"The Council's vote result is 6 to 4. It has been officially decided that our Fairy Tail guild will independently subdue the Dark Guild, Grimoire Heart."
Ankh and Makarov were currently inside a secret chamber.
Ankh was solemnly relaying the Council's decision based on Anselion's intelligence.
Makarov clenched his staff tightly, suppressing his emotions as he breathed heavily and said angrily.
"The Council's official summons has also just arrived. They have ordered us to send members to subdue Grimoire Heart. Failure to complete the mission will result in the forfeiture of Tenrou Island's deed as punishment."
A shameless treaty with zero room for negotiation—their goal remained Tenrou Island.
Makarov couldn't help but exert physical force, crushing his staff into splinters.
He slammed the table and roared, "Disgusting! Using such underhanded methods against our own people—does the Council have no shame?!"
"I must go to the Council and demand an explanation. I will reject this mission."
"You can't get in. The Council has completely locked down the premises, using the excuse of an important reception—envoys from the Alvarez Empire will be arriving soon for exchanges, and no outsiders are permitted." Ankh relayed the information from Anselion.
Makarov grew angrier the more he thought about it, wishing he could simply abandon his responsibilities and crush them.
The covert intelligence from Anselion was even more vile than the official orders Makarov had received—it was a malicious plan to use all of Fairy Tail's strongest combatants as sacrificial cannon fodder.
The old Council faction, the four doves, opposed this proposal, but the other councilors believed sacrificing one unruly, troublesome guild could bring immeasurable political benefits.
"What if... we have Anselion reveal his identity and eliminate those hawks?" Ankh pondered for a moment before voicing his radical idea.
Makarov sighed, his face seeming to age further. "Its useless. The Council's upper echelons are just a handful of people. If we attract higher attention and they trace it back to you, it is over."
These political troubles since returning to Earthland made Makarov feel increasingly powerless.
No matter how dissatisfied or disgusted he was with the Council, what good did it do?
What Makarov wanted was to build a Fairy Tail where children could grow under the warm sun—he couldn't possibly rebel and overthrow the Council, the leading Magic authority of the continent.
That would completely change the nature of the Fairy Tail guild into a terrorist organization.
But... such a disappointing higher organization truly made Makarov feel like turning to the dark side.
If not for the children, Makarov would likely be the first to storm the Council.
Now, burdened with responsibilities, he could only follow orders while seeking a way out for his family.
Makarov looked at Ankh and asked, "If the situation reaches its absolute most critical point, can Anselion stop the Etherion Cannon from being launched?"
"He must, even if he physically can't." Ankh nodded, his tone heavy yet utterly resolute. "When the time comes, if voting proves useless, then Anselion will expose his identity and destroy the Council, forcing them to rebuild a new one!"
"As for the consequences... we will deal with them after everyone returns safely."
Makarov silently nodded, sighing inwardly.
This was the absolute worst-case scenario.
If they could defeat Grimoire Heart without losses, coupled with the political opportunities Anselion and the doves could secure within the Council, then preserving Tenrou Island, maintaining their stance, and protecting the children—all these issues could be resolved.
Difficult hurdles must be overcome. After passing this one, it would be time to plan for Ankh's future.
Makarov glanced up at his most beloved junior, Ankh, and began calculating in his mind.
When he eventually stepped down as Guild Master, using the evidence Anselion collected about the Council harming their own, he could seek an audience with that... great senior.
Perhaps it could lead to a major, permanent reform of the Council.
Unfortunately, all this could only be considered after the Tenrou Island incident.
Makarov sat in his chair deep in thought, while Ankh rested his chin on his hand, continuously pondering the various irregularities within the Council.
He couldn't help but say, "Master, I can't shake the feeling that there is something fundamentally wrong within the Council."
Makarov snapped out of his thoughts and asked in surprise, "Within the Council? Are you saying there is a mole?"
Ankh hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm not sure either, but I just feel that Chairman Gran Doma is very suspicious. He is far too obsessed with pleasing the Alvarez Empire."
"Currently, the prevailing attitude across the entire Eastern Continent is one of deep fear and appeasement toward the forces from the Western Continent. Many major magical powers are openly or secretly making contact with the world's strongest Magical Kingdom."
Makarov let out a helpless sigh and advised.
"Ankh, I know your potential and strength, but promise me—without complete preparation, never engage in any direct conflict with the Alvarez Empire."
Ankh's eyes sharpened as he looked at Makarov with some disbelief.
Since being adopted by Makarov, this was the first time Ankh had heard such straightforward words of concession and fear from the nearly ninety-year-old man.
Ankh didn't fully understand how vast the Alvarez Empire's forces truly were, how many powerful experts they contained, or what level of combat strength they truly possessed.
Moreover, Ankh genuinely didn't think the prodigies in their own guild were inferior in any way.
But seeing the exceptionally weathered expression on Makarov's face now, he swallowed his words and instead said.
"Don't worry, Master. I know my limits."
Makarov patted Ankh's shoulder with satisfaction and began discussing the next steps.
"The Council wants us to proceed with hosting the S-Class Exam as usual to lull Grimoire Heart into complacency..."
Both Ankh and Makarov scoffed at this, knowing full well it was just a ploy by the higher-ups to gather all of Fairy Tail's top combatants in one place for a single decisive strike.
"To prevent us from playing tricks, they even went through the trouble of having Mest infiltrate us. Such painstaking efforts."
Ankh, having intercepted the Council's secret orders from Anselion in advance, couldn't help but mock the decision.
Mest was originally a true member of Fairy Tail.
After Anselion infiltrated the Council, Makarov had sent Mest to secretly assist him within their ranks.
Later, Mest seized an opportunity to infiltrate the most strictly monitored intelligence department.
To ensure absolute safety, he erased his own memories and adopted the alias Doranbolt.
Then... the Council's "geniuses" unknowingly sent Mest back to infiltrate Fairy Tail again, altering the members' memories in the process.
This layered deception completely obscured Mest's true identity from everyone except Makarov.
Makarov said helplessly, "Only the two of us know Mest's true identity. Since his current memories are still those of a loyal Council subordinate, let's avoid contacting him for now."
Ankh nodded, then couldn't resist adding, "The way he keeps tampering with his own memories... I think he is going to end up stupid one day..."
"There is no helping it. Once the Council settles down, we should find a way to bring Mest back. Staying in that Council is far too dangerous."
Ankh nodded in agreement, then suggested to Makarov.
"Since we have to hold the S-Class Exam, let's conduct the first half normally. We will stop immediately after the first round to prevent everyone from being scattered across the island."
Makarov spoke with a tinge of melancholy. "After waiting a whole year for this opportunity, only for it to turn out like this... the children will probably be very disappointed."
Ankh, however, felt an additional layer of deep worry in his heart.
'If things progress at the same pace as the original storyline, I'm afraid the Black Dragon's arrival will still be unavoidable...'
'The series of events on Tenrou Island needed to conclude as quickly as possible.'