Thanks to the existence of magic, construction in this world is remarkably advanced. In the few days while Hope was away capturing Ivan, Fairy Tail's expansion had already been completed.
Stone walls a head taller than a man stood at intervals, enclosing a tract of land as large as half a manor, with dense iron railings rising between them.
The main gate of the guild was built tall and spacious; even five or six people walking side by side wouldn't feel crowded.
Above the gateposts, a broad wooden sign hung high, its flamboyant cursive engraving the guild's name—Fairy Tail.
"The guild's decorations have gotten this impressive?" Gildarts hadn't returned for three years; before he even stepped through the door the changes had already stunned him.
Let alone Gildarts—Hope himself felt like a stranger.
When he'd left, only the framework had been erected; by the time he returned, everything was already in use.
If he hadn't spotted that tavern-like three-storey building standing in the middle of the new complex from afar, he'd have thought he'd walked into the wrong place.
Past the towering gate, the broad passage was lined with little guild shops selling figurines of popular Mages, fan apparel, quirky magical trinkets, sparkling decorative items… but since it was evening, all the stores were closed.
Further ahead lay a small plaza with wooden tables and chairs arranged in disorder—clearly meant for an open-air bar.
On the plaza's left was an empty, newly built outdoor pool; on the right were entertainment facilities and a ring for members who wanted real-life sparring.
Of all the changes, the only thing that stayed the same was that three-storey building. Standing at the heart of the new complex, it felt like the soul of the entire place, reminding every member where Fairy Tail's roots lay.
When Hope and Gildarts stepped inside, an excited Natsu greeted them head-on: "Gildarts! I challenge you—!"
"So it's Natsu."
Looking at the energetic pink-haired youth, Gildarts smiled nostalgically, a hint of fondness flickering in his eyes. "It's been a while, kid. You've grown."
"I said I'm gonna take you on!"
Watching Natsu swing his fists and charge, Lucy, unable to stop him, pressed a hand to her forehead in embarrassment—who picks a fight the moment someone returns? Yet Gildarts merely chuckled, lifting a hand to shove the charging Natsu upward; the boy hit the ceiling like a fly swatted by a giant paddle, legs dangling limply in midair.
"Let's save the duel for another day; I'm a bit tired right now." Gildarts dusted off his shoulder.
Seeing Gildarts swat Natsu aside as easily as a father disciplines a child, Lucy's jaw dropped. "This… this is the guild's strongest Mage…?"
"Still crazy strong, Drunkard Uncle."
"You're the manliest of men!"
"Welcome home, Gildarts, Hope."
Amid the exclamations of their companions, Mirajane stepped up with a smile. Gildarts, scratching his stubble in bewilderment, asked suspiciously, "Little miss, do we know each other?"
"Eh?" Mirajane's smile froze.
Hope sighed. The old drunk's memory was hopeless. "Gildarts, she's Mirajane."
"Mirajane?"
Gildarts studied the gentle white-haired beauty in front of him. "So it is you. You've changed so much I didn't recognize you."
"And you still didn't notice?" Hope sounded skeptical.
Gildarts laughed. "You probably don't know, Hope—Mirajane used to be a little delinquent, the kind who'd corner you in an alley… I remember once Natsu stole her cake and she chased him across three blocks."
As Gildarts reminisced, Mirajane's smile grew ever "brighter," though the air around them seemed to chill.
"Oh dear!"
Mirajane tapped her temple lightly, as if suddenly remembering something. "Speaking of which, a lot of wine has gone missing from the guild cellar lately—gives me such a headache…"
"Maybe I should just hang a sign by the door."
Still smiling sweetly, she continued in a syrupy voice, "It'll read: 'Gildarts and Cana are not allowed inside.' Then the wine shouldn't vanish so mysteriously, right?"
Gildarts's expression stiffened; he bowed ninety degrees.
"I'm sorry!"
"Actually, Mirajane, you're the most beautiful and gentle woman in the world—what I just said was nonsense, I'd had too much to drink! Please forget it!"
Watching Gildarts fold so fast, Hope's lips curved. This drunkard uncle and Cana really were alike once cornered.
Still, Mira's dark side was terrifying—she'd handled Gildarts without lifting a finger. As Zhang Wuji's mother once said… Since Gildarts had apologized, Mirajane graciously let him off; after all, the recent wine thief had been Cana, and Erza had already dragged her off for labor duty.
Gildarts looked around at the guild, seeing unfamiliar faces, and sighed at how time flew.
New members eyed the legendary Mage curiously; old ones waved enthusiastically.
He remembered that when he'd left three years ago, Fairy Tail had been just the three-storey building and a big empty lot around it; members drank and brawled indoors, moving tables outside only on rare perfect days.
Now the expanded area felt like a small park.
Yet the laughter, the shouting, the clink of glasses, even the occasional fight—all that warm bustle, the scent of home, remained unchanged.
"Gildarts."
Makarov sat on his customary counter seat, his quiet voice cutting through the clamor.
Gildarts strode over eagerly. "Master! Long time no see—you're still as lively as ever!"
But Makarov's face was grave. "Why are you back so suddenly? How's your mission progressing?"
"Hahahaha! Well…"
Gildarts scratched his head, embarrassed. "Sorry, I failed."
"What?!!"
"Even Gildarts couldn't do it…"
"The Hundred Year Quest really is terrifying!"
"…"
Before Makarov could speak, the hall erupted; everyone knew Gildarts had taken on the Hundred Year Quest.
As the name implied, a Hundred Year Quest was a mission that had remained uncompleted for over a century since its posting—its difficulty was self-evident.
Below Hundred Year Quests were Ten Year Quests, and then S-Class missions. After finishing multiple Ten Year Quests, Gildarts had chosen the Hundred Year Quest to keep challenging himself.
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