The final bounty amount for the entire "Eisenwald" guild came to 11,000,000 J.
Among them, the guild master Erigor alone was worth 8,500,000 J, while all the remaining underlings combined were only worth 2,500,000 J.
It couldn't be helped. Bounties were issued according to personal fame. First, people had to know you existed in order to put a bounty on you, just like in another world's pirates. On the same ship, the more famous you were, the higher the bounty.
However, for dark mages of a dark guild, a high bounty wasn't necessarily a good thing. If their strength wasn't enough but they were worth a lot, they could easily become targets for bounty hunters.
Some highly skilled mages made a living this way. If there was a bounty, there would naturally be bounty hunters hunting them for it.
"11,000,000 J, each person can get a good share!"
Hearing the amount announced by Master Makarov, everyone in the guild became excited. A few of the older guys immediately poured themselves more drinks, ordered two more plates of meat, and added extra food to their meal.
Watching the scene of everyone drinking heartily, eating meat, and dividing gold and silver with a scale, Moen realized they really looked like a bandit gang.
"Erigor was defeated by that kid Moen, so give him a little more!"
Makarov raised his hand, mentioning Moen. Erigor alone was worth 8,500,000 J. As the one who had defeated him directly, Moen should reasonably get a larger share.
This suggestion was immediately agreed upon by everyone. When it came to money, the older guys were never stingy. They agreed that Moen should get more, without a single objection.
"No need. It's not like I was the only one capable of defeating him. Everyone let me take him because they saw me as young. The guild acted together, everyone contributed, and everyone's merit is the same!"
Moen immediately stood up and spoke righteously. Although his face looked young, his awareness of thought was solid.
Laxus, standing beside him, twitched at the corner of his mouth. If it were him, he would also refuse, but he could never say what Moen just said.
"Well said! Everyone in the guild contributed and did their part. Everyone should get an equal share! Everyone in the guild has a part!"
Master Makarov banged the table and loudly made the decision, smiling. He was clearly very satisfied with the result.
"Whoa oh oh oh oh!!!"
Everyone in the guild cheered loudly, shouting and making strange noises.
In reality, after the division, the amount each person received wasn't very much—at least not for mages.
But everyone was happy, joyous, and wanted to have a feast!
This was Fairy Tail. There was no complicated politicking. Like a family, everyone was honest with each other, without mixing in personal gain. When together, the guild was always full of joy.
After a lively celebration feast, everyone dispersed. The guild hall was a mess. Erza took the new guild member Laki with her to clean up, and Moen helped as well.
"Moen, you don't really have to stay to help me."
Looking at Moen, who was helping clean the tables beside her, Laki's cheeks were red. She seemed a little shy. She spoke softly, trying to persuade Moen to go back and rest earlier.
"Ah?"
Moen was slightly surprised and looked at Laki in confusion.
"But, I've always helped Erza and the others before."
Seeing Laki's red face, as if she misunderstood something, Moen hesitated slightly, then finally spoke the truth.
"Uh"
As soon as Moen said this, Laki's face turned even redder. She seemed like a boiling kettle heating up rapidly, and steam seemed to rise from her body.
"Pfft~"
Erza, wiping the table beside them, laughed out loud. She couldn't hold it in. No wonder every time Moen stayed to help, she felt Laki's behavior was strange—it turned out to be a misunderstanding.
"Cough, cough, um, Erza, I'll go back for today."
Moen cleared his throat and decisively said goodbye to Erza. Honestly, he was a bit embarrassed because he had never considered this issue before.
Laki, surprisingly, was psychologically so mature at such an early age. Moreover, it wasn't just maturity—this girl had a touch of vanity.
She actually assumed Moen stayed to help because of her.
This caught Moen completely off guard. She had never asked or investigated; she simply assumed it.
Had she inquired at all, she would have known Moen had always done this.
"Cough, cough, of course I know, it's just that I feel Moen worked too hard defeating that Erigor. You should go back and rest earlier."
Laki, still in her flushed state, her mind briefly frozen, finally reacted. She hurriedly began to explain in a flustered voice.
"Laki, Moen has already left, you know."
However, the one responding to her was Erza, with a mischievous smile on her face.
Laki looked around in confusion. Where in the guild was Moen's shadow?
"Uh"
Laki covered her face, wanting to cry but unable to.
The next morning, Laki encountered Moen again in the guild.
"Good morning, Laki."
Moen greeted her warmly, his face wearing the usual bright, sunny smile, as if he had already forgotten yesterday's events. His smile naturally put others at ease.
"Good…good morning, Moen."
Laki stammered her reply. She obviously couldn't treat yesterday's events as if nothing had happened, unlike Moen.
"Hmm? What happened? Laki, why do you seem weird?"
Cana, across from them, who was seriously arranging her tarot cards, saw this scene and couldn't help but frown slightly. She asked, puzzled.
"Who knows? You should ask her, not me."
Moen answered with a smile, then reached out to draw a tarot card.
On the card was a child with a youthful face and sweet smile. The child leapt from a gray wall while riding a horse, wearing a daisy crown and a long red feather on their head, holding a red flag. In the background was a large sun emitting light.
"Looks like something good might happen today?"
Moen raised an eyebrow and asked Cana.
"Yes, everything will go smoothly."
Cana nodded seriously and gave her answer. Shiro lay beside her, dozing drowsily.
"Thanks, I'll take your lucky words."
Moen smiled and returned the Sun card. Day after day, he kept reading the cards, and after so many readings, he was almost beginning to understand what each card represented.
"Come in, don't be afraid."
Just as Moen stood up, preparing to see if there were any suitable tasks to take on, the voice at the guild hall door caught his attention.
Master Makarov walked in, and alongside him were three children.
At the front was a girl wearing a robe, followed by two smaller children, presumably her younger brother and sister.
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