The journey back from the cultist island was slow.
Originally, Grandpa Rob insisted on walking on his own, his pride as an old Fairy Tail mage refusing to be extinguished by his physical frailty.
But his body, ravaged by Mana Depletion Syndrome, simply couldn't keep up.
After watching him stumble for the third time, Raizel didn't ask for permission.
He simply crouched down and hoisted the old man onto his back.
"Put me down, you brat," Rob grumbled, though his voice lacked any real heat.
"Quiet old man," Raizel grinned. "Consider this a free taxi service."
Carrying an adult had little effect on Raizel.
He and Laxus trained their physical strength daily by climbing steep cliffs with weighted vests; Rob felt as light as a bag of feathers in comparison.
As they approached the village, a figure sat perched on the highest roof, scanning the horizon.
"Grandpa Rob!"
Laxus spotted them immediately.
With a crackle of ozone, he transformed into a streak of yellow lightning, zipping from the roof to the village entrance in a blink.
He materialized in front of Raizel, his usual scowl replaced by wide-eyed relief.
"Raizel, put him down gently," Laxus ordered, his hands hovering protectively.
"I know, I know," Raizel slowly crouched, while Laxus supported Rob from the side, helping him stand on shaky legs.
"That's great... you're alive," Laxus breathed out, his voice thick with emotion. "The Old Man has been worried sick about you. He'll be so happy to know you're safe."
"Haha, I'm also very happy to see Little Mak's brat," Rob chuckled, patting Laxus's cheek. "You've grown, Laxus. You look just like Ivan, but with better eyes."
Rob was clearly delighted.
He wasn't even panting anymore; the fresh air and the company of his guildmates seemed to be restoring his spirit, even if his magic needed time to heal.
"Let Grandpa Rob rest tomorrow," Raizel decided. "The day after, we'll bid farewell to the Village Chief and take Erza and the others back to Fairy Tail."
Raizel and Laxus each supported Rob on one side.
Both boys were now much taller than the hunched elder, flanking him like bodyguards.
"Alright," Laxus nodded. "You handle the negotiations. I'm not good at talking to civilians."
Although Laxus had stayed in Rosemary Village for months, he had remained an enigma to the locals, mostly training in the woods or scowling at anyone who got too close.
...
Back at their rented house, the mood was warm.
"Grandpa Rob," Ultear greeted him politely, bowing slightly.
"Oh, another young one?" Rob smiled. "Fairy Tail is certainly growing."
"I'll share a room with Grandpa Rob tonight so I can take care of him," Laxus announced, helping Rob toward the bedroom.
"I need to catch him up on everything he missed."
"Fine, I'll sleep with Simon," Raizel nodded. "Ultear, you take the room with Erza and Kagura."
With everyone settled, the house fell quiet.
But Raizel couldn't sleep.
The adrenaline from the battle had faded, leaving a restless energy.
He decided to keep watch, just in case any remnants of the Dark Guild decided to seek revenge.
He climbed onto the roof, crossing his arms behind his head and lying back against the tiles.
The night sky was clear, filled with stars that seemed brighter here than in Magnolia.
"You're thinking too loud."
Raizel turned his head.
Ultear was floating beside him, her black dress fluttering in the night breeze.
"Can't sleep?" Raizel chuckled, shifting over to make room.
Laxus probably knew they were up there but stayed inside to watch over Rob.
Ultear lay down beside him on the slanted roof without a word.
They gazed at the stars together in comfortable silence.
The bond between them had solidified over the past year; they were no longer just guildmates, but family.
Raizel noticed Ultear shivering slightly.
He took off his heavy coat and draped it over her.
"Thanks," she murmured, snuggling into the warmth. Within minutes, her breathing evened out, and she fell asleep under the stars.
...
The next morning, the air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine.
Raizel and Ultear, accompanied by Erza, Kagura, and Simon, went to the Village Chief's house.
Chief Erwin Rose welcomed them, though he looked weary.
"Chief Erwin," Raizel began formally. "We are Mages from the guild Fairy Tail."
He placed his hand on his chest. "We wish to take Erza, Kagura, and Simon with us back to our guild. They have great talent for magic, and we can offer them a home, education, and a future."
Erwin looked at the children. "Erza, Kagura, Simon... do you want to go?"
The three orphans exchanged glances.
They looked at Raizel, then at Ultear. Finally, they nodded firmly.
"I want to see the world," Erza said, her voice steady. "I want to be strong."
"Is 'Fairy Tail' famous?" Erwin asked, stroking his beard.
In this remote corner of Fiore, guild reputations rarely reached them.
He wanted to ensure he wasn't sending them to some no-name mercenary group.
"Are you familiar with the Magic Council and the Wizard Saints?" Raizel asked.
Erwin nodded. "Of course. Everyone knows the Saints."
"Our guild has two of the Ten Wizard Saints appointed by the Council," Raizel held up two fingers.
"Our Master, Makarov Dreyar, and our newest member, Ur Milkovich."
Erwin's eyes widened.
Two Saints in one guild? That was unheard of.
"I... I cannot agree immediately," Erwin said cautiously. "I need to verify this. These children are the village's responsibility. I cannot just hand them over to strangers, no matter how strong you are."
Raizel smiled. He respected the old man's caution.
"Very well. You can send someone to verify at the nearest town's Council branch. We won't depart until you are satisfied."
Erwin wasted no time.
He sent two runners—one to the local academy and one to the Council branch in the neighboring city.
A day passed.
The runners returned, breathless.
"Village Chief!" the runner from the Council branch panted. "It's true! Raizel Bael is an S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail, known as 'The Knight.' And Fairy Tail really does have two Wizard Saints! The records are updated across all of Ishgar!"
"And the girl," the other runner added. "The documents mention a golden-haired boy—Laxus Dreyar, the Master's grandson. They are the real deal."
Erwin nodded slowly, the tension leaving his shoulders.
He sent for Raizel.
"Chief Erwin," Raizel entered the room.
"Please sit," Erwin gestured. "I've verified the information. Everything matches."
He sighed deeply, looking out the window at the village.
"Erza, Kagura, and Simon... they have had difficult lives. They are orphans, raised by the community but belonging to no one. Truthfully, I never expected them to become powerful Mages. I only wanted them to live safe, ordinary lives. But perhaps... perhaps ordinary is not their destiny."
He looked at Raizel with watery eyes. "I hope you will take good care of them."
"Please rest assured, Village Chief," Raizel placed his hand over his heart. "That's precisely why I want them. Our guild isn't just about missions and money. It's a family. What I've experienced there—love, protection, belonging—they will experience too."
"Very well," Erwin whispered. "You may take them."
"We'll leave tomorrow," Raizel stood up. He took a thick envelope from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"Also, please accept this."
"What the...!" Erwin gasped as he opened it.
Inside was a stack of bills totaling 2 million Jewels.
"This is too much, I can't accept it!"
"This money isn't for you," Raizel said gently, pushing the envelope back. "It's for the children and elderly left behind. Consider it compensation for the disturbance we caused, and for the houses that were destroyed in the fighting. Please use it to help the village."
Thinking of the other orphans and the struggling families, Erwin finally nodded, clutching the envelope.
"Thank you. You have a good heart, Mage of Fairy Tail."
Raizel returned to the house, where everyone was waiting.
The tension in the room evaporated as he walked in with a smile.
"Everyone, pack your bags," Raizel announced, looking at the hopeful faces of Erza, Kagura, Simon, and the relieved smile of Grandpa Rob.
"Tomorrow—we're going home!"