Bob glanced over the guild masters "present" at the meeting and was just about to say everyone had arrived when, at the top-left corner of the light screen, an elderly man with white hair and beard stroked his whiskers and asked in puzzlement:
"Master Makarov, why do I not see Master Jose of Phantom Lord?"
Hearing that question, Kabe suddenly lowered his head and his shoulders shook a little.
Makarov's mouth twitched as well, but in the end he forced out a smile and answered:
"Master Jose does not like this kind of occasion. The last few times we held regional conferences, he did not show up either."
The guild master from another country nodded in understanding and did not press further.
Only the guild masters of Fiore knew the real story.
It was not that Jose disliked meetings.
A few years ago, at one of these very gatherings, he had clashed head on with Makarov and been thoroughly beaten in front of everyone.
Since then Jose had never managed to swallow his pride enough to attend again.
Of course, knowing was one thing, saying it aloud was another. No one intended to poke that old wound.
Makarov cleared his throat lightly and officially started the meeting, finally revealing the real reason he had gone to such lengths to call everyone together.
"Everyone, I want to ask you all to mobilize your own information networks and look for any trace of Deliora."
His opening line left every guild master stunned for a moment.
Then a wave of puzzled murmurs and questions rolled across the screens.
"Master Makarov, I do not quite understand. Did the Council not already announce that they are investigating this matter? Why do they still need us to act?"
Makarov's answer was even more blunt than his request.
"It is very simple. I do not trust the Council, or to be precise, I do not trust their ability."
The words were like a rock tossed into a still pond.
Ripples of shock and agitation spread instantly through the projected faces.
Confusion, doubt, and surprise all spiked at once.
One guild master, looking relatively young compared to the rest, spoke up directly:
"Master Makarov, what do you mean by that? The Council may have handled this poorly, but they are still the main body maintaining order across Ishgar.
If you do not trust their ability, do you mean that this mess with Deliora should be cleaned up by us instead?"
"That is exactly what I mean."
The young guild master had not expected Makarov to agree so straightforwardly.
"Everyone, before I tell you my plan, please listen to what I experienced a few days ago…"
Makarov then went through, step by step, the string of ridiculous stunts the Council had pulled recently.
The more everyone listened, the more their expressions changed.
An old man whose face was full of age spots slammed his fist heavily on the table, furious on Makarov's behalf.
"So that is how it is. Makarov, old man, I support you.
The Council is not a place for certain people to enjoy themselves.
If you sit in that seat, you need to do real work for the magic world.
If you cannot even manage that most basic requirement, then get out and let someone who can do it take your place."
His words instantly won the agreement of quite a few guild masters.
"Those idiots really think the magic world is their personal playground. It is a joke."
"Master Makarov, just tell us what you need us to do."
"That is right, Makarov. Whatever you need, just say it."
Surrounded by voices of support and unconditional backing, Makarov was deeply moved.
"Thank you, everyone."
Still seated, he bent at the waist in a sincere bow toward the countless light screens.
"I only ask that you all move as quickly as you can and try to track down Deliora before this incident stirs up an even greater storm.
As for what happens after it is found, I will send one of my children to handle it, so I will not trouble you further."
As he spoke, Makarov pointed to Kabe, who was seated beside him.
The guild masters' eyes followed his gesture and landed on the young man that Makarov had brought along.
As another of Makarov's old friends, the head of Four Hounds, Guild Master Goldmine, was the first to call out Kabe's identity.
"So it is the brat Kabe, then. If we leave it to him, I can relax."
"Kabe? Is that the Kabe I am thinking of?"
"Of course it is. How many Kabe could Fairy Tail have? It has to be him."
"Destruction God Kabe is a powerhouse who even I must admit I am no match for, and he is this young. Incredible."
The guild masters began talking over one another, their tones full of astonishment and disbelief.
In terms of fame, Kabe might not quite be "known in every household", but across the magic world of Ishgar, his name was definitely widely spread.
Since becoming an S class mage at fourteen, he had never once failed an S class job.
Last year, the tale of how he single handedly took down a "ten year quest" class monster in just one week had become a favorite story for people to retell.
A person's name is like a tree's shadow.
Even guild masters who had never met Kabe in person had already built up an image of him in their minds from all the rumors.
Many of them privately admitted that even as guild leaders, they did not have the confidence to complete a ten year quest themselves.
Some of them barely had enough strength in their guild to handle S class tasks at all.
So of course, no one objected to leaving the job to Kabe. Quite a few approved wholeheartedly.
More than that, some people's eyes began to shine as they looked at him, and they started trying to poach him on the spot, right in front of Makarov.
"Kabe, you are not married yet, are you? How about visiting my guild some time?
We have quite a few young girls who are your devoted fans."
"Get lost. Kabe's fans are everywhere. You think your few girls matter?
If he is going anywhere, it should be to my guild. We have girls who have been featured in Sorcerer Magazine."
"What use is just being pretty? Women should be virtuous and capable.
My daughter has been helping me manage our guild since she was young. As long as you nod, I will hand the guild over to her this very day and step down."
What had started as a serious conference rapidly devolved into a shouting match over which guild Kabe should "belong" to.
This whole group of old foxes threw everything they had on the table. Money, beauty, power, nothing was off limits as they tried to lure him in, promising him all kinds of benefits.
Even Kabe himself felt his heart beat a little faster listening to them.
But when he glanced sideways and saw Makarov's face already turning green with anger, he cleared his throat and politely refused.
"Thank you for your kindness, everyone. If I have the chance, I will definitely visit your guilds as a guest.
But if you want me to leave Fairy Tail… that is out of the question.
No matter what, this bald old man is the one who picked me up, and he is the only guild master I will ever acknowledge."
"Kabe, you brat…"
Hearing Kabe's words, Makarov's eyes instantly filled with tears.
He hurled himself out of his chair in a flying tackle and crashed into Kabe's arms, sobbing loudly.
Tears and snot smeared everywhere, and he almost grossed Kabe out to death.
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