Ultear chose a sleek black formal dress.
The straight neckline featured delicate black mesh gauze over the chest, and her usual loose hair was styled into an elegant low bun.
The cut highlighted her flawless shoulders and curves. Like a black swan, she was strikingly beautiful.
Against the dark mesh, her fair skin appeared even paler and more refined.
Erza also chose a black formal gown, though hers was accented with white cloud patterns.
A golden collar accessory covered her shoulders and collarbones.
She wore ruby pendant earrings, and her scarlet hair was tied up elegantly.
Kagura's styling was a stark departure from her usual combat gear.
Her hair was styled in large, feminine waves, falling to one side and giving her the aura of a mature beauty.
She wore a sapphire-blue halter-neck dress that showed off her graceful figure and elegant arms.
The fitted cut emphasized her slim waist, while the royal-blue color gave off a noble air. Paired with a creamy-white silk scarf and a golden bracelet, the entire outfit radiated elegance.
"Only Lisanna is left. Wait a bit," Mira answered from behind the changing screen.
Layla and Ur didn't plan to attend the banquet.
The two of them had arranged to go shopping in Crocus instead.
…
Following the royal directions, Ultear, Mira, and the others arrived at the banquet hall.
Brilliant chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, illuminating every corner of the room.
A live band dressed in sharp suits played lively music, while respectful waiters carrying silver trays moved through the aisles.
"It's gorgeous!" Wendy sighed in admiration.
She had seen concert halls on her travels, but this level of luxury was unmatched.
To the other guests, the entrance of Ultear's group was like a thunderstrike.
Because of their overwhelming performances in the Grand Magic Games, everyone knew these women were not only beautiful but also terrifyingly strong.
No one wanted to risk their lives by coming forward to strike up a conversation.
"You're all too slow," Cana smirked, already nursing a glass of red wine.
"You made it," Raizel said. Even he had to admit he was stunned, the group was a true feast for the eyes!
The guild members gradually gathered together.
"Looks like everyone is here," Ultear said, glancing around the massive hall.
"Come on, that doesn't suit you at all," Gray scoffed.
Only now did he notice that Gajeel's white formalwear was way too flashy.
"Huh? Put on a shirt before you say that!" Gajeel clenched his fist, glaring at Gray's bare chest.
"Strange. Isn't Natsu with you?" Gray asked Lucy.
"We were just in the women's changing room! How could he possibly be with me?!" Lucy tightened her fists.
They were slandering her!
"Right, now that you mention it, I don't think I've seen him this whole time," Gajeel rubbed his iron chin thoughtfully.
"A real man eats as much as he can!" Elfman roared from the buffet.
"Yeah!" Gray, standing nearby, was already holding a massive turkey leg.
"Who wants to drink with me?!" Cana yelled.
"This is Mercurius Palace. Don't act like you're at the tavern, Cana…"
"Looks like the King is pretty generous."
"Aye, sir!" The three Exceeds had also changed into miniature suits to attend the banquet.
Makarov gathered with his old friends Yajima, Goldmine, Bob, and Porlyusica.
"I never dreamed there'd come a day when I'd step inside the King's castle," Goldmine chuckled.
"Looks like there are benefits to living a long life, hahaha!" Makarov laughed.
...
Jura came to find Raizel
After nodding apologetically to Ultear and the others, he brought Raizel to a quiet corner.
The two of them interacted as peers.
Originally, Jura wanted to find Laxus, but the moment he approached, Jenny puffed her cheeks and glared at him so fiercely that his scalp tingled, forcing him to withdraw.
"I followed Richard and the others on two missions," Jura began. "They completed them well, and the Council is satisfied. Sorano and Cobra are cooperating with the Council's operations too. I think it won't be long before their records are cleared."
"That's good news. Yukino and Wally will be happy," Raizel nodded. "Mr. Richard asked me a question. He's considering joining the Council's army, and he wanted to hear your thoughts. What do you think, Jura?"
Jura shook his bald head. "I'm not optimistic about their prospects in the Council."
"I feel the same," Raizel agreed. "No matter their reasons, they still have past criminal records. In the Council, they'd face discrimination or unfair treatment. Once their names are cleared, I have a good place I can recommend to them."
Jura thought for a moment. "Could it be… Dawn Star?"
The fact that Jellal and Meredy had established the independent guild Dawn Star was an open secret among the higher-ups.
"That's right. It's a good place for them. Jellal will lead them well." Jellal was the model example of someone escaping the darkness to walk in the light.
"I understand. I'll pass that on," Jura smiled.
...
While Raizel and Jura chatted, a green-haired girl wearing a fluffy white formal dress decorated with green cloud patterns walked toward Lucy, who was eating heartily.
Princess Hisui E. Fiore.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Lucy." Hisui raised her hand in greeting.
"You are?" Lucy blinked.
"I'm Hisui E. Fiore."
"Fiore… You're the princess?!" Lucy panicked, her posture stiffening.
"There's no need to be so polite," Hisui smiled, folding her hands. "Just call me Hisui. I'm also a Celestial Spirit Mage. I loved your performance in the Grand Magic Games, and I wanted to become friends."
After chatting for a bit, Hisui looked around. "I received a great deal of help from your father, Mr. Jude. Oh, right. Did that cherry-blossom-haired boy not come with you today?"
Lucy turned her head, searching the crowd. "Now that you mention it, I don't know where he went either."
...
"Look! Yukino! Sherria!" Wendy, Sherria, and Yukino's eyes locked onto a delicate dessert that looked crystal clear, like a shimmering jewel.
"It's so pretty! I wonder what it tastes like." Sherria wiped her mouth.
"No time like the present. Let's try it!" The three scooped up small pieces with their spoons and took a bite.
"Delicious!!!"
"It looks tasty…" a familiar voice drifted into Wendy and Yukino's ears.
Mavis was staring at the dessert with an entranced, starry-eyed expression.
"First Master!" Wendy and Yukino panicked.
"Is something wrong?" Sherria looked confused as her friends spoke to thin air.
"N-No, it's nothing," Wendy shook her head.
They forgot that only Fairy Tail members could see the First Master.
"I want to eat some too…" Mavis pressed her finger to her lips, smacking them.
"Please endure it, First Master. You're a ghost," Wendy whispered.
"Oh right, have you seen Natsu-san?"
"No," Mavis answered, her bright eyes still locked firmly on the dessert.
Sherria suddenly felt the temperature drop.
The moment Wendy stopped paying attention, Mavis had slipped right beside Sherria and was drooling over the sweet in her hand.
If Sherria could see her, she'd see a girl with waist-length blonde hair standing on tiptoe, staring longingly at her food!
...
"Natsu is missing?" Ultear's group discussed the mystery.
"It's strange. He didn't say where he was going, did he?" Erza rested her chin on her hand, puzzled.
"He wouldn't be planning some secret operation, would he?" Kagura frowned.
"Well… it's not impossible," Mira smiled. Knowing Natsu, the probability was high.
"If Natsu were here, he'd already be making a huge fuss, right?" Evergreen spread her hands.
"Laxus-sama~" Jenny hugged Laxus's arm.
"Hey! You're too close!" Freed wanted to blow a whistle and issue a red card for charging.
But he didn't drive Jenny away.
He knew that letting Jenny cling to Laxus kept the rest of the thirsty crowd of beautiful women at bay.
If its one person, Freed could keep an eye on!
Sting carried a wine glass around, searching everywhere. "Natsu-san! Come have a drink!"
For a while, wizards from several major guilds were all looking for traces of the Fire Dragon.
"Mr. Raizel, Mr. Jura, have you seen Natsu?"
"No." Raizel and Jura shook their heads in perfect sync.
They had been asked so many times that they automatically shook their heads whenever someone approached.
"Happy, where did Natsu go?" Erza asked the Exceed.
"I don't know either." Happy spread his paws. "He came to the palace with me, but after we got inside, he mumbled something and ran off."
Sting practically turned the banquet hall upside down trying to find his idol.
He almost started arguing with a group of knights, and just as things were about to devolve into a full-blown banquet brawl...
...
"Everyone!" Arcadios, standing on the second-floor balcony, knocked his sword against the marble floor, stopping the commotion.
"To reward everyone for your wonderful performances in the Grand Magic Games, His Majesty will now address you! Please listen carefully!"
The heavy mahogany doors to the second-floor passage slowly opened.
The quiet banquet hall was filled with the sound of footsteps.
When the crowd saw the so-called "King," their jaws dropped to the floor.
Wearing a glittering crown, draped in a heavy red royal cape, and dressed in Toma's oversized blue-and-white formal outfit—King Natsu appeared.
Behind him, the tournament mascot, Mato the pumpkin head, kept trying to jump up to snatch the crown back.
"Give it back to me, kabo!"
Minister of Defense Darton stared, his soul leaving his body.
In response, King Natsu delivered his highly anticipated royal speech.
"Everyone here... relax as much as you want!" Natsu put his hands on his hips and laughed wildly, echoing through the silent hall.
"What!!!"
"I'm His Majesty the King! I've become king! Hahaha!"
Ultear, Erza, and the rest of the guild covered their faces with their hands, trying to pretend they didn't know this idiot.
Raizel, on the other hand, was having a great time watching the show.
Toma wouldn't care about this anyway.
"Croix Knights! Garou Knights… get him!" Arcadios ordered.
The knights froze.
'We can't beat him. Please find someone more capable!'
All the members of the Royal Knights tacitly took several steps back.
Having seen Natsu hit 9999 on the MPF and obliterate Jiemma, they had a very clear understanding of their own strength.
Makarov felt his remaining hair trying to escape his scalp.
Writing formal apology letters to the Crown cost too many brain cells!
"Give it back, kabo."
"What's the big deal? We won the championship! Let me be king for a bit!" Natsu yelled.
"You're all my subordinates!"
"You've gone way too far with this!" Lucy sighed, putting her hands on her hips.
The farce ended fairly quickly, with Natsu getting bored and returning the oversized clothes to a pouting Toma.
And with that chaotic, boisterous night, the Grand Magic Games officially came to an end.