Ten Wizard Saints."
"Then I will go to the Council on my own accord." Makarov led the way out the door, "Let's go."
Mira worriedly said, "Master..."
"Don't worry, I will bring them back safely." Makarov said, "I entrust the guild to you, don't let them cause trouble."
Loke felt the weight of the Master's words, "If the Master says so, it will be fine." Loke waved to Mira and followed the Master.
Happy also went along voluntarily.
The Frog Messenger lagged behind, enduring the hostile gazes, and called the enforcement team to leave.
The guild fell into a brief silence, then began to buzz with discussion.
Levy showed concern, Jet wanted to follow, but Troy told him not to act rashly.
Can and Gray went straight to Mira to ask the reason, but Mira shook her head, indicating she couldn't speak freely.
"Big Sister!" Elfman was more concerned about Mira's feelings, "I'll go check!"
"Absolutely not."
"But Loke, even the Master..."
Mira looked into Elfman's eyes, "I said, absolutely not."
"..." Elfman suddenly felt his legs go weak, "Yes..."
...
The treatment at the Council was ordinary. Loke thought they might see a new mode of transportation, but it was just a regular carriage.
Disappointing.
Natsu climbed into the carriage with a proud stride, but he couldn't last three seconds before falling: "Loke... I want to ride a crab..."
"Stop fooling around. We are suspects now. Not being restrained by magic-sealing stones is already a favor. Using magic will be seen as suspicious."
"Feels so bad... Then let Happy fly me there..."
Happy also refused him, "No! Wing Magic is still magic, and it will be seen as an escape attempt."
Erza asked, "Need help?"
Natsu covered his mouth and shook his head.
Makarov sighed, "Cheer up, we'll be there soon."
The Fiore Branch of the Council was built in a remote wilderness, far from the city. It was unclear if this was to save space or to assert authority by being far from the populace.
The group paused briefly at the peculiar architecture of the Council Branch and followed the Frog Messenger through the gate. Even with Loke's keen eyes, he couldn't figure out how the building was constructed. It must have used some kind of levitation magic.
He was very curious about where the Council's funding came from—was it supported by the royal families of various countries?
As the group walked through the hall, down the corridor, and into the elevator (or magic elevator), they quickly ascended to a higher floor.
“Ugh…” Natsu covered his mouth.
Loke sighed, “You get motion sickness from this too?”
The Frog Messenger looked tense, “Please don’t lose your composure! If you vomit here, it would be a sign of disrespect to the Council!”
Loke supported Natsu to keep him from falling, feeling that this frog person was rather odd.
“Just ahead is the courtroom. Please maintain solemnity!” The Frog Messenger reiterated, still uneasy.
As they approached, they saw a blue-haired young man leaning against the door.
“Lord Zickrein!” The Frog Messenger dropped to a half-kneel, head bowed in deep respect.
Loke frowned. Was the Council such a rigidly hierarchical place? Could that young man, who looked around his age, be a significant figure?
“Zickrein.” Erza’s expression changed, even taking a defensive stance.
“Who’s that?” Natsu, though confused, instinctively stood beside Erza, sensing her tension.
Makarov warned, “Don’t act rashly, he’s one of the Councilors.”
“I didn’t expect Lord Makarov to be here as well.” Zickrein seemed polite, “The thought-forms of the other Councilors are already inside. Please, come in.”
He made a ‘shh’ gesture to Erza and vanished like a phantom.
It appeared he was also a thought-form.
Erza’s expression was grim.
The Frog Messenger carefully stood up, “The physical bodies of the Councilors are at the ERA headquarters, but even if they are thought-forms here, please show respect.”
He pushed open the door, “Please enter.”
The four of them and Happy entered the courtroom, walking up to the witness stand.
Before them, on a three-tiered platform, twelve people were seated: one at the top, nine in the middle, and two frog people at the bottom, holding pens and paper, apparently responsible for recording.
Loke looked up, carefully observing the Councilors. Among the ten, there were men and women, young and old, tall and short, thin and fat—every type imaginable.
Even someone with three eyes was present.
Mr. Ajima, whom they had met before, was also among them.
The frog person who had opened the door looked at Loke’s expression and wanted to scold him for his attitude.
This guy was looking at the Councilors as if they were exotic animals.
Makarov remained calm, and Erza could maintain composure as long as she didn’t look at the blue-haired young man. Only Natsu and Happy felt uneasy.
The courtroom was filled with an odd silence for a few minutes.
Makarov yawned and asked, “Aren’t we starting yet?”
Mr. Ajima spoke, “Please be patient, one more suspect hasn’t arrived.”
A few minutes later, another frog person brought a blue-haired little girl into the courtroom, accompanied by a white cat.
“Wendy?”
“Charle?”
The group expressed their surprise; even they had been brought here.
“Mr. Loke! Mr. Natsu! Miss Erza! Happy, and Master Makarov!”
Wendy’s anxious and fearful expression vanished, replaced by surprise and joy.
Even Charle’s slight unease dissipated.
Loke had a bad feeling and walked over to Wendy.
Wendy, seeing familiar faces, ran forward a few steps, “Oh—”
In a hurry, Loke grabbed Wendy’s collar, lifting her to prevent her from falling, as if carrying a small cat.
(End of Chapter)
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