https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-356-The-Strategist-and-the-Demon-s-Combination/12936718/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-358-Unintentionally-Making-a-Decision-for-the-Guild-Master/12936720/
Chapter 357: A Little Mira Energy
Chapter 357: A Little Mira Energy
The Council's investigation process was somewhat tedious. After questioning everyone once, they were repeatedly called back for further inquiries.
Sometimes it was to corroborate testimonies with their companions, sometimes to cross-reference with Phantom's statements, and sometimes to respond to messages from the Council headquarters seeking necessary evidence.
Missing testimonies and evidence were supplemented, and discrepancies were re-examined.
The investigation and questioning went on for a whole week.
Rod felt it was a bit lengthy, but seeing Lahar and his team working tirelessly, he couldn't bring himself to complain.
Fortunately, it was all over.
Lahar announced that the investigation and evidence collection were complete, and all members of Fairy Tail were free to go home.
Only Makarov might need to make another trip to the Council in a few days, where the final verdict would be officially announced.
The compensation and other matters would also be settled at that time.
Joseph had regained consciousness three days ago, but he was still not fully mobile. He would be taken directly to the Council and was unlikely to be released again.
Rod glanced at him from a distance, feeling that even if he were released, he would be broken. It wasn't that his injuries were too severe, but his eyes had lost their spark.
Being defeated by a group of people he considered weak, ants, might haunt him for life. If he couldn't overcome this shadow, his magic power might also decline.
Overcoming this shadow seemed easy enough—he just needed to acknowledge Fairy Tail's strength and admit that he and his guild had taken the wrong path.
However, for Joseph, this was almost an impossible task.
Apart from Joseph, some stubborn common members were also taken away, along with Aria and Sol from the Four Elements, and Gajuru the Iron Dragon.
These individuals refused to admit their mistakes and showed no signs of remorse. They would be taken for a few days of re-education, and if they showed improvement, they would be released. If they became more defiant, they would be sentenced to a short-term imprisonment.
As expected, Phantom Lord was forcibly disbanded, and all members from the headquarters and branches were dismissed.
Since Joseph bore the primary responsibility, these common members faced minimal punishment as long as they admitted their mistakes and showed a good attitude.
Their only loss was having to pay for their medical expenses and find new livelihoods.
Makarov generously offered that if they didn't know where to go, they could come to Fairy Tail.
But none of the several hundred members accepted.
A small portion, after this incident, no longer wanted to be mages and planned to start small businesses instead.
Most, however, had been beaten so badly that even though they were moved by Makarov's leniency, they couldn't immediately let go of their grudges.
Rather than joining Fairy Tail, they preferred to try their luck with smaller guilds.
Initially, they had joined Phantom Lord for its reputation as Fiore's top guild, but now they realized that being in the number one guild might not be as pleasant.
There were many formidable individuals within the guild, and their enemies could be even more terrifying monsters. They felt that perhaps smaller guilds would offer a more relaxed environment.
During this seven-day review period, news of the grand battle between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord had spread throughout the nation.
The detailed process had not yet been made public, but rumors were rampant. Currently, the public knew that both guild headquarters had been destroyed, and both guild masters had fallen, but the reason for the conflict remained unclear.
Many civilians were anxious about this violent incident, as the Fiore Kingdom had been peaceful for a long time, and they wondered if it would affect their lives.
In a few days, when the Council's verdict was announced, this situation should ease.
Before that, the former Phantom members who had witnessed Joseph's defeat were the first to spread the news.
Although it was a collective effort that defeated Joseph, Mira, Erza, Rod, and Natsu, who delivered the final blow, gained a surge in reputation.
As more detailed news spread, Rod's reputation as the Fairy Army Strategist became known and recognized by more people.
The group themselves were not very clear about these matters, as soon as they left the Council's camp, they immediately began preparations for the guild's reconstruction.
The first task was to organize and transfer important materials, led by the Guild Master, with Levy, Lucy, Laki, and other girls in charge (Erza and Carla were excluded from the group).
Erza was responsible for leading a team to dismantle the old guild, sorting out usable materials and disposing of or selling the useless ones.
Natsu, Gray, and Elfman were particularly enthusiastic about these tasks.
Mila and Rod were naturally in charge of purchasing essential construction materials like stone and wood. Although Laki could provide some wood, it wouldn't be right to over-exploit her.
Additionally, they had to hire reliable craftsmen and consult professionals to revise the new guild's design plans.
In the past few days, the Guild Master and Latis had each drawn a set of plans, but one was too abstract, and the other was too artistic, making them unsuitable for construction guidance.
After running around for most of the day, Rod paused to look at the procurement list: "We're only missing paint, we can buy it later... Hmm, didn't we pass by a hardware store just now?"
Mila shook her head: "That store is too expensive, let's go to West Street." She calculated and held up five fingers in front of Rod, "We can save this much."
Rod gently held her hand as she waved it in front of him.
It was a fair hand with neatly trimmed nails and slender fingers. No one would have guessed that this delicate hand could split mountains and rocks.
Rod's fingertips gently brushed over a scab on the back of her hand: "Does it still hurt?"
Mila smiled: "It stopped hurting a while ago, and it's been a bit itchy these days." She added with a hint of worry, "I wonder if it will leave a scar."
"It doesn't matter, I like scars all over my body." Rod kissed her hand, the scabbed part was hard, but the surrounding skin was just as smooth.
Mila withdrew her hand and patted him lightly: "You're the one with scars all over!"
"If you're really concerned, you can ask Wendy, her magic is quite effective in removing scars. You might get scolded by Carla, though..."
Rod made a fearless expression, "It's fine, I'll talk to her. If necessary, I'll even beg at her feet.
'Please, Wendy, Carla, I'll do anything as long as you can heal Mila!' How does that sound? Should I add another sentence..."
Mila pouted: "Add what? It's not as dramatic as you're making it sound."
Her smile returned, and all her worries vanished.
Then Rod hugged her: "Alright then, it's your turn to recharge me."
"Recharge?"
"It's similar to replenishing a magic crystal with magic power." Rod gently inhaled the scent of her hair, "I'm in dire need of 'Mira Energy' right now."
"Okay, okay~" Mira hugged him back.
After a while, she asked: "How long do we need to hug?"
"Let's start with a century."
(End of Chapter)
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