I'm a serious person!

The destruction of the Magic Council's headquarters was a seismic event that sent shockwaves through the entire magical world. In response, the Guild Alliance summoned an emergency summit, and this time, nearly every guild master attended, far more than in previous meetings.

Interestingly, the smaller and mid-sized guilds appeared even more proactive than the major ones. Their limited resources meant they were especially vulnerable in times of crisis, and they were desperate for reassurance that the Alliance could still provide a sense of order and protection.

By the time Makarov and Rhodes arrived, it was already late afternoon. They had traveled quite a distance, and nearly every other guild master had already taken their seat.

Given the gravity of the situation, formal greetings and meals were skipped entirely. The participants headed straight into the council chamber.

For once, Makarov shed his usual laid-back attitude and stood at the front with a rare solemnity. As one of the most respected guild masters, he took on the responsibility of presiding over the meeting.

Rhodes, ever the reliable second-in-command, pulled a chair over for Makarov, then quietly stepped back into a corner to stay out of the spotlight.

Not that he could really disappear—after all, the last meeting had ended with him and his friends knocking Lullaby into next week. That dramatic display of strength still lingered in the minds of many. Several guild masters couldn't help but glance over at him, more than a little cautious.

Despite his short stature, Makarov stood confidently atop his chair, cleared his throat, and quickly gained everyone's attention.

"As you all know," Makarov began, his voice firm, "the Council's headquarters—ERA—was destroyed. Fortunately, we may have a lead on the culprit."

Murmurs rippled through the chamber. Curious and wary eyes turned toward him.

Makarov gestured. "Rhodes, go ahead."

He believed it would be best for someone who had witnessed the events firsthand to explain. Makarov had heard the story from the younger members, but secondhand details wouldn't carry as much weight.

Rhodes didn't hesitate. It wasn't his first time addressing a room full of powerful guild leaders, and he wasn't the type to be rattled easily. Stepping forward, he spoke clearly and calmly, recounting the details of the Tower of Heaven.

"I'll start with the core of it," he said. "We've suspected for a long time that there was a traitor within the Council. That traitor was one of their own—Councilor Siegrain."

A shocked outcry erupted throughout the chamber.

A Councilor? A spy?

Some guild masters were too stunned to speak, while others immediately demanded proof.

Rhodes summarized the situation with practiced ease, glossing over some of the more sensitive details—such as the Mountain Dragon summoning or personal ties to Erza's companions—to keep the report focused and digestible.

"In short," he explained, "Jellal, under the alias of Siegrain, infiltrated the Council with one purpose: to obtain enough magical power to activate the R-System, a forbidden resurrection magic, and find someone to serve as a human sacrifice."

He paused to let the words sink in.

"It's possible he had dealings with Dark Guilds or Zeref-worshipping cults, but we can't confirm that yet. What we do know is this: another Councilor named Ultear Milkovich appeared unusually close to him. That connection warrants investigation."

One of the older guild masters, Goldmine, raised a hand and asked, "And Jellal? What became of him?"

Rhodes's voice turned more solemn. "We don't know. He was critically injured in the final battle and fell into the sea. With the Etherion blast disturbing the waters and whipping up a storm, we lost track of him. His current status is unknown."

The room fell into a heavy silence.

The implications of Rhodes's words hit them like a falling meteor: the R-System, Zeref's magic, the loss of the Council headquarters, and a traitor among the Ten Wizard Saints. It was almost too much to absorb at once.

And then, realization dawned across many of the guild leaders' faces.

Wait a second.

That name, Siegrain... no, Jellal Fernandes. He wasn't just a Councilor. He was also one of the Ten Wizard Saints, right?

So, a few young mages from Fairy Tail managed to take down one of the Ten Wizard Saints, while Makarov himself didn't even make it to the battlefield?

The mood in the chamber shifted. Many guild masters glanced at Makarov with new expressions—some of awe, others of unease. They had always acknowledged Fairy Tail as the top guild in Fiore, but now, their strength felt almost terrifying.

Even putting aside the matter of Jellal, the guild also had the record of eliminating the infamous assassin squad known as the Three Trinity Ravens.

If a small, ordinary guild had run into the Trinity Raven, it was likely even their Guild Master wouldn't have made it out alive.

Where in the world had Makarov found so many prodigies?

Several of those gazes now landed on Rhodes, many filled with admiration or deference. In the eyes of most here, he was the de facto commander of the whole operation.

Rhodes, however, felt only regret. With ERA— the Magic Council headquarters—out of commission, the bounty or recognition for taking down the Trinity Raven was now lost.

Even if the Council restructured in the future, they might not honor old merits or titles.

Rhodes felt as though he'd taken a loss.

Makarov wanted to chuckle at the sight, proud of his children's feats. But this was a formal meeting, not a tavern party, and he couldn't very well start bragging here.

So he cleared his throat and moved the conversation forward.

"In any case, the incident at ERA is undoubtedly connected to Jellal. We'll contact the Southern Guild Alliance and ask them to monitor his movements. I suggest everyone else do the same."

Of course, this wasn't the only regional alliance. There were guild federations beyond Fiore as well. Makarov expected similar emergency meetings would soon take place across the continent. With time, news would spread, and the different regions would begin exchanging intel.

"Now, let's get to the main issue," Makarov continued. "What will the temporary shutdown of the Council mean for us—and for the magical world at large?"

Makarov may often seem casual, but when it came to real danger, he was no fool. Calm and composed, he laid out the potential fallout.

For instance: the Dark Guilds would undoubtedly become more active, emboldened by the Council's collapse.

Crimes involving illegal or dangerous magic could surge.

With Council branches in disarray across various nations, there would be a serious vacuum of authority, making ERA's eventual reorganization more difficult.

And in the worst-case scenario, even reputable guilds could come under attack from rogue elements.

Rhodes quietly absorbed each point. As he reflected, he realized that the ones who would suffer most from this chaos weren't mages, but ordinary citizens.

Of course, regular guilds weren't entirely safe either. Dark Guilds often blamed them for being shut out of official jobs and held deep resentment. They believed they'd been denied fair chances, seeing the world itself as unjust.

The guild leaders continued to discuss various countermeasures, proposing ideas like increasing collaboration between guilds and strengthening mutual support networks.

But the most critical decision was unanimous: they needed to intensify the crackdown on Dark Guilds, ensuring they didn't exploit the current chaos for their own gain.

Rhodes sighed inwardly. He could already see the future, he'd likely be assigned a wave of Dark Guild extermination missions. After all, maintaining regional stability was no small matter. Every guild had to contribute, either by funding operations or by sending their own members.

Fairy Tail's funds, however, were already stretched thin, what with the recent rebuilding of their guildhall and all the expenses that came with it. So of course… they'd be contributing people. Meaning him.

By the time evening rolled around, the discussions had covered dozens of topics, but still felt far from complete. With night falling, they reluctantly agreed to adjourn the meeting, take a break for dinner, and reconvene the next day with fresh minds.

At the evening banquet, Makarov became the center of attention. One guild leader after another came by to toast him, offering high praise and well-meaning envy.

After several rounds of drinks, the mood relaxed. Familiar faces began to gather in smaller groups to chat more freely.

Rhodes had just taken a breather when he was approached by Goldmine and... Master Bob.

"Well now," Bob said in his usual flamboyant manner, his eyes sparkling. "A few days ago, some of your adorable Fairy Tail boys stopped by our guild for a visit~ But you weren't among them, Rhodes. Why's that?" He rested his chin on his hand and fluttered his lashes at him.

A chill ran down Rhodes' spine. Goosebumps prickled his arms.

"Uhh… You know how it is," he replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Things have been hectic lately, and our dear master has a habit of dumping all the work on us."

He didn't even try to save Makarov's dignity in front of these two—it wasn't worth it. Makarov, for his part, was too busy enjoying his wine to care.

"Oh, such a shame," Bob said with a pout. Then, with a dramatic flourish, he reached into his pocket and pulled out several small tickets. "Here~ These are VIP passes to our bar. Bring some friends next time you visit~!"

"Th-thank you…?" Rhodes replied, confused but polite as he accepted them.

They looked like ordinary pieces of paper, but for some reason, his palms felt hot just holding them.

'I'm a serious person!'