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After speaking at an astonishing speed, Noah took a deep breath, then eagerly observed Makarov's expression.
As expected, upon hearing the shocking news that "August is the son of the First Guild Master," Makarov's face was as colorful as a statistical chart.
Three parts shock, three parts confusion, three parts disbelief.
And one part daze.
With such a rich array of emotions appearing on one face simultaneously, Noah couldn't help but admire Makarov's masterful control of his expressions. If he were to enter the entertainment industry, he would surely crush all those clueless young idols.
"Wait a minute, let me sort this out."
Makarov's mind was in a mess now. The news that First Guild Master Mavis actually had a son nearly caused the eighty-year-old man's CPU to overheat.
Born in the guild, raised in the guild.
Makarov's entire life was a significant portion of Fairy Tail's history. Yet, no matter how much he searched his memory, he couldn't recall any impression of August.
If Mavis truly had a child, given Second Guild Master Precht's personality, he would never have allowed him to be left outside the guild.
But Noah wouldn't joke about such a matter with him.
Could it be...
Makarov's eyes sharpened. "So that's it, I understand!"
Immediately, Makarov began to recount a past event to everyone.
On the day Makarov was born, his mother suddenly died. Mavis was greatly stimulated by this and suddenly left the guild in a frenzy.
Warrod and Precht searched everywhere but couldn't find Mavis.
It wasn't until a year later that the missing Mavis appeared outside the guild as a corpse, and the original four members of the First Guild Master's group subsequently fell apart.
Laxus frowned. He hadn't known his grandfather had such a past, being separated from his mother at birth. He decided he should try to argue with the old man less in the future.
Gajeel stroked his chin. "A year isn't too long or too short, but a lot could happen during that time, for example..."
Gray added, "Like marriage and having children."
Mira nodded. "A woman is pregnant for ten months. Based on the First Guild Master's story, if she were to have a child, that year she was missing is the most likely time."
Erza's eyes lit up. Drawing on the many romance novels she had read, she immediately deduced, "I strongly suspect that during the year the First Guild Master was missing, she met and fell in love with a man, and gave birth to their child."
"After the First Guild Master passed away, her lover secretly returned her body to Fairy Tail, but concealed the fact that they had a child."
"Thus, that child, who was left out in the world, eventually made his way to the Western Continent and, relying on the powerful magic inherited from his mother, became a pillar of the Alvarez Empire."
Knowing Erza's capabilities, Noah silently exclaimed, 'Good heavens!' He had to admit Erza's reasoning had some merit, but...
Noah's strange expression was noticed by Erza. "Noah, do you think there are any shortcomings in my deduction?"
"Hmm, let's find a place to sit down and talk."
Noah turned to the people from Alvarez's side. "Except for Irene, everyone else get out."
Jacob seemed to be in a dilemma.
The Empire had already lost one Wizard King. They absolutely could not allow Scarlet Despair to be left behind as well.
However, the disparity in strength between them and Noah was so despair-inducing that they could hardly even muster the thought of resisting, so how could they cover Irene's departure?
"Do as he says."
Irene saw Jacob's predicament and signaled him not to worry about her. "If that person wanted to kill me, there would be no need for such trouble. Don't worry."
Jacob had no choice but to have his subordinates pack up the incapacitated Ajeel and leave Caracole City with God Serena.
The Imperial army arrived valiantly and departed in disarray...
Noah found a nearby restaurant and booked a private room.
However, it was surprising that there was still a restaurant daring enough to host them, the exposed "outside forces," at this time. Indeed, money makes people bold.
The chef happened to be one of the chefs who prepared food for the eating competition, and the food served immediately whetted their appetites.
Erza slapped Noah's hand as he reached for a dish. "Stop playing games. If you know something, just say it. What's the point of keeping everyone in suspense?"
Riddlers are the most annoying!
Not just Erza, but Mira and Makarov were also staring intently at Noah, and even Irene was looking at Noah with curious interest.
The colleague's background story—it would be a shame not to hear this gossip!
Being stared at by everyone, Noah no longer played coy and said, "Erza, your previous analysis was very good, but I think it would be more appropriate to let August himself reveal the truth."
With that, Noah snapped his fingers, and August, who had been placed in the corner of the room by the shadow soldiers, immediately exhaled a turbid breath.
Consciousness revived, August's slightly opened eyes saw an unfamiliar ceiling.
I... didn't die?
The flow of magic and blood within his body allowed August to clearly perceive the beat of life. He subconsciously touched his chest, which had been blasted in his last memory.
His body had been almost completely pierced by a terrifying power that surpassed magic, but that fatal injury had now vanished without a trace, as if it had never happened.
Aside from being somewhat weak, the perfect condition of his body made August wonder if he had already arrived in the world of the dead.
If that were truly the case, then would he be able to see...
"Old man, if you're awake, come and eat."
The light voice fell into his ears, yet it caused a storm in August's heart. He subconsciously looked in the direction from which the voice came.
His gaze swept past the people at the table, and August indeed found the white-haired young man who had "killed" him, as well as his old acquaintance Irene.
Did Irene save him?
Such a terrifying fatal injury, perhaps Irene could have saved him. However, thinking about Irene's whereabouts, August immediately dismissed this conjecture. Then it could only be that white-haired young man.
There were nine chairs around the round dining table, and the empty one was clearly left for him. August didn't stand on ceremony and sat down generously, his eyes fixed on Noah.
"You were clearly going to kill me."
"Why did you save my life again?"
Noah's lips curved upwards, and he chuckled. "Of course, I was curious about your past. The legendary life of the Wizard King is definitely worth savoring."
August was very suspicious of Noah's true intentions, but he still replied, "Just a failed old man, hardly worthy of being called a legend."
Seeing this, Noah's smile grew even more playful.
"The son of the Black Wizard and the Fairy Tactician, isn't that identity enough to be called a legend?"
The secret that had been buried deep in his heart for many years and could not be confided was just casually revealed. August almost jumped to his feet, looking at Noah with a face full of disbelief.
"Why?!"
"Why do you know?!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone else in the private room was shocked.
What did they hear?
August was actually the son of Zeref and Mavis!
Although the amount of information wasn't huge, it was like a powerful flashbang that left everyone dizzy and disoriented. Makarov, the elderly man, was already pinching his philtrum, trying to stay conscious.
Only Irene remained relatively calm. With her experience, what kind of situation hadn't she seen... Sorry, she really hadn't seen this kind of situation.
Irene had now completely transformed into a spectator, enjoying the gossip.
That was the Black Wizard's family gossip. Even if she died, it would be worth the price of admission!