Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 352: Extreme Joy Leads to Sorrow

How would it feel to learn that the children of your guild banded together to defeat a Wizard Saint?

Shock. Disbelief. And then... pure, overwhelming joy.

"As expected of Fairy Tail mages, ahahahahaha!"

Makarov laughed so hard it echoed across the battlefield, roaring like thunder. His belly shook with each wheeze, his eyes crinkling with pride until they looked ready to float out of his head.

"Well done! You've done wonderfully!"

For decades, he had carried the burdens of a guild master. But in this moment, surrounded by laughter, tears, and a pile of half-destroyed ruins, it all felt worth it. This was the strength he had always hoped for: not the might of one person, but the power born when many hearts beat as one.

As he listened to the children recount the battle, Makarov's chest swelled even more.

The assault team fought with valor.

The mobile team moved like lightning.

The sniper squad timed every shot perfectly.

The command unit gave clear, precise orders.

The main force worked together like a living storm.

How could any guild be this good?!

And best of all, it was his guild!

"Rhodes, what about the perimeter patrol?"

"Ask the Master."

"How should we deal with the injured Phantom members?"

"Ask the Master."

"Rhodes—"

"Ask the Master!"

With that, Rhodes finally let himself relax. He sprawled into Mira's lap without shame, face buried against her as though declaring: My job's done, leave the rest to the old man.

But peace didn't last long.

After just a few seconds, he glanced up and noticed Mira wincing slightly, her brows furrowed.

Take over magic always had odd quirks, when Mira returned to her normal state from Satan Soul, any damage taken often showed up in her clothes or appearance. Her outfit, once battle-ready, now looked singed and torn in several places.

Her face was smudged with ash. Her silver hair was tousled, some strands curled from heat. One of her sleeves had been ripped away, revealing her scratched shoulder and a worn black bra strap that looked seconds away from snapping.

The hem of her top was torn, revealing her belly and part of her side waist. Her skirt had a gash up one leg, just enough to glimpse the Fairy Tail emblem printed on her thigh.

"That last hit must've hurt..." Rhodes muttered, heart aching a little. He quickly fished a clean shirt from his satchel and offered it to her.

He thought about retrieving the medicine kit too, but treating wounds here wasn't exactly... private.

"It's nothing serious," Mira said softly, noticing the concern in his eyes. "No real injuries. I'll heal in no time."

She accepted the shirt, wrapping it around herself.

It was clearly one of his. The sleeves were too long, swaying like soft wings when she raised her arms. The hem practically reached her knees, more like a mini dress than a shirt. Even after buttoning it, it hung loose on her, hiding her curves. For some reason, that made it feel more... intimate.

She tried tying the ends into a knot to show off her waist, but it just looked awkward.

I should've packed something else, Rhodes thought, a little regretful. That one was for home.

Before he could help her adjust it, he was abruptly yanked away.

Apparently, Elfman had started it, but now a whole group had gathered. They hoisted Rhodes up onto their shoulders with cheers, tossing him into the air like a hero.

"Hey! You guys done already?!"

"Watch the wound! Bastards!"

"Are you guys done yet?!"

Rhode's shouting went completely ignored. The guildmates just kept tossing him into the air over and over again, laughing and cheering as if it were the most important thing in the world.

Rhodes huffed, annoyed at first. These lunatics had interrupted his sweet moment with Mira, and now they were treating him like a beach ball.

But after a few more throws... he started laughing too.

Mira stood nearby, hands covering her mouth as she giggled softly, her long sleeves drooping past her wrists. The oversized shirt she wore added an extra layer of charm, the way it swayed when she laughed. She looked adorably serene, and utterly content.

Victory.

They had defeated an overwhelmingly powerful enemy.

...

Makarov, still riding high from winning a war without lifting a finger, joyfully invited everyone back to the Fairy Tail Guild Hall for a celebration feast.

Unfortunately, the guild was already barely holding together.

As soon as the laughter and stomping began, the floorboards creaked ominously, beams groaned, and then...

CRASH!

The roof sagged, a wall cracked, and the second floor tilted at a ridiculous angle. The entire building looked like it had been suplexed by Elfman and lived to tell the tale.

Though it hadn't completely turned into rubble, it was clearly now a prime example of a condemned structure.

So much for the party indoors.

Makarov sighed, holding his head in frustration. "Let's rebuild it later. For now, we'll celebrate outside!"

And just like that, the celebration turned into both a victory feast and a guild-rebuilding kickoff event. Classic Fairy Tail style. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Rhodes squinted suspiciously at the old man. You're not sad about the collapse, you're just disappointed the party's outdoors, aren't you...?

At that moment, a familiar trio arrived, limping, bruised, but full of concern.

The Shadow gear—Levy, Jet, and Droy, stumbled toward the wreckage.

"Is everyone alright?" Levy called out, out of breath.

Droy leaned on a crutch, still recovering. "We rushed here... sorry we're late!"

Jet's arm was wrapped in a cast. "The guild... it's really been wrecked, huh..."

Lucy's eyes widened. "Levy, Jet, Droy, I—I'm so sorry..."

Levy gave her a tight hug before she could say more. "No, Lu. This isn't your fault."

Max, overhearing, walked over and scolded Jet: "Wait, you sneaked out of the hospital again?!"

Jet looked sheepish. "We wanted to fight too, but we didn't make it in time."

Gray crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Well, by the looks of you three, you should be in the hospital, not out here."

"You're wrapped in bandages from head to toe!"

"I got injured on the last mission, alright? Not by those Phantom scumbags!" Gray said it with a guilty look, because truthfully, it was the Element 4 who beat him up.

"Welcome back," Makarov said with a warm smile to the three delinquents who'd escaped from the hospital. "Anyway, let's just have that party already!"

"Ohhh yeah!!!"

...

But the party never got started.

Because the Magic Council's enforcement squad showed up. In full force.

They were here to detain both guilds.

The reason? A violation of the "Treaty of Prohibition Against Armed Conflict Between Guilds."

In short: "You guys caused too much chaos. Time to answer for it."

Since both Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord's guild halls were now glorified piles of rubble, it was impossible to question them in town. So, everyone was hauled off to a temporary garrison outside Magnolia.

The Fairy Tail crew was grouped on one side. Phantom Lord's members, beaten and bruised, were gathered separately on the other.

Jose, still unconscious was unceremoniously carried in like luggage. For good measure, the squad had slapped magic-suppressing cuffs on him. Better safe than sorry.

The commander of this "enforcement operation" was a familiar face, Lahar of the Council.

When he showed up, flanked by a full squad of Rune Knights, his entrance was dramatic. He barked orders, stared people down, and acted as if he was going to personally exile half the guild.

But once everyone arrived at the garrison, his tone noticeably changed.

"Summon the medical corps. Prioritize treatment of the wounded," Lahar said after glancing at all the bandaged and limping Fairy Tail mages. "Also, send a request to Magnolia General Hospital for additional support. Use the Council's authority if needed."

Meanwhile, on the edge of the group, Natsu pulled on Rhodes's sleeve like a misbehaving school kid.

"Rhodes... they're gonna lock us up, right? Let's escape. Come on. I'm great at running away!"

Rhodes deadpanned. "Do you ever take things seriously? If we run now, they'll pin the whole thing on us."

Then, after thinking for a second, he pulled Natsu back in with a sigh. "Honestly though... this is probably just for show. Maybe a slap on the wrist and some scolding."

He lowered his voice and muttered under his breath, "If the master plays it right, we might even be able to get reimbursed. Whether the guild ends up in an economic crisis or not kind of depends on how well he negotiates this mess."

...

Bonus @800

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