FTRJ: Chapter 89

"By the way, where did he get those serious injuries?" Lucy asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

Erza walked over. "Oh, that? He got them fighting Laxus. He was the first one to find Laxus, you see."

"What?!" Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief and shock.

"You actually fought Laxus?!" Natsu ran to Gajeel's side, his jealousy openly displayed in his eyes.

Gajeel, uncomfortable under Natsu's intense stare, shifted slightly, but Natsu followed, remaining directly in front of him.

"Look, will you just cut it out already?!" Gajeel finally snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.

Seeing Gajeel's outburst, Natsu slumped his shoulders, his mood plummeting.

"I've decided!" Natsu suddenly announced, striking his fist into his open palm.

"???"

Everyone looked at Natsu with questioning expressions, puzzled by his sudden outburst.

"I've decided! Once Laxus is recovered, I'm challenging him! I'll beat him to a pulp, then I'll take on Finn! After beating Finn, I'll be the strongest in the guild! Ahahaha!" Natsu let out a boisterous laugh.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you're really reaching there…" This was met with a wave of collective teasing from the others.

Erza, however, folded her arms, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "Natsu's been growing stronger. I'd like to see how far he's come, how he'd fare against Finn or Laxus."

"Yeah! We'll definitely bet on Finn or Laxus winning! Then we'll make a ton of money!" Happy joined in, already lost in the fantasy of easy winnings.

"Such a heartless cat…" someone murmured under their breath.

The guild's atmosphere seemed to return to its usual boisterous state, filled with the familiar cacophony of noise and chatter, resembling a lively tavern more than anything else.

Inside the infirmary, Finn helped Makarov sit up in a chair. Laxus leaned against the doorway, his gaze directed elsewhere, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension.

"What a noisy bunch," Laxus commented, breaking the silence, his tone lacking the previous inexplicable animosity. He seemed to find a strange longing in the noise, a desire to participate.

Makarov sighed deeply. "Do you understand what you've done?"

Laxus remained silent.

"Look me in the eyes," Makarov said, his aged face serious.

Laxus finally met his gaze.

"A guild is where comrades gather, where they find work," Makarov said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Laxus listened quietly.

"For those with nowhere else to go, it's a warm home, built on trust and loyalty, a bond stronger than anything."

"But you violated that trust, threatened your comrades' lives. That's unforgivable."

Laxus bowed his head. "I know…" his voice was low and filled with remorse.

"Sigh…" Makarov attempted to stand, using his hand to gesture to Finn, who was watching with concern, to reassure him that he was alright.

He walked over to Laxus, hands clasped behind his back.

"You're such a stiff guy, Laxus. Why don't you relax those shoulders a little?"

"That way, you'll see things you couldn't before, hear things you haven't heard. It'll make life more interesting."

Makarov looked up at his tall grandson, a smile on his aged face. "For me, watching you grow is what keeps me going."

"You don't need immense strength, or to be exceptionally clever. Just be healthy and full of life. That's enough for me…"

Laxus's body trembled slightly. He'd never realized his grandfather's expectations were so simple. He looked down at his grandfather, clad in a hospital gown, struggling to even stand upright.

He suddenly understood the profound pain he had inflicted upon his grandfather over the years, yet the old man still loved and accepted him unconditionally.

"Grandpa, your body…you need medicine to survive now?"

Makarov turned to Finn. "Finn told you, didn't he, you little rascal?" Though his words were laced with playful reproach, a genuine smile touched his lips.

"I'm still quite spry, you know. I've got at least a few more years left in me."

Porlyusica's words, and Finn's, echoed in Laxus's mind. He'd always viewed his grandfather as an incredibly powerful wizard, never truly considering the toll that age had taken on him.

But now, with a newfound clarity and understanding, he realized that perhaps it was already too late.

He turned his gaze away, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek.

Despite the pain in his heart, Makarov steeled his resolve.

"You know what your punishment will be…" he said, turning his back on Laxus, his arms folded across his chest.

Laxus's face paled, his gaze dropping to the floor. He had anticipated this outcome.

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Makarov closed his eyes, then slowly extended his hand towards the doorway.

"Laxus…I expel you from the guild!" His voice was soft, yet his determination was unwavering.

"Master!" Finn spoke, his voice cutting through the tense silence.

"Finn? What is it you want to say?" Makarov asked, turning his gaze towards Finn with a questioning expression.

"I think expulsion is too simple a punishment for Laxus's crimes," Finn stated, walking over to stand beside Laxus.

Laxus looked at Finn, unsure of what he intended.

Finn, without further preamble, continued. "Laxus's actions resulted in serious injuries to at least half the guild members, as well as widespread destruction throughout Magnolia."

"And, of course, the complete destruction of the Kardia Cathedral. Someone has to take responsibility for all of that," Finn stated calmly, his tone measured and deliberate.

Laxus's eyes widened in surprise. "The Kardia Cathedral…wasn't that you who destroyed it?"

He paused, reflecting on the complete annihilation of the Kardia Cathedral. It had indeed been Finn's flames that had reduced it to ashes.

"Ahem, would I have done that if I wasn't trying to stop you?" Finn shot a pointed look at Laxus.

"So, you're going to take the blame for all of this? If you just leave now, what about all the damages? You can't get away that easily," Finn continued, his voice firm.

"I think he should stay and work to pay off everyone's medical bills, the repair costs, and the complete reconstruction of the cathedral," Finn stated, ticking off the items on his fingers.

Laxus seemed to grasp Finn's meaning, a look of gratitude washing over his features. Having finally come to terms with his actions, Laxus now desired nothing more than to truly integrate himself into the Fairy Tail guild, and if that meant repaying a substantial debt, then so be it.

Makarov, however, shook his head. "Finn, I understand your reasoning, but this is guild law. It's immutable."

"What guild law? Rules are made to be broken," Finn countered, his voice laced with conviction.

Makarov remained firm, shaking his head again. Laxus's hopeful gaze dimmed, his shoulders slumping.

Seeing Laxus's disappointment, Finn sighed. "Master, I understand your position as Master, and I can't argue with you on that point, but…does what you said to me earlier still hold true?"

"Hmm?" Makarov raised his head, his curiosity piqued.

"You said you were going to retire and let me become the next Master," Finn explained.

"But didn't you refuse?"

"I've reconsidered," Finn said, a glint of cunning in his eyes, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Makarov sighed, his voice laced with weariness and understanding. "Finn, I understand your intentions, but you must realize that Laxus has deeply hurt his comrades, and if I, as Master, don't set a clear example, the guild's unity could very well crumble."

"But Master, why not consider the opinions of our comrades? Even with former enemies, we've extended a hand of forgiveness. Why not with our own comrades?" Finn persisted, his voice firm and unwavering.

Watching Finn's impassioned plea, Laxus lowered his head, his heart filled with profound regret, unsure of what to say.

Makarov gazed intently at Finn for a long moment before finally speaking. "I suspect that even if I were to expel Laxus now, you would bring him back once you became Master."

Finn nodded in agreement. "Of course. I don't believe that expelling a comrade who has shown genuine remorse is the best course of action. It would only serve to deepen the sadness and division within the guild."

"Since he has shown remorse, let him atone for his actions within the guild. Wouldn't it be better to have him fight for the guild once again?" Finn proposed.

Makarov closed his eyes, his small frame seemingly wrestling with the weight of his decision.

Laxus, closed his eyes, awaiting the final verdict—to stay…or to leave.

"Laxus…" Makarov finally spoke, his voice soft yet resolute.

"Your fate will be decided by the guild members themselves. If the guild members vote to allow you to remain…then you shall stay!" Makarov declared, his gaze firm as he gestured towards the guild hall's entrance.

"Go out there, and earn the forgiveness of your comrades!"

Laxus raised his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and deep apprehension. He was uncertain whether he could truly earn the forgiveness of those he had so deeply hurt.

"Thank you, Grandpa!" he said, his voice choked with emotion. He then turned to Finn, his gratitude evident. "Thank you, Finn!"

…

Outside the infirmary door.

"That's the situation. Laxus's fate is now in your hands," Finn explained to the assembled guild members, standing beside Laxus at the bar.

Laxus stood beside Finn, his head bowed low, awaiting their judgment.

The The Thunder God Tribe immediately voiced their support for Laxus remaining in the guild.

However, the other guild members fell silent, lost in thought. Observing their contemplation, a wave of relief washed over Laxus, and he offered a small, grateful smile, patting Finn on the shoulder.

"Thank you for defending me," he whispered. Then, he turned to address the assembled guild members.

"What happened was my fault. I accept the consequences of my actions. However, I ask that you treat the The Thunder God Tribe with kindness. They truly care about this guild, too."

"Laxus, if that's the case, we're going with you," Elma said anxiously, her voice filled with concern.

"Yeah, yeah! What's the The Thunder God Tribe without you?!" Bickslow and his puppets echoed in unison.

Fried gazed at Laxus, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and reluctance.

"Seriously, not even a proper goodbye?" Laxus chuckled wryly, a hint of sadness coloring his tone.

"Take care, everyone," Laxus said softly, turning to leave the guild hall.

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