Chapter 78: The Council of the Ten Great Saint Wizards Begins! Ian: Let's Show the Council Who's Boss!

Before you could blink, the moment had come!

Right after Makarov publicly announced that the Council of the Ten Great Saint Wizards would be held at the Magic Council and that he, alongside Warrod, would be attending, he handed over the guild's operations to the First Guild Master, Mavis. With that settled, everyone left the guild and set off on the journey together…

Inside the Carriage.

"So, Master, Gildarts and I aren't exactly Saint Wizards. What exactly are we going to the Magic Council meeting for?!"

Ian lounged comfortably on a luxurious leather sofa, eyeing Makarov, sitting across from him, with curiosity.

Indeed, it hadn't been long after Makarov announced this, when he had both Ian and Gildarts fooled into climbing into the carriage destined for the Magic Council.

"That question is best left to Warrod to explain!"

Makarov himself wasn't quite sure how to put it…

He couldn't possibly say that the reason they brought along Ian and Gildarts, who weren't members of the "Ten Saints," was to show off the incredible strength of Fairy Tail, both to the Magic Council and the other Saint Wizards, could he?

That explanation would be far too crude…

So, Makarov left the job of explaining the purpose of the trip to Warrod, the master of conversational finesse.

"The purpose of this trip is actually quite simple!"

"We are primarily going to demonstrate Fairy Tail's power to the Magic Council and the other Saint Wizards on the continent."

Warrod spoke plainly without any hesitation.

"Just like that…"

"Warrod, you're really saying it straight."

"No fancy words, no beating around the bush…"

Makarov was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected Warrod to not even bother putting on a facade and just outright tell Ian and Gildarts the real reason for the trip.

"Got it, so basically, we're going to flex, right?"

Ian came to an understanding and looked at Warrod for confirmation.

"Exactly."

Warrod nodded slightly in agreement.

"In simple terms…"

"Ian and I are basically the guild's muscle for this trip, right?!"

Gildarts summed it up more directly.

"You could put it that way."

Warrod thought for a moment and found Gildarts' description quite apt.

"Well, that makes things easy."

With Warrod's confirmation, Ian and Gildarts exchanged glances, sharing confident smiles. There was no need to say more; when it came to fighting, they had no rivals on the continent of Ishgar.

"Hey, wait a second…"

"If it's just about showing off, I don't think there's any reason you need Ian or Gildarts for that. I could handle it just fine myself."

Suddenly, Ur interrupted their conversation, feeling as though she was being underestimated.

"With my current power…"

"I don't think I'd lose to Wolfheim or Hyberion."

"If it's just a show of force, Ian and Gildarts shouldn't even need to lift a finger."

As she spoke, a terrifying chill surged from within her, causing the entire carriage to grow cold, a layer of frost forming outside.

"Sigh…"

"Ur, calm down."

"It's not quite the situation you're imagining…"

Makarov looked at Ur with a hint of helplessness in his gaze.

"Calm down? How can I calm down?"

Ur frowned slightly, questioning.

"There's one crucial thing, Ur. You need to be mentally prepared. We're going to the Council knowing they might see us as a threat and try to put us in our place."

"In fact, the entire purpose of this 'Saints' meeting might be to humble us, Fairy Tail."

Makarov looked at Ur, his expression somewhat resigned.

"What? Why?"

Ur didn't understand. In her opinion, Fairy Tail had been pretty low-key for the past year.

"The answer is simple…"

"Fairy Tail has simply become too powerful."

"A single guild with three 'Saint Wizards.'"

"Two of whom are among the Four Gods of Ishgar."

"And Master Makarov, arguably the strongest right below them…"

"Honestly, our current lineup threatens the balance of power on the continent, making even the Magic Council uneasy."

Before Makarov could answer, Ian had already summed up the current predicament of Fairy Tail.

"So, you're saying the Council will try to deal with us, Ian?"

Ur began to calm down as she questioned Ian.

"Yes." Ian nodded, facing Ur, and continued, "The Council will find every possible way, during this 'Saints' meeting, to weaken our guild's power!"

"I suspect the Council will try to keep Warrod secluded and find a way to make you, Ur, leave Fairy Tail."

"At the same time, they'll look for a powerful opponent within Fiore to challenge us, diverting the Master's focus."

"All of this to counter our overwhelming dominance."

Ian detailed his suspicions of the Council's scheming to everyone in the carriage.

"How do you know…"

"How the Council would plan to deal with Fairy Tail?!"

After Ian finished speaking, everyone fell silent, seemingly shocked by Ian's sharp political insight.

"Because, if I were on the Council, I'd definitely take this approach to limit Fairy Tail's power…"

Ian laughed, speaking proudly.

"Ian, you're truly devious!"

Everyone in the carriage agreed, almost impressed by his line of reasoning.

"But what does all this have to do with me not getting to show my strength?"

Ur spoke up again, still unclear about the direct impact Ian's analysis had on her.

"Ur, are you serious?"

Ian sighed, looking at Ur with a hint of sympathy.

"Huh? You're the silly one…"

Ur's face flushed as she shot back.

"I already said, Ur, you're a major target for the Council…"

"After all, no matter what, Master Makarov and Warrod are both getting on in years; their era is over."

"But you, Ur, are different!"

"Not only are you strong, you've reached the level of the inhuman. And you're still young, with limitless potential ahead."

"People see you as the future number one Saint."

Ian paused there.

"Um, thank you for the compliment."

"I'm not really that great…"

Ur, blushing furiously, was clearly embarrassed by Ian's praise.

"So, if I were a Council member…"

"I'd find ways to go after the biggest threat in Fairy Tail—you, Ur!"

"Once you're dealt with, Makarov and Warrod wouldn't be much of a threat. The real question is how the Council would target you."

"I'd say there's an eighty percent chance that someone from the Saints will provoke you, and the moment you retaliate, they'll use the 'no infighting among the Saints' rule to detain you."

Ian said this calmly, as if he had already seen through the Council's tricks.

"If they want to detain me, let them!"

"What could they possibly do to me?"

Ur was unconcerned, never considering the Council a serious threat.

"They may not harm you, but they'll exaggerate whatever you do, spreading twisted stories across the continent to damage Fairy Tail's reputation and morale."

"It's all part of their effort to undermine our standing in Ishgar! Though, to be fair, Fairy Tail's reputation wasn't all that great to begin with…"

"Once they've done that, they'll try to manipulate you into believing that the guild's damaged reputation is all your fault and convince you that joining the Council is the best way to help Fairy Tail."

"They might even offer you a seat in the Council, convincing you to leave Fairy Tail for the 'greater good.'"

"And once you've left, they'll have a pretext to strike at Fairy Tail's morale once again! Meanwhile, they'll push Warrod to continue his seclusion…"

"Finally, they'll bring in another guild with a Saint Wizard, one that already has a bone to pick with us, to challenge us in Fiore. Once that happens, they'll consider their job done."

Ian laid bare every little scheme of the Council.

"This…"

With Ian's words hanging in the air, the entire carriage fell silent.

"Ian, you really nailed it…"

"Even I hadn't thought that far."

Makarov looked at Ian, admiration clear in his gaze.

"But what does all this have to do with the Master and Warrod bringing you and Gildarts along for the trip?"

Ur licked her dry lips, her gaze dropping as she questioned Ian again.

"Haha…"

"Because Gildarts and I aren't Saints, we don't care much for formalities, and we've never been concerned about our reputations!"

Ian laughed, folding his arms smugly, "To put it simply, Gildarts and I don't have to follow the Council's rules. To us, they're nothing! We can fight whoever we want, whenever we want in Ishgar."

"The Council has always wanted to humble Fairy Tail—but we reject and disrespect that! We're about to give them a taste of their own medicine, let them know who's really in charge in Ishgar…"

Ian spoke in a way that suggested he was the true boss.

Indeed, the Magic Council was the challenger, and Fairy Tail was the embodiment of order!

Ian aimed to flip the narrative.

"Wow…"

Ur was genuinely impressed.

But she found herself drawn to Ian's complete disregard for the Council's authority—a quality she really admired.

How she wished she could be as defiant as Ian and Gildarts.

Since when did being unreasonable become a good thing?

"Exactly!"

Makarov laughed, saying matter-of-factly.

Indeed, Ian and Gildarts were there as enforcers—in the best sense of the word!

You have to remember, the "Saints" were officially recognized as the strongest ten wizards in Ishgar by the Magic Council!

But if this very group of recognized Saints was beaten by people who weren't even considered Saints?

It would be a slap in the face, not just to the Saints but to the Magic Council itself. They'd have to take it quietly.

After all, if they admitted that the Saints had been defeated, it would mean that the Council's rankings were flawed and that the Saints weren't invincible.

If they didn't admit it, the Saints would have taken that beating for nothing.

Either way, the Council would lose.

"I see now."

Ur finally understood Makarov and Warrod's plan.

She had to admit, although she had caught up to, or even surpassed, Makarov in magic, when it came to cunning, she was still miles behind the old man…

This old guy—he was really something!

Elsewhere, at the Magic Council.

"Rest assured, Chairman Crawford Seam…"

"I, Jose Porla, will thoroughly destroy Fairy Tail!"

One of the Ten Wizard Saints, Master Jose Porla of the Phantom Lord Guild, bowed deeply to the man in front of him, speaking in an elegant tone.

"Oh ho ho…"

"That's why I trust you, Jose. With your promise, I am reassured."

Chairman Crawford nodded at Jose with a smile, before turning and striding away.

After Crawford left, the previously smiling Jose Porla suddenly dropped his expression, his face twisted in anger.

"Fairy Tail! And Makarov! Our grudge isn't over yet!"

Yes, this twisted hypocrite was none other than Jose Porla, Master of the Phantom Lord Guild.

Last year, at a meeting of guild masters, Jose had gotten into a heated argument with Makarov while drunk, which ended with Makarov beating him senseless.

Now, Jose and his Phantom Lord Guild had been chosen by the Council to counter Fairy Tail and weaken its power.

At the Same Time…

The current number one Saint Wizard of Ishgar, Hyberion, and the second-ranked Saint Wizard, Wolfheim, were also summoned by Chairman Crawford and other council members. The council members had requested, in rather indirect terms, that Hyberion and Wolfheim help them with a "small favor."

"Hey, Hyberion, what do you think the Council means by all this? Should we help them or not?"

Wearing a simple beret, a light vest, floral-patterned trousers, and old-fashioned reading glasses, Wolfheim had his hands behind his back and was pondering whether to assist the Council in dealing with Fairy Tail.

"Heh…"

"So the Council wants us to convince Warrod to stay secluded, like we have been?"

With his hair neatly combed, dressed in a black coat reminiscent of a 19th-century nobleman's attire, Hyberion appeared like a vampire out of a storybook. He held a wine glass filled with… milk, and his expression was calm yet severe.

"I honestly think it's unnecessary."

"The Council's worries about Fairy Tail are completely unfounded. We both know Warrod's character better than anyone…"

"And Ur is a good kid."

Hyberion paused as he raised the glass to his lips, savoring the fresh, creamy milk.

Yes, Hyberion was a practitioner of vampiric magic…

The kind of magic that allowed him to drain others without needing physical contact—indirect vampirism. As for why Hyberion drank milk? Perhaps it was because milk was, in a way, a form of animal essence.

"In that case, let's just sit back and watch."

Wolfheim yawned, finally making up his mind.

Honestly, Wolfheim wasn't eager to assist those pompous fools in the Council, especially considering his explosive temper and less-than-friendly relationship with most council members.

After Hyberion and Wolfheim made up their minds, they headed toward the Saints' meeting room and took their seats, awaiting the arrival of the other Saint Wizards.

Creak…

Soon enough, the door swung open with a push, and the first to enter the meeting room was Jose Porla, who was already at the Council.

When he stepped in and saw that Hyberion and Wolfheim were already there, his eyes lit up.

"Ah-ha!"

"Aren't you Hyberion and Wolfheim?!"

"It's been such a long time! I'm Jose Porla, master of the Phantom Lord Guild."

Jose's harsh demeanor shifted, replaced by a sycophantic smile as he bowed deeply to Hyberion and Wolfheim.

"Hmm."

Hyberion and Wolfheim merely nodded slightly in response, acknowledging Jose.

At their level, they could discern someone's true character just by sensing the faint magic they inadvertently exuded.

Thus, when Jose entered, the nauseatingly thick magic he radiated was immediately detected by both Hyberion and Wolfheim… They knew exactly what kind of person Jose was.

"Heh…"

Even after being ignored by Hyberion and Wolfheim, Jose didn't seem too upset…

When the gap in strength is too significant, you just stop feeling angry about things.

Seeing they didn't want to interact, Jose found himself a seat, sitting down with closed eyes to rest, just like Hyberion and the others.

And just like that…

Time passed, minute by minute.

About an hour later…

The grand doors of the meeting room burst open once again.

With the doors cracked slightly open!

Although the people outside had yet to enter, several formidable auras of magic had already seeped through the gap, sweeping through the room filled with Saints.

"What the…?!"

Wolfheim frowned as he noticed his glass had been frozen.

"Heh."

Hyberion, meanwhile, protected his glass of milk with his magic, keeping it at an appropriate temperature even amidst the freezing atmosphere. He took a sip, remarking softly, "Looks like the main players are here."

Boom!

With an explosion of violent magic, their aura sweeping through the faces of each of the "Saints," Warrod Sequen, Makarov Dreyar, Ur Milkovich, Gildarts Clive, and Ian entered the meeting room together.

"Makarov, how dare you! You're far too arrogant…"

"Not only are you late to the Saints' meeting, but you've also brought outsiders to a gathering meant solely for the Ten Saints?!"

"Do you even respect the rules of the Magic Council?!"

"Do you respect Hyberion and Wolfheim, the first and second of the Saints?!"

Jose finally found his opportunity to shine. He stood up, pointing directly at Makarov, shouting furiously.

At this moment, Jose was brimming with confidence, believing he had rallied the two senior Saints to his side.

But unfortunately for Jose, the expressions on Hyberion and Wolfheim's faces showed nothing but disdain. They were neutral—they didn't want to be bothered!

"Huh?"

"Is this not a Saints' meeting?"

"Why do I hear a dog barking?"

Fairy Tail's famously high EQ Ian looked around the room, then asked in confusion.