"Mr. Ide, so my father, Gildarts, really is a member of this wizard guild?"
Cana blinked her big eyes, seeking confirmation from the man in front of her.
"If the 'Gildarts Clive' we are both talking about is the same person, then yes, that's correct."
"Though, judging by that guy's style of doing things, there's an eighty percent chance it's the same Gildarts."
"Anyway, Cana, why don't you stay at the Fairy Tail guild for now? Once that scumbag comes back from wandering around outside, everything will be cleared up."
Ide gently patted the top of Cana's head, comforting her softly.
"Mmh."
"Cana will wait obediently here for Father to return."
After hearing Ide's arrangement, Cana nodded vigorously, indicating she would be good and follow Ide's instructions.
"By the way, is Cana really the daughter of that idiot Gildarts? She's way too well-behaved, isn't she?"
"Based on what I know about that scumbag, his offspring should be a violent maniac, an alcoholic, a gambling addict, or an idiot!"
"In short, there is absolutely no way she could be this well-mannered. That bastard simply doesn't have genes this good."
Looking at the obedient and sensible Cana, Ide couldn't help but scream internally.
At the same time, Ide made a decision deep in his heart: if that scumbag Gildarts disappointed Cana, then he would raise her himself.
After all, Erza and Ultear had been wanting a younger sister or brother for a long time. As for Ur and Irene, they wouldn't make a fuss over adding another daughter to the family; they were all sensible and loving people.
"Cana, you don't have a place to stay yet, right?"
Thinking of this, and wanting to let Cana bond with his family early, Ide suddenly looked down and asked the sensible girl.
"Mmh."
"But it's okay."
"Cana has money. I can rent a room."
Cana nodded first, then shook her head.
"Well then..."
Ide smiled, preparing to follow up and "kidnap" the girl to his house.
"Hah?"
"How could we let a child live alone? That's too dangerous!"
"Exactly! If something happened to you, how would we explain it to that guy Gildarts?"
"Yeah, yeah..."
But before Ide could finish speaking, Macao, Wakaba, and all the Fairy Tail wizards present swarmed around them, extending invitations to Cana:
"Cana, come stay at my house!"
"I promise to take good care of you and feed you well!"
"No, come to my place! My house is spacious with plenty of rooms! Plus, my wife has been wanting another child for ages."
These wizards—some with scarred faces, some clamping cigars in their teeth like mafia bosses, all looking somewhat ferocious—squeezed out "twisted" but genuine smiles, offering heartfelt invitations to Cana.
"Uhh."
It was the first time Cana had been surrounded by so many enthusiastic people. She was a bit overwhelmed.
But in this moment, Cana's perception of the Fairy Tail wizards changed drastically.
Deep in her heart, Cana whispered to herself: "It's just as Mother described! The wizard guild where Father lives really is a place surrounded by 'love'."
"Alright, alright, don't scare Cana."
"I'll take this child home and look after her."
Just as Cana was feeling the power of the guild's "love," Ide pushed through the crowd and announced that he would be responsible for Cana's care.
"Hah? Why should you be the one to take care of Cana, Ide?"
"Yeah, yeah! We don't accept that!"
The other guild members immediately protested.
"Have any of you ever raised a child?"
"Do you really know how to take care of a kid?"
"So shut up already."
Ide rejected their protests and shut them down quickly.
"Ugh."
Under Ide's rapid-fire questioning, the guild members finally zipped their lips.
---
"By the way, where did the Master go?!"
"And where are Ur, Erza, and Ultear?"
With Cana's situation settled, Ide frowned and asked the crowd about the whereabouts of Makarov and his own wife and daughters.
"You only remember your wife and daughters now? You bastard!"
"Heh, if we didn't have that super-scumbag Gildarts as a control group, Ide's reputation definitely wouldn't be much better than his."
Hearing Ide's question, the guild members loudly roasted him.
"Cut the crap."
"Just tell me."
Ide ignored their mockery and continued his interrogation.
"The Master went to attend the annual Guild Master's Conference for the Kingdom of Fiore."
"As for Ur, she took Ultear and Erza out on a mission."
Finally, the good-natured Macao gave Ide an answer.
"So none of them are here?"
Ide looked at Macao with disappointment.
"But calculating the time, they should be back soon."
Macao explained.
BANG!
Just as Macao finished speaking, the doors of the Fairy Tail guild were pushed open with force.
Everyone turned to look.
A young girl walked in. She had exquisite features, eyebrows that hinted at a heroic spirit, and eyes sharp as an eagle's. She appeared to be about ten years old, with flowing fire-red hair, dressed in a fitted knight's outfit with a sword at her waist.
"First."
Upon entering the guild, the red-haired girl's lips curled up slightly as she declared her victory.
"Fine, fine, fine."
"No matter what you do, you're always the best in Big Sister's heart! Little Sister Erza."
Following behind the red-haired girl was another girl who had entered a step later on purpose. Her voice was full of doting and concession. She had long, jet-black hair and bright, moving features that exuded a natural charm. Although she was similar in age to the first girl, one could already tell she would grow up to be a stunning beauty.
One red, one black. These two girls had completely opposite features and temperaments, yet they were so similar. They were clearly sisters.
"Ultear, Erza."
The moment the two girls stepped into the guild, Ide, who had been arguing with the guild members, turned around as if sensing something telepathically. Looking at the two who had returned, his eyes filled with doting love as he softly called their names.
"Father, you're back?"
The moment Ide's voice fell, the girls standing at the entrance rushed into Ide's embrace.
Yes, Ide's daughters had returned.
---