Marco spent several days processing the seeds and then planted them.
Once planted, they required little attention, which was indeed very convenient.
With regular fertilization, watering, and ensuring adequate sunlight, they would grow healthily and bloom.
"I plan to go to Crocus."
At the Fairy Tail guild hall, Marco found Makarov and shared his thoughts.
He was still somewhat uneasy—if "Anima" destroyed the capital of the Fiore Kingdom, it would be a devastating blow to the nation.
Most importantly, Hisui was still there.
If Crocus were hit, given Hisui's abilities, she wouldn't be able to escape either.
The Fiore royal family would be wiped out in one fell swoop, and the country would surely descend into chaos.
"Then go ahead." Makarov nodded.
Going there could also help Mystogan.
The old man had to hold down the fort at the guild and rarely ventured far from Magnolia.
He was the anchor of Fairy Tail, the guild's steadfast support.
Without delay, Marco packed his things and set off straight for the 'City of Flowers' Crocus.
His goals were twofold: to protect his apprentice Hisui and safeguard Crocus, and to follow up on the "West Continent Immigration Resettlement Policy."
He hoped King Toma would be sensible, as this was truly a policy beneficial to both the nation and its people.
...
Before long, Marco arrived in Crocus.
It was already night, and he headed directly for the royal palace.
The "Palace of Lanterns," Mercurias, was brightly lit, with Mages stationed as guards throughout.
But in Marco's eyes, these Mages might as well not exist.
His Corvus Aircraft circled openly above the Palace of Lanterns and landed in the courtyard in front of the castle before the Mages could even react.
"Master!"
Hisui soon came running out to greet him.
She was very familiar with the sound of Marco's Corvus Aircraft and the cawing of the large crows.
As soon as she heard it, she rushed out.
"Master, why are you here?"
Seeing Marco appear, Hisui asked with a delighted expression.
She truly hadn't expected him to suddenly show up at the palace.
"There might be a very dangerous event happening here soon. I came to protect you all and to follow up on the West Continent immigration matter."
Marco stepped off the Corvus Aircraft and straightforwardly explained his purpose.
These were his own people, so there was no need for beating around the bush.
He was quite satisfied with his apprentice Hisui.
"Ah?! What dangerous event? Is there anything I need to do?"
Hearing Marco's words, Hisui's focus naturally shifted to the "dangerous event."
She grew tense—if even Marco deemed it dangerous, it was certainly no small matter.
It would be strange if she weren't worried.
"It was nothing major. At worst, it might just destroy Crocus and leave no survivors in the entire capital."
Marco stated plainly, stunning Hisui completely.
Though she had thought any danger serious enough to concern Marco wouldn't be trivial, she never imagined it would be to this extent.
"How could this be? Master, what should we do to avoid that outcome?"
After a moment of panic, Hisui quickly calmed down and began seeking solutions.
With Marco here, she wasn't truly frightened - she believed Marco would definitely have a way.
She had developed something of a blind trust in her master.
There was no helping it.
After learning Marco's "New Celestial Spirit Magic," it was difficult not to view him through rose-colored glasses, difficult not to trust him blindly.
After all, this magic that could communicate with celestial charts, harness stellar power, and obtain different abilities from various constellations - those who deeply studied it understood its true value.
Hisui's attitude toward Marco was somewhat like how Celestial Spirits viewed the Celestial Spirit King, perhaps even more so.
After all, these students were all personally trained by Marco one by one, making their relationship much closer than that between the Celestial Spirit King and the spirits.
Though Hisui trusted Marco blindly, she didn't fear him - what she felt was more respect and admiration.
"No need to worry. Mystogan and I will handle this. Actually, under normal circumstances, Mystogan alone could solve it. I only came this time because the location is special, to see if help was needed."
Marco explained with a smile, no longer trying to scare Hisui.
He was quite satisfied with her reaction - the girl had grown considerably and was becoming more steady.
She would definitely make a qualified queen in the future.
As the beloved daughter of the king and heir to the Fiore Kingdom, Hisui's growth was naturally extremely important.
Though King Toma might seem unreliable, usually behaving like a spoiled child, he could make correct decisions at critical moments - such as sending Hisuito study under Marco.
This move undoubtedly secured a steadfast support for Hisui, giving her someone to rely on even after becoming queen.
Meanwhile, King Toma hadn't abandoned Hisui's noble education either.
Every year, Hisui would return to the capital, back to the "Palace of Lanterns" Mercurias for some time - precisely to attend classes and learn noble etiquette, lifestyle, and more, ensuring she wouldn't become too detached from the aristocratic class.
Hisui didn't resist this either.
Though she loved her life at Fairy Tail, she also understood her responsibilities.
She knew she would inherit this country someday, that she would be responsible for the entire nation and couldn't always follow her own desires.
Just like her father King Toma - her father didn't particularly like his current life either, yet he still shouldered his responsibilities without abandoning everything to pursue the life he wanted.
If such thoughts of hers and King Toma's were made public, people would definitely consider it hypocritical - enjoying all the privileges of being princess and king while complaining about the responsibilities that came with it.
If they really found it so "burdensome," why not just hand the country over to someone else?
Did they have to be king and princess if it made them so miserable?
Hisui was well aware of this, so she never complained, instead calmly accepting the responsibilities she had to bear.
"Master, if you need our cooperation, just give the order." Hisui spoke up, believing that in such matters, her father would never be foolish enough to refuse cooperation.
"Yes, I will. Have you told your father about the Western Continent immigration matter?"
Marco nodded and followed Hisui into the inner palace, asking as they walked.
By then, many guards had gathered, but upon seeing Princess Hisui and recognizing Marco, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Even if Hisui hadn't been present, the guards wouldn't have panicked at the sight of Marco.
They all knew him well, and his reputation preceded him—they had no reason to suspect him of assassination.
Besides, if he had intended harm, they wouldn't have been able to stop him anyway.
"I've already informed them. Father and the others are currently in discussion," Hisui replied.
She had relayed the matter to her father as soon as she returned, and as expected, her father had taken Master Marco's proposal very seriously.
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