Chapter 25.5

The day before leaving for a meeting. Fairy Tail Master's Office.

-A letter with a proposal from the Council, you say? - Makarov somehow darkened, peering at the lines of text on expensive paper - and what do you think about this?

- Sounds attractive, although I did not look at this case from the point of view of laws, but already, offhand, I see several very unpleasant moments, such as the opportunity to send me "to establish diplomatic relations" somewhere on the other side of the world.

-And also the impossibility of being a member of any guild, so as not to be "biased", - Dreyar became completely gloomy, - which means that you will have to leave the "Fairies", and you will not be able to see us often - the Counselors have a lot to do, they spend most of their time in the Era ... - The Master began to list all the minuses and horrors of being a member of the Council - no tasks, only salary, no fights, drinking (but that's okay), plus, a real opportunity to be sent away by "universal suffrage" graze the penguins somewhere in the ass of the world. Makarych was clearly saddened by the possibility of my leaving, which could not but rejoice. Why? Hehe, I think I chatted with Lee.

- Well, I don't know, they have complete freedom of research, a gorgeous library, and I'll be able to knock out funding for myself ... - Makarov's look became so pitiful, pitiful, - if only someone would spend more time on training one humble magician .. Oh, and one more souvenir.

-This is extortion! - despair appeared in the wizard's voice, only there was something else there, but what, I could not understand.

-I prefer "persistent request" ...

- Okay, I'll teach you what kind of souvenir you needed, demon? - humility? But what about denial and bargaining?

- Just your wonderful mug, it's not sports, mentor!

-Eh, all the youth notices, on, extortionist, - Dreyar meekly conveyed the required. Damn, this is definitely something wrong, but what? The mug is real, the weaving is in place, but what's the catch?

- Well, then I'll go to refuse such a generous offer? - we smile and wave, we smile and wave.

-Go too, moron, - Makarov escorted me out of the office. Ahem, what was that?

The same time, the Master's office.

-Heh, maybe you are smart, Sef, but we are not made with a finger either, - the head of the fairies opened the safe and ... took out another mug of the "Terminator" class from there, and a casual observer, if by some miracle he turned out to be in the holy of holies of the Fairies (no, not in a beer cellar, but here), I could have noticed at least a dozen similar artifacts - not only Lee knew how to enchant objects, besides, the reserve of the Chosen Magician allowed me to approach the problem very thoroughly, otherwise I I didn't see that you had already abandoned the idea with the Council as soon as I realized that you would not be able to see your harem very often, and it really wouldn't hurt to teach you something, although you could have just asked, - the Master closed his eyes rather, " having forgotten "that he was" simply asked "more than once, now he was anticipating what the face of Sephiroth would be when he saw a new mug in his hands. Yes, this memory will definitely warm him on long winter evenings, hehe.

The next morning. Sephiroth.

I knew. I felt. This petty, disgusting, disgusting old man-perverted me. Into the arrogant. And now he is quite smiling and drinking beer from another indestructible sippy mug and you don't need to be an empath to determine the magician's emotions, you just need to look at the happy face of this small, disgusting ... hmm, however, I already repeat myself. Although it was all obvious yesterday, he agreed too easily, not naturally. As Stanislavsky would say: "I don't believe it!", So I didn't believe it either, especially when I studied the mug, setting it in bright colors blooming on the horizon, the question remained only in its size, so grandpa, if you expected to see amazement and confusion on my face - break off, for this it was necessary to train more in acting. And let this round be yours, Makarov, but now I have a sample! So rejoice while you can.

I licked my lips involuntarily.

- Sef, are you all right? Mira looked at me worriedly from behind the bar.

-Yes, I'm just thinking over some options ... - my assessing look clearly did not like the old man, he somehow sideways, but still drifted away.

-What kind? - Lucy, just entering the guild, missed the beginning of events.

-Sephiroth looked at the Master with such feeling ... Juvia wants him to look at her like that! - I choked on a breath. W-what? Dreyar gurgled not far away, and the girls ... the girls looked at each other and burst into cheerful laughter ... here!

-Old man, we were made. Not good...

-M-yes, shket, taught bad girls? Now suffer! But ... in this you are right, not good ... - two narrowed eyes abruptly cut off the fun of the female team.

-Ummm ... Sef? Master? - the trio started to get nervous. The beautiful water sorceress could not stand it first and washed away ... in the literal sense of the word.

-Come back, I will forgive everything! - and silence in response, - strange ... did not believe it, - the Master laughed, and a second later, I joined him.

-Oh, pins, - Dreyar's hand reached out to slap Lucy lower back, but was intercepted in time.

-It's mine! Here, slap Pole, - hmm, and what an interesting effect, the magician chokes on beer, shakes, but not a drop spills from the mug.

-Khe, there are much less painful ways of suicide, - the Master cleared his throat, nevertheless, continuing with a satisfied face to watch the blushed blonde.

-Okay, laughed and that's enough. I will have to leave for a week, perhaps two - I need to refuse the "generous" offer of the Council, and at the same time knock out compensation for the attempt to kill me in a socially dangerous way.

-Hmm, well, if you stay longer than three, then move right to Clover - there will be a meeting of Masters of the Light Guilds and I may need a meeting ... uh, legal consultant, - the Chosen One shrank under the suspicious gaze of a combat waitress.

-I will try to get free early and so will get bored in a week, and if three ... - I began to say goodbye to my girls (Juvia immediately found herself right there and almost purred a satisfied cat, heh, she needs a little for happiness, just a drop of attention and care), - and where is Elsa?

-He and Ur left for the mission early in the morning, - answered Mira. Hmm, so Mrs. Milkovich is already moving to the meeting place, not bad, it's just a pity that at the same time she took my fake.

-And Gray? Didn't he try to accompany his adored mentor? - in response, the girl silently poked her finger into such a monumental block of ice, into the depths of which Fulbuster was frozen, h-yes, that's what it means to think - it was problematic not to notice such a fool, although, no, everything is in the order of things - people are already breaking off pieces. .. for cocktails, so I thought that one of our ice-cold ones provided the order of the people, but what is in the hall, not in the kitchen ... well, fake!

"Yeah, the harshest Ner" Zula cosplay ever ... "I muttered to myself.

-I'm sorry, what?

-Yes, I am so, thinking about the eternal, - after parting with the guild, I, like a decent person, went to the station and got on the train next to Eru, although, I admit, it was just hard to strain my own wings, and there was a margin of time, so we'd better read it, since Lee has shared his books, but what? After what he told me, it would be strange to heal books - I would like to get the library or did not trust the imperial, I would have taken off my head with that blade and the whole short-lived, nevertheless, in bare power, I am much superior to him, although, to attack the artifactor in his own house - it is necessary not to be friends with the head. And I'm friends. And with the head, and with Lee, to our mutual benefit (although for the "lease" of books could tear and less, cursed hoard!). But I again got distracted, glasses with a severed nose restriction, Lee's book in one hand, my Book in the other, I will try to throw information to her directly, but without grabbing the source (otherwise the Chinese will definitely kill me), well, it started!

I arrived in Eru with a cracking head, into which knowledge of the theory of artifact was literally driven, now I understood what exactly the blacksmith was doing with the blade and even why it was needed (although I understood very vaguely and some actions seemed unnecessary to me, most likely the answer would be in the following books). But to repeat ... heh, only under the strict guidance of a mentor and that, I think, not the first time, even taking into account the dragon's vision.

The city still "phoned" with magic, irritating the senses and somewhat interfering with orientation, but I still got to the secretariat of the Council, where a very polite Toad is. At first, the toad was not polite, but the invitation paper together with the pendant worked better than any magic. The toad's enthusiasm subsided noticeably when I said that I had come here not to discuss issues of joining the magi's authority, but to solve the problems of compensation for the physical and moral damage caused by the Council of Magicians to Fairy Tail and one specific representative of them in particular. The frog tried to deny that, they say, it was a decree of the Old Council, which has nothing to do with the New (except that it will consist of half of the old councilors, although maybe not half, after all this time, as I heard that a lot more people voted for the shot and few people will succeed in the series "I didn't want to, but I was forced by general authority") and in general, there is still a day before the first convocation. I had to apologize to the paper, smile and politely ask.

-It's clear, sir, then can you tell me one more question?

-Yes Yes?

-Where can I apply to the Royal Court?

-Uh, why do you need?

-You understand, I am very surprised that the same governing body in the state declares that it does not claim the succession of a similar body, the formerly disbanded Council, but at the same time declares claims to power, therefore, are not the magicians who are part of the self-proclaimed New Council to usurp power in the state? After all, they demand some kind of rights, denying responsibilities and correcting their mistakes. What if they are traitors who betrayed the interests of the state and our respected monarch? The toad croaked. What should he do? The assholes who fucked up the territory of the neighboring kingdom with Etherion put our autocrat in a very disadvantageous position, in general, the war did not flare up for two reasons - only the fish, stunned by the shock wave, suffered from the neighbor and ... hmm, I think, "ransom" should have been weighty. What kind of "love" the ruler feels for the magicians who "made him happy" now, I think, there is no need to explain. And if we still return to that option with "seven times, without getting off", about which one tycoon can whisper to the king ... hehe, maybe he really can go to the Court, and not try to hush up the case, agreeing in a quiet way?

-Emm, Mr. Sephiroth, you don't need to get excited. I am sure that you will be able to find a common language with the Council, I think they will consider your application at the first convocation.

- That would be very nice of them. I am in a hurry, and the next session of the Court will only be at the beginning of next month, - again came the strangled croak. Looks like their treasurer is already looking forward to, hehe.

Well, the meeting will only be tomorrow, which means that today you can safely visit one quiet house in a dense forest. Leaving the hospitable secretariat, I went out onto the clean city streets and went to the outskirts, and from there, flew to the specified coordinates. The house itself was a pretty cute mansion, reliably hidden in the thicket of the forest ... with a bunch of spells and artifacts, apparently, they somehow added me to the "list of friends", otherwise, I could only find this structure in the wake of magic .. . and not the fact that it is somehow not screened for a "hostile" look. Land on the porch and go inside, judging by the sensations of life, now there is only one person in the dwelling and he is ... a step to the side and a cannonball flies past me, hmm, there is no threat, which means ...

-You have an interesting greeting ritual, Ultear. So you can break your head.

-What would have happened then? - a girl comes out of the room, very much like Ur, almost identical in shape (although the chest and butt are bigger, yes), gait, but here are the characters ...

-It would take ten minutes to collect the bones of the skull, and then explain to one bad girl what is good and what is bad ... until complete satisfaction ... with the result, since our meeting began with such flirting (well, in the understanding of Ultear , the rest could consider it an attempt at murder), which means that there is nothing urgent, requiring immediate consideration, and if so, and even taking into account this amazing cocktail of passion, desire, aggression and something else ... so Ur will arrive, at best, the day after tomorrow, there is definitely no one else in the house, hmm ... I think I also managed to miss this woman. A sharp deep kiss, the girl tries to bite my tongue, but does not have time, the legs of the sorceress crossed behind my back and the sorceress herself, pressed against her whole body, the crack of torn clothes, the writing desk seemed to be very comfortable in the corner ... there were no more thoughts, but there was something crazy, and in a couple of worlds, I bet, they would have recognized it as illegal, however, I liked that game with tying, however, Ultear clearly planned to tie me up, but ... not destiny.

The next day, the first meeting of the New Council took place. Of the familiar faces, only Ultear was present there and, oddly enough, Oog, whom, it seemed, they wanted to make a scapegoat for a shot, but since he is here, it means that he somehow got out. Yamaji fulfilled his threat and resigned, although I heard he was offered a job. Well, the Head of the Council has not changed, though we have not met with him personally - last time he deigned to be ill. The secretary toad monotonously mumbled the topic of the meeting, so and so, the claims of the magician who suffered as a result of the actions of the previous composition and another twenty minutes of empty idle talk. This was beginning to bore, and some of the Counselors were already snoring and snoring (Ultear did not sleep at all and pecked her nose, and others gradually began to pick up her example). Well, since the people are so sleepy, I will not detain them and will simply state my claims and demands.

Ten minutes later.

Outlined. The people woke up abruptly, the toads held on to their hearts, the magicians gritted their teeth. Why are they? I asked for relatively little - ninety million precious ones (you need to replenish your somewhat empty pocket), and a couple of little things, such as books of spells on the magic of Death - the Council conducted developments in this area, although it did not advertise. How much and what to demand, I figured out in advance, and then clarified with the beautiful warlock the budget of the new Council and how much of them can be squeezed out. The head stared at me with a hateful glance, and I periodically thought about arranging a heart attack for him on the principle of Oug's grandfather, the Council was assembled from the most "worthy" and "authoritative" wizards, but the level of their power did not always reach S rank, even A was not at all, which means that most of them will not be able to burn out my cells, except with great difficulty, for a long time and clearly knowing what they need to look for. It's a pity that hanging enough to gut the brain won't work by airborne droplets, eh. The Council was indignant, the Council tried to press with authority, the Council threatened with sanctions, the Council took time for a meeting and fenced itself off with a curtain of magic, and I focused on my cells in Ultear's body - last night the label was updated, after all, the girl was a full-fledged S-ovik, much higher average level and even an increased supply remained in it for a relatively short time - a more or less serious tension of magic and everything burns out, however, I had a partial decision - to plant cells not "in", but "on" the magician, even if the influence is less, but at least I will definitely to know where she is and her condition, and one idea appeared, but to that later, now it's worth listening to what they are discussing there.

-... unheard of! How dare he ...

-... maybe better than him, that? - so, but you, little one, I will remember.

-Do you have a means more lethal than a shot with Aetherion? - heh, Mrs. Milkovich conveyed so much poison in one intonation. That would be enough for a small squad - if he survives the attack, he will not rest until he destroys everyone here.

-Do not exaggerate his strength, - hmm, so the head gave a voice, - he is still a man, which means that it is possible to find justice for him.

-He is the Chosen of God by right of strength, - the voice of Oug, - besides, behind him is now the strongest guild in Fiore, which, I remind you, is headed by another God-Chosen One, whose relationship to the pupils is known from the occasion of Jose. This is not to mention another one who now resides in who knows where. Are you sure you want to face the trio of magicians, who occupy 4th and 5th places on the report card? And Clive is also somewhere in that range. And that's not counting two Assassins, a few S-wicks and a rank A group. Open conflict will lead to civil war. Fairies annoy many, but they also have enough allies.

-And what do you suggest? Wipe off and pay him?

-Yes. Wipe off, pay and look for indirect ways to influence or eliminate.

-And if you just refuse?

-Then His Majesty will be just happy with the opportunity to cut down on the "presumptuous" magicians, remind you what concessions we had to make anyway? And here is such a gorgeous reason to chop off something else from us. And if this weasel can come to an agreement with the monarch ... - Oug was interrupted.

- Agree with the king? A commoner? How can he get to the Court ?!

-Not a commoner, but the God-Chosen Magician, who are equated with the Count, if you suddenly forgot, so he can really demand the Royal Court, but agree ... took Ultear, - do you think he won't be able to offer the ruler, by the way, who is already a rather elderly man?

-Life magic is prohibited!

- And when did it stop who? Or do you think he will use it in the midst of a crowd of witnesses? This is not to mention the fact that no one has canceled the Council's permission to use it. And now we are not in a position to do that.

-Wonderful, some jerk took us by the throat, - the said jerk meanwhile grinned, listening to the skirmish.

-And there was no need to try to quietly kill him, using Strategic Spells for this. Men, "Ultear's voice was filled with disapproval, heh, how he plays, devil.

-Okay, I propose to go to the voting ...

The magicians agreed to the terms, although I demanded a lot, but far from transcendental, however, I did not like the thoughts of eliminating them "quietly" from them, but it would be foolish to expect that the wizards who received a noble kick at their dignity would imbued me with love ... The main thing is not to frame the girls, everything else can be solved.

After the meeting, I returned to the house in the forest, Ultear joined me only in the evening and demanded a reward for her efforts. By lunch the next day, we still more or less calmed down and a constructive dialogue became possible.

-So? - I raised an eyebrow inquiringly, continuing to admire the girl lying next to me.

-And if I just miss you? - playful smile, does she still have strength? Impressive, even my body requires some rest ... and a little treatment - her claws are very sharp, and they have more magic than some artifact swords.

-It's also not bad, but it is unlikely - we could have met at another time, right there you report that there is information, moreover, you inform not only me, but also Ur, - hmm, a prick of jealousy? Or did it seem?

- Right, - Ultear sweetly stretched and yawned, - it concerns the "Six Asking".

-Let me guess, are they looking for Nirvana? - in this matter, I was calm, without the exact place known to Jellal, and now to me, they can look for her before the return of the Dragons. The former Councilor named the area, as I learned from the memory of the magician himself, but, in fact, this does not change anything.

-No, - the sorceress surprised me, - they have already found her and will carry out the activation from day to day.

-What? But how? Only Jellal knew the place ... - and then it dawned on me. The younger Milkovich confirmed my words.

-Which we led for eight years. Hades kindly shared the coordinates with his "old friend". The old man thinks that he has found the last key to Zeref, - the girl smiled into her fist and ran her hand through my hair, - and he needs hype and strong magical indignation in order to remove this key on the quiet.

-Tts, the next stories of the next cult. How annoying these fanatics are. Why didn't you tell me earlier? - the girl became more serious.

-Couldn't leave. It seems to me that Hades suspects something - lately the old man has become more and more twitchy. In addition, Nirvana is reliably sealed and its activation will take a lot of time and magical powers, not to mention the fact that, as I heard, the Light Guilds in absentia pronounced the "Begging" a death sentence - they have gone too far lately. So the squad of punishers will give them trouble, but Nirvana needs to be printed, I'm afraid if this does not happen, the old man will decide to organize a small war, again, to distract attention.

-Do you know how to please. Do you propose to leave everything to the punishers?

- I'd love to kill Brain myself. Slowly, but ... I'm afraid then I won't be able to spy on Hades anymore. He clearly knows something else, but does not share it with anyone.

"Hmm ... I think I'll talk to this lover of experiments on children personally," the sorceress nodded gratefully.

- I wanted to introduce you to someone this evening.

-Mmm?

-Meldy is my ... adopted daughter, - the sorceress sighed, - just in case, suddenly ...

-I understand and know who it is. Have you already told her about the city where you met? - the counselor shuddered.

-Where are you from ... however, it doesn't matter. Yes, although it was very difficult, but ... after my mother returned, I ... - the girl pressed against me.

- Nothing, it's really for the best, I think we'd better get up to prepare for the arrival of the guests.

- Yeah, - I wonder, has anyone ever seen Ultear like this? Mmm ... so human, or what?

Until the evening, we were busy with various little things - removing the traces of our stormy meetings, discussing the latest achievements of magic, but after a couple of hours Ur finally joined us, having safely completed the task. The elder Milkovich (although this is all relative, both biologically and according to life experience, the girls are already the same age) said goodbye to Elsa not far from my friend Salisbury and immediately went to us. About an hour after Ur's arrival, Meldi also came to the light.

I don't know what Ultear told her about me, but this little thirteen-year-old girl (well, relatively small, the process of turning her from a girl into a young girl went on at full speed, and what she will become in seven years, mmm, someone will be very lucky) funny winged something, pretending (not very successfully) helmet, looked at me ... hmm, I don't even know how to describe it, a fairy tale that came to life? Perhaps the closest. Mother and daughter, after the presentation of the newcomer and a small tea party, quickly went to the second floor, I feel that it will be a difficult task to drive them out of there even for Zeref and the Dragons. I am entertained with small empty chatter, periodically interrupted by new portions of tea (and cookies, of course, am I the dark side of the Force or did I go out for a walk?).

-I wonder if they are there for a long time? - Meldy gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling.

-Hmm, a difficult question, it is possible that it may hang for a week.

-And you...

-Let's better on you - I'm not that old yet, - the girl choked on tea. Hmm, maybe it's not Master's karma, but what kind of aura do I have?

-Uh ... well, - the child caught his breath, - how did you meet mum ... with Ultear? - hmm, but the girl is not very familiar with the word "mother", but nevertheless she first tried to use it, the consequences of a frank conversation?

-Oh, the story turned out to be funny, I am walking, I mean, in the forest, and here such an interesting girl is standing on a branch and pensively looking into the distance, - jealousy flared from the baby. It is clear, "mine, I won't give it up," hehe, she reminds me of someone in this respect, - then somehow word for word, so we became friends, - jealousy intensified.

- Just made friends? - hmm, and she's already copied the look from Ultear.

- We are also united by mutually beneficial cooperation, of course - this term can mean a lot.

-And that's it? - how many suspicions.

-Well yes.

-Do you love mom? - damn, here it is, childlike spontaneity, I have not yet got into a more delicate position, we will get out.

-It's hard to say, - I shrug, - I like her character, mind, beauty, but can it be called love? Let's just say that I am sympathetic to her - after all, I feel something more for my girls - Ultear's smile does not evoke any strong response in me, unlike the analogous action of the same Mira, which sometimes makes me fall out of reality (and the presence of ears and that swimsuit has nothing to do with it, yeah), but I can't say that this sorceress is indifferent to me either. It's nice to talk to her and spend time with her.

- That's how, - the girl stubbornly pursed her lips, - but I have to make sure!

-M? - I did not understand her phrase, but the bracelet that appeared on my hand instantly put everything in its place. The connection of feelings, moreover, through the body, since it can transmit physical pain, and the body of the carrier of the symbiont ... mlyat, what a fool!

Then everything happened very quickly. The girl screamed, immediately suffocating with air and turning sharply pale - the sensations of a creature pumped up by norepinephrine at the very least I can not (the hormone of rage, anger. * Author's note) are quite capable of killing a person with a weak heart. The next moment I already put my hand on her head and, at the limit of the penetration rate available to the symbiont, turn off the girl's consciousness. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see how the tattoo bracelet is blurring even before the sorceress's eyes are closed.

-What happened? - Ultear, who rushed to the scream, rushed to her adopted daughter, Ur who came with her, also looked very worried, well, although they did not blame me for anything, they have brains.

-I decided to find out what feelings I have for you and activated the Connection of Feelings.

-AND?

-And received the full spectrum of sensations of the Demon, - seeing some misunderstanding, explained, - rage, hatred of all living things and hunger.

- Will she be all right? - how much concern for the girl, whatever Ultear says or thinks, but she can be very caring and, oddly enough, kind.

-I cut it off quickly enough, Communication also disappeared, so nothing terrible should happen, - and for sure, Meldie was already slowly recovering after the "emergency shutdown".

-Mom? Why, - a glance fell on me, jumping from a place together with a load from a prone position, but like fear of phonitis ... I winced, fear is sweet only when it is exuded by the enemy, not an ally.

-Do not be afraid, girl, what you felt is just body sensations, weakly connected with my perception of the world and reactions.

-And y-do you constantly experience this?

-Yes, although I got used to it for a long time and hardly notice it. It's just that from time to time it is required ... to let off steam, - could not resist and threw a carnivorous glance at Ultear, who was attentively listening to our conversation, - the body is just a vessel, a container for the spirit and it can be ... changed and modernized, let's say. Feelings are a small side effect of these changes. I hope you're not too scared? - I know that it is strong, but now I need to say something in a quiet, soothing voice. - By the way, we switched to "you", baby.

-N-no, and I'm not a child or a baby! - fear gives way to indignation, heh, the trick is old, but it works the same. Looking at the frowning face of the girl with pink hair, I laughed, which made the face completely frown and turned to the glorious duet Milkovich. In vain she was so, very in vain - Ur could not resist and grabbing in an armful, immediately began to squeeze a small, with a touching expression on her face and almost purring with pleasure, no maternal instincts woke up, and Ultear, looking at this picture, could not resist and joined me in joy. Nevertheless, Meldie spent the night in Ultear's room, where Ur also moved, well, and I, on common thought, came to the conclusion that the girls should talk in private, and my presence is no longer required, so I decided to leave the hospitable house at night, leaving a note and a small gift in the form of earrings for the mistress of this glorious home. Well ... one more thing, the expressions on Meldie and Ur's faces were painfully cute during the squeeze, I could not resist - I reproduced the picture on paper, oh, sorry I won't see the reaction, although ... you can later peep in the memories of the participants , hehe. Magnolia was waiting for me, it's good that I managed to cope so quickly - the news of the successful search for Nirvana by the "Begging" was somewhat disturbed, and even the need to wait until they activate it ... hmmm. The night forest under the wings continued to live a life of its own.

Still, flying is very convenient: the road can be straightened, the speed is the same as you can develop a devil on the ground ... if it weren't for midges at a low altitude or random "birds in the opposite direction", from which sometimes it was necessary to dodge (feel himself a member of Angry Birds), at greater heights. I did not want to climb up for kilometers - there are such winds that the scribe, and even on a head-on course.

I entered the city only in the morning - the distance was decent, and I was not particularly in a hurry. What for? If there are still, at least, three weeks, perhaps just to hug your fairies as soon as possible, but not to break into them in the middle of the night? For a moment I imagined this picture, here a shadow makes its way to the sweetly sleeping Elsa and ... for some reason further the sick imagination imagined how the girl wakes up and starts stuffing my carcass with all sorts of sharp and iron gizmos from sleep. Hmmm, perhaps it's for the best, look, the sky is blue, the birds begin to sing ... So, first the guild, then home and master the books knocked out of the Council, there are only three of them, but the knowledge in them is simple are priceless, because the main thing is to understand the "nature" of the school of magic and the methods of managing this particular school, and then you can go on your own.

"Fairy Tail" greeted me with uncharacteristic silence and calmness, heh, "fakes" can be quiet in two cases - when they are asleep and when they are dead, judging by the smells, we have a situation closer to the second option from the subsection "dead drunk". Celebrating something? So ... what could it be ... mmm ... hmm ... hmm. After a minute of reflection, I came to the logical conclusion - whatever. From parting with an ordinary member of the guild going to visit relatives, to "washing" a particularly successful order, often more was spent on fun than the order itself brought, but this did not bother anyone.

"Mmm ... fish ..." A voice from the ceiling caught my attention. Uh-huh, the cat, besides Happy, the ceiling beams were also present: Natsu, Gray (already defrosted), Elfman, Freed (!), Bixlow (!!) and ... Reedas (O_O). How he managed to get there, with his dimensions, I had no idea. Although I personally would be much more curious to watch how they would pull him out of there, I did not believe that the magic artist would get off on his own. Under all this cheerful company, Kana and Elsa were sleeping ... and both were clearly drawn to alcohol. So, the picture begins to clear up, the raging Elsa is the answer to the question "how did he get there", now it is clear how - I really wanted to live. But what happened after all? The answer came with the Master.

-Oh ... Sephiroth, you are back ... well done, tell me, but you still don't have that thing that you gave Lucy then ... from a headache, - and looks so pitifully in her eyes. Heh, the hangover Makarych is a sight that can pity even a stone.

- Hold on, sufferer, - I call on the coveted flask, - what happened here at all?

-Fuh, - Dreyar came to life right before our eyes, - but the guys returned from the order from Oaks, remember, with dead trees? It turned out that some dark guild was trying to brew the "Elixir of Death", apparently, they succeeded in something, but they could not repeat the result. The Dubov administration expressed gratitude to us and threw bonuses, in addition to the seven hundred thousand of the main contract ... uh, what's wrong with you? - I was punched by "hee-hee", yeah ... the dark guild and the elixir of death, and the dragonleer who passed those places with "Devouring Life" had nothing to do with it, fortunately.

-Do not pay attention, old man, just remembered something funny, by the way, and what happened to them? - I nod towards the picturesque group on the beams.

- Well, - Makarych thoughtfully scratched the back of his head, - it seems that Ridas began to pester Elsa, - eh? - so that she would pose for his picture, - ahh, the execution is canceled, - but Natsu did not like it, who wanted to brush her off, but while he ran to start, he pushed only the recently unfrozen Gray. Gray fell on Kana and knocked a keg out of her hands, for some reason called a mug. The mug landed exactly on Bickslow's head, he staggered back and bumped into Fried, who, in turn, accidentally pushed the waitress carrying Elsa's order and a new portion for Cana, - the Master sighed sadly, - the cake came to an end - it was smeared on the floor right in front of the table ...

-And then two furies drove all the "guilty" to the ceiling?

- Something like this, - the head of Fey nodded. Well, yes, a typical day at the guild, everything is in the order of things - but how was your trip?

- Quite successfully - we managed to shake off a small compensation from the Council and knock out a couple of books.

-Yeah? - how many suspicions.

-Aha, by the way, Master, - I became a little more serious, and the conversation needs to be taken far away, just in case, - about that circle ...

-Yeah? - the face clearly asked for a brick.

-Two options. Or myself, or bulk order, right?

-Let's allow ... - the grandfather warned.

-Then tell me, elder, why beer is more expensive for you than your own pupils?

-Uh? - Dreyar did not understand.

-There weaving is cooler than on Elsa's "Diamond Armor", and that way by three, so what Zeref?

-Em ... Aam ... Well, you know ... Elsa, we have a proud girl ... Do you think I did not offer it myself? In addition, "Diamond Armor" is one of the first real artifact sets of armor that she bought with her own money and she is very proud of it, so, - Makarych threw up his hands, - besides, she is not so ... mmm. .. reckless (something much less censorship was evidently twirling on his tongue) to stand under Aetherion, and everything else must be kept in armor ... theoretically, - yeah, for example Jupiter, which is several dozen times weaker than the Council's cannon. - As for the rest of the artifacts - I'm still not an expert, in fact, the enchantment of the mug was a side effect of my practices in the barriers, and I couldn't do without a couple of acquaintances, life, you know, is long, with whom only buha ... ahem , never met.

-Hmm ... - the question about Jupiter was asked on my tongue, but I restrained myself, here it is really more about Elsa, and there is a suspicion that Makarych, even in a nightmare, could not imagine that his fakes would throw themselves under such spells ... - Okay, I understood, I'm sorry, I got excited.

- Nothing, - the magician dismissed, - you worry about them, it's quite normal. By the way, since you came so early, then we can leave for Clover in a week.

-Good.

-That's fine, - sipping from the flask expropriated from me, Makarov left in the direction of his office. Well, I'll probably make Elsa and the rest of my girls (if I find) more comfortable for now, and in general it's worth being a gentleman and somehow equip the beautiful half of the fairies (let the rest of the Alconauts suffer, besides, I'm still curious how will be filming Ridas).

As it turned out, it was not difficult to remove Reedas - the Master simply enlarged, grabbed him into an armful and shrank again. The rest had no problems with the descent. Elsa, waking up in my bed, did not feel any negative emotions, she only congratulated on her return and again occupied the bathroom, by the way, I noticed there were women's dressing gowns, some jars, creams, in general, the girl decided to move gradually and as if imperceptibly, heh, it's pretty funny to watch her inner conflict between "want" and "somehow wrong, and who am I leaving the girls from the dorm with?" But this is all so, pleasant trifles, another question occupied me much more. Why did the "Feelings Link" break so quickly? Due to the fact that the girl lost consciousness or received a blow to her emotions? It is unlikely that the bracelet began to decay earlier, even for a split second, but earlier. Difference in strength level? Perhaps, but it is doubtful, if the canon does not lie, Meldie calmly held Juvia, and even in the flooded area, and there she can be considered a pumped S coy, if not a weak God's chosen one, plus, in the same place Meldie was able to reach Gray, who in general on the other end of the island there was, therefore, the energy potential here, if it plays a role, it is insignificant. What's left? Dragon tracker? No, it doesn't. Then, devoured Lullaby and Deliora, nothing more. What do I know about these guys? Soul eaters are considered powerful demons ... well, well, well, susceptible only to high-grade artifact weapons and powerful attacks of at least A-B rank. But I can have a snack with my little soul, however, I more suspect that this is a natural property of Simba, but it got a good development, it turns out, from the Absorption I acquired not only an increase in reserve and initiation? In general, it is logical, Absorption is intended for this, but why did I not notice anything like this before? And when? Jose and Jellal were godlike and beat from the heart, no immunity would help here, and I didn't really expose myself anymore. To conduct research on this issue ... hmm, you will need to ask for help from Lucy or Juvia - their magic is very good for this, especially the magic of Lucy, more precisely, her spirits.

The rest of the time before the gathering for the Council of Masters I spent studying books knocked out of the Council (but not Masters, but simply) and trying to apply the theory in practice. What can you say, "Breath of Death" is a powerful thing, but it is far from "Roar of the Dragon of Death". But all sorts of weakening tricks and heaps of ways to cause a lot of problems to others were impressive, moreover, if you try to combine this magic with the Spirits of Darkness ... Before my eyes there was a vision of a crowd of evil spirits in robes, armed with battle scythes and with an aura that made the living tremble. .. hmm, maybe the image of the classic "Grim Reaper" had historical roots, but something brings me back again.

Eight days later, Ur returned, doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, even a comparison with a cat that got to the strategic reserves of sour cream would be inappropriate - the cat would be less happy. At that moment, I sincerely sympathized with Meldie - she must have been squeezed into a deranged state. Hmmm, well, nothing, tests build character and all that. We didn't manage to really talk to the ice princess - my favorite quartet immediately grabbed her and began to discuss the latest news, but Comrade Dreyar also took me into circulation and dragged me to the meeting in Clover. I didn't want to go by train, and I had only one thought ...

A little bit later.

-Aah, no, let go! - Makarov kicked and struggled.

-Let it go? - the hour of revenge has come.

- Uh ... - The master looked at the treetops left far below, - perhaps not worth it. And yet, why is it so?

- Should I be on someone else to train in dragging through the air?

-So you have a whole harem of people willing!

- What if there are air pockets? Or will I drop it? Or a bird to a meeting, but the maneuver has not been worked out? Sorry for the girls.

- Don't you feel sorry for me? - instead of answering, I just smiled at the Master, - heh, the question is removed.

Our arrival came very stormy. Why? As it turns out, landing alone and landing with a load in your arms are completely different skills ...

-Pfeh, so that I ... ugh ... at least once more ... kha ... agreed to ... whoop ... such a journey, - a mouthful of sand recruited by the Master upon landing greatly reduced his eloquence.

-But fast and no accidents.

-You repeat it for that duck!

-This is not a duck, this is a flying dinner, she just did not know about it yet ... - Makarov closed his eyes and repeated his trademark "spanyo".

-Oh, the Fairy Master has already arrived, what a joy!

-Bob, I will set Sephiroth! - Dreyar clearly has not yet recovered from the flight.

-Hello, Master Bob, I see you dressed up? It's so cute ... - canary yellow dress and matching makeup. My eyes ached as usual.

-Yok, I understand, I'm silent.

-At least some benefit from you ...

-I heard everything! Mind you, we still have to fly back.

-Gods, why do I need all this ?! - The magicians who pulled themselves up to the noise whinnied merrily.

-Okay, since everyone is assembled, let's start, - the head of Cerberus, who nodded affably to us, took the floor, escorting everyone into the building, - this time it's really serious, and not just another booze, as always, - since everyone here was their own, then they preferred to speak "without cuts".

"My nose smells the scent of trouble," Ichiya, who was accompanying Bob, was quite funny. But now we entered the hall, today there was no snack on the tables, and the guests looked much more serious than when I first visited this place.

-You are not on time, - the dry old woman with an unpleasant voice pursed her lips.

-Oba Babasama, they arrived even ahead of time, - a healthy bald uncle with a monastic staff reasoned with the old woman, hmm ... Yura Nexus, God-chosen, deputy head of the "Scales of the Serpent Maiden" chapter.

-I don't like it when things don't go according to plan.

"Oh, you don't change," the Master smiled at the old witch.

-And you, Makarov, as I see it, finally decided? - what is she talking about?

-Something like. Meet Sephiroth - my assistant and just crazy, even by our standards, magician. Sephiroth, this is Ooba Babasama, the head of "Scales" and just a sweet woman, - slightly bending down and switching to a whisper, Dreyar continued, - when he sleeps ... preferably in a muzzle ... with a gag.

-I heard everything!

- What a blue sky ... - an empty look, relaxed facial muscles ... hmmm, five points.

-Do not pretend that you fell into insanity! - ... if it worked.

- Nice to meet you, dear Babasama, - a polite bow - my back will not break, and the magician, with such a character who managed to live to old age, and even the head of not the weakest guild, is worthy of respect.

-Call me just Ooboi, guy, - suddenly the old woman became much more friendly, - but let's finally get down to business, so, sit down, the beer is set aside, - a stern glimpse at Makarych, who has already managed to get a mug somewhere and beer, - let's start with the sore one, distribution of orders ...

Many hours later.

-And now, the main problem. "Six Begging" ... Over the past three months, they have increased their activity several times. The junior guilds of the dark under their control also lost all fear and brakes. They became so impudent that they even stopped hiding in any way and settled in the forest on the territory of the orders of the "Cat House", as our comrade Robaul informed us about, - the woman nodded towards the man dressed like some Aztec shaman. The sense of life happily announced that he was not alive, and the dragon's vision detected a complex structure very similar to the "Astral body" used by Jellal - now is the time to hit the enemy and resolve the threat of the "Askers" once and for all!

-Yes! Right! That's right! - they supported the speaker with shouts from the audience, but when it was time to discuss who and how much was ready to give, the enthusiasm of those present sharply declined. Zlatoust from Cerberus was ready to support financially and help with ingredients if they were needed, but he was in no hurry to select the fighters, after all, the Six Asking were considered one of the three most powerful dark guilds in the country and it was ... scary to send their fighters against them.

- I will select four Fairy Tail magicians for the operation, - said Makarov, this phrase served as a kind of trigger, a stone that broke an avalanche.

-Pegasus are also ready to highlight the four and Katrina! - Bob.

"The Scales can attract three fighters at the moment, one of which will be God's chosen one," Ooba decided.

-We are a small guild, but since the enemy ended up on our land, it is a matter of honor to drive him out of there. One magician from the "Cat House" will join you - there were no more people willing to take part in the upcoming war.

-Master, is it reasonable to send a four, I could have one ...

-Do not be so self-confident, Sephiroth, you are not going to kick ordinary roadside bandits. I won't let you in alone.

-But the four ...

-Take the guys, Natsu, Gray, Elfman. The guys are tough, and I will be calmer, knowing that you will cover each other, if anything.

- I won't say that I am delighted that I will have to endanger someone else.

- As if I'm happy to constantly send my pupils to various troubles, - Makarov sighed heavily, - but it still doesn't work out in another way - the guys need to grow, and if you constantly wipe their noses, nothing good will come of it. Being the head of a guild is not easy at all.

-But you are doing well, old man, - I encouraged the depressed pensioner, - flew home?

-And maybe on foot? Dreyar asked hopefully.

-No, I still need to train the landing, - the answer to me was a heavy sigh of resigned to the fate of a person and the crafty glint of the Master's eyes.

On the way back, we did not come across any more crazy ducks or air pockets, and the landing went much better, but in the guild ... although it is worth dwelling a little on how we entered the guild.

First, Dreyar looked around the empty tables on the street, thought about something, gave me a suspicious look and ... went to one imperceptible brick in the wall, switching to a conspiratorial whisper:

-Now you will find out a terrible secret! And to no one! - it becomes more and more interesting. I nodded. Makarych made a couple of intricate passes and ... a holographic screen unfolded, showing, judging by the date, what was happening in the guild during our absence and what is happening there now.

-So this is how you find out about everything that happens ... - a beetle, definitely, a beetle, just a beetle, hardened and scaly! Want! I just have to learn this spell! There are so many perspectives here ... Pictures of various applications instantly flashed before my eyes ... And no! The girls' dormitory bathrooms were not ranked first there! ... Damn, who am I lying to ?! On the screen, meanwhile, the people were stuck in the table of dark guilds - unhealthy rumors circulated around the city, so the magicians watched the balance of power. Now Mira was just explaining to Lucy what the Balam Union is and who is who.

-And then! - and how much complacency in his voice, hmm, that's just why he would start showing me the little secrets of the guild, and even these conversations of his ... I don't like all this. But the old man didn't give me the thought: - So, quiet! Good moment ...

Glancing alternately at the screen, Makarov began to quickly stroke his mustache, straighten his fur cloak with the Bogoravny coat of arms, the crown of preparations was a careful erection of a solemnly formidable expression on his face and a meaningful glare in my direction. And then ... Mira just started another phrase about the "Six Asking", they are "Orashion Seis" and the old man, turning the wire off at a pace, rushed to the door. A powerful kick on the unfortunate door and a thunderous voice, with a little bit of pressure from the godlike magician, spread throughout the guild:

- Speaking of Orashion Seis ... We're going ... to destroy them!

The people are swollen. In such cases, in old American films about the Wild West, a round bush swept by the tragic howl of the wind.

-Oh! Welcome home, Master! - in dead silence, with a completely happy face, Mira greeted, I just had time to stand behind Makarov's back and fully appreciated the contrast of the satisfied waitress, against the background of the stunned faces. Although I'm lying, not all faces are stunned, Natsu is calm like a boa constrictor and diligently works with his jaws destroying some fried leg, only that look at the Master as a real interrogator, but how? The word "Makhach" is in the air.

-And that's all you want to say to his words ?! - Lucy immediately soared, emerging from the stupor.

-Mmm ... - Mrs. Strauss raised her index finger to her mouth and thoughtfully raised her eyes to the ceiling. - Exactly, I forgot. Hello Sephiroth! We've got a new kind of tea here, do you want to try it? - and the same angelic smile.

- With pleasure, - well, how to refuse such a thing?

-Juvia also wants to make state ... Sephiroth tea! - the news of the impending war with the dark was instantly forgotten by the blue-eyed, the question of who will be the first to have time ... well, let it be "welcome", my person was much sharper.

-Master, are you serious? - Elsa turned out to be much more responsible, although she threw a sizzling glance at the backs of the retreating sorceresses. Lucy, by the way, did not lag behind her in this, but did not dare to interfere, preferring to warm her ears and ... casually get closer to one silver-haired magician.

-Yes, at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Masters, it was decided that we cannot ignore the increased activity of the dark guilds controlled by the "Orachion Seis" and themselves, and therefore the guild should be sent to destroy them.

The people started talking. The general meaning of the exclamations boiled down to the fact that they say "We will be made scapegoats!", But no one objected to the essence of the question. Natsu worked so hard with his jaws, burning me and the Master with a half-insane look, where sons' love, ultimatum demand and anticipation were intertwined, and I already felt with my spinal cord what cry of the soul would shake the guild, as soon as his portion was over.

-Sephiroth, you explain, but I still have things to do, - feeling the achievement of a certain degree of interest, suddenly turned the arrows at me this petty, vile, disgusting ... so, something often I began to repeat it, in general, not good Makarych dumped again, pushing the whole routine onto me, only taking revenge for the flight.

- Pfft ... - my heavy sigh was interrupted by the appearance of Mira and Juvia, with a tray in their hands. Hmm, or rather the tray was carried by Mira, Juvia followed, but there were two cups of tea on the tray ... interesting. We decided to argue which cup I take first? Only now, with the sense of smell of a dragonsler, it is not difficult to determine where whose.

-And Lucy and Elsa also worked as waitresses! Elsa liked the costume and she stole it! .. - the happy denunciation of the cat was interrupted by a mug that flew into the belly, and the scarlet-haired Valkyrie with an imperturbable look began to examine the diagram of the relationship of the dark guilds, slowly turning pink, but stubbornly keeping a very attentive and interested expression on her face. Lucy blazed with embarrassment behind me.

-Thank you, very tasty tea, - thank the girls with a smile. Distracted, a second ago, Mira and Juvia's gazes at Elsa return to the tray with empty cups, and the beautiful eyes of the sorceresses slowly widen.

-Who ... where?

-To hell with all of it!!! Will swing!?! I'm in!!! - Natsu ... I was not mistaken about you!

- Hmm, okay. In general, the situation is this, - the people fell silent and listened, even the girls got close: - In order not to catch a run over for arbitrariness from the Council adoring us, a cunning plan was put forward at the meeting of Masters, - Makarych was nowhere to be seen, but behind the counter someone gurgled suspiciously maybe even beer. - The essence of it is as follows - four guilds, including Fairy Tail, gather for a friendly picnic in the forest where Orashion Seis is now playing, we take meat, beer, sandwiches with us and have a mental rest. In the process of rest, suddenly, this is the key word, - I drew the attention of the guild, for clarity, even raising my finger up, - we stumble upon dark magicians who will immediately try to steal sausage from us ...

- Where did the sausage come from? - the fiery dragonsler scratched his head in bewilderment.

-This, my friend, is also a very important point, in all subsequent interrogations we will argue that it all started with a brazen, just the same Vavarian and immoral attempt of the dark to take away our last food, while inflicting moral injury on us by inappropriate behavior.

- I understand ... - drawled the dragonseer. The gurgling behind the counter was replaced by a choked cough and attempts to drown himself.

-So, after trying to take away the sausage, we go with the whole crowd in a pretentious, noisy and fun way to kill the dark ones. The forest is large, there are a lot of dark ones, there should be enough for everyone, in the process we carry out "Orashion Seis". In the evening we return to the picnic site, take out the stash of beer and continue to relax mentally. The operation was codenamed "Picnic in the Woods", questions, objections? - from behind the counter I heard sobs, but you don't want to scoff at the poor and harmless me.

-Cool plan !!! Gorgeous! Grandpa is a genius! - Dragneel's joy knew no bounds, but the creature behind the counter seemed to have forgotten how to breathe from such news ... hmm, although no, it seems to be sniffling.

- Um ... Sef, did Makarov use anything before that? - Mira looked worried and also looked sideways somewhere behind the counter.

-Hmm, only beer, although at his age a lot of beer is already harmful, he'd better have a compote there ... - in vain you started playing this game with me, old man, in vain.

-Do you think?

- As a life magician, I say - excessive alcohol consumption negatively affects the body, - Kana nervously pressed the barrel to her, - especially for the elderly, - the girl calmed down a little, but the suspicious silence behind the counter indicated that Makarov was listening very carefully. It is necessary to finish off - and it does not go well with drugs.

-So how? But, - the waitress frowned, - and Polyushka just recently prescribed him several pills, - I think for this time he should refrain from libation.

-Yes, perhaps, - the front groaned.

- Sef, but seriously? - Elsa got loose from the scheme and even regained her complexion.

- But seriously, a very serious raid awaits us in the company of three more guilds. The council did not definitely authorize it, since they met for the first time just two weeks ago, which means they could not agree on this, but we have no time to wait for them to swing, therefore, we need to make sure that our actions are written off as "self-defense" ... The collection point is the mansion of Master Bob, since it is located at the edge of the forest of interest to us and, in which case, it will not be difficult to hang out, especially if you provide the Council with a bunch of dark ones.

-What kind of guild? Well, besides ours? - Cope with the face, asked Lucy.

-Blue Pegasus, Lilac Scale and Kate's Blood.

-And what, we will go with the whole guild? - Elsa folded her arms in disbelief.

-Of course not. Each guild singles out only a few fighters, four will go from us - and raising their voices to the whole hall. - So, people, calm down. I lead the Fairy Tail group, Natsu is coming with me ...

-Yeah !!!

- Gray ... - the guy nodded silently, - and ... - the snow that flew into my head made me cut off my speech.

-Sephiroth, have you forgotten anything? - The ice princess raised her eyebrows inquiringly, playing with the second white lump in her hand.

"I forgot," I answer slowly, brushing the snow off my head. I really wanted to swear, it's dirty. Then tie the ice sorceress to the bar and leave it in the guild, but, firstly, she won't forgive this, and secondly, it still won't help, and the rule is that "everyone decides for himself." Damn, sometimes it pisses me off. After all, I wanted not to take any of the girls ... - Are you sure you want this?

- Yes, - Ur was categorical, - you know why.

-It's impossible to convince you all the same, right?

-Not. - Laconically typed the girl. Eh ... it was still necessary to "accidentally" drop Makarych, so much so that he came to himself only after a day or two. By that time, everything would have been over, I would have gone quietly alone ... but no, humanism woke up, people were telling the truth - not a single good deed goes unpunished. On the other hand, Ur is an experienced woman, she knows where not to climb and when to skimp ...

The preparation and equipment of the detachment went quite quickly, and now, having kissed my girls for good luck, I gave the command to advance. Because of all this confusion and commotion, the mood was not very good, and I wanted to beat someone up ... the "Beggers" were in for major problems.