Given that the interrogation's conclusion had already been reached, the process was naturally dull and tedious.
The questions were the usual whether there had been prior conflicts with Phantom Lord, how Phantom Lord had appeared, under what circumstances they had used Magic Condensation Cannon: Jupiter and Purgatory Break, and so on.
But compared to the other guild members, Chase having faced Jose and the dismantled Phantom Lord's headquarters—had to provide considerably more details.
It wasn't until he'd refilled his tea three times and polished off most of the snacks on the table that Lahar finally finished his questioning.
Just as Chase stood up to stretch his legs and leave, Lahar suddenly called out, "Wait a moment, Mr. Chase."
"I've said everything I need to say. What else is there?" Chase glanced back with some impatience.
Having sat there for so long, he really couldn't be bothered to put on a friendly face for the Council anymore.
Sensing his mood, Lahar scratched his head with a slightly awkward expression.
"Mr. Chase, what I'm about to say isn't as captain of the Council's Enforcement force, but as a matter of personal sentiment."
After a light cough, his expression suddenly grew serious—though it had been serious the whole time—and he bowed deeply to Chase.
"I've never had the chance to thank you in person. I'm truly grateful for your protection of my sister and her family during the Demon Ruins Island incident!"
"Oh? What a coincidence?"
Chase mused at how small the world was, then smiled. "Isn't strong magic meant to protect the weak? It was nothing. Buy me a drink sometime and we'll call it even."
So that's why this is usually stoic, by-the-book man had given that special reminder about Natsu during the questioning.
Too bad Lahar wasn't particularly strong. A fight with him probably wouldn't yield any cards.
"I will," Lahar said with a firm nod.
Chase waved his hand and stepped out of the interrogation tent.
After him came Mystogan.
Since he wore the face of Councilor Siegrain, Mystogan had prepared for the worst from the start—using transformation magic to alter his appearance to avoid greater trouble and unnecessary explanations.
Yet, even when the questioning began, Lahar never asked him to remove his black mask.
As the victorious party, Fairy Tail held the absolute advantage both in public opinion and in terms of guild regulations.
Since the outcome and judgment had essentially been decided, the interrogation was merely a necessary process of recording testimonies and organizing information.
This information would ultimately be used to convict Phantom Lord, while also serving as a warning to other guilds to stay in line.
Even so, this tedious process dragged on for two full days.
It wasn't until the afternoon of the third day that the Council's frog The messenger finally announced that members of the three guilds could move freely within the camp, no longer confined to their tents.
So that very night, Fairy Tail dismantled all their tents.
Not their usual style of violent demolition, though—under Makarov and Erza's supervision, they carefully took them down and stacked them neatly in the corner. After all, they were Council property.
Why go through the trouble? Simple: to clear a spacious area for a banquet.
Having been hauled off to this godforsaken place and confined for days right after their big battle with Phantom Lord, even the quieter members—let alone lively ones like Natsu and Gray—felt like they were rusting!
As Natsu, grinning with excitement, breathed flames to light the bonfire, the lively banquet officially began.
The banquet started off well enough. The Fairy Tail members sat politely on the ground, drinking, eating, boasting, laughing, and chatting. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Yes, that was the scene playing out in Lahar and the Council messenger's minds—and the very reason they'd agreed to Makarov's request in the first place.
But…
No sooner had the banquet begun than Natsu and Gray predictably started fighting.
The two rivals went at it, dragging in Elfman who kept shouting "Manly!",Cana who was chugging straight from a barrel,Macao and Wakaba who were discussing the origins of humanity ,Loke who was lounging dramatically in a woman's arms looking utterly exhausted and everyone else in their wake.
The scene instantly descended into chaos. Food and drink flew through the air.
"Makarov, you said they were all well-behaved children…"
Lahar, standing in a corner of the banquet, silently picked a leek leaf off his glasses, his mouth twitching as he watched the pandemonium.
These bastards did they have any idea they were still under supervision?!
He regretted it now. He really shouldn't have agreed, even out of gratitude for his sister's family.
"This is absolutely outrageous! Makarov, you must put a stop to this immediately!"
The Council messenger pointed angrily at the chaotic scene, his tone growing harsher.
"Ah ha, ahahaha."
Makarov, standing beside the two men, scratched his head with an awkward laugh. "Don't worry, you two. Someone will restore order."
As soon as he spoke, the commotion around them did indeed begin to settle.
Unsurprisingly, Fairy Tail's "disciplinary committee" had stepped in.
"Honestly! I can overlook this kind of behavior at the guild, but can't you read the room? The Council's Enforcement force is watching us right now!"
Erza's expression was stern, her entire presence radiating a razor-sharp aura.
"W-We know, Erza. We'll behave."
"Aye!"
Natsu and Gray immediately backed down, clutching each other in terror—truly becoming the "well-behaved children" Makarov had described.
"Happy Two returns for a limited time!" Lucy, sitting with Levy, seized the moment to comment.
With the two troublemakers subdued, the others followed suit.
They quickly retracted the friendly punches aimed at each other's faces and started chatting with forced cheerfulness, arms slung over one another's shoulders.
"If you really need to blow off steam from being cooped up these past few days, take a lesson from Bickslow."
Erza dropped her terrifying presence and pointed toward a secluded corner.
There, in the moonlight, Bickslow in his black bodysuit was twisting and contorting in bizarre dance moves, like a dark enchantress lost in her own world.
The kind you had to squint at.
"Lu-chan, I don't think Bickslow is blowing off steam," Levy whispered in Lucy's ear.
"I agree. I think he just genuinely enjoys it," Lucy said with a firm nod after glazing over.
Since joining Fairy Tail, she'd spoken to Bickslow maybe a handful of times. But whenever she was at the guild, she always saw him dancing.
"Speaking of which, as the Queen of Dance, it's been quite some time since I last danced with you all."
Erza suddenly perked up, her expression one of pride. "This is a rare opportunity. Let's take advantage of the banquet and have some fun!"
***
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