Chapter 94: Gildarts: What’s It Like When Your Long-Lost Wife Suddenly Comes Back to Life?! Cana Family Reunites!

"My dear daughter, you're really not lying to me, right?"

"Are you saying that your mother, Cornelia, is actually still alive?!"

Gildarts was completely stunned.

What's it like when your wife, who died years ago, suddenly comes back to life?!

At this moment, Gildarts was truly experiencing it firsthand—happiness that came so suddenly it left him feeling dizzy...

"Huh?!"

"Did I ever say my mother passed away?"

"Gildarts, you've completely misunderstood me!"

Cana frowned, giving Gildarts a pointed glare before speaking in an annoyed tone.

"But didn't you say Cornelia had already died by the time you left?!"

Gildarts furrowed his brow, looking at Cana with a questioning gaze.

"Yes, the gentle and caring mother I once knew is gone."

"Gildarts, you should be mentally prepared; my mother has changed..."

"Mother now gives me a dangerous feeling."

Cana's expression was earnest as she spoke with seriousness.

Of course, there were still some things Cana hadn't said...

Like how the current Cornelia gave her a vibe very much like a Gildarts' replica.

How could she put it?! Now, even those who knew nothing could tell at a glance that Cornelia and Gildarts were a couple.

"Ah..."

"So that's what you meant?!"

"Sorry! I misunderstood you!"

"But it doesn't matter now; as long as Cornelia is still alive, that's good enough..."

Gildarts sighed in relief, realizing it had always been his own misunderstanding.

This was simply wonderful! Gildarts suddenly felt his eyes grow moist, as if tears were about to well up.

Of course, Gildarts didn't have the time now to think about anything else—only one thing occupied his mind.

"Cornelia is coming, what should I do?!"

Gildarts looked lost. Although he was excited to learn that Cornelia was alive, the news was so sudden that he hadn't had time to prepare to face her...

The thought of Cornelia, coming back to Fairy Tail to meet him after all these years, scared Gildarts. If she saw that he hadn't improved at all in the sixteen years since she left, would she leave him again?

This thought made Gildarts' heart twist in both agony and confusion.

"No way!"

"I have to change myself..."

With this thought in mind, Gildarts made up his mind.

First of all, he had to change his appearance.

So, Gildarts went to find Ian.

"Why are you looking for me?!"

Ian sat at the bar, looking worn out. He held a thermos filled with oolong tea—a true middle-aged, old-timer look.

Sure, Ian's strength had made great leaps, reaching the peak of conventional mage strength. Whether in the continent of Ishgar, the Western continent, or Northern Guiltina, Ian was now standing at the top of the mage world pyramid...

But even so, caught between Selene and Irene's constant pressure, he was still too inexperienced.

Ian: "Just wait, one day I'll become a master of love!"

Just as Ian was puzzled about why Gildarts had come to him, Gildarts did something very unusual—he bowed deeply and respectfully toward Ian, and said, "Please, Ian! Could you lend me one million Jewels... no, better make it ten million Jewels. I want to buy a property in Magnolia and change my appearance. I can't afford to bring shame to Fairy Tail."

"Whoa~"

"Did the sun just rise in the west?!"

"You, the wild and free-spirited guy, are thinking of buying property?!"

"This is a miracle—something unbelievable!"

"Is there some happy occasion coming up?"

"Are you planning to remarry? Has Cana approved of it?"

The moment Gildarts spoke, Ian had guessed what was going on, but he still pretended to be oblivious and asked with curiosity. After all, he couldn't reveal that it was he who had knocked Gildarts out that rainy night sixteen years ago.

"What, what..."

"What do you mean remarriage?!"

Gildarts sputtered at Ian's words, glaring at him with annoyance. He stressed seriously, "Am I the kind of person who just gets remarried willy-nilly? All these years, there has been no woman, besides my beloved Cornelia, who has been able to connect with me spiritually and live together for the long term."

"I swear to you here, in front of all these people, that I'm different from you, Ian. Besides Cornelia, I would never have a second wife."

Gildarts, the scoundrel, looked as righteous as could be, so much so that if people didn't know his past, they might actually mistake him for a love-stricken romantic.

"Pfft..."

"Sure, sure. No one has been able to stick with you for long, that's true! After all, no one can endure a middle-aged slob who doesn't bathe, brush his teeth, or wash his face like Cornelia could."

"But short-term flings, those are countless."

Ian laughed at Gildarts' speech—this guy really had no shame.

"Anyway, are you going to lend it or not?!"

Gildarts gritted his teeth and glared at Ian, saying coldly.

Well, Ian had seen many people borrowing money...

But this was the first time he had seen someone borrowing money from him with such an attitude, it was really something else...

"Cornelia is coming back..."

"I can't let her see that I haven't made any progress all these years."

"Please, lend me the money!"

Seeing that there was no one around, Gildarts leaned closer to Ian and whispered.

"Lend you, of course, I'll lend you..."

"But stay away from me first, you reek of alcohol."

"Ten million Jewels, right?"

"Here, you don't have to pay it back!"

"Consider it a gift to my sister-in-law..."

As Ian spoke, he wrote a magic bank check for ten million Jewels and handed it to Gildarts.

"Ian, I'm so grateful to you."

Gildarts looked at the ten million Jewel check in his hand, his eyes starting to moisten. This was his true brother.

"Hey, stay away from me..."

"Only Cornelia and Cana treat you as a treasure."

As Ian spoke, he pushed Gildarts, who was leaning close to him, aside.

"I won't say much about this great favor. I will repay you a hundredfold someday."

Gildarts didn't try to refuse and put the check away.

He knew very well that without Ian, saving ten million Jewels by himself would have been almost impossible.

Not that Gildarts couldn't make money—after all, S-class missions usually started at a million Jewels. With ten S-class missions, he could amass ten million!

But eight out of every ten million he earned would go to repairs, and the remaining two million would be spent on drinks and women—saving was just out of the question...

"Sigh..."

"Who else would tolerate you like I do?!"

Ian sighed. Without him, Fairy Tail would be in chaos.

"By the way..."

"Aren't you at all curious about Cornelia still being alive?!"

Gildarts seemed to remember something and looked at Ian, asking.

"Haha..."

"As far as I know, you're the only one in Fairy Tail who thought she was dead. The Guild Master only comforted you back then because he saw you drowning in the past, hoping you'd move on."

Ian chuckled lightly. He knew Cornelia was still alive, of course.

After all, he was the one who had saved her in the first place.

"What?!"

Gildarts was left utterly shocked.

With Ian's help, Gildarts bought a three-story house with a garden in town, along with a second-hand luxury magic-powered car. He spent the rest of the money on furniture and a proper outfit.

When Gildarts appeared at Fairy Tail, dressed in a suit, sporting an elegant watch, the entire guild was stunned:

"Hey, hey, hey?!"

"This is incredible! Is that the scruffy Gildarts?!"

"Who are you, old man?!"

"Give us back our Gildarts!"

Everyone crowded around, looking at Gildarts in astonishment.

"Gildarts, you've certainly turned things around!"

Ian couldn't help but admire Gildarts, with his hair slicked back, his beard cleanly shaven, and dressed in a suit, tie, and crisp white shirt.

Indeed, clothes make the man...

Wearing this new outfit, Gildarts looked like a different person.

"Of course!"

Gildarts smiled confidently.

He had once been a handsome youth, catching the attention of wealthy ladies from all around. Cornelia had fallen for him too! Her departure back then had devastated him, making him neglect his appearance since then, focusing only on fleeting pleasures.

"Gildarts, my mother is almost here..."

Just as Gildarts was basking in his newfound confidence, Cana received a message. Her expression became serious as she spoke.

"Is she here?!"

"Everyone, I ask a favor of you—Cornelia is gentle and can't stand arguments! So just for today, please keep it down."

Gildarts' expression turned stern, a look of utmost seriousness.

"Heh..."

"Gildarts, who do you think we are?!"

"We have no choice now..."

"Everyone, make an appearance!"

Just as Gildarts was nervous about meeting his beloved wife, Ian suddenly stepped onto the Fairy Tail guild's lectern and loudly said.

"Huh?!"

Gildarts looked up and saw Ian on the stage, a look of puzzlement flashing in his eyes.

"At last, the moment has come..."

As soon as Ian finished speaking, everyone in Fairy Tail, including Master Makarov, instantly changed into suits and evening gowns, appearing before Gildarts in elegant attire, clearly having prepared in advance.

A strong sense of oppression instantly overwhelmed him...

At that moment, Fairy Tail seemed like a whole new guild.

"Master, Ian, everyone?!"

How could Gildarts not understand?!

Everyone in the guild had restrained their nature and worn these out-of-character clothes just for his reunion with Cornelia.

That was Fairy Tail...

A warm family that always stood together during tough times.

"Gildarts, hold your head high and embrace your love!"

Ian said, giving Gildarts a thumbs-up.

"I will."

Gildarts nodded firmly—he wouldn't let Ian and the rest of Fairy Tail's members down. He was going to grab hold of his love with both hands.

"Gray, remember, do not take off your clothes!"

Cana whispered to Gray.

If there was one person in the guild Cana was most worried about, it had to be Gray...

"Got it! Who do you think I am?!"

"I wouldn't mess up at such an important time!"

Gray spoke seriously, his hands in his pockets, determined. In order not to strip, Gray had already made up his mind to stay in this pose until Cornelia left the guild.

"So, Gray, don't you feel a little chilly?"

Cana asked, feeling defeated as she looked at Gray.

"Hmm?!"

"Damn, where are my pants?!"

With Cana's reminder, Gray looked down, realizing his pants had disappeared. He was standing there in his underwear.

No wonder he'd felt a chill below—it wasn't just a feeling.

"Who's wearing two pairs of pants today?! Quick, Lend me one!"

Gray looked around in a panic, asking the guild members for pants.

"Who would wear two pairs of pants?!"

The guild members all looked at Gray and sighed.

"I wore two pairs..."

At that moment, Lyon, who had prepared himself, raised his hand.

"Really?!"

The guild wizards sighed again.

"So hot..."

Not far from Gray and Lyon, Ur, who was wearing far more clothing than usual, was already beginning to undo her chest straps.

"Hold it!"

The keen-eyed guild members immediately restrained Ur.

"Stay calm, Gildarts..."

As for Gildarts, he tore his gaze away from Ur—now wasn't the time to enjoy a show...

Yep, Ur had already become known as the guild's "eye candy."

Meanwhile...

Cornelia had arrived at Fairy Tail's door.

"So this is Fairy Tail, huh?"

Cornelia looked at the rustic building with the FAIRY TAIL sign, her teeth clenched. She was about to see her long-missed husband...

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

As soon as Cornelia mustered the courage to open the door of Fairy Tail guild, fireworks exploded above her head.

Cornelia frowned slightly, looking up to see the entire Fairy Tail guild, hundreds of members, dressed in formal suits and ties, standing in the large hall of the guild.

"Welcome, wife of Gildarts, Cornelia Alberona, to the Fairy Tail Guild!!" they all said in unison.

"What?!"

Cornelia stared, stunned by the scene before her.

"Cornelia, how have you been all these years?!"

"I haven't been well at all, because I've missed you too much…"

Before Cornelia could gather her thoughts, Gildarts had stepped forward from the crowd, kneeling before her, holding a bouquet of beautiful roses. Words failed him, and he could only utter those simple phrases.

Though, of course, the flowers were provided by Warrod, and the sweet words by Ian…

"Gildarts…"

Cornelia looked at all that Gildarts had prepared for her, and she couldn't control her emotions any longer. Her nose tingled, and tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Cornelia…"

Gildarts stood slowly, thinking that now was the perfect moment to give Cornelia a big hug. After all, if there was one thing he knew about Cornelia, it was that she really needed a comforting embrace right now.

"Gildarts!"

Just as Cornelia was approaching as he had anticipated...

"Go to hell!"

Suddenly, Cornelia swung her fist—a fist the size of a steamed bun.

Boom!

Cornelia's punch sent Gildarts flying, crashing into the guild's bar counter.

Holding his swollen cheek in disbelief, Gildarts looked at Cornelia, "Why did you hit me, Cornelia?! No, wait, that's not the main point. The real question is, when did you get so strong? Are you a mage now too?"

"Hmm..."

"I came to Fairy Tail for three things!"

"First, to join the Fairy Tail mage guild!"

"Second, to join Fairy Tail and beat up you, you scumbag!"

"Third, to join Fairy Tail again!!"

Cornelia took a step forward, planting her foot on Gildarts' chest, growling, "I heard from Cana that you didn't even recognize her at first, that she had to tell you who she was before you figured it out. Am I right?! Tell me, how do you want to die?!"

"Uh, well…"

Gildarts' face turned stiff. He had to admit that failing to recognize Cana was indeed his mistake. To be honest, the moment he saw Cana, he felt a sense of connection with the girl, which is why he even approached her. But he simply couldn't believe that someone like him—a lousy scoundrel—could actually have such a precious child.

"Ahem..."

"Cornelia, listen to me..."

"Actually, Gildarts over these years..."

Just as Gildarts struggled to find a way to defend himself, Makarov, the guild master, stepped forward. He stood before Cornelia, coughed softly a couple of times, and was clearly about to try and mediate.

"Makarov, you better stay out of this!"

"You've already cleaned up after Gildarts' messes enough back in the day. I appreciate what you've done for my family, but not recognizing his own daughter—that's a matter of principle. There's no defending that."

Cornelia shot Makarov a glance, coldly cutting him off.

"Truly, I'm very sorry."

Upon hearing this, Makarov's confidence visibly deflated, and he bowed deeply in apology.

"Did... did Makarov, the guild master, just get forced into apologizing?!"

"Gildarts' woman really is top tier!"

The guild members were shocked by the sight of Makarov apologizing to Cornelia.

"Hey! Don't you all feel uncomfortable in those suits?!"

"Since I've decided to join Fairy Tail, of course I've done my homework on what kind of people you all are."

"Take those clothes off! Bring out the whiskey and cigars!"

After scolding Makarov, Cornelia looked up and addressed everyone in the guild, speaking loudly.

"Huh?"

For a moment, all the mages present were stunned.

"Woosh!"

Before anyone could react, Cornelia had already changed her attire. She swapped out her dress for a spicy, western-style cowgirl outfit—the same style Cana would one day wear.

"Oh!!"

Once Cornelia completed her change of clothes, the Fairy Tail guild immediately erupted in cheers.

They had confirmed it—she was one of them.

"Drink! Drink!"

"Damn! If I'd known, I wouldn't have changed!"

"Come on, let's keep gambling!"

"Cornelia really is a hero among women."

With Cornelia's words, the entire guild of Fairy Tail sprang back to life—drinking, gambling, fighting, and goofing around.

"Gildarts..."

After doing all this, Cornelia looked down at Gildarts, still lying beneath her, and smiled, "This time, you don't need to bend to my will! Let me be the one to adapt to you all~"

"Alright."

Gildarts smiled. As he smiled, tears welled up in his eyes. Cornelia was still alive. That was all that mattered.