Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 399: Fairy Tail Guild’s Eternal Guild Master

”Since I inherited the position of Guild Master of Fairy Tail from my mother, then I must shoulder the responsibility of being Fairy Tailʼs Guild Master. I must make my motherʼs guild bigger and stronger! I must make Fairy Tailʼs flag hang all over the entire world...”

August stood with his hands behind his back. He looked at the flag rising in the plaza of the Alvarez Empire on the Western Continent, printed with the Fairy Tail Guild emblem and representing the Fairy Tail Guild. The corners of his mouth rose, and he sighed emotionally in his heart.

At this moment, there was only one phrase in Augustʼs mind: bigger and stronger!

On the continent of Ishgar, in a certain silent and deserted deep mountain, the sound of footsteps suddenly came, breaking the long-standing silence of this deep mountain. A young man with short black hair walked gently through this darkness where one could not see their fingers before their hand. The young man seemed like the incarnation of the night, blending into darkness, symbolizing darkness. He was darkness itself.

”Mm?!”

Suddenly, the young man felt something in his heart. He raised his head and looked toward the sky.

”Haha, I wonder what Evan is doing? Presumably, he is working hard for our dream, right?”

”Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I returned to the empire to see August and the others. Presumably, August is working hard to develop the Alvarez Empire for me, and the Spriggan 12 are also doing their utmost to protect the empire, right?!”

The young man looked at the sky as though he had thought of something. He revealed a smile and muttered to himself.

”Looks like I must continue working hard too. Just a little more. Iʼm just a little away from finding those ʼgodsʼ who left this world!”

”God Ankhseram, you had better hide properly and obediently wait for me to come find you~”

As the young man spoke, his figure continued forward and gradually disappeared into the darkness. His heart was firm, only for the sake of taking revenge against those high and mighty gods.

The young man was named Zeref. He was the author of the Books of Zeref, the demonic books that ravaged the continent, the greatest Black Wizard in the world, the origin of countless black magic, and his strength was unfathomable, comparable to the abyss of magic...

As for the two people Zeref had always been thinking about, Evan and August, one was his collaborator and also his confidant, a comrade committed together with him to finding the gods and defeating them!

The other was the one he personally appointed to help him protect his empire, the guardian deity of the country he had built on a sudden whim, and also the Regent of the empire he had established, the Alvarez Empire.

In Zerefʼs view, with these two capable assistants, even a great god could be dragged down from the sky.

After all, in this world, no one stood in the heavens from the very beginning, and those high and mighty gods were somewhat too arrogant~

Just as Boss Zeref was working seriously...

Inside the Fairy Tail Guild, it was bustling with excitement. Today, Fairy Tail had a major announcement to make...

”Everyone, I have something very important to announce to you all!”

”Starting today, I will step down from the position of Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild.”

”And our Mage Guild Fairy Tail will also officially welcome a brand-new Guild Master~”

Makarov stood on the guildʼs podium, his face glowing red. The moment he thought that he could finally step down from this position, he felt incomparably excited.

”Eh? The old man is retiring?”

”Clearly, Grandpa Guild Master should still be able to work for several more decades!”

Natsu stood below the podium. After hearing Makarovʼs words, his brows furrowed tightly.

Natsu had already grown used to the Fairy Tail Guild with Makarov serving as Guild Master.

He had also grown used to the daily routine of running to Makarov to report the situation as soon as he completed a quest, then being scolded harshly by Makarov...

Honestly speaking, Natsu found it somewhat difficult to accept someone else serving as the Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild.

”Huh? You still want this old man to continue serving as Guild Master for several more decades? What kind of demon are you? Spare me already! This old man has already worked for a full forty-four years. Do you know how this old man has lived through these forty-four years?”

”To be honest, several years ago, this old man already broke the record of the previous Guild Master, Senior Precht, during his tenure!”

”I am already tired enough. I still have many things I want to do. It is also time to retire and enjoy my old age...”

After hearing Natsuʼs words, Makarov revealed a disgusted expression. He really was somewhat too tired. Since the Fairy Tail Guild was founded in X686, a full ninety-four years had already passed, and it had gone through three Guild Masters. During the vast majority of that time, he, Makarov, had been serving as the Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild.

”Sigh, am I finally going to say goodbye to this guild?”

Makarov recalled his childhood. From the moment he was born, he had always lived in this guild.

From youth to young adulthood, then to middle age, then to old age, Makarovʼs entire life seemed inseparably connected to Fairy Tail. He was also one of the members of the Fairy Tail Guild who had the deepest feelings for the guild!

And now, Makarov only wanted to learn from his senior Precht, go outside properly, and personally see this world that had been changed by the man he respected!

Thinking of this, Makarov revealed a smile. Although he was somewhat unable to part with his children, it was also time to say goodbye to the position of Guild Master.

”In short, you brats, during the days when I am not here, you absolutely must not cause trouble for the new Guild Master! You must remember that this world is very large. Do not always look down from above and think you are the strongest. Being too proud and complacent will make you suffer losses outside...”

”Choose quests carefully. Do not choose quests you cannot complete. Before completing a quest, remember to register at the quest registration desk. After completing a quest, you must go tell your new Guild Master that you have returned safely, so he does not worry...”

”When you encounter troublesome matters or difficult problems you cannot solve, never force yourself. If you have any trouble, remember to return to the guild and find your companions to solve it! No matter what grievances you suffer outside, the guild will shelter you from the wind and rain...”

”Please remember this. This guild is called Fairy Tail. As long as someone bears this mark, no matter where we are, our hearts will always be connected. We are mages of Fairy Tail! We are family...”

”And also, also...”

When Makarov spoke up to this point, his eyes were already blurred, and rolling tears flowed from his eye sockets.

Makarov knew he could no longer speak. He did not say anything more and directly raised his right hand high, his right index finger pointing toward the sky.

”...”

For a moment, all the mages inside the entire Fairy Tail Guild raised their right hands in unison. Within the orderly guild, it seemed as though waves of music sounded, singing praises of the inheritance of the mages of Fairy Tail and their connected hearts...

”Old man.”

Laxus pursed his lips. He stood below the podium, his eyes carrying a few traces of mist as he forcefully held back his tears.

”Wuwuwu...”

”Grandpa Guild Master...”

Beside Laxus, the three members of the Thunder God Tribe, Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow, were already crying so hard that they could not speak.

It was not only the three members of the Thunder God Tribe. At this moment, below Makarov, all the mages who had the Fairy Tail Guild emblem tattooed on their bodies were already crying so hard that they could not speak.

Although Makarov was stingy, lecherous, loved pranks, and liked fooling around!

He had always played the role of everyoneʼs father in the guild, sheltering the mages of the guild from the wind and rain.

The mages of the Fairy Tail Guild knew that as long as Makarov was in the guild, no matter what injuries they suffered outside or what problems they encountered, they did not care, because they knew that as long as they returned to the guild, Makarov would naturally think of a way to solve them.

And now, this man who had always played the role of their father was also going to leave!

They understood clearly in their hearts that children would eventually grow up, and fathers would always grow old.

”Old man, donʼt leave. Continue serving as Guild Master!”

Natsu was straightforward. He said whatever came to mind. Since he hoped Makarov could stay, he would not hesitate and directly looked at Makarov as he requested.

”Natsu, donʼt be willful! The old man also has his own things to do! We cannot be too selfish, too willful...”

Gray looked at Natsu beside him, who had directly spoken what was in his heart, and frowned, lightly scolding him.

However, although Gray was scolding Natsu with his mouth, what Gray thought and hoped in his heart was exactly the same as what Natsu said.

He also hoped Makarov could stay and continue serving as Guild Master in the Fairy Tail Guild.

”Gray...”

Natsuʼs eyes carried dissatisfaction toward Gray, but he knew that what Gray said was the truth. Their Grandpa Guild Master had ultimately grown old and could no longer withstand their torment.

”Everyone, I truly thank you for your love and respect for me. I also very much want to continue staying together with you. But as you gradually grow, I increasingly feel that my heart is willing but my strength is lacking. However, remember this: the path of magic has no end. Your future will never stop because you lose anyone. The next guild, the next future, belongs to you young people...”

Makarov gritted his teeth. How much he wished he could happily live forever and ever with these children of his. But he truly had the heart but lacked the strength. As the strong people in the guild became more and more numerous, the things Makarov could do became fewer and fewer. And the thing that truly made Makarov resolve to step down from the position of Fairy Tail Guild Master was because of his grandson, Laxus.

The matter began when Laxus was dissatisfied with his own strength and asked Makarov about the three great magics inherited by the Fairy Tail Guild. After Laxus repeatedly begged him, Makarov finally decided to teach Laxus the Fairy Tail Guildʼs super judgment magic, Fairy Law, which he had inherited from Precht...

And it was precisely when Makarov was teaching Laxus one of Fairy Tailʼs Three Great Magics, Fairy Law, that he shockingly discovered that his grandsonʼs strength had unknowingly already surpassed his. This made Makarov feel incomparably shocked! One must know that his grandson was still young, and his future was limitless. He would only become stronger and stronger, while he... had grown old.

After Makarov realized that his strength was no longer enough to shelter the children in the guild from the wind and rain, he finally made a decision. He decided to find a Guild Master for the youths of the Fairy Tail Guild who was powerful enough to shelter them from the wind and rain. And this Guild Master was...

”Grandpa Guild Master!”

”Guild Master!”

”Grandpa!”

As Makarovʼs words fell, throughout the entire Fairy Tail Guild, the mages of Fairy Tail all clenched their teeth. They forcefully held back the tears that kept circling in their eyes and called out to Makarov, affectionately calling Makarov Grandpa Guild Master.

”The newly appointed Guild Master of Fairy Tail is none other than Mr. August, who achieved victory with overwhelming strength in our Fairy Tail Guildʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial last year!”

Makarov took a deep breath, then announced in front of the mages who would serve as the next Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild.

”What? You said the new Guild Master is Mr. August...”

As Makarovʼs words fell, the entire Fairy Tail Guild became incomparably quiet.

That instant of silence was as though even the sound of a needle falling to the ground at this moment could be heard by everyone.

”If itʼs Mr. August, then itʼs not impossible...”

”Thatʼs right! Thatʼs right! Guild Master, just go do your own things with peace of mind! I think Mr. August can definitely do better than you~”

The Fairy Tail members who had originally been unable to help questioning the next Guild Master of Fairy Tail immediately breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Makarov announce that the next Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild was August. They relaxed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

At this moment, the Fairy Tail members who had originally been persuading Makarov to continue serving as Guild Master in the Fairy Tail Guild all spoke lightly in front of Makarov one by one.

The words spoken by those Fairy Tail members sounded as though they were constantly urging Makarov to do something, as though these Fairy Tail members hoped Makarov could quickly leave the guild.

”You bastards, give me back the emotion I felt just now!”

After hearing the words of the brats in the Fairy Tail Guild, the corner of Makarovʼs eye twitched, and he roared almost violently at the guild members before him.

Of course, Makarov knew that the reason these brats deliberately pretended to be relaxed and said these irritating words was only because they wanted him to leave the guild without any burden...

”Old man, when youʼre outside, when youʼre alone outside, donʼt, donʼt...”

Natsu cried so hard that he could not speak. His eyes were filled with tears, his mouth was wide open, and he could not say a single sentence for a long time.

”Natsu!”

Makarov looked at Natsu, his heart filled with emotion and complexity.

Although Natsu had only come to the guild for less than two and a half years, his feelings with him were incomparably deep.

”Old man, donʼt die!”

Just as Makarov silently waited for Natsu to prepare his words...

Natsu suddenly inhaled deeply, then roared at Makarov.

”I really thank you!”

The corner of Makarovʼs eye twitched. He knew Natsu could not say anything good.

However, Makarov did not blame Natsu. Some words did not need to be said too much. As long as the feelings were there, that was enough.

”Cough cough. Since Guild Master Makarov, Senior Makarov, has already said almost everything, please allow me to say a few words...”

Just as Makarov still held the microphone and wanted to say something, Augustʼs figure suddenly arrived in front of Makarov and snatched the microphone from Makarovʼs hand.

”Uh...”

This made all the mages of the Fairy Tail Guild, including Makarov, freeze.

They seemed not to have expected that this new Guild Master appointed by Makarov would actually be so domineering! Without waiting for the former Guild Master to finish speaking, he began driving people away...

”This...”

For a moment, Makarov was somewhat hesitant. He was thinking about whether he had chosen the wrong successor.

”Sigh, forget it. Since I have already chosen, I cannot change anything now. I hope I will not regret todayʼs choice.”

Makarov wanted to say something, but in the end, he still sighed. In fact, he had already racked his brains over the matter of a successor. For this, he had even asked the opinions of Fairy Tailʼs First Guild Master, Mavis, and the Second Guild Master, Precht. In the end, whether it was Mavis or Precht, both of them gave their approval regarding August serving as Fairy Tailʼs Guild Master...

Regarding this, Makarov no longer said anything more. Since his seniors had spoken, he would just silently support it.

”You presumably already know that starting today, I, August, am the Guild Master of Fairy Tail!”

”I myself do not say much nonsense. I will only announce one thing here, and that is, starting today! The Fairy Tail Guild will be decided by me, August! What you need is obedience, obedience, and still obedience...”

August possessed authority without anger. His terrifying magic power made the mages of the entire guild feel as though they were about to suffocate.

However, Augustʼs words made the mages inside the guild feel incomparably disgusted...

”This guild is no longer Fairy Tail.”

Natsu glared furiously at August even more, and as he spoke, he was about to make a move and beat up this arrogant nephew of his.

”August!”

At this moment, even Makarov could no longer tolerate it. He had not even left yet! Was this August already so arrogant? He simply did not put him in his eyes.

”Makarov, shut up. You are no longer Fairy Tailʼs Guild Master now! I am the Guild Master. The entire guild is decided by me, and my orders must be obeyed even by you, Makarov...”

August glared furiously at Makarov. His gaze was cold, like a Demon King.

”August...”

As Augustʼs words fell, the entire Fairy Tail Guild seemed to explode. The mages who had the Fairy Tail mark on their bodies all protected Makarov one after another, as though they were ready to risk their lives against August at any moment.

”Hmph~”

Regarding this, August merely snorted with incomparable disdain.

”Then I will now begin announcing my first order after becoming the Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild!”

”Former Guild Master of Fairy Tail, Makarov, receive your order...”

August used magic power to blast away the members protecting Makarov, then pulled Makarov before him.

”You must pay the price for contradicting the Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild, which is me!”

”So I order you, starting today, your qualification for retirement is revoked. You will serve as Acting Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild, enjoying the same authority as the Guild Master, but you are not allowed to revoke your own position until you succeed as Fairy Tailʼs Fifth Guild Master...”

Just as Makarov felt Augustʼs magic power, his expression shocked and his face pale.

August suddenly revealed a kindly smile and looked at Makarov as he spoke.

”Eh!?”

For a moment, Makarov froze directly in place.

”Bang! Bang! Bang!!”

”Congratulations to Makarov for becoming Fairy Tailʼs Acting Guild Master!!”

At the very instant Augustʼs words fell, the Fairy Tail Guild members, who had originally looked nervous, all pulled out the banquet poppers they had prepared in advance and fired them into the sky.

”Eh?!”

At this moment, even if Makarov was stupid, he had reacted. He had been schemed against by the brats in the guild.

These brats had long calculated his destination. Just now, they had been acting along with him~

”Congratulations! Makarov! You have finally become the Guild Master of Fairy Tail again~”

August walked up to Makarov with a smile and spoke softly to him.

”So I was busy for so long, found so many people, investigated, asked around, all just to find a good successor, but in the end, it was only you and me exchanging positions?!”

For a moment, Makarov felt somewhat stifled. He had already regretted passing the position of Fairy Tail Guild Master to August. Now that it had been passed back and forth, in the end, it had returned to him again. His heart was tired~

”Guild Master, just prepare yourself to work in Fairy Tail for the rest of your life~”

At this time, Evan, who had planned everything and was the absolute mastermind behind the scenes, ran up to Makarov and spoke with a smile.

How could Evan possibly let Makarov run away?

Makarov was to the Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild...

Like Kagura was to the number one seed of Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial~

Cough cough, of course, Kagura still had hope of passing the trial. Believe that in the near future, Kagura-chan definitely can...

As for Makarov, he did not have such good luck~

”I knew it was you, Evan, playing tricks!”

The instant Makarov saw Evan, he understood everything.

Since no one wanted the position of Guild Master, then do not blame him for holding it until death!