A magic merchant infiltrating Fairy Tail

A few minutes later...

"I understand what you mean. Because you were worried about our safety, you took the liberty of sailing to the Western Continent to gather information, and then you were captured by them halfway there, is that right?"

Mavis's gentle voice filled Erza and the others with shame: "We're...we're sorry! We've disgraced the guild!"

"It's alright, it's alright... It's just that the opponents were too strong. Losing to them isn't shameful!"

Is this supposed to be comforting? We're not very well-educated, don't try to fool us kids!

"Kid, you lost too?" Precito looked at Laxus, who was posing by the window and pretending to be aloof, his tone somewhat mocking.

"...Stop arguing!"

After explaining the reasons for their actions, Erza began to concern herself with the most important matter: "Ahem... So... First Generation, how did your negotiations go? Did you successfully stop them from starting a war? Where are the Guild Master and the others?"

"Well..."

Mavis hesitated for two seconds, then looked at August with hopeful eyes. "I've basically succeeded on my end. Right, August?"

This situation is indeed quite difficult for the 80-year-old man. On one side is his father, who has a tendency to destroy the world, and on the other side is his mother, who is determined to save the world. He can't stand on either side.

So August remained silent, looking down at the nearly empty cup of black tea in his hand, like a child who had made a mistake but dared not admit it to his mother.

With heavy, drawn-out breathing, rapid, brief ripples spread across the dark red surface of the tea. After a long while, Auguste sighed helplessly, then said softly, "Yes..."

Dad, I'm sorry! I have to make you suffer so that Mom can be happy.

The others were delighted to hear this, but Timalia was dissatisfied: "Really? Old man! You've just decided not to fight? I was actually quite looking forward to the 'holy war'..."

However, before he could finish speaking, more than a dozen pairs of eyes shot towards her at once!

"Um... what I mean is, shouldn't we wait for the emperor to return before making such an important decision?"

Only then did everyone turn their gaze away in satisfaction.

'That was close... Luckily I changed my mind quickly, otherwise these people would have eaten me alive...'

Timalia wiped away her sweat with lingering fear. She longed to go to war and gallop across the battlefield, but she also knew very well that even if she could defeat Erza and Laxus's two teams of more than a dozen people by virtue of her magical abilities, as long as Old Man Auguste gave the order, she and Brandish would have no choice but to obey—who could blame them when they were so powerful and held such a high position?

"Need not!"

Augustus replied decisively, "Since the Emperor has not declared the start of a 'holy war,' then we have no reason to provoke any war!"

"When you return to the capital later, please tell Inbel and Yakiel to immediately halt the 'overseas expedition' plan!"

In fact, Auguste believed that this 'overseas expedition' plan was completely meaningless, and its only purpose was to alleviate the fighting desires of the warmongers within the empire.

Now, this plan has another purpose: to make Mavis, who doesn't know the details of the plan, think that she has listened to the other party's advice and given up the idea of ​​starting a war, thus gaining a lot of goodwill in front of her lovely mother!

Chapter 511: The Story of a Divorced Couple Fighting for Custody

The 'Overseas Expedition' plan was a spur-of-the-moment decision by Imber. It took less than three days from the proposal to its final decision. Apart from a few Twelve Shields who remained in the Empire, no one else participated. It can be said to be a rather hasty plan.

August neither supports nor opposes the plan.

After all, if the Alvarez Empire really wanted to attack Ishgar, their massive army wouldn't need to travel by sea; a simple spatial spell would suffice, something both he and Irene could do with ease.

Once the Alvarez Empire completely conquered Ishgar, given its own powerful national strength, these islands would naturally surrender without any further concern from the Alvarez Empire.

After half a year, the plan was almost complete. The remaining islands that had not yet surrendered were tough nuts to crack, and sending people on expeditions to capture them would be a waste of effort.

For various reasons, August felt that instead of wasting time, he should use it to improve his image in front of his mother; at the same time, this action could postpone his awkwardness of being conflicted about his parents' world-destroying and saving plan until Zeref returned to the Empire.

Timalia blinked; she understood Auguste's hint, and answered loudly, "I understand!"

Anyway, she had already had her fill of expeditions. Apart from having a big-breasted blonde woman by her side, she was very satisfied with everything else about this mission.

Auguste admired the girl's cleverness and smiled at her with satisfaction, his smile gentle and kind.

Just as he was about to dismiss everyone and allow himself and his mother to enjoy some quality time together, Mavis spoke up again: "Auguste, after this is over, come with me to Ishgar!"

Brandish: Why does this sound so familiar...?

"Oh my god!!! Is this the legendary battle for child custody between parents?!"

"You lot, shut up!!"

Erza covered the agitated Natsu, her eyes wide as she silently watched the drama unfold.

"Go to Ishgard...?"

Hearing his mother mention his hometown, August felt a little lost.

Since meeting Zeref in his childhood, he followed him to the western continent of Arakitasia, where he has been managing the vast magical empire he now lives in, and has never returned.

During those few short years, August's life was exceptionally difficult, because at that time he was just a helpless and uncared-for toddler.

If it weren't for his truly exceptional physique, he would have long since fallen seriously ill like Ultear and Laxus due to the immense magical power within him.

Back then, no mother could take him to a research institute for treatment, and no father would buy him an expensive Dragon Slayer Crystal to balance his magic power.

Recalling his turbulent childhood, Auguste suddenly felt a pang of melancholy.

"Yes, to Ishgar!"

Mavis's thoughts drifted into memories, a faint smile unconsciously spreading across her face, accompanied by a delicate blush: "Then I'll take you to Tenrou Island, where I lived as a child; to Magnolia, where Fairy Tail is, they're practically your family; and, and..."

She thought of the place where she met Zeref, the place where she lived with Zeref. Although she couldn't remember exactly where it was, she still had a general idea of ​​the direction and could go look for it.

Mavis spoke at length, trying to make up for the love she hadn't had the chance to give over the decades; August listened intently, not missing a single word. In his eyes, Mavis at that moment was both as innocent as a child showing off candy and displayed a mother's tenderness to the fullest.

The sight of a loving mother and filial son deeply moved those around them, and tears streamed down their faces as if they were free. Even Laxus showed a rare soft side, his expression softening considerably, though he remained leaning against the window gazing out.

Of the dozen or so people present, only Precito, that cunning fellow, vaguely sensed something was amiss, inwardly grumbling: Although Mavis has always been as innocent as a child, but... was she ever this sentimental before? Could it really be that becoming a mother changes everything?

Forgive him, this centenarian bachelor, for simply not understanding what maternal love is.

After several minutes of passionate speech by Mebbes, August finally agreed.

'Since Father's away, and I have nothing better to do in the Alvarez Empire, it's only right that I spend time with Mother... Father, I'm sorry!'

With the plan succeeding, Mebius was overjoyed, dancing with delight, and immediately wanted to drag the guild children to her favorite library to play.

Her previous words were sincere and heartfelt, but they also contained the purpose of luring August back to Ishgar.

As long as August is not in the Alvarez Empire, and if Jelf cannot find him when he returns, he may not easily start a war. Even if he still chooses to destroy the world, without August as a major force, it will not be so easy to realize the plan.

As for how to persuade Augustus not to go back, she had plenty of methods.

As long as she acts cute and begs for mercy, she doesn't believe her obedient son won't listen!

night.

The moonlight is bright and clear, and the stars shine brightly.

This grand estate, located far to the west of the capital, hosted its most lively banquet in decades.

The ingredients for the banquet were all grown on the estate itself. It's hard to imagine that the powerful and high-ranking magic king in the empire would live such a down-to-earth life. What's even more surprising is that August, an old man in his eighties, is surprisingly good at cooking.

High-quality ingredients often require only the simplest cooking methods. After working hard for half a day, Chef Ou prepared a large table of exquisite and gorgeous delicacies, including fragrant and juicy fruits and vegetables, sweet and mellow wines, and fatty but not greasy roasted meats. All the food was covered with a faint golden light, as if it would explode with flavor as soon as you ate it.

A dozen or so people gathered around a campfire that hissed and swayed in the evening breeze, eating, drinking, and having fun, accompanied by their clumsy and even unpleasant singing.

Looking at the lavish banquet before them, Natsu and the others were all dumbfounded, exclaiming that this was truly an eye-opening experience.

"Grandpa, is your cooking really not copied?"

"...I can only copy magic, not cooking skills."

"Xia Lulu, this grilled fish is for you!"

Happy held up a golden-brown grilled fish that emitted a rich aroma as he approached Charlotte, a hint of pride and flattery in his voice. "I put in a lot of effort to give you this gift!"

The shameless blue cat, taking advantage of his cuteness, brazenly lied to his goddess to claim credit.

Fortunately, Xia Lulu saw right through his previous behavior and wasn't fooled at all: "You just took it off the grill, didn't you?!"

"Wendy, you see? Men these days are all like this cat. Don't fall for it when you date in the future!"

"Huh?! Dating... and all that... is too early for me..."

Timalia hugged the tiny twin-tailed girl from behind, relentlessly bombarding her mind with distorted views on love: "Girls should date other girls, it's the most wonderful thing in the world!!"

"What?! Really?!"

Wendy's clean face was already flushed red with embarrassment, her breath steaming upwards, and her innocent eyes were filled with astonishment. "I've heard that girls in the Western Continent are very passionate, unrestrained, and trendy when it comes to love, but I never imagined it would be to this extent..."

Does Wendy have any close friends her own age?

"Well... Melty and I are doing quite well..."

Wendy thought for a long time before saying her best friend's name.

Hearing this, Timalia's smile widened even more: "Then you..."

"What kind of weird stuff are you teaching Wendy, you damn granny?! Get away from Wendy!!"

"Oh, do you want revenge for being captured before?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking!!"

In less than five minutes, this group of unruly teenagers brought the unique atmosphere of the Fairy Tail guild to this remote place in the Western Continent.

They were very familiar with that routine: first they would eat, drink, and have fun; then they would start arguing; then they would start fighting; and they would only stop when everyone was exhausted or defeated.

Several hours later, everyone was thoroughly drunk and enjoying themselves.

Amidst a chorus of snores, Laxus and Erza, still conscious, weaved through their slumped companions and found Precito, who was about to get ready for bed.

"You mean, the guild master and Jellal are in the capital, while the others have gone to find the Twelve Shields whose whereabouts are unknown?"

"Yes."

"In that case, let me join too!"

"what ever."

"If we can bring those people back just like the first generation did with that old man named August, then we should consider it a success, right?"

"Yes."

"Then let's set off tomorrow!"

"Good night."