"Alright, then let's give it a try."
Seeing that those who knew Jellal best all agreed, Marco was decisive and agreed to attempt it.
Anyway, if he accidentally broke the guy, he wouldn't take the blame.
Marco briefly treated Jellal's injuries, at least enough to keep him alive.
If he died right away, there would be no hope of getting any intelligence.
Marco saw things very clearly now.
Simon, Sho, Millianna, and Wally were ostensibly the higher-ups here, but their status was actually very peripheral.
Usually, they were just responsible for leading people to build the tower; their knowledge of other matters was extremely limited.
"Higher-ups"? In reality, they were just labor foremen.
To truly dig deep into the matters behind the "Tower of Heaven," they would have to rely on prying open Jellal's mouth, as well as that Ultear.
Ultear, a Council member of the "Magic Council," had risen to prominence alongside Jellal.
Aside from not obtaining the title of "Ten Wizard Saints," she had walked almost the exact same path.
That person was Jellal's true confidant and the one who truly understood the story behind the "Tower of Heaven."
The reason Marco asserted that the "Tower of Heaven" matter wasn't so simple was also related to how easily Jellal and Ultear had infiltrated the "Magic Council."
Even if the "Magic Council" was a ragtag bunch, they shouldn't be this amateurish, not investigating Jellal and Ultear's pasts at all.
The fact that these two could hide flawlessly was definitely not something the "Tower of Heaven" and the "evil cult" forces could achieve on their own.
After all, that "evil cult" had been chased down by the "Magic Council" like stray dogs in the beginning, almost completely wiped out.
If they really had the ability to infiltrate the "Magic Council" unbeknownst to anyone, they wouldn't have fallen to such a state.
Therefore, behind the "Tower of Heaven" and Jellal, there must be another force helping them.
This could also be glimpsed from the words of Simon, Sho, Millianna, and Wally. Previously, someone had come to pick people from their group, and some of their companions had been taken away.
"Our talent was insufficient; we were rejected after just one meeting..."
As Simon spoke, he looked very embarrassed, evidently ashamed of their state of ignorance.
But they couldn't help it; Jellal wouldn't let them know core matters.
That guy really didn't consider them one of his own.
Simon had suspected Jellal's motives from the start, so he felt this exclusion more intensely.
Unlike his three other companions who foolishly believed Jellal was doing it for their own good, unaware they were being shut out from the core.
"Dark skin, white hair, tall build, wearing a coat, holding a staff. That image does have some distinct characteristics..."
Listening to Simon's description, Marco thought carefully.
Dark skin, white hair—these features were quite unique.
After all, Marco had seen people with white hair and people with dark skin.
Although rare, they weren't nonexistent. While this couldn't serve as a definitive characteristic, it could serve as a key direction for investigation.
"Without a name or origin, it's indeed hard for us to investigate. Let's hand this information over to the Magic Council. They have wide channels; maybe they'll have some good news."
Marco didn't overthink it and decided to hand this difficult problem to the "Magic Council."
After all, the "Tower of Heaven" matter should have been the "Magic Council's" responsibility to begin with.
Fairy Tail taking the initiative had solved a huge problem for them. For the subsequent investigation, those guys should put in some effort too.
Also, regarding these successfully rescued laborers, the "Magic Council" people would have to be responsible for sending them home.
Of course, those with homes could return home.
For those without, Marco didn't mind accepting them as his subjects to settle around Magnolia.
"There are indeed some people missing."
Looking at the "laborers," Erza noticed this too.
"Actually, only a few were picked by that guy. The rest... died during the eight years of construction work."
Simon looked sorrowful.
They should have left here with Erza eight years ago, escaping this tragic fate. But because of Jellal, they ultimately died here.
Even though Jellal gave them shelter and food, and treated them better than when they were slaves, casualties were inevitable during eight years of hard labor in all weathers.
They shouldn't have had to endure any of this.
Because of Jellal, those who didn't escape, and even Erza who left, everyone suffered for a full eight years.
If Simon were to speak his mind, Jellal deserved to die a thousand times over.
Even if he was controlled, even if it wasn't his true intention, did those who lost eight years of their lives, or even their lives and health because of Jellal, deserve it?
Sho, Millianna, and Wally also looked complicated.
They had received quite a blow, feeling like these eight years had been lived as a joke, immersed in a false lie without knowing it.
"...It's all my fault for not coming sooner."
Hearing this, Erza also looked sorrowful.
If she had come to save everyone earlier, perhaps fewer people would have succumbed to overwork and illness.
"No, Erza, it could never be your fault."
Regarding Erza's self-blame, Simon, Sho, Millianna, and Wally all refuted it immediately.
Erza had no obligation to come save them.
Moreover, Erza had already saved them once eight years ago; it was they who didn't seize the opportunity.
The four exchanged glances, realizing one thing: their existence was a constant reminder to Erza, reminding her of everything about the "Tower of Heaven," making her constantly blame herself and want to make it up to them.
'You really don't owe us anything, Erza!'
Erza's attitude actually made Simon and the other three feel terrible, especially Sho, Millianna, and Wally.
They felt that not believing Erza before was truly failing her. In reality, they were the ones who owed and had failed Erza.
"..."
Marco watched them silently from the side.
He felt that Erza's four companions were decent people, at least grateful and sincere enough towards Erza. Perhaps that Jellal was also a decent person when he was normal.
'Unfortunately, after these eight years, things can never go back to how they were.'
Marco couldn't help but sigh for Jellal.
Even if he really helped release Jellal from control, nothing could return to the past.
The events of these eight years couldn't be treated as nonexistent.
Jellal himself couldn't pretend nothing had happened. Waking him up might just be another form of pain.
'Ultear, that mysterious person, the mastermind behind the Tower of Heaven...'
Marco had many speculations in his heart. He keenly realized that the suddenly appearing Ultear must be a key character.
And the name Ultear also held a certain meaning, as it meant "Ur's Tear"...
Marco's gaze couldn't help but turn to Gray, who was helping settle the "laborers."
Gray's master was named Ur.
It was hard not to make a guess.
---------
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator