At that moment, in front of Mavis's grave, the adorable fairy guild master was so angry she was practically hopping like a mad bunny!
"There's nothing we can do. We didn't expect this either."
Facing the anxious Mavis, Makarov spread his hands helplessly.
They truly had no way of predicting this.
Who could have imagined that Grimoire Heart would suddenly come to attack Tenrou Island?
Had anyone other than Marco been the one to say it, Makarov definitely would not have believed it.
But since it was Marco, he had no choice but to believe it.
"Damn it! We have to teach them a lesson!"
Mavis gritted her teeth, her cute little face looking fierce.
She had already prepared herself to face the guild's younger generation and had even thought of how to test them.
Yet in the end, the exam had actually been canceled!
Unfortunately, as a ghostly existence, Mavis truly did not possess much combat power.
It was very difficult for her to cast magic by relying on herself.
If she wanted to fight, Mavis could only borrow external magic power.
After all, without a body, she could not generate magic power on her own.
The fact that she could release magic using only outside magic power was already abnormal enough.
Fortunately, the magic power on Tenrou Island was dense, so it was easier for her to mobilize it.
But in this state, her strength could not be considered particularly great.
"If that's the case, then Master Mavis should stay out of the battle."
After hearing Mavis's explanation, Makarov immediately gave up the idea of using Mavis as their safety net.
They could not risk making the ghost of their guild's founder disappear.
This battle could be handled by them alone.
"Do your best, Makarov! You can definitely do it!"
Although Mavis was disappointed, she was not worried that Fairy Tail would lose.
Even though Mavis had now become a ghost without much strength, her knowledge, experience, and judgment still remained.
With one glance, she had seen how powerful Marco was.
That young man's strength had already surpassed Makarov's.
"Leave it to us, Master Mavis! We will protect Tenrou Island!"
Makarov promised solemnly.
If Grimoire Heart destroyed Tenrou Island right in front of their guild founder and First Guild Master, then they would truly lose all face.
In that case, he, the Third Guild Master, might as well step down on the spot!
He would not even have the face to meet Precht, the Second Guild Master who had passed the position on to him!
"It's fine even if Tenrou Island is destroyed, as long as everyone is safe." Mavis shook her head and spoke very seriously.
It was not that she cared that much about what happened to Tenrou Island.
Although this island was the place where she had grown up and held many of her memories, compared to the safety of her guild companions, the island itself did not matter.
Even if it were destroyed, it would be fine.
"Master Mavis…"
Looking at the serious fairy before him, Makarov felt moved.
This was the source of Fairy Tail's spirit, the person who had poured a soul into the entire guild.
All he could say was that she truly did not disappoint.
Makarov answered her, then turned and left.
Of course he knew they had to protect the children. Protecting Tenrou Island came after that. There was no need to say it.
Anyone who wanted to hurt the guild's children would have to defeat him first!
"Grimoire Heart, let me see what you're capable of."
Makarov clenched his fists.
It had also been a long time since he had made a move.
He only hoped Grimoire Heart would not disappoint him!
Ever since Jose Porla was defeated by Marco and Laxus, and since Phantom Lord disappeared, Makarov really had not had many chances to act.
Back when Jose Porla was still around, he could at least teach that fellow a lesson from time to time.
That was just how things were when the children in the guild had become too capable.
As guild master, Makarov was usually little more than a hands-off manager—eating, drinking, and serving as the guild's stabilizing pillar.
There was nothing else he needed to do.
...
Before long, Makarov gathered with everyone from the guild at the shore.
By now, everyone had already gone ashore and knew what they were about to face. None of them were nervous at all.
Instead, they began rubbing their fists and eagerly awaiting Grimoire Heart's arrival.
If nothing else, the battle against Oración Seis had truly stripped away the mystique of the so-called "three giants of the Balam Alliance" for everyone in Fairy Tail.
In the end, they were only so so.
When it came to reputation, Fairy Tail was not inferior either.
There was no need to be afraid of Grimoire Heart.
If anything, the ones who should be afraid were Grimoire Heart, since Fairy Tail had just wiped out Oración Seis.
"Use Grimoire Heart as a substitute for the S-Class trial?"
As soon as Makarov arrived, Marco brought up the matter.
The old man froze for a moment, but then immediately agreed.
"No problem! Most of you here participated in the battle that destroyed Oración Seis. If you also eliminate Grimoire Heart now, then there really would be no reason not to promote you."
Makarov's expression was serious as he gave his decision.
"We'll be watching your performances closely."
Once this matter was confirmed, Natsu, Gray, and the others all grew excited.
They had not even seen Grimoire Heart's people yet, but Fairy Tail's side had already piled on every possible boost.
One by one, they looked like they could not wait to tear Grimoire Heart apart.
Marco smiled, but he did not continue waiting there for Grimoire Heart.
He had not forgotten the other strange figure he had seen earlier in his Future Sight.
"With that description, I don't have any impression of him either."
Marco did not rush off.
First, he told Master Makarov what the strange man he had seen looked like, but Makarov had no impression of this person either.
"Why is it so lively today?"
Makarov scratched his head, finding it very strange.
Tenrou Island, which had originally been peaceful, had actually received two groups of intruders in one day.
"It might not necessarily be two groups. Maybe that guy is also from Grimoire Heart."
Marco narrowed his eyes.
After greeting Master Makarov, he disappeared directly.
He was going to search for that man.
Whether that fellow was from Grimoire Heart or not, Fairy Tail could not just ignore someone trespassing on Tenrou Island.
This was their guild's sacred ground.
If the other party held no malice, then they could talk.
If he was lost, they would send him out.
If he had wandered in by mistake, they could politely invite him to leave. Fairy Tail was not some unreasonable barbarian group.
But if that guy had come with hostile intentions, then Marco certainly would not be polite to him.
At most, Tenrou Island would merely gain one more body.
Marco hoped the other party would know what was good for him.
...
Following the scene he had seen through Future Sight, Marco quickly arrived at his destination and saw the figure leaning beneath a tree.
The man seemed to be asleep.
After seeing him with his own eyes, Marco's expression turned serious, because this fellow's strength was far beyond his imagination!
Although his aura was restrained and he looked like an ordinary person, Marco could tell at a glance that this guy was extremely powerful.