Unfortunately, Lucky was eventually defeated by Ichiya, as her strength was still slightly lacking.
As for Team C, their performance was relatively ordinary.
Lisanna, Levy, and Bisca were eliminated early, while Elfman also lost to Quatro Cerebrus's member, Bacchus.
Fortunately, the Thunder God Tribe's Bickslow and Evergreen performed well enough, securing several victories.
However, they were ultimately defeated by Erza and Mira.
After the final day of the competition ended, Fairy Tail A Team ranked first with an impressive score of 25 points.
B Team ranked second with 16 points.
C Team took third place with 8 points.
Lamia Scale ranked fourth with 6 points.
Blue Pegasus ranked fifth with 4 points.
The unfortunate Quatro Cerebrus only had one point, turning them into the biggest joke of this year's tournament.
After the competition, the king and princess personally presented the awards to the champion team.
Fairy Tail A Team received a pure gold trophy, along with six exquisite pure gold medals representing individual achievements.
Afterward, the royal family once again invited everyone into the palace and held a grand banquet.
During the banquet, the old king brought Kabe and Hisui to his side and officially announced the news of their engagement to the representatives of the various nations.
Although these people had already learned about it through different channels, when Thomas made the announcement himself, they still offered their congratulations one after another.
They also praised Kabe endlessly, saying that he was young and accomplished, with a bright future ahead of him.
Hearing his future son-in-law being praised, Thomas also felt proud.
His face was full of smiles.
"Since everyone is gathered here, I would like to ask all of you to serve as witnesses for me."
Although they did not know what Thomas intended to do, everyone immediately became attentive.
Thomas turned around.
With one hand, he grabbed Hisui's hand.
With the other, he held Kabe's.
"I am nearing fifty years of age."
"Recently, I often feel my energy declining and my body growing weaker with age."
"However, because of the heavy responsibilities of the kingdom and the expectations of my people, I dare not abandon my duties and retire to recover."
"Because of this, my health has gradually deteriorated."
"Fortunately, my eldest daughter, Hisui, is exceptionally intelligent and perceptive."
"She often assists me by my side and helps ease my burden."
"However, my long-term illness has become deeply rooted, and merely sharing my workload is not enough to cure it."
"Therefore, for the stability of the kingdom and the sake of my own health, I intend to pass the throne to Hisui once she reaches adulthood."
"And I will appoint the Count Kabe, as her husband."
"He will assist the queen in handling national affairs and protecting the kingdom and its people."
After saying this, Thomas placed Hisui's hand into Kabe's.
Looking at Kabe's shocked and confused expression, he spoke sincerely.
"Count Kabe, I entrust Hisui to you."
"I hope you will devote yourself fully, protect this kingdom, and safeguard its people."
Hearing those words, anyone who did not know better would think the old king was about to die.
But Kabe clearly remembered the original story.
Nine years later, during the Grand Magic Games, this old man was still running around energetically and even acted as the host.
Not long after that, he did indeed abdicate and pass the throne to Hisui.
But that was many years later, when Hisui was already around twenty-three or twenty-four years old.
Yet now Thomas was saying that he planned to step down once Hisui became an adult.
In the Fiore Kingdom, men and women were considered adults at sixteen.
And Hisui was already fifteen.
So...
Was Thomas saying that he would abdicate next year?
Would he become a prince next year?!
'What kind of situation is this?'
'Is this old man rushing things a little too much?'
After a storm of thoughts, Kabe did not even have time to notice the softness of Hisui's hand.
He immediately tried to persuade him.
"Your Majesty is still in your prime."
"Why would you say such things?"
"Besides, I am merely a man from the countryside."
"I was only fortunate enough to receive Your Majesty's favor and reach my current position."
"If Your Majesty wishes for me to assist the princess, it is not that I am unwilling."
"But my ability is truly insufficient for managing state affairs."
Thomas had already expected Kabe to politely refuse.
He had prepared his response beforehand.
However, after hearing Kabe's words, he was still stunned for a moment.
'Wait...'
'Aren't you supposed to be an orphan from the countryside?'
'Why do you talk so properly?'
'You sound more like a noble than half the nobles themselves.'
'And who actually said I wanted you to handle government affairs?'
'I know exactly how much ability you have.'
'I'm only borrowing your strength to intimidate the powerful nobles inside the kingdom so they won't cause trouble.'
'You really think I need you to manage politics?'
Although Thomas was complaining internally, his expression remained serious.
"You need not say more."
"My decision has already been made."
"Only you can bring stability to this kingdom."
'This old man really is the type who makes decisions alone.'
Kabe silently complained.
Then he immediately knelt on one knee and respectfully said:
"Your Majesty treats me as a national talent."
"I shall repay Your Majesty with the loyalty of one."
"Having received such trust, I will give my utmost effort, even if my abilities are limited, to repay this great favor."
'Something is wrong with this kid.'
'He really knows how to speak.'
'One line after another, he sounds even more like a king than me.'
Thomas stood frozen.
He repeatedly savored Kabe's words:
"A ruler treats me as a national talent, and I shall repay the ruler as a national talent."
The more he thought about it, the brighter his gaze became.
He realized that he might have truly underestimated this son-in-law of his.
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