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Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: What Is Your Name

The girl's infatuated stare felt great to Kabe. Leaving her with a dashing back view, he strolled up to Blue Pegasus's bar, which was far more orderly than Fairy Tail's, and greeted Bob properly.

"Guild Master Bob, it's been a while. Blue Pegasus is getting livelier and livelier compared to before."

"Oh my, little Kabe, long time no see, and your mouth is still as sweet as ever."

Bob propped his cheek with delight as he praised him.

Then, twisting his plump waist, he slipped through the solid wooden bar as if it was not even there, and selected two bottles of aged liquor from behind the counter.

Makarov watched his pouring with blatant envy and complained at Kabe with a scowl.

"You brat, could you not fly a bit slower? I was this close to meeting the previous masters just now."

"I'm not a comfortable passenger train. I'm already being nice letting you use me as a ride. Don't ask for so much."

As he spoke, Bob placed two glasses in front of them.

Kabe thanked him, lifted the glass, and took a small sip. His eyes brightened immediately.

"So rich in fruit aroma. Not bad at all."

Makarov, on the other hand, tipped his head back and downed it in one go.

The liquor slid into his stomach and heat surged up his throat, leaving him refreshed from the inside out.

"Gah. This stuff is seriously strong."

"But liquor should be strong. Some little punks who still drink fruit wine are nowhere close."

Kabe coughed twice.

"Old man, do you really have to take a shot at me even now? Isn't that a bit much?"

Watching the two bicker, Bob smiled softly, as if he had been thrown back in time.

Back when they were young, Makarov used to argue like this with the Second Master, Precht.

After indulging in the nostalgia for a moment, Bob topped off Makarov's glass again and finally asked about the real reason they came.

"Stop bullying little Kabe, Makarov."

"Now tell me, what brings you rushing over here like this?"

"Of course, if you came just to drink, I'm happy to welcome you too."

At the mention of business, Makarov's expression hardened.

He grabbed his glass but did not drink. Instead, he laid out, step by step, every disgusting move the Magic Council had made.

How they had sent a letter demanding Gray report for questioning.

How they dragged their feet instead of urgently searching for the missing Deliora.

How it all culminated in Michello throwing attitude, and the two of them smashing the table and walking out.

Even Bob, who had not witnessed it himself, had anger creeping across his face.

"Those brainless idiots."

"The magic world has only been stable for a few years, and the Council's upper ranks have already rotted into this."

As Bob cursed, his usually greasy, comedic face carried a rare, intimidating weight.

"Tell me, Makarov. What do you want me to do?"

"Fairy Tail's kids are my kids too. I'm not going to sit here and watch our children get bullied."

"Thank you, Bob."

Old friends did not need flowery words. Makarov simply nodded solemnly and revealed his plan in full.

"I want you to contact Goldmine."

"Use your network as much as possible, reach out to the guild masters, and convene an emergency regional meeting."

"We need to make the Council's deadweight understand what they've done wrong."

"And I want to use the guild masters' connections to search for Deliora's whereabouts."

"The Council's fools are not doing real work, but we can't just let a powerful demon roam free."

"When we get news, Fairy Tail will take responsibility and handle it."

Bob nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Come with me."

"I'll use the communication lacrima to contact Freedman."

"We'll discuss the details together, the three of us."

Bob slipped through the bar again and headed deeper into the guild. Makarov quickly hopped down from his chair and followed.

Kabe hesitated, wondering if he should go too.

Then Makarov suddenly stopped, turned back, and spoke to him.

"You worked hard today, brat. Go have fun. I'll cover your spending."

"Yes, thank you, Guild Master, most benevolent and magnanimous."

Kabe immediately grinned and snapped a salute, but before he could celebrate, the old man added calmly.

"No need to thank me. Bringing back Deliora will also be your job."

With that, Makarov gave him no chance to argue and strode after Bob, leaving the hall.

'Damn it. I knew nothing good ever falls from the sky for free.'

Kabe cursed under his breath, then downed the rest of his drink in one irritated gulp.

He reached for the bottle to pour another.

A pale, slender hand stole the glass before he could.

"I, I'll pour for you."

It was the same girl he had met at the entrance. Her cheeks were pink as she hugged the bottle to her chest.

Kabe's gloom vanished the moment his eyes landed on the dramatic curve created by the bottle pressed against her.

He straightened, lifted his glass politely toward her, and offered a gentlemanly smile.

"My honor, beautiful miss."

The girl's heart fluttered. She slid onto the stool beside him and filled his glass.

Kabe glanced along the counter, casually grabbed an upside-down cup, and set it down.

"Pour yourself one too. My treat."

She did not refuse. She immediately followed his lead.

Once both glasses were filled, Kabe raised his.

"This one isn't that strong. Let's have a drink together."

But she was not so easily baited. She puffed out her lips and complained, adorably indignant.

"Who invites a strange girl to drink the moment they open their mouth?"

"At least we should know each other's names first, and understand each other a little."

'Fair enough. Blue Pegasus, huh. Even if she looks barely of age, she's not that easy to trick.'

Kabe set his glass down and apologized sincerely.

"My mistake. I'll punish myself with a drink later."

He lifted his left sleeve and revealed the black Fairy Tail guild mark, swirling like living ink.

"Let me introduce myself."

"I'm Kabe, from a wizard guild also located in the Kingdom of Fiore."

"Fairy Tail."

"Fairy Tail!" The girl's face brightened with just the right amount of surprise. "I know you. You're the number one guild in Fiore."

"I'd love to be humble," Kabe said as he lowered his sleeve, smiling as he accepted her admiring gaze without shame, "but if we're talking number one, Fairy Tail really is beyond dispute."

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