Chapter 368: Where's Your Salary?
Chapter 368: Where's Your Salary?
The first day of August began with the return of the Guild Master.
In the midst of summer, the weather was getting hotter, and Worm, aside from his three meals a day, had started to avoid coming over.
Rod and Mira's evil plan had failed before it even began, as they couldn't bring themselves to make everyone work under the scorching sun.
Although Rod could think of an even more sinister plan—working at night and resting during the day.
"Guild Master!"
"The Guild Master is back!"
"You've worked hard, Guild Master!"
Everyone greeted Makarov with excitement. In their eyes, despite the Phantom being solely responsible for the incident, as the Guild Master of the Holy Ten, he might have also faced a few days of detention.
It was a relief to have him back safely.
Makarov took a look at the completed first floor and exclaimed happily, "The progress is impressive! You all have worked hard."
Mira poured him a cup of tea, "Guild Master, how did it go? Were there any difficulties?"
"There were some routine interrogations, but I handled them beautifully!"
Makarov didn't elaborate on the nature of the interrogations or how he 'handled' them; the children just needed to know that their father was formidable.
He jumped onto the counter and announced, "I have good news for everyone! I've brought back a substantial amount of funds, so let's make our Guild beautiful!"
"Oh!!!"
The Guild was everyone's home, and who wouldn't want to improve their own home?
Rod made an exception and poured a glass of wine for Makarov, "Great, Guild Master, let's settle the bills."
"No problem!" Makarov took a swig and then felt a bit uneasy, "Shouldn't we hold a banquet to celebrate? We're about to start work, right?"
"No, if we have a banquet, we'll end up hungover again, and then we'll owe people money." Rod placed a stack of bills in front of him.
"Take a look, construction materials like stone and cement, professional designer fees, skilled labor fees, building damage compensation, replenishing Magic Crystals and Magic Tome costs, and last month's wages for the Tavern..."
The various items added up to a considerable sum.
If it weren't for Fairy Tail's high credit in the area, the construction would have stalled by now.
"I understand," Makarov sighed.
He thought about how embarrassing it must have been for Rod and Mira to ask for credit, and how tired Laki and Marcus must be from working overtime to save on material costs. He couldn't bring himself to complain.
"You can do it, Guild Master," Mira encouraged him, "Today, all you need to do is sign the bills; there are no apology notes to write."
The first batch of members who went on missions hadn't returned yet, so they probably hadn't had a chance to cause any trouble.
"..." Makarov almost turned to stone. Oh yes, in a few days, there might be new apology notes to write...
Speaking of which, those days under isolation and review were probably the most relaxed days he'd had?
Makarov stiffly signed each bill, one by one. Xiaoya's suggestion to retire early seemed more and more correct.
Rod looked at Mira helplessly; was it too much to give the Guild Master such a blow upon his return? Mira stuck out her tongue; she was used to it.
Rod took out two medicine bottles and handed them to Mira.
They were emergency medications prepared for the Guild Master, specially obtained from Grandmother Poluxika.
As a younger generation, it was their duty to take care of their elders.
Although it felt a bit odd to bring this up at this time.
Mira took the medicine bottles but waved Rod off. The Guild Master was strong; otherwise, he wouldn't have lived to be 88... Phew!
May the Guild Master live a long and healthy life.
...
As soon as the funds arrived, the wages were distributed, along with compensation for the previously damaged shops.
The depleted funds in Rod's small safe were finally replenished, thanks to Laki's efforts. In addition to her regular salary, Laki received a substantial bonus for her significant contribution.
Laki's emotions were mixed; she could finally afford the adorable pet she had longed for. With the desire to maintain this level of financial comfort for the following month, she resolved to work even harder.
Terrified by her newfound wealth, Laki slapped her palm with a thick stack of bills, "I feel like I'm succumbing to the evil of money."
Rod, seeing his companion's distress, offered, "Let me help you deal with these evil things."
Ignoring him, Laki immediately complained to Mira, "Mira, your boyfriend is asking for money from another woman!"
"Is that so?" Mira covered her face, feigning shyness, "He must think I work too hard, and I'm so touched. So, I'll give him the money."
"Huh?" Laki hugged her hard-earned wages and ran off.
Rod and Mira enjoyed a rare lunch at a restaurant, though it wasn't that long ago they had done so.
After the meal, they made a trip to the bank.
Holding a large amount of cash always felt unsettling, so Mira also decided to deposit a portion of her salary.
She held both her and Rod's passbooks, opening them to calculate their combined savings.
They were getting closer; together, they would soon have enough. If he dared not propose then... Humph!
Mira suddenly noticed an irregularity in Rod's deposit record, "Aren't you depositing this month's salary?"
"Well, this month, both of us probably won't be able to work. I want to keep it for emergencies."
"That's true..." Mira wore a troubled expression, "I guess I saved too much."
Rod found her expression adorable and was touched, not just by her concern for the future but also by her willingness to plan ahead.
He embraced her, saying boldly, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you. So..."
Mira looked at him, "So?"
"So, how about moving in with me?"
"You're up to no good!"
...
The hottest part of the afternoon had just passed, and the construction site quickly became a hive of activity.
This time, Makarov took the lead in the work, transforming into a giant.
Whenever he was busy, it was only natural to delegate those troublesome tasks to Mira and Rod.
This was not shirking responsibility but a rational distribution of work.
His Giant Magic was, after all, ideal for such physical labor.
As the Guild Master, he must know how to make the best use of everyone's talents!
Rod and Mira had no choice but to handle the Guild Master's mundane tasks, something they were already accustomed to, but now it was even more troublesome.
However, some things were unavoidable.
That evening, while the tavern was still open, Rod received a letter from the Council via magic.
Even before Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Lucy returned, the complaint had already reached the Council.
After reading the complaint's content, Rod asked Mira to bring some medicine, and they went to find Makarov, who was drinking alone in a quiet place.
"Guild Master."
"Hmm?" Makarov, deep in thought about retirement, had not yet grasped the severity of the situation, "You're here. Want to sit down and have a drink with me?"
"No need, Guild Master." Rod intended to prepare the old man before Mira spoke, "Actually, Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Lucy went out on a mission together to raid a magic cult."
Makarov realized the gravity of the situation, "And the res..."
Mira handed him the letter, "Although Rod reminded them to be more discreet, they still ended up destroying three streets."
"Th..."
Rod quickly supported the old man, "Guild Master, please calm down! Guild Master!"
(End of Chapter)
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